Best Online Master’s in Business Law Programs

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In this course, students learn about the legal proceedings and regulations surrounding common corporate transactions. They cover various types of transactions, possible pitfalls, and negotiation processes. Coursework may also investigate franchising, financing, and acquisitions.

Students in this course learn how the legal system upholds and enforces contracts, along with the processes and proceedings that take place if a contract is violated. Learners also look at contract drafting, ethics, mediation, and common problems.

This course delves into the legalities of mergers and acquisitions. Students learn about the valuation of organizations, financing, and resource allocation. Covered topics often include contract drafting, government regulations, and subsequent restructuring after a takeover.

In corporate ethics and responsibility courses, students examine topics in corporate corruption, social responsibility, and ethical corporate governance. Learners explore moral obligations of corporations and how value can be created or lost by making ethical or unethical decisions. Additional topics may include ethics in financial transactions and organizational culture.

In this course, students examine laws surrounding intellectual property, such as copyrights, patents, trademarks. They also learn about the legal processes involved in intellectual property theft and trademark violations, along with how these cases are resolved inside and outside of courtrooms.

Lawyers provide legal counsel and advice on various matters. In business law, these professionals typically handle contracts, transactions, taxes, and other corporate issues. According to the BLS, 50% of lawyers work for legal services organizations and 17% are self-employed.

These professionals help people and organizations settle disputes by facilitating communication, managing contracts and settlements, and ensuring adherence to laws. According to BLS data, 20% of arbitrators work for local government agencies, 17% work for state government agencies, and 12% are self-employed.

Financial managers oversee an organization's finances, ensuring that a company follows the law while pursuing financial opportunities. Financial managers analyze markets and organizational spending and use their findings to help their business make informed decisions. According to BLS data, 30% of these professionals work in finance and insurance; 14% work in professional, scientific, and technical services; and 11% work in management.

Human resources managers handle the relationships between an organization's staff and management, and they ensure their organization adheres to labor laws. They also address contract and benefits issues and manage organizational culture. According to BLS data, 14% of these managers work in professional, scientific, and technical services, while another 14% work in company management.

Top executives set organizational targets and develop the policies and processes that help meet established goals. They may handle finances, staffing, and performance analyses, along with reporting to the board of directors on various issues. The BLS reports that 24% of top executives are self-employed; 11% work in professional, scientific, and technical services; and 9% work for the government.

A master's in business law can help lawyers and other professionals specialize in a niche area. Graduates can access lucrative law and management positions. The flexibility imparted by a business law degree also enables graduates to move between various industries.

With a master's in business law, practicing lawyers can set themselves apart and qualify for corporate law positions. Graduates without a JD can explore management positions in the business and financial sectors. Alternatively, some graduates go on to pursue a Ph.D. in law, which can lead to postsecondary teaching careers.

The salaries available to graduates with a master's in business law depend on many factors. For example, the BLS reports that lawyers make a median annual salary of $122,960, while workers with management occupations earn a median annual salary of $105,660.

One of the highest-paying careers for graduates with a master's in business law is financial manager. According to the BLS, these professionals earn a median annual salary of $129,890. The top 10% of earners in the field make more than $208,000 per year.