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MBA vs PhD – Which advanced degree is better?

In the ever-evolving professional landscape, the pursuit of higher education remains a popular route to advance your career.

But with numerous options available, how do you choose between an MBA and a PhD?

In this blog post, we dive into the unique benefits and opportunities that each of these advanced degrees offers.

From the practical business acumen and leadership skills gained in an MBA program to the deep expertise and research contributions made by PhD holders, the choice ultimately hinges on your long-term goals and personal ambitions.

We’ll explore these two distinct paths, and learn how to make the best decision for your future success.

MBA VS PHD – the debate

A quick summary of a PhD vs MBA:

What Does a PhD Get You? Pros and Cons

A PhD, the highest academic degree achievable, can open numerous doors in the job market, enabling graduates to advance in their careers.

Unlike an MBA, which primarily focuses on corporate and management aspects, a PhD offers expertise in a specific field through rigorous research and study.

As a PhD student, your goal is to contribute new knowledge to your field, be it economics, finance, accounting, or any other discipline, by crafting a thesis that contains original research.

Through the PhD program, you not only earn a valuable qualification but also gain opportunities to publish your work and present at conferences.

These activities can enhance your reputation, making you more desirable to potential employers. The salary of a PhD holder often surpasses that of someone with only an undergraduate degree, as their expertise is in high demand.

From my personal experience, obtaining a PhD can be challenging yet rewarding. It allowed me to explore my chosen field, chemistry, in depth and opened up new avenues for career growth.

However, it is crucial to consider the potential drawbacks before embarking on this journey.

Pursuing a PhD entails a significant time commitment, typically around 3-4 years, and can be quite expensive, as tuition fees for these programs can be steep.

Acquiring a PhD can provide numerous benefits, including expert knowledge, a higher salary, and opportunities for advancement in your field. However, carefully weighing the pros and cons is necessary to determine if it’s the right path for you.

Should you earn an MBA instead for the business world?

Choosing between an MBA and a PhD is a crucial decision that depends on your career goals and personal preferences. While both are advanced degrees, they offer significantly different paths.

I asked an MBA graduate and this is what they said:

Having experienced the MBA program myself, I can vouch for its practical benefits. An MBA focuses on business acumen and managerial skills, enabling you to climb the corporate ladder more quickly than a PhD. With a two-year duration, it’s a faster route to increasing your earning potential and offers a significant return on investment. Business schools emphasize teamwork, entrepreneurship, and ethics, providing graduates with a well-rounded skill set for the business world.

On the other hand, a PhD, such as a PhD in economics or any other discipline, is ideal for those passionate about research and academia. It requires several years of dedicated study, with graduates becoming experts in their niche.

PhD holders often pursue careers as researchers, professors, or consultants.

When considering whether to pursue an MBA or a PhD, weigh the pros and cons of each degree and reflect on your long-term career aspirations. Both options can be rewarding, but they cater to different ambitions and provide distinct opportunities in the professional world.

Is an MBA equal to a PhD and doctorate?

An MBA and a PhD are both advanced degrees, but they are not equal due to their differing purposes and career outcomes.

As someone who has interacted with both MBA and PhD graduates, I’ve seen firsthand the unique benefits of each degree.

An MBA is a professional degree, taking one to two years to complete, and equips students with practical business skills.

This degree is popular among those aiming to climb the corporate ladder in industries like finance, marketing, or consulting.

On the other hand, a PhD is a research-focused degree, requiring several years of dedication and original research contributions.

A PhD in economics or other fields often leads to careers in academia or research. PhD programs are highly competitive and demand an intense commitment to writing a dissertation and advancing knowledge in the discipline.

The debate between MBA vs. PhD highlights the significant differences in their focus and career paths.

While both degrees can be obtained at a business school, they cater to different ambitions and provide distinct opportunities. The choice between an MBA or a PhD depends on one’s end goal, work experience, and personal preferences.

So What’s Better, a PhD or MBA?

When considering whether to pursue a PhD or an MBA, it’s essential to evaluate your:

• personal interests,
• career goals,
• financial commitment involved in each degree.

A PhD offers the opportunity to deeply explore a specific subject, contribute to the advancement of knowledge in that field, and establish yourself as an expert.

