

The Juris Doctor – Business Administration program provides a robust interdisciplinary curriculum for students who want to combine foundational legal training with a strong understanding of business strategy, organizational management, and economic decision-making. The program integrates coursework in legal analysis, corporate governance, business strategy, and financial literacy, offering learners a unique perspective on how legal frameworks shape commercial activity. Through case law interpretation, negotiation exercises, and exposure to real regulatory challenges, students gain the analytical tools needed to understand the legal dimensions of business operations. This structure enables learners to evaluate how policy, regulation, and organizational interests intersect within complex commercial environments.
Beyond theoretical study, the program emphasizes applied legal and managerial practice through clinics, business simulations, moot court, and interdisciplinary projects. Students strengthen competencies in strategic reasoning, contract negotiation, regulatory compliance, and organizational leadership while collaborating with peers across both legal and business disciplines. Engagement with practitioners, internship placements, and exposure to real transactional work allow learners to explore how lawyers and business leaders work together to shape corporate strategy, manage risk, and guide organizational transformation. By merging rigorous legal education with business administration insight, the program prepares graduates to operate effectively in high-level commercial, regulatory, and entrepreneurial settings.
Year 1 – Legal Foundations, Business Principles & Analytical Reasoning
• Contracts and Commercial Law
• Business Fundamentals and Organizational Behavior
• Legal Research, Writing and Advocacy
• Torts, Property and Civil Procedure
Year 2 – Corporate Law, Finance, Strategy & Applied Practice
• Corporate Governance and Compliance
• Financial Management for Business Leaders
• Negotiation and Dispute Resolution
• Business Strategy and Competitive Analysis
Year 3 – Advanced Legal Topics, Leadership & Capstone
• Regulation of Business and Markets
• Entrepreneurship and Venture Law
• Leadership in Legal and Business Settings
• JD–Business Administration Capstone Project
Graduates of this program are prepared for strategic and legally informed roles across industries where business operations and legal frameworks intersect. Many professionals work in corporate legal departments, business consulting firms, financial institutions, and regulatory agencies, contributing to contract drafting, risk assessment, compliance evaluation, and strategic decision-making. Responsibilities may include advising companies on regulatory issues, supporting mergers and acquisitions, managing business negotiations, conducting policy review, and collaborating with leadership teams to address organizational challenges. With strong training in legal analysis and business strategy, graduates are also suited for roles in entrepreneurship, corporate governance, management consulting, and positions requiring cross-functional expertise in both law and business. The program further provides a foundation for bar examination preparation and advanced legal or managerial specialization.
This program is ideal for students who want to build strong legal expertise while developing the business insight needed to navigate modern organizational environments. Its curriculum emphasizes strategic decision-making, legal proficiency, and business leadership, offering a structured progression from core legal concepts to advanced applications in corporate and regulatory contexts. Over three years, students benefit from experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and mentoring from faculty experienced in both business and legal practice. The combination of rigorous coursework, hands-on projects, and a capstone experience equips graduates to contribute thoughtfully and decisively in complex professional settings. For individuals seeking careers at the intersection of law, strategy, and organizational leadership, this program provides a comprehensive and future-ready academic pathway.
For further information, please contact the admissions office at:
Phone: +1 312 555 2040
Email: admissions@northwestern.edu
Address: University of Northwestern, 633 Clark Street, Evanston, IL 60208, United States