The Meaning of Double Degree: How the Asian Institute of Management-University of Houston Partnership Works
Double degree and double major are two terms that get used interchangeably in conversations about higher education. They are not the same thing, and the difference matters when the goal is two credentials from two institutions rather than two fields of study on one diploma.
For students aiming for a global career, which is the better path?
We’ll help you find the answer to this crucial question by defining and differentiating a double degree versus a double major–how the programs are structured, how long they take, and how each one impacts career trajectories.
The article will also walk you through the double degree program that AIM, together with the UH, offers to help you fully appreciate what a double degree entails.
What is a double degree program?
The meaning of double degree is more specific than it might appear. A double degree is a single integrated program that satisfies the academic requirements of two separate institutions at once, producing two distinct credentials upon graduation—not one credential with two concentrations, and not two programs completed one after the other.
The Double Degree in Data Science and Business Administration from AIM is built on this model. One integrated curriculum from two separate institutions. Two sets of institutional requirements met simultaneously. Two diplomas at the end.
You do not complete one degree and then enroll in another; they move through a single, structured four-year path designed to satisfy both.
Double degree Vs. double major
The difference between a double major and a double degree comes down to two factors: how many institutions are involved and how many credentials are issued.
A double major happens within one institution. You pursue two separate fields of study within a single university’s curriculum and graduate with a single degree that lists both majors.
A double degree involves two institutions. The academic requirements of both are mapped into a single integrated curriculum, and when you complete the program, you receive a separate credential (and diploma) from each.
| Double Degree | Double Major | |
| Credentials Upon Graduation | Two separate degrees from two institutions | One degree with two majors from one institution |
| Diplomas | Two institutions’ names on two separate certificates | One institution’s name on the certificate |
| Time and Commitment | Covers the requirements of two full programs within one integrated course of study | Integrates the major course requirements of the second course to the requirements of the first full program |
| Employer Recognition | Legible in two separate academic traditions and institutions | Only one academic tradition and institution is recognized |
Why a double degree program is worth considering
A double degree is not the right path for every student, but for those who choose it deliberately, the outcomes are distinct.
Completing one integrated program produces two internationally recognized credentials, which broadens the range of roles you can credibly apply for. In markets where data-literate business professionals are in demand, such as Asia, a graduate holding both a business administration and a data science credential stands apart from peers holding either qualification alone.
It also gives you a leg up if you decide to apply for graduate school. Carrying credentials from two AACSB-recognized institutions signals academic rigor in a way that a single degree cannot replicate on its own.
For international applicants considering an undergraduate business school in the Philippines, this program also builds in international academic exposure by design. The experience of two institutional academic cultures—one rooted in Asia, one in the United States—is part of the program structure designed to shape globally competitive leaders.
How the Asian Institute of Management and University of Houston program works
The program produces two credentials: a BS in Data Science and Business Administration from AIM and a BBA in Management Information Systems from the University of Houston, bridging business and data. Here is what the double degree program looks like:
Years one through three take place on campus at AIM in Makati. Coursework covers data science, programming, and business administration.
The third-year summer term is when University of Houston faculty begin teaching summer courses. This is where the two institutions’ academic requirements start to intersect within the shared curriculum.
The fourth year gives you the option to complete your studies at the University of Houston campus in Houston, Texas, satisfying the remaining requirements for the UH BBA in Management Information Systems.
At graduation, students who complete both tracks receive two diplomas and alumni status at both institutions.
One program, two credentials
The double major versus double degree question ultimately comes down to what a graduate needs the credential to do. A double major allows a student to pursue two fields of study within one academic tradition. A double degree produces two credentials that stand independently in two different fields.
For international undergraduate applicants, the Asian Institute of Management-University of Houston program offers a specific combination: a credential from one of Asia’s leading business schools and one from a recognized US institution, built into a single four-year path.
You leave with two degrees, two alumni networks, and the range to enter markets and roles that would require separate qualifications to access otherwise.
Get in touch with us to learn more about our double program.
