Corporate Law Degree Program Options

Corporate law involves business-structure relationships and seeks mutually advantageous results for clients on either side of a deal. The most common way to earn a corporate law degree is through a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) program.

View 25 Popular Schools »

Juris Doctorate in Corporate Law

A J.D. takes three years to complete and allows students to specialize in different areas, including corporate law. A corporate law degree program prepares graduates to work within a corporation or partnership for both large and small companies. Students learn about legal and business aspects of corporate law, such as corporate finance and securities regulation. Corporate law studies examine power distribution between shareholders and management and covers federal and state laws. The successful completion of a J.D. qualifies graduates to sit for the mandatory bar exam.

Educational Prerequisites

Law school applicants must first earn a bachelor's degree. The subject of the degree may be in a general topic, such as English or biology, or a more specialized topic (i.e., pre-law or business), helpful to those applying to law school. Letters of recommendation, LSAT scores and transcripts are mandatory.

Program Coursework

Corporate law studies are standard along with other basic courses, such as criminal, constitutional and financial law, during the first year of law school. Students may pursue a specialty (i.e., corporate law) the last two years. Common corporate law courses are:

  • Acquisitions and mergers
  • Bankruptcy
  • Business law
  • Capital structure
  • Contracts
  • Corporate taxation
  • Foreign investments
  • Ethics and morals

Employment Outlook and Salary Information

The Bureau of Labor Statistics - BLS (www.bls.gov) projected that the employment prospects for lawyers would increase by 13% between 2008 and 2018 The median annual wage for lawyers in May 2008 was $110,590, as reported by the BLS. Figures may vary according to setting, specialty and experience.

Continuing Education Information

A Master of Laws (L.L.M.) in corporate law degree program exists for current lawyers who earned their law degree outside of the United States. It takes one year to complete and requires professional legal experience for admission. A written bar examination is required of all potential lawyers. They must hold a law degree from an accredited institution. Each state administers its own bar exam, and the length and content are dependent on location.

Show me popular schools

Related to Corporate Law Study

  • Related
  • Recently Updated
  • Popular
Corporate Law Majors: Salary and Career Information

Undergraduate pre-law programs offer students an opportunity to explore the legal profession, gain entry-level...

Corporate Law Consultant: Job Description and Requirements

Corporate law consultants are attorneys who advise clients using their expertise in business law. Consultants are not...

Corporate Lawyer: Job Duties and Requirements for Becoming a Corporate Law Professional

Corporate lawyers ensure the legality of business practices and transactions. Working for all sizes of corporations,...

Corporate Law: Overview of a Corporate Law Course for Business Majors

Business students are often required to take a basic business law course. Advanced coursework might cover the legal...

Top Schools with Corporate Law Degree Programs

25 Popular Schools

Popular Schools

Avg. Wages For Related Jobs

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics