Dual-degrees

Investment in your education is one of the most valuable investments in your life. A smart investment starts by picking up the right institution and the right program. As a University of Michigan student, you chose to be part of one of the best academic communities worldwide, congratulations! Flexibility is an essential feature of an excellent institution and U of M realizes that. As an undergraduate student, you can double major and you can have a minor besides your major. This will equip you with excellent education and set of skills for a bright future.

But as a graduate student myself, I’m more aware of the dual-degrees option in the Rackham Graduate School.  Rackham supports the notion of dual-degrees through either structured dual-degree programs or by leaving the decision to you to blend up and come up with an academic recipe fitting your career aspiration.

The list of already structured dual-degree programs is long and covers both, the Master’s and the doctoral programs, with some that mix them. On the other hand, if you happened to be interested in a blend that doesn’t exist, you can create it and Rackham will support you. You can do that by filling out one of the forms present on Rackham’s Dual/Joint Degree Program page and follow the right procedure. Just make sure to familiarize yourself with the policies and regulations of those programs. For example, you may apply to double-counting some of your credit hours toward the two-degrees. Academic advisors and faculty in your department are also a good source for advise into what might fit your needs and will always be supportive.

As an example, I came to Michigan on December 2012 to start my master’s in Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (MCDB). As I delved in the realm of Genomics, I realized that a good exposure to bioinformatics would be a bonus and will enhance my work in genomics. Moreover, the Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics (DCMB) has an excellent and meticulously structured master’s program. I approached the coordinators of the graduate programs in my department (MCDB) and the prospective department (DCMB) as well as the Rackham graduate school seeking information on the feasibility of adding a bioinformatics degree to my current program and on the How business. Then, I followed on the policy of applying to add a degree as instructed on the Rackham website and I successfully got into the program.

I wish you the best in your academic journey at U of M.

GO BLUE!

Written By: Rasheed Alameer, Dual-Degree Graduate Student