JD/MBA

The JD/MBA dual degree program between the Cox School of Business and the Dedman School of Law offers business law–focused students an opportunity to boost their careers by having both law and business degrees.

Overview

The JD/MBA dual degree program between the Cox School of Business and the Dedman School of Law offers business law–focused students an opportunity to boost their careers by having both law and business degrees.

We offer two program formats to accommodate those with different academic backgrounds and post-graduation goals. By taking law and business courses simultaneously, you can gain a valuable understanding of commercial affairs from two different perspectives.

4-Year Degree

The four-year JD/MBA degree combines the rigor and experiential learning of the Two Year MBA program at the Cox School of Business with the premier legal education provided by the Dedman School of Law. Students earn both degrees in four academic years (the JD degree normally requires three years to complete, and the MBA normally requires two years to complete), made possible because each school awards academic credit for a limited numbers of subject-appropriate courses taken in the other school.

Who It's For

The 4-year format is designed for: 

  • Candidates with any undergraduate degree or major
  • Candidates interested in the option to seek either a business role or law profession
  • Candidates that would gain from completing a concentration within the MBA curriculum

Your first year of this program is completed entirely at the law school, and the summer after your first year is usually spent completing a law internship. The second year is spent exclusively in the business school, and includes a global leadership experience abroad, with that following summer at a business internship. In your third and fourth years, you take a combination of business and law electives in both schools to satisfy degree requirements, with your final summer internship is in the field you plan to pursue after graduation.

Learn more about the ÃÛÌÒ½´Cox Full-Time MBA program

Learn more about the Dedman School of Law JD program

3-Year Degree

Launched in 2016, the Cox School of Business and the Dedman School of Law have introduced a 3-year JD/MBA dual degree, which allows students with specific academic backgrounds and career goals to complete both degrees in three years. The 3-year format is made possible by the One Year MBA Program at the Cox School of Business. Students are able to complete both degrees on an accelerated timeline because each school gives students credit for a limited number of subject-appropriate courses taken in the other school.

Who It's For

This highly selective program is for students who:

  • Candidates with an undergraduate degree in a business discipline, economics, or similarly quantitative field
  • Candidates seeking to practice a law profession with business applications only
  • Candidates seeking a general graduate business coursework rather than a specific concentration within the MBA curriculum

This combined degree program is aimed at the very motivated and able student who starts with a solid grounding in business concepts, and seeks advanced training in business and a professional legal education in a time- and cost-effective manner. We expect students in the 3-year format to pursue careers in the legal field.

Your first year of this program is completed entirely at the law school, followed by full-time classes at the business school during the summer. During your next two years, you will take both law and business courses to satisfy requirements for both degrees. Your summer between the second and third year are spent doing a law internship.

Learn More about the ÃÛÌÒ½´Cox One-Year MBA program

Learn More about the ÃÛÌÒ½´Dedman JD Program

Admissions

Candidates interested in pursuing the JD/MBA dual degree must submit applications to both the Cox School of Business and the Dedman School of Law. Students must be accepted to both programs.

Because the admissions process for the Dedman School of Law has fewer deadlines than the Cox School of Business, and there are also fewer dates to take the LSAT exam each year, we recommend contacting the Law School Admissions Office for questions pertaining to the law school admissions process. We of course are happy to address any questions specific to our application process and timeline for review.

For more information, please contact the Dedman School of Law

We offer two program formats to accommodate those with different academic backgrounds and post-graduation goals. By taking law and business courses simultaneously, you can gain a valuable understanding of commercial affairs from two different perspectives.



Meet the Faculty

Robin Pinkley

Robin Pinkley

Professor, Management and Organizations

The recipient of SMU's Golden Mustang Award for innovative teaching, Robin is a recognized authority on strategic negotiation and conflict management. She's the author of the book "Get Paid What You’re Worth: The Expert Negotiators’ Guide to Salary and Compensation," and she has consulted with numerous corporate and government organizations.

Sreekumar R Bhaskaran

Sreekumar R. Bhaskaran

Associate Professor of Information Technology and Operations Management

Sreekumar Bhaskaran’s research focuses on new product development and innovation — he’s especially interested in how firms can overcome operational challenges as they transform ideas into value-delivering propositions. Sreekumar was named among the "Best 40 B-School Profs Under the Age of 40” in the Poets&Quants ranking of business school professors.

marcus butts

Marcus Butts

Associate Professor of Management and OrganizationsMarilyn and Leo Corrigan Endowed Research Professor

Organizational behavior is where psychology and management meet. Learn this vital science from Marcus Butts.

admissions group photo

Next Steps

Questions? Not sure which program fits your needs? Reach out to our team.