Is a Dual Degree in Civil and Architectural Engineering Worth It?

[jason5699]

I'm looking at Civil and Architectural engineering for the 2 bachelors in dual degree fashion. But would the graduate degree most likely civil/structural be better suited or do the 2 degrees compliment each other enough? At my school (OkSt) there is 3 different focuses for architectural engineering i was actually looking at 2 of the 3, but that opens up a whole new realm of options with double majors and such. If it were possible to use my credits towards as much as i can how would getting a dual degree with one being a double major look? or is that even a possible scenario? I.E. 1 architectural engineering bachelors and 1 civil engineering bachelors with a second major in the other architectural engineering focus. who knows i may throw a minor in physics in there too

 

[Thuring]

I think you need to get some focus ... I believe it's more common to get a double master's, if you want to "shotgun" the problem. In order to apply for a MS in a field you didn't get your BS, you'll essentially get your double BS from courses you'll be required to take as pre-requisites with will not count toward the MS. Also, I believe your education "level" is determined by your highest degree, not number of degrees.

 

[dkotschessaa]

I can't say for your specific major, but as a general rule, no amount of undergraduate coursework, whether you get 2 or 3 or more bachelor's degrees, will ever put you through the kind of rigor you will face in graduate school. I think if you are even considering graduate school then you should make that your goal.

Undergrad years are a great time for exploration. Changing majors, double majors, minors, and taking classes that have absolutely nothing to do with your major (and even ones that seem completely impractical) are par for the course. In graduate school though you have to stop screwing around and focus on something. :)

As @Thuring pointed out, if your graduate work is tangential to your undergraduate work, you will have to take some undergraduate classes to catch up in that field. This may or may not result in a second bachelor's. A broad background converging onto a more specific subfield is a great thing.

(Yes, Double master's are a thing too. I like to think of this as taking two specific subfields and becoming a specialist at where they overlap in the venn diagram).-Dave K

 

[Thuring]

Yeah, like dkotschessaa was (I think) implying: forget the multiple BS's, go play with the big kids instead. Personally, I waited on my second MS to find where my career was headed and got the second in a targeted area. For me, being involved in satellite design at project levels, I got my second MS in project management.

Reference https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/2nd-bachelors-or-a-masters.928852/

 

[Dr. Courtney]

BS + MS >> BS + BS + BS + ...

 

[dkotschessaa]

BS + MS >> BS + BS + BS + ...

How about;

n(MS) + l(BS) >> m(BS) > BS

For n, l, > 0, m >1

 

[jason5699]

Thank you guys for your comments i noticed @Thuring and @dkotschessaa you both mentioned a double masters this threw me off a bit because unless i am missing something i didn't think i mentioned that at all, although it is an interesting to think about and i may keep it in mind in the future. The main question i had at hand isn't so much 2 bs vs 1 bs + 1 ms. Its more of what to do first? I stil intend to get a ms eventually but is a civil engineering bs and a structural engineering bs going to draw any interest by employers over just 1 or the other? Do they complement each other in a way to help me find good work out of college? Or just not worry about trying to find a good job before going for my masters? and just pursue my ms immediately following the bs and then enter the work force?

 

[Thuring]

Most of you questions are un-answerable.

I suspect you should decide the JOB you want to do, then determine the education. Get one BS and get a job. The employer will pay for an MS while you work, and make money. A double schedule for an ambitious guy like you should be OK. You may decide to get an MS in architecture.

 

[Thuring]

You should go to the Career Guidance section.

 

[Nidum]

If you want to be a professional Civil or Structural engineer with UK Chartered or most other countries equivalent professional designation then you need an MSc .

Actually you need BSc MSc and an approved training scheme and some additional working experience . BSc and MSc ideally in the core subjects of Civil or Structural Engineering .

People that have spent many unnecessary years in the education system only to get a mixed bag of qualifications which are mostly duplication and of little value for a career in a particular profession usually get their applications for jobs or professional qualifications thrown straight in the bin .