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When Nerissa Wilson graduated from Cornell University (Ithaca, NY), she was a year behind, but a few steps ahead of most of her fellow grads. Through a  

dual degrees

  program with the university's Johnson School of Management, Nerissa stayed a year longer, and emerged with not only a Bachelor of Arts degree, but also a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the world-renowned business school.

Dual Degrees Get You the Skills
During her five years at school, studying alongside skilled executives from many industries, Nerissa said she grew and matured not only as an undergraduate, but a graduate student as well. "Working with such an experienced and intelligent group of people helped me develop as a person, and I quickly matured to be on the level of my classmates."

Plus, the program fit in perfectly with her long-term goals. "I knew I'd eventually want to start my own business," she explains. And after an internship at First USA, she vied for a spot in Cornell's competitive MBA class.

Nerissa's internship not only helped her decide on a dual-degree program, but also helped her demonstrate the skills she needed for an MBA. Strong internships are especially important for undergraduates aspiring to go to business school, notes Natalie Grinblatt, the Johnson School's director of admissions. Since most business grad students enter the workforce with several years of work experience, those applying straight from undergrad programs need to demonstrate comparable leadership and career skills.

Spend Less, Learn Faster
Upon her acceptance to Cornell, Nerissa joined hundreds of students from around the country that were expanding their educational opportunities through dual-degree programs. Such get-more-for-your-money tracks are a great way to maximize your college experience, advocates said. By allowing you to combine your bachelor's studies with a graduate degree, a student can save a year or more of school and lots of tuition dollars. If grad school is your ultimate goal, and you're willing to do some extra work, dual degrees can help you enter the workforce sooner.

Many careers, like law, require a graduate degree, and earning one in less time can be a big help. Double-count courses are another way schools make dual degrees doable. The University of Pennsylvania double-counts up to eight courses for bachelor's/law students.

Molly Selzer will be able to trim a year off earning her law degree, thanks to the University of Pennsylvania's submatriculation plan. "I'll complete my entire college and law school career here at Penn [Philadelphia, PA] this spring after only six years instead of the usual seven," says Molly.

If you'll need a graduate degree to move ahead in your chosen field, getting one early could give you a competitive edge. That's what Heather Perez found when she earned her bachelor's at Xavier College (Cincinnati, OH), and her master's in environmental science at Duke University (Durham, NC).

"Obtaining two degrees in five years enabled me to achieve a higher earning potential at a younger age than many of my peers," she says.

Intimate Learning Leads to Big Campus Opportunities
Dual degrees also let you combine the personalized attention of a small college with the opportunities of a major research institution. Through cooperative 3-2 agreements, students at some liberal arts colleges can spend their first three years at their home school, then move on to a larger university to complete their studies.

Like Xavier, Muhlenberg College (Allentown, PA), a liberal arts school with over 2,000 students, provides students the opportunity to earn their master's of environmental management or master's of forestry at Duke's Nicholas School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, a university with over 12,000 students.

Students complete the coursework for their bachelor's in fields such as biology, math, or chemistry through junior year, and also take calculus, computer, and economics classes which Duke requires of those applying for master's, explains Cynthia Peters, director of enrollment services. "Applying to Duke with a letter of recommendation from their dean is the next step." If accepted, Muhlenberg students enter Duke in year four. The work they complete there will count toward their bachelor's, which they receive at the end of the year. The entire fifth year is spent at Duke, and results in the earning of a master's degree.

Health sciences students at Mercy College (Dobbs Ferry, NY) have the opportunity to combine their undergraduate studies with a master's degree in physical therapy, physician assistant, or acupuncture and Oriental medicine. After completing their first 90 credits, students can apply to enroll in the nationally recognized graduate programs in their junior year. Physical therapy students get a total of 24 weeks of clinical experience. During their last two years of school, they work in a variety of settings, from schools to innovative centers offering therapeutic horseback riding.

Student Tara Dellert recently spent eight weeks working at Colorado's Pegasus Program, helping patients gain strength and endurance through equestrian activities. Many dual-degree students, like Tara, find on-the-job training to be one of the most important and enjoyable parts of their education.

"I learned a great deal and was able to see physical therapy in a whole new light," says Tara. "The staff and the clients showed me how exciting and rewarding it can be." Tara stated it was an experience that she wouldn't trade for the world.

Do You Have What it Takes For a Dual Degree?
These fast track programs are definitely for dedicated students. "Because they're accelerated, they involve doing four years of undergrad work in three," cautions Heather. Students also need to work all required classes into a shortened schedule. Dual-degree students have several ways of making their workloads lighter or easier to manage.

"Some universities have fewer required courses in order to help 3/2 students fit in all of the courses they need," says Heather. Selecting the right courses is key, too. "That can make all the difference. I found a number of classes that would satisfy more than one requirement, thus decreasing the total number of courses I needed to take."

Heather did experience some semesters with heavy course loads, she says, but she found flexible options like shorter, weekend courses and summer study abroad to help lighten her schedule.

"Close and careful advising is essential," says Professor Richard Niesenbaum, who directs the co-operative program at Muhlenberg. Dual degrees demand a great deal of planning, he explained, in everything from classes to work commitments.

Since graduating early may mean less work experience than for those who've gone the traditional route, said Peters, dual-degree graduates need to "make sure they take advantage of internships and summer jobs that are relevant to their fields."

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