However, the process is often lengthy and demanding, taking up to five or six years of intense research and dedication.

The payoff might not always be immediate in terms of career prospects, as academia and research can be fiercely competitive arenas.

On the other hand, an MBA equips you with practical business skills and knowledge, often leading to a broader range of job opportunities and potentially higher salaries.

The program’s duration is considerably shorter, usually taking one to two years to complete, and offers a faster return on investment.

An MBA is particularly well-suited for those seeking to climb the corporate ladder, transition into a managerial role, or even launch their own startups.

It’s important to note that some individuals choose to pursue both degrees, combining their research expertise with practical business acumen to excel in various fields.

Does anyone earn both a PhD and an MBA? Why?

Yes, there are indeed individuals who choose to earn both a PhD and an MBA, although this path is less common.

Combining the two degrees can create a unique skill set that is valuable in various fields.

For instance, a PhD holder in a specialized discipline may opt for an MBA to gain practical business skills and a broader understanding of the corporate world, which can be valuable in leadership roles or entrepreneurial endeavors.

Pursuing both degrees also allows for building diverse networks, connecting with professionals in academia and the business world.

Despite the significant time and effort required to obtain both degrees, those who undertake this ambitious path often find themselves well-equipped to navigate multiple career paths and excel in their chosen fields.

MBA vs PhD Career Options

Both advanced degrees can lead to successful careers, but they differ significantly in terms of their focus and job prospects.

An MBA degree, with its emphasis on business administration, prepares graduates for roles such as:

• management consultant,
• marketing manager, or
• finance director.

MBA holders are more likely to climb the corporate ladder quickly and enjoy higher salaries. The MBA program equips students with practical business skills, making them suitable for leadership positions in a wide range of industries.

In contrast, PhDs are more likely to become professors or researchers, with a focus on deepening their expertise in their chosen field. In science that is a very common career goal. 

While the earning potential for PhD holders may not be as high as for those with an MBA, they often find fulfillment in their academic pursuits.

Getting an MBA might be the better option for those eager to advance quickly in the corporate world and who possess a strong passion for business. 

On the other hand, getting a PhD might be more suitable for those who wish to delve into research and contribute to academia.

Wrapping Up

The decision between pursuing an MBA or a PhD is a highly personal one, hinging on individual career goals, personal interests, and the level of time and financial commitment one is willing to make. Both advanced degrees offer unique benefits and opportunities, but they cater to different career paths and ambitions.

An MBA is an ideal choice for those seeking to climb the corporate ladder swiftly, transition into management roles, or launch their own businesses. With a focus on practical business skills, MBA graduates find themselves well-prepared for leadership positions across various industries.

On the other hand, a PhD is geared towards those passionate about research and academia, providing an opportunity to become an expert in a specific field and contribute to the advancement of knowledge. While the journey may be more demanding and time-consuming, the satisfaction of making an impact in one’s chosen discipline can be deeply rewarding.

The best choice depends on your long-term goals, professional aspirations, and personal preferences. Reflecting on these factors, researching each degree thoroughly, and seeking advice from professionals and peers can help you make an informed decision that aligns with your ambitions and aspirations. Whichever path you choose, both an MBA and a PhD can be instrumental in unlocking a world of possibilities and shaping your future career.

Dr Andrew Stapleton has a Masters and PhD in Chemistry from the UK and Australia. He has many years of research experience and has worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow and Associate at a number of Universities. Although having secured funding for his own research, he left academia to help others with his YouTube channel all about the inner workings of academia and how to make it work for you.

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The MBA vs PhD Debate

• By Grace M.
• August 14, 2020

If there’s one question that seems to get business university professors flinching at, it’s the all-to-often “ what’s better – an MBA or a PhD? ”

The reason for this is clear – asking such a question seems to suggest that the result of obtaining an MBA or PhD is the same. This couldn’t be any further from the truth.

Let us first quickly break down what an MBA and a PhD is.

MBA is short for  Master of Business Administration , while PhD is short for  Doctor of Philosophy . Just from the first word of both types of degrees, we can already see that there’s an obvious difference between the two, but let’s proceed.

