Why This Matters

  • PREPARE FOR MULTIPLE DIVERSE CAREER PATHS

    A master’s degree in business law isn’t just for lawyers looking to specialize. This degree can help you climb to senior-level positions in finance, international business, government, human resources, and more.

  • 91,300 NEW COMPLIANCE MANAGERS ARE NEEDED

    Compliance managers ensure that companies comply with laws and regulations relevant to their specific industry. As laws and regulations are always evolving, individuals with training in interpreting laws are in demand, resulting in 6% projected job growth.

  • DEMAND FOR ARBITRATORS TO RISE 8% BY 2028

    Individuals with expertise in business law can be valuable in non-litigious means of settling disputes, including arbitration and mediation. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts faster-than-average growth in these occupations through 2028.

Our Research

For this list, we concentrated on master’s degrees in business law. The most common type of master’s degree in this field is a Master of Law (LL.M) degree.

To ensure that the degrees we reviewed are accessible to the greatest number of students, we only reviewed online programs. Please note that some programs have minimal on-campus requirements, even if most coursework can be completed online.

All of the programs we reviewed are offered by schools that have regional accreditation. This is a confirmation that the programs meet the highest standards of quality for postsecondary education. Degrees and credits from regionally accredited schools are widely recognized and transferable.

Once we found programs that met our criteria, we evaluated them based on faculty, flexibility, cost, outcomes, and reputation. Then we calculated an Intelligent Score for each program on a scale of 0 to 100. Our top picks for the best online master’s in business law are flexible, cost-effective, and highly regarded. (For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.)

  • 66 hours to write this article
  • 135 universities and colleges we assessed
  • 299 education programs we compared

The Top 8 Online Master’s in Business Law Programs

Best Online Master's in Business Law Degree Programs
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What You Should Know About This Degree

Business law is an umbrella term that encompasses trade, corporate, compliance, finance, and international business law. Depending on the program, the curriculum may cover one of these areas in-depth, or several topics in a broad sense. Consider your personal interests and career goals when selecting a program, to find one that most closely aligns with what you are seeking.

Regardless of what aspect of business law the program focuses on, a key point to note is that a LL.M. degree is different than a law degree, which is typically a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree. Earning an LL.M. degree will not prepare you to take the bar exam, which is a requirement to become a practicing lawyer. If you want to become a lawyer, you should seek an ABA-approved law degree.

If you are planning on becoming a practicing lawyer who specializes in business law, you can complete an LL.M. either before or after attending law school and passing the bar exam.

A master’s in business law is also open to individuals who are not interested in practicing law, but want to work in a law-related field, like compliance or finance. This type of degree equips students with many transferable skills, including research, critical thinking, and communication skills that can be applied to a variety of occupations.

What’s Next?

Here are some questions to ask when researching Online Master’s in Business Law programs:

  • Am I eligible for this program? Depending on the program, you may need prior education or experience in law, business, or a related field to be eligible for admission. Look carefully at the program’s admissions requirements before applying, to confirm that you have the right educational and professional background to be considered eligible for the program.
  • Are there any in-person requirements? Some programs have minimal residency requirements, either on-campus or in other locations, as part of their curriculum. Before enrolling in a program, be sure to review the in-person requirements so you can plan on accommodating them in your schedule and budget.

Other steps that you can take at this point in the process include collecting your application materials, and confirming application deadlines. This information is typically available on the school’s website, or by contacting their admissions department.

You should also consider how you will finance your master’s degree. Talk to financial aid counselors about your options for student loans, scholarships, and assistantships. If you are currently employed, find out if your employer offers tuition assistance benefits.