Are you a school administrator? Yes No x to close
Find Schools Approved for VA Education Benefits
MBA for Legal Studies Majors

MBA for Legal Studies Majors

If you’re interested in a career in law, a Legal/Law Studies Degree can prepare you for a wide range of jobs that do not necessarily involve law school. One such option?

Combining a Juris Doctor (J.D.), an entry-level professional law degree, with a Master's of Business Administration (MBA) will give you a unique blend of legal and business skills that are highly valued in the corporate world.

Reasons for Legal/Law Studies Majors to Get an MBA

Legal/Law Studies majors attain an MBA to expand their career opportunities and enhance their marketability in business. It provides them with an understanding of business principles, financial management, and strategic planning. With a dual degree, graduates can view and solve problems from a legal and business perspective.

Having an MBA helps legal professionals develop leadership, negotiation, and management skills. They can also find opportunities as business consultants and entrepreneurs and serve as in-house counsel for corporations in all industries.

MBA programs also offer extensive networking opportunities for students with peers, faculty, alums, and industry professionals. These connections can lead to job opportunities, partnerships, and mentorship.

Where Do Legal/Law Studies MBA Students Work?

With an MBA, law graduates can handle roles in any industry that need legal and business knowledge. The skills they learn are valuable in industries where law and business are intertwined, including finance, healthcare, and technology.

Graduates have very marketable skills and knowledge—they influence strategy and policy at high levels within corporations and government. Depending on their chosen occupation, they may analyze risks, negotiate deals, or implement management practices.

Jobs for Legal/Law Studies Majors with an MBA

  • Business lawyer: A business lawyer provides legal counsel and representation to companies and navigates corporate law, contracts, regulatory compliance, and other legal matters.
  • FBI Attorney: An FBI attorney provides legal advice and representation to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation. A person in this role handles matters related to national security, criminal investigations, and compliance with federal laws and regulations.
  • Auditor: An auditor examines and verifies the accuracy of a company’s financial records and statements for compliance with accounting standards and regulations.
  • Risk Manager: A risk manager identifies, assesses, and prioritizes potential risks to an organization and creates strategies to minimize or mitigate their impact.
  • Director of Compliance: A person in this role ensures an organization complies with relevant laws, regulations, and internal policies.

Job Outlook for Legal/Law Studies Majors with an MBA

ZipRecruiter states that annual salaries for JD/MBA holders range from $52,500 to $138,000. Most salaries fall between $67,500 and $102,000, with the top 10 percent earning around $120,000 annually.

The wide pay range indicates many lucrative opportunities for advancement and is based on factors such as skill level, location, and years of experience.

J.D./MBA Programs

A J.D./MBA program typically takes three to four years to complete. It combines the length of the J.D. and MBA programs into a single curriculum.

Full-Time MBA

Full-time MBAs are one- or two-year programs. Students attend class full-time and typically do not hold a job during this time.

Professional MBA

A professional (or part-time) MBA allows students to work while attending school. Students are either "lockstep," in which they enroll in set classes with other students, or "self-paced," in which they complete their studies on a more flexible schedule.

Executive MBA

An executive MBA (EMBA) is also a part-time degree program geared toward students with 10 to 15 years of experience in the working world. It is designed to help students focus on building a business career at the executive level.