In terms of the required time commitment, an MBA will usually take two years to complete full time. On the other hand, getting a PhD can take four years (unless you decide to undertake it part time or enrol into an accelerated online PhD degree programme). So if time is your primary concern, then an MBA would be the obvious path for you.

As an MBA student, you’ll find that much of the learning curriculum is closely related to a professional environment. In fact, this is why some universities mandate at least one year of actual work experience as an entry requirement. As a result of the masters degree being so closely related to business in practice, an MBA student will usually research a broad range of subjects. Each of these subjects would focus on a unique business aspect such as accounting, consulting, economics, marketing, finance, leadership, management, ethics and trading.

On the other hand, a Business PhD student will only focus on one subject and do so in much greater detail. On top of this, the PhD student will usually also be expected to support lecturers with teaching classes and leading tutorial sessions.

The reason for this difference is because a doctorate is an advanced degree which aims to make you an expert in a specialised field. Because of this, a PhD is regarded as the higher professional qualification of the two.

MBA vs PhD Entrance Requirements

Due to the amount of funding available, a high number of applicants and a few available positions, the competition for entry into MBA and PhD programmes can be very high.

The specific requirements depend on the country you intend to study in; however, most MBA programmes require you to sit Graduate Management Test ( GMAT ) or Graduate Record Examinations ( GRE ). Regardless of whether you need to undertake a pre-qualification exam or not, most universities prioritise applicants who already have a level of professional experience.

The reverse is true for PhD programmes. For PhDs, you will require a relevant undergraduate or postgraduate degree (usually with a 2:1 or 1st), but you will not be expected to sit any pre-entrance exams nor will you be expected to have working experience. As a result, most students who do a business PhD are younger than those who do an MBA.

Earning your MBA or Doctorate Online

As if the MBA or PhD debate wasn’t enough, the online versions of these degrees are starting to get thrown into the comparisons. With the fast-developing rate of the internet and a general trend towards online global connectivity, higher education is experiencing a significant transformation.

Not only is it possible to get a doctorate online , MBA programmes and Masters in Project Management are also much more widely available online from top-ranking universities compared to several years ago.

While online learning may not be for everyone, many adult students, including myself, favour online degrees due to the flexibility they provide to on-campus or distant learning programmes. As someone who used to dedicate several hours a night on a university campus in a neighbouring area, take it from me, being able to study from your home office isn’t only easier, it’s much less stressful.

MBA vs PhD Career Options

So what gives a better return on investment in terms of career options, an MBA or a PhD?

The MBA is a specialised business degree, and as such, anyone who holds it is a valuable asset for any business. Industries are all about using employee abilities to the organisation’s benefit, and an MBA isn’t something an organisation should or will ignore.

Having a Masters in Business Administration is usually associated with greater career prospects. This is reflected in the speed that an MBA degree holder can climb the corporate ranks compared to an individual who doesn’t hold the specialised degree. Not only can they progress faster, but MBA holders typically also achieve higher positions during their career. This can include highly sought after positions such as associate directors and senior executives (assuming the student is ambitious and dedicated enough). Another benefit of getting an MBA is surrounding earning potential. It’s not unusual for those with an MBA from the London Business School, Oxford University or Imperial College London to receive starting salaries in excess of £50,000 a year .

In comparison, most business PhD holders won’t follow the same path as their MBA colleagues. Instead, most PhD graduates will enter into either a research or academic career. Because of this significant difference in the typical career path, which of the two types of degrees is better suited for you will depend on exactly what it is you want to do after completing your studies.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

PhD after MBA

Hopefully, it should be clear by now that an MBA and a PhD are two very different degrees, and because of that, it should also start to become clearer regarding which degree is for you.

If this isn’t the case, it may be useful to know that some business students, after completing their undergraduate degree, obtain an MBA and then move onto a PhD. This actually makes a lot of sense since the two forms of professional qualifications cover different stages of a student’s learning, and on that basis, there’s no reason why you couldn’t do both.

In fact, a few universities offer programmes that combine both degrees as a PhD-MBA dual degree. They are better known as PhD-MBA Integrated Degrees (or PhD-MBA Joint Degrees in US Graduate Schools) and can be the perfect option for anyone who wants to get the best of both qualifications. You don’t necessarily need an MBA for PhD eligibility, but they can prove beneficial as the transition from MBA to PhD will usually be less arduous than from Bachelors to PhD.

