What Is a Business Law Bachelor’s Degree?
A business law bachelor’s degree is an undergraduate program specifically designed for students who are interested in pursuing a career in the law field, but do not wish to become a practicing attorney. The degree combines courses in business and law, which provide a solid educational foundation for positions as paralegals or legal assistants, and entry-level positions in business such as business management and law-related careers. With a bachelor’s degree in business or business law, you will have the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a wide variety of professional and academic opportunities. Although every school has their own list of required courses, most business law bachelor’s programs will have core courses that include elements of basic business practices, legal procedures, consumer law and business and contracts, and oftentimes an introductory law course . In addition, the programs typically contain electives, which may include human resources law, business and employment law, ethics, negotiation and debate, civil rights law, legal research and writing, and small business and contract formation. The bachelor’s degree in business law is typically 120 semester hours, with roughly half of the credit hours in general education classes and the other half in core business law and business classes. In addition to the general courses, you may also be required to complete an internship in the field, supervised legal experience, and a business law specialization. Upon completion of the program, students have the educational qualifications necessary for entry-level positions such as a paralegal, legal assistant, business manager, and other law-related positions.
Skills You’ll Learn in a Business Law Program
While many graduates may look to purely legal contexts upon graduation, the critical thinking and issue resolution skills acquired by students in this field will often translate well to any high-level situation in a corporate environment. This is particularly true for those who hold both a business degree and a law degree from credible institutions. A business law degree combines legal studies typically reserved for graduate-level law degrees with the fundamental principles of business covered in all undergraduate business administration programs. Topics covered in the degree path include law of agency, the Uniform Commercial Code, bankruptcy law, agency law, corporate fraud, insolvency, and employment law. These topics all apply to varying aspects of business, and particularly for those who are required to work with legal issues on a regular basis. Students who complete this program will learn about core business principles and how they affect company outcomes. They will learn to identify legal issues in the business world, how to work toward resolving these issues, and how to analyze legal documents to understand their complexities. Such education not only prepares students for law school, or other prestigious legal graduate programs, but also places them in a prime position to stand out among those working in a purely business field without a strong legal background. Emphasizing the importance of negotiation and critical thinking in all aspects of business, a business law program will produce graduates who are capable of analyzing critical issues from all perspectives. This will help them spot any potential pitfalls that could arise during the course of a negotiation or multi-party meeting. With the analytical, practical, and intellectual development provided by a business law degree, students become indispensable in their corporate environments the moment they enter the workforce.
Career Possibilities with a Business Law Degree
The foundation of a business law undergraduate education includes the study of contract law, corporate theory, torts, bankruptcy and litigation, among other subjects. Business law is additionally known in academia as "commercial law" or "mercantile law", and the undergraduate programs studying it are generally offered through schools of business (sometimes with a specialized school for graduate degrees). The degree is sometimes called commercial law, business law or even international business law, and the course requirements often reflect the specialization, with concentrations in banking and finance, international business law, e-commerce, or topics such as employment or health law.
A business law degree is one which can be used in many different business environments. In addition to private law firms offering additional academic education or experience in order to move into a traditional role of a lawyer, there are also in-house legal departments. In-house legal departments are most often found in very large organizations which need specialized area of expertise in international business law, intellectual property rights, antitrust law, and other areas, and have enough law departments such that a cover all of its business locations. In-house departments are often used by organizations to cut costs of hiring outside expert attorneys, allowing in-house counsel to be responsible for various legal tasks for the company.
A business law bachelor’s degree may also be applicable to government agency work, as business law will frequently intersect with other statutes or regulations. For example, banking laws are often governed by state and local laws, while others like the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2012 or the Fair Credit Reporting Act may be relevant to an organizational position. A business law degree may also be used in accounting firms or auditing departments of organizations since so much of accounting and tax law tends to overlap legal issues. Tax lawyers are another common field of specialization, and may work in-house with very large organizations, accounting firms, or with the government as well.
Other common positions after earning a business law degree can include working as a consultant for organizations or schools which teach business law material, in legal publishing (particularly in research or database work), human resources (which requires both labor and employment law knowledge), the real estate industry, or in risk management.
Best Bachelor’s Programs in Business Law
Numerous distinguished universities around the world provide students with the opportunity to explore business law at the undergraduate level. These institutions are known for their exceptional legal programs where students learn from faculty that have extensive experience working in law firms and public service positions within their specialties. Below is a sampling of a few of the most prestigious institutions offering business law bachelor degrees:
University of Wisconsin, Madison – The School of Business at the University of Wisconsin, Madison offers an undergraduate degree program in accounting with a tax emphasis. Students who choose this particular emphasis study in-depth international tax law, state and local taxation, tax policy and business tax law in addition to auditing and other accounting-related courses.
The University of Chicago – The University of Chicago provides students with the opportunity to major in Law, Letters and Society: Business Law. All incoming students at the University of Chicago are also introduced to the basics of commercial law and business transactions . As these students progress through the curriculum of their studies, they can also choose to major in commercial law, real estate law, business organizations, securities regulation or bankruptcy.
Florida State University – The college of law at Florida State University offers both an undergraduate and a graduate degree programs in business law. Students enrolled even at the undergraduate level are introduced to many elements of commercial and business litigation practice. Graduate students in particular have the opportunity to join a number of business law student organizations as well as participate in elite commercial law internships with some of the top legal firms in the Orlando area.
University of Texas – The center for professional communication at the University of Texas offers undergraduate students the opportunity to specialize in business law. Students can study the code of ethics for business and contractual communication. In addition, the undergraduate business law course at the University of Texas introduces students to the basic theories in contract law.
Is a Business Law Degree for You?
In determining whether or not a business law degree is right for them, prospective business law students should consider several factors. Do you desire a broad understanding of commercial law principles and their implications from many different angles? Or do you prefer the flexibility to focus your learning on all aspects within the field of business law? Either way, a business law degree is sure to provide you with a solid understanding of the laws and regulations that govern the business world. Furthermore, examine your career goals and passions when asking whether or not a business law degree is right for you. The curriculum of a bachelor’s in business law can help prepare you for a variety of different careers in several different industries. While some may see the law as a means to an end, others have a passion for the law and hope to practice it on a daily basis. Examine your goals when making this important decision to determine if a business law degree is right for you.
How to Get Accepted for a Business Law Bachelor’s Degree
All students interested in a business law bachelor’s degree, regardless of their state or country of origin, need to fulfill admission requirements. Students will typically be required to submit the following: It is essential to apply early, as all universities may require between three to four weeks to process application material. Students may also be asked to provide standardized test scores that vary by institution. A student may be required to take the SAT or ACT for undergraduate admission , as well as other exams specifically for business or law programs. A successful application generally requires academic aptitude evidenced by GPA, transcripts, admissions essays and sometimes an interview. Each school will have specific application requirements, but meeting or exceeding minimum standards is usually a good practice. While some schools do not require standardized test scores for admission, as stated above, some may, depending on the program.
