Joint & Dual Degrees

Your interests and goals may span multiple academic disciplines or areas of expertise. That is why the Stanford MBA Program empowers you to combine studies. This flexibility offers a rich and valuable academic experience.

Generally, about 20% of Stanford MBA students take advantage of a joint or dual degree to complement their MBA. As a student, you may also take courses in any graduate school at Stanford University.

Joint Degrees

In a joint degree program, credit from a single course may count toward both degrees. Your degrees must be conferred simultaneously, upon completion of degree requirements for both programs. While in the Stanford MBA Program, you may not pursue concurrently more than one additional degree.

JD/MBA

The JD/MBA joint degree program with Stanford Law School is designed for individuals considering:

A career in law or public service, who wish to acquire the skills of a general manager
A career in management, who wish to acquire the skills and competencies of a lawyer

Degree Requirements

You must fulfill the degree requirements for the joint degree program as outlined in the academic policies from each school for the year in which you began the required curriculum.

MBA Units	84
JD Units	80
Total Units	164
Time to Complete	11 to 12 quarters (4 years)

Stanford GSB Residency

In addition to satisfying the SLS residency requirement, you must complete five quarters of residency, i.e. full-tuition study, at Stanford GSB. Residency starts accruing when you begin the core coursework in the autumn quarter.

Paths to Completing the Program

Option 1 — Complete your first two years of law school, then your first year of business school, followed by courses primarily at the business school in your final year.

Option 2 — Complete your first year of law school, then your first year of business school, followed by a variety of courses at both schools in your remaining two years.

If you intend to complete the JD/MBA program in 11 quarters, you may elect to go on leave during the winter quarter of your fourth year to prepare for the bar exam, and return to classes in spring quarter.

MA Education/MBA

The MA Education/MBA joint degree program with Stanford Graduate School of Education is designed for individuals with a wide variety of interests in education (both K–12 and higher education, for-profit education, etc.), including:

Education policy
Education management
The application of technology to education
Teaching and learning

Degree Requirements

MBA Units	84
MA Education Units	35
Total Units	109–119*
Time to Complete	6 quarters (two years)
*Dependent upon number of cross-listed courses taken

In this program, you will spend most of your first year taking MBA courses, while your second year will comprise a mix of business and education courses. You have the flexibility to take a variety of electives at both schools. Depending on your course load, you may need an extra quarter to complete the program.

MPP/MBA

The MPP/MBA joint degree program allows you to simultaneously pursue an MBA from Stanford GSB and an MPP degree from the Public Policy Program at Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences.

You may be interested in this degree if you wish to pursue a career in public policy, or at the intersection of business and government.

Degree Requirements

MBA Units	84
MPP Units	90 (of which up to 29 units can be credited toward both programs)
Total Units	145
Time to Complete	9 quarters (3 years)

You will spend most of your first year taking MBA courses; you may take MPP courses once you begin your second year. During autumn and winter quarters of the third year, you will participate in the MPP’s two-quarter practicum course, in which interdisciplinary teams of the MPP cohort analyze and report on real-world policy issues for an outside client.

MS Computer Science/MBA

The MS Computer Science/MBA joint degree program links two of Stanford University’s world-class programs — Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Stanford University Computer Science Department. Students develop the necessary skills to become a manager and/or entrepreneur for new technology ventures.

Degree Requirements

MBA Units	84
MS Computer Science Units	45
Total Units	129
Time to Complete	9 quarters (3 years)

If you start at Stanford GSB, you will spend your first year taking MBA courses. Your second and third years, you will take courses in both programs. If you start in the computer science department, you will spend your first year taking CS courses. Your second year, you will take MBA courses and your third year you will take courses in both programs. The joint degree program is typically one to two quarters shorter than completing the two degrees separately.

MS Electrical Engineering/MBA

The MS Electrical Engineering/MBA joint degree program links two of Stanford University’s world-class programs — Stanford Graduate School of Business and the Stanford University Electrical Engineering Department. Students develop an integrated understanding of engineering, strategy, and execution to drive future innovations that increasingly involve both technology and business.

Degree Requirements

MBA Units	84
MS Electrical Engineering Units	45
Total Units	129
Time to Complete	9 quarters (3 years)

If you start at Stanford GSB, you will spend your first year taking MBA courses. Your second and third years, you will take courses in both programs. If you start at the electrical engineering department, you will spend your first year taking EE courses. Your second year, you will take MBA courses and your third year you will take courses in both programs. The joint degree program is typically one to two quarters shorter than completing the two degrees separately.

MS Environment and Resources (E-IPER)/MBA

The MS Environment and Resources (E-IPER)/MBA joint degree program with the Stanford School of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences offers you the opportunity to develop a background in the science, engineering, and technology that underlie environmental problems. You’ll integrate that knowledge with your MBA curriculum to become an influential and innovative leader addressing environmental issues — either directly or peripherally.

Degree Requirements

MBA Units	84
E-IPER MS Units	45*
Total Units	129
Time to Complete	7 to 9 quarters (3 years)

In one of your final quarters, you will complete a capstone project that allows you to demonstrate your ability to integrate business, science, and engineering knowledge.