So what’s Better, a PhD or MBA?

The final answer depends on you. If you’re an individual who enjoys going up against others or the market, then an MBA will probably be the right option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer the realms of researching business theories, challenging yourself mentally and being able to pass on knowledge to others, then a PhD could be the better option. If both options sound interesting to you, then you may find a PhD-MBA dual degree of interest.

In the end, then, the question isn’t about whether an MBA is better than a PhD, but which one is personally better for you.

Reference management software solutions offer a powerful way for you to track and manage your academic references. Read our blog post to learn more about what they are and how to use them.

Impostor Syndrome is a common phenomenon amongst PhD students, leading to self-doubt and fear of being exposed as a “fraud”. How can we overcome these feelings?

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Dr Hothi gained his PhD in Orthopaedic Engineering from Queen Mary University of London in 2012. He is now the Implant Science Fellow at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, researching how to improve knee, hip and spine implants.

Amy recently entered her third and final year of her PhD at the University of Strathclyde. Her research has focussed on young people’s understanding of mental health stigma in Scotland.

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Mba vs. phd: choose your advanced degree path.

In 2021, it is practically conventional wisdom that an advanced degree like a master’s degree, an MBA, a PhD, a JD or an MD is a necessity if you want to give yourself the best chance of a successful, meaningful career. While professional doctoral degrees like JDs and MDs will lead you down very specific career paths, it can be harder to envision the career outcomes associated with more versatile degrees like the MBA or the PhD.

People pursue these two advanced degrees for a variety of reasons, and no two journeys through higher education and into professional excellence are quite the same. If you are internally debating the merits of earning an MBA vs. earning a PhD, read some of the career pathways you might take with either degree—or with both of them.

Who earns a PhD? And what do they do with it?

People who pursue a doctoral degree typically do so out of a commitment to producing new knowledge at the leading edge of a subject or field that holds deep meaning for them. This can describe an incredibly diverse array of pursuits, from developing innovative new materials for medical devices and developing novel modeling techniques for research applications to examining archival records of media production and scrutinizing the linguistic elements of ancient texts.

People often earn PhDs with the goal of an academic career in mind. This is not necessarily the case in all scholarly disciplines, however, and even in those that tend to be more academic focused, recent trends may be demonstrating a shift. Those who earn PhDs in STEM fields or in the data-driven social sciences may do so with the end goal of a professional career in mind, specifically one where their skills at designing and conducting research will be rewarded with heightened responsibility and increased pay. And even in humanities disciplines with seemingly few analogues in the professional world, graduate students are increasingly envisioning their futures outside of the classroom as tenure-track and full-time professorships grow scarcer by the year.

How can a PhD help you in the business world?

The skills and mindset you develop in a PhD program are certainly applicable in the “real” world, regardless of whether your subject of choice has a direct pathway to a professional job. If you have earned a PhD in a STEM field, you will likely enter the professional workforce at a higher pay grade than you would without your degree. You may find yourself fast-tracked toward a management role as well, as your experience designing and overseeing research projects can position you well to lead a team of employees, manage workloads, and successfully meet deadlines.

PhD holders in the social sciences and humanities may also find their skills in high demand in the business world, even if they might need to spend a bit of time learning how to convey their value on a resume and in a job interview. Research in social sciences fields like sociology and political science often requires analysis of large and complex data sets; the skill set they develop in completing this work can translate easily into a business analytics role. And the persuasive writing, editing and organization skills humanities graduate students develop are well-suited to roles in strategic communication or marketing.

Should you earn an MBA instead?

If you are considering whether to earn an MBA or a PhD and you know your eventual goal is to obtain a leadership role in a business organization, the MBA is likely the right path for you. An MBA can make an immediate impact on your earnings and on the career opportunities available to you. It is also an extremely versatile degree, and can lead to advancement whether your career already seems to be heading down a relatively narrow path in a specific field or whether you intend to keep your options open for a potential pivot.

