r/ECE • u/Keateatime • Jun 26 '26
UNIVERSITY Double major Or Dual degree
I just talked with my advisor, and he asked whether I wanted to pursue a double major that combines Electrical Engineering and Computer Engineering into one program, or a dual degree where I’d earn both a BSEE and a BSCOE as two separate degrees. Both options will take me the same amount of time to complete. Which do you think I should choose?
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u/1wiseguy Jun 26 '26
I don't get the double major thing. Either EE or Computer Engineering offers more than enough diversity in the topics of study. It's all you can do to narrow down your selection of courses. You don't need to combine two majors.
And I have a feeling that no employer is looking for such a degree. If they want an EE, then they just want an EE.
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u/Keateatime Jun 26 '26
yeah that’s why Im leaning dual degree since I had so many credits i completed in AP and dual enrollment courses in high school it essentially be the same work load I would have if I choose a certificate or minor
2
u/theawddone Jun 26 '26
Depends how much you know your interest: if you are leaning digital or analog, you could tailor the single program in that direction and maybe still have a life or time for extracurriculars. Dual degree would cover all your bases for most flexibility in career, but undoubtedly be more challenging.
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u/plop_1234 Jun 26 '26
What are the trade-offs?
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u/Keateatime Jun 26 '26
slightly heavier semester and even then it’s only a extra 1 maybe 2 credits each semester
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u/plop_1234 Jun 26 '26
My only worry would be if the heavier workload is sustainable in the long term. You also don't want to only gain surface level understanding, and that will take some effort.
Can you start by choosing double degree, but if it becomes too much, apply the credits towards a double major? Also your interests might shift later and the second degree might become irrelevant. Like CE might not be super relevant if you become interested in theoretical signal processing.
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u/Keateatime Jun 26 '26
yes he said I can switch at any point pretty much since the double major is less than the double degree but Im confident I can do it since I had so many AP/Dual enrollment credits from high school that left a lot of class slots empty
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u/roxo732 Jun 26 '26 edited Jun 26 '26
IMO go in with the plan to get the dual major. But as someone who has a Bachelor’s and Masters in computer engineering. I don’t think either will make or break your career.
Having it on your resume when you start interviewing for internships will help show you’re a highly motivated student. Assuming you can keep your grades up.
I think having experience in the fields you’re interested in, would be the best possible experience you can get. I.e. co ops/internships, maybe taking a course on a relevant topic such as AI.
To go CE/EE you often will get dragged into courses such as power conversion and electromagnetic fields and waves which may or may not be relevant to your interests if you’re more CE focused
2
u/badboi86ij99 Jun 26 '26
None, just focus on one degree and use your extra time for projects, take extra classes, or even graduate earlier if possible.
Neither of the dual degree nor double major will help in job search, unless you have proven and related experience.
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u/Keateatime Jun 26 '26
Graduating earlier is not possible even with one degree and I already have an internship so I don’t see the harm in doing this path especially the dual degree
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u/badboi86ij99 Jun 26 '26
if this is what you enjoy, by all means, but it serves no utilitarian purpose other than "intellectual" fulfillment.
If you had other interests, might as well use the extra time for them e.g. I took extra classes in theoretical physics, maths, philosophy, insects biology, arts, geology etc because I knew I wouldn't be able to study those "fun but useless" things once I start working.
Another possibility is to specialize early, if you know what you like e.g. take graduate classes.
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u/texas_asic Jun 27 '26
I don't know that it matters. To an employer, it won't make any difference. If anything, if your school has a coterminal master's degree, that'd be much more valuable. Your undergrad classes teach you fundamental theory. Master's classes give you much more practical and specialized knowledge.
1
u/megafireguy6 Jun 27 '26
As someone with a double major in EE and CPE, 95% of people are going to assume you have one major in electrical and computer engineering.
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u/Keateatime Jun 27 '26
is there a way to show Im getting two separate degrees vs one dual degree to employers without over explaining?
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u/Money_Cold_7879 Jun 27 '26
Why would anyone care?
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u/Keateatime Jun 27 '26
idk u tell me
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u/megafireguy6 Jun 27 '26
I hate to say it but they won’t care at all man
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u/Relevant_Mess Jun 30 '26
Or worse they'll think you're bragging. My experience with people with dual degrees/double majors has been "not great™" They usually stink at one or both of their fields but are really good at reminding you that they have two degrees. Verbally.
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u/Cryesncoding Jun 27 '26
I like saying I have 2 degrees lol, if work inputs the same, listing 2 bachelors on a resume looks better than one imo🤷
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u/YT__ Jun 27 '26
What's the coursework for the double?
Usually, in my experience, that degree title is because they don't have enough of one or the other, so they combine them and you choose a focus/specialty. So it isn't really two degrees.
But also - two degrees that similar won't likely get you anything post grad.
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u/Keateatime Jun 27 '26
im honestly just doing it because I can and I like to learn but im pretty sure the course work the double is like 20 credits less than for the dual degree not sure exactly what classes are different tho
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u/YT__ Jun 27 '26
The double probably isn't actually a double degree. It just lumps the titles together and your electives pick a focus. The dual is two actual degrees where you add in extra courses.
Naming the school so people can look at the programs would be helpful.
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u/Necessary-Coffee5930 Jun 27 '26
Neither. Not worth the time, money, or energy. Major in the one thats interesting and if its a draw see which brings opportunities that you like more. You can learn the other on your own if you are so inclined. Get your piece of paper as quickly and cheaply as possible.
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u/Keateatime Jun 27 '26
it will be 4 years either way and my school works so that anything over 12 credit hours isn’t extra money so money is not a factor in it and no even with one degree I can’t graduate early
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u/Necessary-Coffee5930 Jun 27 '26
Ok well thats pretty cool then. Still consider your own sanity though, engineering classes take significant time and energy, and doing two at the same time might leave you with no time to enjoy life. But do what you think is right you can always adjust later!
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u/AdmiralSpiro Jun 28 '26
I wonder if two different degrees are worth anything, if you only get internships in one field ..
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u/Keateatime Jun 28 '26
I already have an internship in a ee field so maybe either next summer or the summer after I’ll try for something cpe related
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u/Afraid-Way1203 Jul 03 '26
dual degree where I’d earn both a BSEE and a BSCOE as two separate degrees
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u/YauZW Jun 27 '26
Dual degree gives me the creep because it could be overqualified unless you opt to omit one certificate out of your CV (academic dishonesty). Double major is preferred because it comprised both in one single academic certificate which gives you an edge.
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u/Keateatime Jun 27 '26
how would it make someone over qualified ?
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u/YauZW Jun 27 '26
I am not a HR practitioner. Just my honest comment that I think it could be more than the job requirements if you are applying for an entry level "single departmental role". Hence, a double major is preferred that gives you an edge as a cross functional team member in near future.
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u/Keateatime Jun 27 '26 edited Jun 27 '26
That makes 0 sense being overqualified would be me applying for an entry role with 10 years of experience not me having two undergrad degrees with only intern level experience worst case scenario one degree gets ignored but it definitely wouldn’t hurt to have both
0
u/YauZW Jun 27 '26
I see. Why did you intend to take up a degree if your objective is neither to advance your career nor do a job switch? Because a 10-year worth of work experiences ought to be suffice. I reckon.
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u/Keateatime Jun 27 '26
wtf are even talking about Im an 18 year old going in to sophomore year ofc I plan on advancing my career 💀
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u/FSUDad2021 Jun 26 '26
Dual degree. Warning it won’t buy much in the job world.