*May include courses offered by other schools within the university, but must be science-related coursework approved by the School of Earth, Energy and Environmental Sciences

Student Spotlight

Hilary Bartlett

MBA 2019

It is not at all an overstatement to say that my four years in the joint JD/MBA program at Stanford have been life-changing. Committed professors and inspiring peers have challenged me to expand my vision of what is possible for myself and for the world. I am graduating with greater confidence, a clearer sense of self and an excitement for what the future holds. Not only do I dream bigger as a result of my time at Stanford, but my dreams feel more attainable. I am leaving Stanford with so much more than the foundational skill set I was seeking.

Student Spotlight

Owen Wurzbacher

MBA 2019

The GSB’s joint degree program allowed me to explore the intersection of two passions: investing and education. It provided the flexibility to study both fields and illustrated the opportunities for applying business skills to education in an informed way. Using tools developed and relationships built, I look forward to influencing the education field and inspiring a love of learning in young people during my career.

Dual Degrees

You may pursue a dual degree with any graduate program at Stanford University. Candidates must apply to and be accepted by the other program separately, then notify Stanford GSB. Candidates may apply concurrently to both programs or apply to the dual degree program during the first year as an MBA student. As with joint degrees, you may only pursue one additional degree while in the MBA program.

MD/MBA

The MD/MBA dual degree program allows you to pursue an MBA at Stanford GSB and an MD from the Stanford School of Medicine in five academic years of residence.

Degree Requirements

You must fulfill the degree requirements for the dual degree program as outlined in the academic policies from each school for the year in which you began the required curriculum.

MBA Units	90
MD Units	A minimum of 235 and completion of all MD graduation requirements
Time to Complete	17 quarters (5 years)

Preferred Path to Completion

Year	School	Coursework
One	School of Medicine	Pre-clerkship/scholarly concentration
Two	School of Medicine	Pre-clerkship/scholarly concentration
Three	School of Medicine	Core clinical rotations, including surgery and medicine plus selective subjects
Four*	Stanford GSB
Five (Fall Quarter)	School of Medicine	Clinics, core, and electives
Five (Winter & Spring Quarters)	Stanford GSB
*Per Stanford School of Medicine policy, students must receive an overall pass on Step 1 of the USMLE within 12 months of the start of clinical clerkships. It is highly recommended that MD/MBAs take their Step 1 exam prior to starting at Stanford GSB.

Student Spotlight

Justin Norden

MBA 2019

After starting medical school at Stanford, I decided to pursue an MBA at the GSB to develop the skills to become a leader at the intersection of healthcare, technology and medicine. Business school has not only taught me many valuable leadership skills, but also opened my eyes to think about problems in completely new ways. The best part about the GSB, however, has been getting to know and learn from so many wonderful classmates.

Study Opportunities Outside Stanford

Stanford MBA students may also pursue degrees with certain professional schools at other universities. Check with each school regarding its policy and timeline.

Eligible Degree Programs & Requirements

Harvard Kennedy School: MPA, MPA-ID, or MPP
Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS): MA
Princeton School of Public and International Affairs: MPA
Yale Law School: JD
Yale Medical School: MD

You may enroll in either a joint or dual degree with another school at Stanford or a degree from an external university, but not both.

Degree Requirements

Stanford GSB Units	90
Other Program Units	8
Total Units for MBA	98
Total Time to Complete	6 to 9 quarters (3 years)

Paths to Completion by School

Harvard Kennedy School, Johns Hopkins SAIS, and Princeton School of Public and International Affairs

You must spend five quarters of full-time study at Stanford GSB. The combined degree programs must be completed in one of the following timelines. Note that some programs may require a particular academic path in order to successfully complete both degrees.

First Year	Second Year	Third Year	Graduate with…
Other school (this is the preferred path for Princeton School of Public and International Affairs)	Stanford GSB	Autumn semester at the other school; winter and spring quarters at Stanford GSB	Stanford GSB cohort
Stanford GSB	Autumn semester at the other school; winter and spring quarters at Stanford GSB	Other school	Both cohorts
Stanford GSB	Other school	Autumn semester at the other school; winter and spring quarters at Stanford GSB	Other school’s cohort

Yale Medical School and Yale Law School

You must spend five quarters of full-time study at Stanford GSB and complete at least one year at YMS or YLS first. Consult with YMS or YLS for their timeline requirements.

Benefits of These Experiences

Completing two degrees in a shorter amount of time while also saving on tuition
Expanding one’s network outside of Stanford GSB
Enhancing marketability for certain career opportunities
Personalizing and individualizing your academic experience to meet your specific learning goals

Trade-Offs

Limited capacity for electives that don’t count towards either degree program
Possibly not graduating with your MBA cohort (depending upon your program)
Additional moving expenses and logistical challenges if pursuing a program in a different location
Not being able to participate in specific activities or courses that occur during a quarter that you are away from Stanford GSB (e.g., Arbuckle Leadership Fellows, View From The Top Leaders, Peer Advisors, TALK coach, Leadership Perspectives course assistants)

View Application Requirements for Joint and Dual Degrees

MBA Admissions Insights: Considering a Joint or Dual Degree

Staff members Allison Davis and Mary Oleksy discuss tips and advice for applicants considering a joint or dual degree.

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