Additionally, an MBA might also be your best bet if the kind of fulfillment you get from your work comes less from successfully completing your assigned task or from navigating the day-to-day challenges of your particular area of technical expertise and more from positioning your organization for success. If you would rather dedicate your time and energy toward strategizing your company’s business goals and the best ways to achieve them, and to truly leading rather than simply managing , you should strongly consider enrolling in business school.

The most significant difference your choice to earn an MBA instead of a PhD will have on your life is on the amount of time and energy you have to dedicate to it. A PhD is a full-time commitment in which work typically balloons well past 40 hours per week, with little respect for evenings or weekends. It will take an absolute minimum of four years to complete, and more likely five to seven. An MBA, conversely, will typically be attainable in just two to 2.5 years and can be completed while you keep your full-time job—and your full salary. Seek out a top-tier online program if you would like your MBA studies to fit most conveniently around your existing schedule and responsibilities.

Does anyone earn both a PhD and an MBA? Why?

It is not unheard of for a single person to earn both a PhD and an MBA, but the order in which one does so is often determined by their eventual career goals, including by the way these goals might evolve over the course of their career. PhD holders who are working in fields that are directly related to their research may, after some years, opt to return to school for an MBA to help them prepare to climb the corporate ladder at large technical organizations. In smaller companies, such as engineering or biotechnology startups, the org chart may tilt heavily toward people with technical backgrounds rather than business ones; adding an MBA and the skills that come with it to your resume in an environment like this can benefit the entire organization.

Or, if you earn your MBA and spend time working and advancing in a professional field only to eventually realize your true calling is to teach others, you may choose to earn a PhD in economics or a business discipline to help you transition into a professorship in a business school. Preparing the next generation of business leaders can be extremely meaningful work, and many successful professionals decide the most positive impact they can make on the business world is by taking this route.

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Is it Possible to Get My PhD After My MBA?

In academia, numerous accomplishments can be achieved. You can earn a dual degree and have expertise in multiple fields, or further your career potential by going back to school . But what about progressing from an MBA to a PhD? 

In regards to higher education, many consider earning a PhD, or doctorate degree, the pinnacle of success. Usually, due to passion for a particular industry or subject, a PhD candidate will spend years of rigorous research to unpack its intricacies and become a leading expert in the field.  At the end of their studies, they are able to finally see their work come to fruition when they receive their doctorate and join alongside other scholars. However, is it typical for an MBA graduate to move onto pursuing their PhD? And is there a specific purpose? Are there different types of PhD programs? What is the difference between a PhD and DBA?

To answer the budding question: yes, you can pursue your PhD after earning your MBA, and choosing to earn a doctorate is entirely up to you and your aspirations. To help you better understand if getting a PhD is the right choice, we look at the path an MBA graduate can take to earn their PhD, one of the higher purposes of a doctorate, and the different types of academic programs. 

What is a PhD, and What is it Used For? 

By definition, a PhD is a Doctor of Philosophy in a particular discipline, which is why it's also referred to as a doctorate. This focus is typically for individuals highly passionate about a specific subject matter, driven by the pursuit to understand it better through rigorous research. A majority of students seeking their PhD are eager researchers, although there are always exceptions, and each carries out years of highly intensive research to conclude their original thesis and earn their doctorate. 

In terms of translating your education into a career, a doctorate can be used in a plethora of fields, especially if one’s thesis is around a wider subject matter and can be a discipline applied to various industries (take organizational development, for example). For those who are passionate about a career in research, a doctoral degree is a perfect fit. Possibly the most popular field for those with a doctorate is a fruitful career in academia, teaching their subject matter to others interested in the same area. Many graduates become faculty members at business schools upon completing their PhD and provide their expertise to their students. Regardless of which industry you choose, you can be assured that a PhD will provide you with numerous opportunities. 

How Long Does it Take to Progress from an MBA to PhD?

The timeframe for earning your PhD can vary depending on program and location. Many countries have varying timelines of how long the completion of a doctoral program will take. In the United States, the average is around 4-5 years of completion after receiving your Master of Business Administration. 

Do You Need an MBA to Get a PhD?

