The New Education Policy (NEP) has provided an opportunity for innovative dual degree programs in India and the NMIMS Sarla Anil Modi School of Economics (SAMSOE) has teamed up with the Virginia Tech to offer one such program in Economics. It is a first-of-its-kind program with features that sets it apart from other degree programs.

1. What is the dual degree program about?

The dual degree program is a combination of the study of one year at SAMSOE in Mumbai, India, and one year at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA, USA. Upon completion, students will receive an M.Sc. Economics degree from NMIMS and an MA in Economics degree from Virginia Tech. The program focuses on contemporary and experiential learning and aims to prepare students with skills required for the modern world. Not only will the students receive 2 degrees in two years, but it will be cost-effective too.

The MA Economics program at Virginia Tech is housed in the College of Science and is expected to be certified as a STEM program. This would provide students with 3 years of Optional Practical Training (OPT) and an extended job search period.

2. What is the curriculum like?

The curriculum focuses on experiential and skill-based learning, taking advantage of the strengths of both institutions. The students will be taught the fundamentals of Economics in the first year with plenty of options to take subjects of their choice, in the second year. There are some new-age subjects that they would be able to choose such as big data economics, computational finance, business forecasting, and behavioral economics.

The curriculum of the dual degree program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of various fields of economics and the ability to build and test economic models using advanced tools and data techniques. The economics graduate curriculum at Virginia Tech meets the needs of the modern sector and is known for producing graduates who are well-equipped for careers in finance, consulting, the gig-economy, and research-focused jobs.

3. What makes this program unique?

One of the unique features of this program is that it is geared towards developing skills that can be applied to real-life problems to address questions relevant to industries, academia and policy institutions. 

Besides, the students will be taught by internationally reputed faculty, with expertise in contemporary areas of economics and have a global peer group. This will provide students with exposure to different perspectives, cultures, and ways of thinking, further enriching their education.

4. What is the philosophy behind Virginia Tech's approach to education?

Virginia Tech follows a transdisciplinary approach to education and is dedicated to serving others through its educational programs and its motto "Ut Prosim (That I May Serve)" reflects its commitment to this approach. The university has a strong record of placing its students in industry, government, and academia. 

The Department of Economics at Virginia Tech is known for its expertise in areas such as Game Theory, Behavioural and Experimental Economics, and Big Data Economics. It is a leading research institution offering around 280 undergraduate and graduate degree programs and enjoys a strength of more than 37,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students across the Commonwealth of Virginia.

5. What kind of job opportunities can students expect after completing the dual degree program?

Graduates of the dual degree program can expect to find placement in a range of industries, including finance, market research, consulting, the gig economy, and research-focused jobs. Companies such as Deloitte, Amazon, Geico, Capital One, Discover Financials, GM Financials, and Activision Blizzard have hired graduates from Virginia Tech's STEM-certified Ph.D. program in economics. It also opens up doors to a career in government departments. The program will also prepare students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Economics.

-Prof. Amita Vaidya

Director, Sarla Anil Modi School of Economics