Joint Law and Business Degrees at The University of Akron
Advance Your Legal Expertise with Business Acumen
The University of Akron offers three powerful joint degree programs that combine the strength of our School of Law with the nationally recognized College of Business. Whether your goals lie in corporate law, tax strategy, public accounting, or executive leadership, our JD/MBA, JD/MSA, and JD/MTax programs provide a strategic advantage in today’s complex, competitive landscape.
Why Pursue a Joint JD and Business Degree?
Enhance Your Career Flexibility
Dual degrees open doors across multiple sectors—from corporate legal departments and accounting firms to government agencies, consulting firms, and nonprofit organizations.
Gain a Competitive Edge
Graduates are uniquely positioned to offer both legal insight and business strategy, making you an asset for employers seeking professionals who can navigate regulations and drive growth.
Save Time and Money
By pursuing both degrees simultaneously, you’ll complete your education faster and more cost-effectively than earning them separately. Streamlined credit transfers between the programs reduce overall coursework.
Build a Powerful Network
Join two robust academic communities and connect with alumni, faculty, and professionals from both the legal and business fields—expanding your opportunities for mentorship, internships, and career placement.
Explore Our Joint Degree Options
JD/MBA — Juris Doctor / Master of Business Administration
Ideal for future leaders in corporate law, executive leadership, compliance, entrepreneurship, or business consulting.
- Develop a deep understanding of business operations, finance, and strategy.
- Prepare for high-level roles where legal and managerial decision-making intersect.
- Gain practical experience through internships and case studies.
JD/MSA — Juris Doctor / Master of Science in Accountancy
Designed for those interested in corporate law, forensic accounting, financial compliance, or public accounting.
- Equip yourself to interpret and influence complex financial regulations.
- Satisfy academic requirements toward CPA licensure (depending on your undergraduate coursework).
- Excel in roles requiring both legal and financial analysis skills.
JD/MTax — Juris Doctor / Master of Taxation
The ideal path for tax attorneys, policy advisors, financial advisors, and corporate tax strategists.
- Learn from seasoned tax professionals in one of Ohio’s top taxation programs.
- Develop an understanding of the underlying theory of taxation for all types of business entities, high net worth individuals, trusts and estates.
- Practice-oriented courses offer in-depth knowledge that can be applied immediately.
Admissions
Joint degree students receive two degrees and therefore must be admitted to two programs. Applications to the School of Law and the Graduate School, for the business degree, are required. A third application to establish joint degree status is also required. You should contact each college independently for information concerning admission criteria and procedures. Individuals with baccalaureate degrees in any field of study are eligible to apply for a joint program. Most full-time law students apply for the joint program in January of year 1 and part-time law students apply in fall of year 2.
Information on Applying to the Law School
Information on Applying for Graduate Programs in the College of Business
Application for Joint Degree Programs
It is recommended that you complete your Application for Joint Degree Programs first or simultaneously with your Graduate Application, as there is a release in the former that allows the Law School to release your transcripts to the Graduate School so you will not need to have them resent.
The Application for Joint Degree Programs should be submitted to School of Law, Student Affairs Office or emailed to lawstudentaffairs@uakron.edu.
Program Requirements
JD/MBA
The MBA degree consists of 10 courses. JD/MTax students take 7 courses from the College of Business catalog and 3 courses from the School of Law. Additionally, 10 credits of courses taken from the College of Business will count towards the JD.
| MBA Courses for the JD/MBA |
| *Required Courses: 30 credits |
| ACCT 601 Managerial Accounting |
| ECON 601 Economic Decision Making for Business |
| HRM 652 Managing People in Organizations |
| LAWX 659 Negotiations |
| LAWX 717 Mergers & Acquisitions OR LAWX 648 Insurance Law |
| LAWX 806 International Intellectual Property |
| MKTG 620 Strategic Marketing |
| MGMT 601 Business Analytics & Information Strategy |
| MGMT 695 Organizational Strategy |
| SCM 670 Management of Supply Chains and Operations |
JD/MTax
The MTax degree consists of 10 courses. JD/MTax students take 7 courses under the ACCT prefix and 3 courses under the LAWX prefix. Additionally, 10 credits of courses taken under the ACCT prefix will count towards the JD.
| MTax Courses for the JD/MTax |
| *Required Courses: 24 credits |
| ACCT 628 Tax Research & Business Analytics |
| LAWX 641 Corporate Taxation I |
| ACCT 641 Taxation of Partnerships |
| ACCT 642 Corporate Taxation II |
| ACCT 643 Tax Accounting |
| ACCT 648 Tax Analytics |
| ACCT 649 State and Local Taxation |
| ACCT 651 International Taxation |
| **Elective Courses: 6 Credits (choose 2) |
| LAWX 639 Estate and Gift Taxation |
| LAWX 672 Seminar in Business Planning |
| LAWX 674 International Business Transactions |
| LAWX 677 Real Estate Law |
|
LAWX 684 Seminar in Selected Legal Problems (Advanced Business Assoc) |
| LAWX 685 Wills, Trusts & Estates |
| LAWS 717 Mergers and Acquisitions |
*Students without an undergraduate degree in business may be required to take up to six additional credits of foundational coursework. Consult with the Director of The School of Accountancy or Associate Director for Graduate Programs to learn more.
** Additional electives may be added over time.
JD/MSA
The MSA degree consists of 10 courses. JD/MSA students take 7 courses under the ACCT prefix and 3 courses under the LAWX prefix. Additionally, 10 credits of courses taken under the ACCT prefix will count towards the JD.
We are currently revising the courses for the JD/MSA program. Please reach out to the Associate Director for Graduate Programs for the most up-to-date information.
Students without an undergraduate degree in business or accounting may be required to take up to 24 additional credits of foundational coursework. Consult with the Director of The School of Accountancy or Associate Director for Graduate Programs to learn more.
Want to Learn More? Contact Us Today!
School of Law, Office of Student Affairs| (330) 972-7331 | lawstudentaffairs@uakron.edu
CoB Office of Graduate Programs | (330) 972-7043 | gradbusiness@uakron.edu