To be accepted into a doctoral program, you must have a master’s degree. It does not have to be a Master of Business Administration, but it does need to be a master’s of some form. Depending on your area of specialization, it could be advantageous to earn your MBA in pursuit of a PhD if you are planning to embark on a career in business upon completion of your doctorate. Additionally, one important aspect to consider is the program itself. It is important to look into a program’s requirements before applying to meet the eligibility criteria. 

The Difference Between a DBA and a PhD 

For those specifically interested in a career in business, a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) is a highly beneficial doctoral program. A DBA focuses on a broader spectrum of business disciplines, dedicating research toward multiple corporate facets, and practical implementation. On the contrary, a PhD narrows into a specific area of discipline and research, emphasizing theory, and it’s potential implications. While both are heavily centered around research and implementation, a DBA sets business executives and leaders on a path to discover new possibilities for their organizations and businesses. In a way, it allows established business professionals to “trailblaze” the way for new and innovative ideas that can disrupt the market and set a precedent for the future of business.

Get Your MBA or DBA at Pepperdine Graziadio Business School

At Pepperdine Graziadio, we proudly offer degrees to accommodate business professionals at any stage of their lives and careers. Our full and part-time MBA programs are designed to prepare candidates for a successful career in values-based business leadership. All of our MBA programs offer a personalized learning approach executed by our world-class faculty. Each program is characterized by its top-ranked business curriculum that can be coupled with an academic concentration. 

Our Executive Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program has been carefully designed for the tenured business leader looking to drive groundbreaking innovations. This rigorous program allows candidates to gain in-depth knowledge and finetune their expertise through applied research. Also, executives enjoy learning alongside changemakers in various industries and participating in exclusive opportunities available only to DBA candidates.

Learn more about which programs fit your career aspirations and academic interests.

Learn more about how to achieve your career goals with a degree from Pepperdine Graziadio Business School.

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MBA/PhD with the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

The joint-degree program offers an MBA in combination with a PhD in the sciences or humanities from the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

An MBA may be pursued in combination with a PhD in one of a wide array of  areas of study , in the biological sciences, engineering and applied sciences, the humanities, the physical sciences, and social sciences. An MBA/PhD is not available in the  management disciplines .

Students typically complete both degrees in approximately seven years, rather than the eight or more that would be required if the degrees were pursued separately. Programs are highly customized to fit each student's individual course of study, and are generally determined at the time of admission. Students must complete one full year at Yale SOM, during which they complete the integrated MBA curriculum, and one year taking courses at both schools. Students typically begin their full year at Yale SOM after PhD qualifying exams have been passed.

Students receive financial support from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences during the semesters in which they are enrolled there. They pay tuition during the three semesters during which they are enrolled at Yale SOM.

Learn more about admission to the Yale School of Management. Learn more about admission to the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.

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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 percent 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 department or graduate school at Stanford University.

Joint Degrees

Your Stanford joint 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. Learn more about joint degree programs below.

Hilary Bartlett

“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.”

Owen Wurzbacher

“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

Interested in an additional discipline that is not represented in our joint degree programs? You can pursue a master’s degree from another Stanford program along with your MBA. While in the Stanford MBA program, you may not pursue concurrently more than one additional degree.  

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, and then notify Stanford GSB. You may apply concurrently to both programs or apply to the dual degree program during your first year as an MBA student; some graduate programs also permit you to apply in your second year. As with joint degrees, you may only pursue one additional degree while in the MBA program.

Justin Norden

“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 health care, 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 graduate program at Stanford or a degree from an external university, but not both.

Degree Requirements

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.

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 timeline requirements.

Things to Consider

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
• Limited capacity for electives that don’t count toward either degree program
• Higher quarterly enrollment load compared to peers pursuing the MBA only
• 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)
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Considering a combined degree: MD-PhD, MD-MBA, MD-MPH, MD-JD

New section.

You may not have known there are dual-degree programs offered by medical schools for students interested in pursuing an additional master’s degree. Learn about the difference between each of these dual-degree programs and why you might consider pursuing one.

While the majority of medical students pursue a traditional MD degree, dual-degree programs are available to students who are interested in pursuing an additional master’s degree in combination with their Doctor of Medicine.

According to the AAMC’s 2018 Graduation Questionnaire (GQ) , approximately 90% of students earn a traditional MD degree, 3% earn an MD-PhD, and the remaining earn a degree from another joint MD degree program with core foundation in medicine and focus in an additional area of interest.

Program description

This combined degree program prepares students to become physician-scientists who conduct research in addition to seeing patients. Most students earn their PhDs in biomedical disciplines such as biochemistry, biomedical engineering, biophysics, cell biology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, neuroscience, or pharmacology.

Application process

MD-PhD committee members will look for evidence of an applicant’s passion for research by reviewing the applicant’s personal statement, research experiences, and letters of evaluation from faculty or researchers with whom the applicant has worked. In particular, committee members want to see relevant and substantive research experience, an understanding of the work of physician-scientists, intellectual drive, and perseverance.

Combined length of programs

Seven to eight years

Education process

The typical program includes two years of combined medical and graduate school coursework, three to five years of doctoral research — including the completion of a thesis project — and a return to medical school for core clinical training and electives during the final years of the curriculum

Almost all U.S. and Canadian medical schools have MD-PhD programs in one or more areas of specialization. You can find a listing of MD-PhD programs available at AAMC member medical schools here .

Career options

Learn more at MD-PhD in the Social Sciences or Humanities: Is It Right For Me?

An MD-MPH program includes a Master of Public Health degree, which typically focuses on population or community health and equips students with the clinical skills and science background needed to effectively understand health and wellness from the perspectives of patients and different community populations. Topics studied include a patient’s ability to afford their medical prescriptions and how to work with communities to implement preventative care practices.

The process varies depending on the program. You may apply while applying to medical school, after being accepted to medical school, or after completing your second year of medical school.

Students can begin the MPH portion of their coursework after their first or second year of medical school. Possible concentrations include Child and Family Health, Environmental Health, Global Health Leadership, Health Education and Promotion, and Public Health Policy.

The MD-MPH prepares graduates to work as physicians in a public health setting, which may include diagnosing health problems and risk factors of individuals and within communities. Graduates use their perspectives to research and identify public health issues and implement an evidence-based approach to health improvement. In addition to clinical practice, MD-MPH degree holders may pursue careers related to disease prevention, health education, research, implementation science, and policy making. Visit  AAMC's Directory of MD-MPH Educational Opportunities for more information.

Health care and business are interconnected. Physicians often make business decisions related to which diagnostic tests to run and understanding which treatments insurance will cover. An MBA also equips physicians with the ability to make important business decisions related to growing their medical practices and determining if their practice can afford the cost of a new machines.

Students may indicate their interest in the MD-MBA joint degree upon being accepted to medical school, but they typically will not apply to the business program until their second year as a medical student. Applicants pursuing an MD-MBA will need to gain admission to the school of business and, in addition to the MCAT, MD-MBA students may be required to complete the GRE or GMAT depending on the business school requirements.

The MD-MBA curriculum incorporates economics, finance, and marketing strategy. Students may complete the first year of the MBA program prior to beginning medical school, and then complete a traditional medical school program.

Graduates from MD-MBA programs can pursue management roles in hospital administration, health care policy research, pharmaceutical or insurance companies, or medical device entrepreneurship with biotech companies. Being able to understand the financial motivations within the health care industry allows those with an MD-MBA to improve the health care system.

Students seeking a deeper understanding of the laws impacting the practice of medicine may benefit from a MD-JD program. These programs are designed for medical students who wish to integrate their study of medicine with training in the legal field.

Students will need to gain admission into the JD program at the law school through a separate application process. They may apply to law school during the second year of their MD program and will need to complete the LSAT exam. The LSAT is offered multiple time a year.

Combined length of program

Typically, students will be enrolled in a MD program for the first two years of their education before pursuing a JD during the third and fourth years. Students may complete their remaining MD and JD coursework during their fifth and sixth years.

Graduates with JD-MD degree may opt to work in academia, government, or in the private sector pursuing careers in health policy, biotechnology, or bioethics. The law curriculum prepares those who choose to practice medicine for the legal aspects of running a private medical practice.

More information in the MSAR

If you’re interested in schools with combined-degree programs, you can search the Medical School Admissions Requirements for a list of schools with programs you are interested in for free. Even without a subscription, you can search by program and narrow the search by location, campus type, and then view each program’s contact information and website.