Summary of work: More than 28 hours of research. Every online Master in Business Law program in the US analyzed. 9 industry experts, hiring managers, current students, and alumni consulted. 6 of the best programs identified.
Business law is a field perfect for those who are interested in both the business world and the legal world. While students of business law must come in with a foundational knowledge of law in America, they will go on to specialize in law pertaining to corporations. A typical career path for a business law graduate is to become a business attorney or a paralegal, although graduates may go on to become law professors and teach their knowledge as well.
Students who enter a business law program may be required to already have their Juris Doctor (JD). A JD is the basic degree required to practice law in the U.S., and it provides students the necessary background in concepts and theories of the U.S. legal system. A master’s in business law is an advanced law degree, and students may take specialized classes in business organization, entertainment law, and real estate law, among others. Ultimately, students will graduate with an understanding of how corporations are structured and of how they function under the law.
Since a master’s in business law is a specialized degree, starting salaries for graduates are relatively high. This degree also allows graduates to immediately enter mid-level jobs instead of starting at the bottom in their chosen specialization. In short, a master’s in business law can lead to a fulfilling, lucrative career for anyone interested in the legal side of business or the business side of law.
For more more resources and career information related to this degree, please read our career guide here.
We took a deep-dive and analyzed every online Masters in Business Law program in the nation. Below are the results of our analysis and list of the 6 best online Business Law programs.
Read about our methodology here.
Boston University designed its international business law program for busy professionals who can't commit to the standard nine-month program on campus. Though this program combines online and residency sessions, BU provides convenient and flexible scheduling to meet all students' needs.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Law
Program Name: LLM in International Business Law
Available Concentrations: Enterprise Risk Management & Compliance, International Environmental & Energy Law, International Taxation
Accrediting Body: New England Commission of Higher Education
DeliveryFormat: Online
Program requirementsPrerequisites: JD degree. Bachelor's degree for certain highly qualified candidates (see program page for details)
Credit Requirements: 24 credits
Program LengthProgram Options: Full time, part time
Program Length: 2 years
Program start dates: Fall, Spring
Loyola University Chicago provides a comprehensive business law and compliance program for professionals who want to develop or enhance their expertise in transaction law. Those who choose to study online may focus their studies in compliance and improve their skill set and knowledge for career advancement.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Law
Program Name: LLM in Business and Compliance Law
Accrediting Body: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
DeliveryFormat: Online
Instruction Style: Synchronous, Asynchronous
Program requirementsPrerequisites: JD degree
Credit Requirements: 24 credits
Program LengthProgram Options: Part-time
Program Length: 2 years
Program start dates: Fall, Spring, Summer
Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: Fall: August 1; Spring: December 1; Summer: April 1
Work Experience: Two years of professional experience
Western Michigan University offers students a rigorous corporate law program in which they learn and improve their skills through experiential training. Students solve challenging, real-world problems and develop their legal skills and business law knowledge for career advancement upon earning their degree.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: Cooley Law School
Program Name: LL.M. in Corporate Law and Finance
Available Concentrations: Global Public Companies Law
Accrediting Body: Higher Learning Commission
DeliveryFormat: Online
Program requirementsPrerequisites: J.D. or LL.B
Credit Requirements: 24 credits
Program LengthProgram Options: Full-time
Program start dates: September, January, May
Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: Rolling
GPA: 3.0
Widener University designed its cutting-edge law program to combine two degrees in one: Master of Jurisprudence in Corporate and Business Law and a Master of Business Administration. Students can earn both degrees simultaneously in a 100 percent online environment and receive training in real-world skills that make them successful in corporate and business job markets.
Program OverviewProgram Name: Master of Jurisprudence in Corporate and Business Law
Accrediting Body: Compliance Certification Board (CCB)
DeliveryFormat: Online
Program requirementsPrerequisites: Bachelor's degree
Credit Requirements: 48 credits
Program LengthProgram Length: 2-3 years
Program start dates: Summer: May 28, 2019
Admission RequirementsGPA: 2.7
John Marshall School of Law offers an in-depth international business and trade law program that's delivered by industry leaders. The faculty members are active law practitioners who have international practices and deliver the most up-to-date information regarding trade, investment and regulation.
Program OverviewProgram Name: LLM in International Business & Trade Law
Available Concentrations: International Compliance, International Corporate & Finance Law, International Trade Law
Accrediting Body: Higher Learning Commission
DeliveryFormat: Online
Instruction Style: Asynchronous
Program requirementsPrerequisites: JD or law equivalency degree for foreign attorneys
Credit Requirements: 24 credits
Program LengthProgram Length: 2 years
Program start dates: Fall, Spring, Summer
Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: Fall: August 1: Spring: December 1: Summer: May 1
Thomas Jefferson School of Law designed its business law program for busy practitioners who want to earn their degree as quickly as possible. Students who commit to a full-time schedule can finish the entire program in only one year of study.
Program OverviewDepartment Name: School of Law
Program Name: LL.M or Master of Science of Law
Available Concentrations: Taxation, Financial Services and Wealth Management, Financial Compliance and Risk Management
Accrediting Body: WASC Senior College and University Commission
DeliveryFormat: Online
Instruction Style: Asynchronous
Program requirementsPrerequisites: JD or Undergraduate degree
Credit Requirements: LL.M: 24 credits, Master of Science of Law: 30 credits
Program LengthProgram Length: 1 year or 1.5 years
Program start dates: Spring I: March 11, 2019; Spring II: May 6, 2019
Admission RequirementsApplication deadline: Spring I: February 22, 2019; Spring II: April 19, 2019
GPA: 3.25