collageOne major advantage of a masters and PhD combined programs in Canada is this; Dual masters and PhD programs allow you to seamlessly earn a master’s degree then a PhD. Referred to as dual degrees, joint degrees, or master’s and PhD combined degrees, grad schools with these practical programs provide a formal plan of study for completing two degrees at the same time.
Transform your future with a graduate degree from a Canadian university. With a global reputation for excellence in education and research, Canada is the ideal choice for your master’s or PhD studies.
A dual degree, also known as a double degree or joint degree, permits a student to pursue two degrees at the same time. The primary benefit of receiving two degrees simultaneously is that it saves time and provides diversified knowledge and expertise in two distinct subjects. For example, instead of taking six years to acquire a bachelor’s degree and then a master’s, a dual degree program may allow you to complete both degrees in as little as four years. In this article, we will provide you with a guide on Dual Degree Programs in Canada.
Benefit from world-class academic institutions
Canadian master’s and PhD programs are internationally recognized for high academic standards. Canada is home to nine of the top 200 ranked universities (Times Higher Education, 2019) and has a thriving research culture. In fact, Canadian universities conduct research at one of the world’s highest rates.
In 2018, the government of Canada made its biggest investment to date in research and development in Canadian universities: $925 million for science and an additional $275 million for internationally focused social science research.
Canadian universities offer world-class facilities with highly-skilled researchers and professors who stand out in their fields. Pursuing your studies at a Canadian university will launch your career and help you create a network of colleagues and researchers at the top of their fields – connections that will last a lifetime. Learn more about universities in Canada and their top research areas.
Depending on the school and the type of dual degree that you are pursuing, usually the same institution offers both programs. However, at other schools, you may pursue your masters and PhD at two different universities that have a partnership agreement.
What is a Dual Degree Program or Joint Masters and PhD Programs
A dual degree program is typically structured to double-count some of students’ earned course credits to the completion of both degrees – masters and PhD. While the policies that govern these programs vary, essentially, dual masters and doctorate degree programs allow participants to:
- Meld two different interests and study immersion-style
- Customize their course plan
- Bulk up a resume with extra skills and knowledge
- Research at the highest academic level
- Course share instead of completing the same material twice
How to Apply to Joint Masters/PhD programs
Applicants for dual masters and doctorate degree programs may need to apply separately for admission to both the schools within their university, indicating their intent to pursue a dual degree.
As a result, you should talk to admissions counselors and program directors during the application process to make sure you have all required materials for starting graduate study.
Top Dual Degree Programs in Canada
A dual degree allows you to gain more comprehensive knowledge of two different subjects. Dual degree programs are offered in a number of various fields. Have a look at some of the top dual degree programs in Canada:
- Dual Degrees Management Studies
- Dual Degrees Business Studies
- Dual Degrees Finance
- Dual Degrees Human Resource
- Dual Degrees Business Administration
- Dual Degrees Health Care
- Dual Degrees Economic Studies
- Dual Degrees Leadership
- Dual Degrees Marketing
- Dual Degrees Information Technology
- Dual Degrees Marketing Studies
- Dual Degrees Executive Programs
Dual Degree vs Double Major
Combined masters and PhD programs are not to be confused with double majors or two degrees at the same academic level. A conjoined Masters/PhD program blends two postgraduate programs in areas such as:
- Business administration
- Law
- Political Science
- Medicine
- Education
- Psychology
- Nursing
The curriculum usually draws from the syllabus of both programs, though the course load is a bit heavier. This may stretch out time to completion, but still usually takes less time than earning the degrees separately.
For example, American University offers a MA / PhD in Psychology courses are an in-depth analysis in concentrations such as Behavior, Cognition, and Neuroscience and Clinical Psychology.
Not quite ready for a dual master’s and PhD program? Check out dual master’s programs that all you to earn two master’s degrees in different subjects.
12 Common Combined Master’s and PhD Programs
Some grad schools with dual masters and doctorate degree programs may have a separate page devoted to dual degree and joint degree programs.
Below are some common programs to consider, including dual masters and PhD programs online. Remember, though you may not see the particular dual degree you’re looking for, this list of schools is open to combined master’s / PhD degrees. Therefore, contact admissions to see if the one you want to pursue is a possibility.
PhD / MBA Dual Degrees
There are multiple MBA / PhD joint programs to consider that enable graduate degree students to hone their grasp of the day to day management issues that today’s professional face along with functional skills in another area. In many of these programs, the MBA coursework usually comes first.
Enjoy Canada’s high quality of life
Canadians and international students in Canada enjoy a high standard of living. It’s a great place to live, study and work. In fact, we rank #1 in the world when it comes to quality of life (US News Best Countries, 2019).
When you come to Canada, you’ll find a welcoming country that embraces diversity. From urban centres to small towns, Canada is considered one of the safest countries in the world for international students.
Study in English or French
Choosing Canada for your master’s or PhD studies gives you the option to study in English, French or in both languages. Opportunities to live in an English-speaking community while completing your studies in French are also available.
Stay and work in Canada
Completing your master’s and PhD studies at a Canadian university will help you increase your employability in Canada and around the world.
