A degree in business law will teach you how legal principles apply to private businesses. The core curriculum of a business law major can help you develop general knowledge about business principles, as well as an understanding of the complicated legal issues that influence business transactions.
Business Law Major Overview
If you want to study business law at the undergraduate level, you can enroll in a Bachelor of Business Administration degree program that offers an emphasis in business law. In this type of program, you'll generally complete about 120 credit hours consisting of a combination of core business courses, major courses in business law or legal studies, business foundation pre-core classes, electives and general education classes. As part of your core business courses, you'll take classes that focus on general business topics and specific legal issues.
<h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutMajoringInBusinessLaw">Important Facts About Majoring in Business Law</h3><p></p><table border="1"><tr><td> Online Availability </td><td>fully online</td></tr>
<tr><td> Possible Careers </td><td> legal secretary, law clerk, paralegal</td></tr>
<tr><td> Degree Levels </td><td> associates, bachelor's, master's</td></tr>
<tr><td> Pre-Requisites</td><td> philosophy, statistics, history</td></tr>
<tr><td> Median Salary (2021) </td><td> $127,990 (for <i>Lawyers</i>)</td></tr>
<tr><td> Job Outlook (2021-2031) </td><td> 10% (for <i>Lawyers</i>)</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---CoreBusinessCourses">Core Business Courses</h3><p>You'll be required to take fundamental business classes if you plan to major in any business or business administration-related field, including business law. These courses provide you with a thorough understanding of basic business principles and help you develop a foundation on which to build your knowledge of business law. Some core business classes that you could take include:
</p><ul><li>Accounting
</li><li>Business statistics
</li><li>Macroeconomics
</li><li>Marketing
</li><li>Business communication
</li><li>Organizational behavior
</li><li>Decision making
</li><li>Business finance
</li><li>Operations management
</li><li>Strategic management
</li></ul><h3 id="section---CoreBusinessLawOrLegalStudiesCourses">Core Business Law or Legal Studies Courses</h3><p>In your specialized courses, you'll conduct an in-depth examination of the legal theories, precedents and legislation that affect the business world. You'll learn how the legal system can influence the way a business is structured and operated. You'll likely be allowed a large amount of freedom in customizing your curriculum, since the legal studies courses offered in a business law major can vary widely, depending on the program. You might have the option to take business law courses that focus on specific topics, including:
</p><ul><li>Contracts and sales
</li><li>International business law
</li><li>Mediation
</li><li>Marketing law
</li><li>Contemporary workplace issues
</li><li>Intellectual property laws
</li><li>Real estate laws
</li><li>Business ethics and corporate responsibility
</li><li>Labor and employment laws
</li></ul><h3 id="section---CareersAfterGraduation">Careers After Graduation</h3><p>A degree in business law or business administration with a concentration in business law can prepare you for a number of careers after graduation, including those in industries regulated by the government, administrative and financial support and employee relations. Some jobs you may be able to get include:
</p><ul><li>Loss prevention manager
</li><li>Cost estimator
</li><li>Management analyst
</li><li>Supply chain manager
</li></ul><p>Job opportunities vary by specific position. As an example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that positions for cost estimators are expected to increase by 10% between 2021 and 2031. The BLS reports that, as of 2021, the median annual salary for cost estimators was $65,170, with most making between $38,880 and $115,690.</p>
