If you’ve always dreamed of being a lawyer and you’re looking for an associate degree that will really contribute to your goal of getting into law school, then you might want to think about getting an associate degree in business law.
Why Get A Business Law Associate Degree?
Unlike many associate degree programs, you can’t do much with an associate degree in business law. Once you’ve gotten this degree, you probably won’t be able to waltz into a law firm and get a job. If that’s your aim, you’d better off getting a paralegal associate degree.
If, however, you want to continue with your education and major in business or try to get into law school, then getting a business law associate degree might be a good choice for you. On it’s own, it’s not worth much in the work world. But it can be extremely helpful as a stepping stone to other things.
Associate Degree Programs In Business Law: What You’ll Learn
A business law associate degree is designed to give you an overview of both business and law. Yes, we’re probably stating the obvious there, but it’s important to point out that majoring in business law specifically means that you’ll be learning about topics that apply to business, and the unique legal challenges they face. You’ll learn about corporate finance, copyright, marketing, and ethics.
Some of the classes you might see when getting your business law associate degree include:
- Macro and Micro Economics
- Marketing in America
- Bankruptcy Law
- Legal Research and Writing
- Accounting
- Business Law
- Business Statistics
There are literally dozens of specialties under the umbrella title of “business law”. Obviously you won’t have to choose a concentration while you’re getting your associate degree, but should you decide to continue your education you’ll eventually want to choose one.
A few you could consider include:
- Cyber Law
- Antitrust
- Employment Law (including sub-fields like Sexual Harassment and Labor Issues)
- Trademark Law
- Copyright Law
- Product Liability
- Tax Law
- Fraud
- Patent Law
- International Trade
You’ll have plenty of time to think about it, but it’s important to realize that you’ll find a job much faster if you focus on one specific area that really interests you.
Careers in Business Law
Like we said before, there isn’t much you can do with just an associate degree in business law, which is why the majority of students use it as a stepping stone on the way to law school.
If you decide to specialize in business law once you do get into law school, however, you’ll be in a position to make a really fantastic living. Lawyers are some of the most highly paid professionals out there and, barring the thousands of lawyer jokes and the bad stereotypes, most really enjoy their jobs.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Outlook Handbook reports that 27% of lawyers are self-employed.
Because competition is so intense, especially in private practices, specializing in a field like business law will allow you to widen your career prospects to include the millions of corporations out there. The BLS reports that your first job working for a corporation (with a business law degree) will earn you around $60,000. If you go into a private practice, you can expect $85,000.
And the longer you practice and the more experience you gain, the more you can expect to make.
Lawyers have the opportunity to really make a difference in the world. If you love debate and like the idea of making sure unethical business leaders are put away where they belong, then business law might be the perfect career for you.
"...in the big picture, people with associate degrees make more than people with high school diplomas. "
"Many students enroll in a 2-year college with the intention of transferring to a 4-year college and obtaining a bachelor’s degree."
"...the more degreed-education you have, the less likely you are to be unemployed."