As an international student who has come to know and love Canada, you may wish to stay and work here. For eligible candidates, there are a number of programs that can help facilitate this process after graduation.
The University of Alberta in Edmonton offers a combined PhD/MSc in psychology program to students who have already graduated with a bachelor’s degree. This program is designed for students who are interested in both the research and clinical aspects of psychology, offering them the opportunity to earn both degrees as quickly as possible. The program requires applicants to have completed at least six courses towards their master’s degree before entering into their doctoral training but allows them to begin working on their thesis immediately upon admission into the program.
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto is one of the world’s leading research-intensive universities. Its School of Graduate Studies offers a combined masters and PhD program that is designed for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering, physics or another science field. Students may choose to complete either the thesis-based MSc route or the course-based MSc route; both programs require two years of study and involve completing an approved master’s thesis.
The MSc/PhD program at UofT offers two distinct options to its students:
- Thesis based: The thesis based track (MSc) involves taking up to four required courses in addition to completing research for an independent project under the supervision of an advisor from your department. This can take between two and three years depending on how quickly you progress through your coursework. You will need to complete a total of 30 credits as part of this program – 15 credits for each year (three semesters).
The University of Toronto at Mississauga, one of the three campuses of Canada’s largest university, offers a combined PhD/MSc in psychology. Their program is designed for students who have already graduated with a bachelor’s degree and are interested in earning both degrees as quickly as possible. The program offers early integration into research, a multi-disciplinary focus and the potential for speedy completion. It offers both a thesis-based MSc and a course-based MSc route. The course-based route has a five course minimum whereas the thesis-based route has a six course minimum.
Students that are accepted into this program must have already graduated with their bachelor’s degree and be interested in earning both degrees as quickly as possible. The program offers early integration into research, a multi-disciplinary focus and the potential for speedy completion. Additionally, students can choose between two different routes: a thesis-based MSc or a course-based MSc. The course-based route has a five course minimum whereas the thesis-based route has a six course minimum (five core courses plus one elective).
University of Manitoba
The University of Manitoba offers a PhD/MA in sociology and psychology, which can be earned in five years. Students work with multiple advisors, including one for their master’s research and another for their thesis.
At the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, there is the opportunity to earn dual graduate degrees, including a PhD/MSc in psychology or a PhD/MA in sociology. Students can apply either through the PhD or through the master’s program, with admission decisions made by both academic units. As part of their training, they work with both faculty advisors and graduate advisors from each program to develop an academic plan that works within the confines of each unit’s guidelines. They must meet all requirements for both programs and are awarded degrees from each unit upon completion.
If you’re interested in applying to this program, be sure to check out our guide on how to write a good graduate school application.
University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is a Canadian public research university. The main campus is in Edmonton, Alberta’s capital city, with additional campuses located in Calgary and Jasper National Park. The university was founded between 1908 and 1910 as the University of Alberta by Alexander Cameron Rutherford, the first premier of Alberta and Henry Marshall Tory, its first president.
The University of Alberta has grown from its initial role as an agricultural college with roots dating back to 1885 to become one of Canada’s top research universities that consistently ranks among the 20 best universities in Canada (MacLean’s). A member of the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities (U15), a group comprised of Canada’s leading research intensive universities; it employs 3,000 faculty members and has more than 40,000 students—including almost 4500 international students from over 130 countries around the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many universities in Canada that offer combined programs. If you are interested in pursuing a graduate degree while also working on your bachelor’s degree, then this may be the right option for you. It will allow you to save time and money while still completing two degrees at once
Universities Offering Dual Degree Programs in Canada
The variety of different dual degree programs in Canadian universities can be overwhelming. Mentioned below are the top universities in Canada offering dual degree programs along with their QS World University Rankings 2022.
| QS World University Rankings 2022 | Universities | Dual Degree Programs | Explore |
| 21 | Cornell University | Executive MBA Americas | Explore Now! |
| 27 | McGill University | MD/MBA MBA/Law | Explore Now! |
| 240 | Queen’s University | MBA/MSc in Healthcare QualityMBA/Master in FinanceMBA/Master of Management AnalyticsMBA/Master of Management in Artificial Intelligence | Explore Now! |
| 494 | York University | Full-Time MBA/JDFull-Time MBA/Master of Fine Arts Full-Time MBA/MA | Explore Now! |
| 126 | University of Alberta | Full-Time MBA/Master of Library and Information StudiesFull-Time MBA/MDFull-Time MBA/Masters of ForestryFull-Time MBA/Masters of EngineeringFull-Time MBA/Masters of Agriculture | Explore Now! |
| 46 | The University of British Columbia | JD/MBA | Explore Now! |
| 26 | University of Toronto | JD/MBAMaster of Global Affairs (MGA)/MBA | Explore Now! |
| 170 | Western University | MEng/MBAJD/MBA | Explore Now! |
| 272 | Dalhousie University | Corporate Residency MBA/JD | Explore Now! |
| 235 | University of Calgary | MBA/Master of BiotechnologyMBA/Master of Social WorkMBA/Doctor of MedicineMBA/Master of Public PolicyMBA/JD | Explore Now! |
| 230 | University of Ottawa | MBA/JD(Licence en Droit)LL.L/MBA | Explore Now! |
collage