Best MBA programs for Lawyers

Last Updated on March 4, 2023 by MBA Gateway Team

This article is a part-of ‘MBA Careers’ Series

Best MBA programs for Lawyers

Lawyers who wish to pursue an MBA degree can choose from a variety of top programs that provide a strong foundation in business skills, strategy, and management. Here are some of the best MBA programs for lawyers:

1. Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management – The JD-MBA program at Kellogg allows students to earn both a law degree and an MBA in three years. The program offers a unique blend of law and business courses, along with opportunities to gain practical experience through internships and other experiential learning opportunities.
2. The University of Pennsylvania Wharton School – Wharton’s MBA program is consistently ranked among the top business schools in the world. The program offers a range of courses and experiential learning opportunities that can help lawyers build the business acumen and leadership skills necessary to succeed in a variety of roles.
3. Harvard Business School – Harvard’s MBA program provides a rigorous and challenging curriculum that is designed to develop leadership skills and strategic thinking abilities. The program emphasizes case-based learning and offers opportunities to work on real-world business problems through field-based learning experiences.
4. Stanford Graduate School of Business – Stanford’s MBA program emphasizes innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership. The program offers a range of courses in business fundamentals, along with opportunities to gain practical experience through internships, experiential learning projects, and other activities.
5. Columbia Business School – Columbia’s MBA program is designed to provide a strong foundation in business fundamentals, along with opportunities to gain practical experience through internships and other experiential learning opportunities. The program emphasizes leadership, strategy, and global perspectives, and offers a range of courses and electives that can help lawyers build the skills necessary to succeed in a variety of roles.

Tips for Lawyers Pursuing an MBA:

1. Focus on building business skills: While you may already have strong legal skills, it is important to develop a solid foundation in business skills such as finance, accounting, and marketing.
2. Network with peers: One of the key benefits of an MBA program is the opportunity to build relationships with other professionals in a variety of fields. Take advantage of networking events and other opportunities to connect with your classmates and alumni.
3. Consider an industry focus: Depending on your career goals, it may be beneficial to pursue an MBA program with a focus on a particular industry, such as finance or healthcare.
4. Leverage your legal background: Your legal expertise can be a valuable asset in a variety of business settings. Look for ways to apply your legal skills to business problems and projects, and leverage your legal background to differentiate yourself in the job market.
5. Be prepared for a rigorous program: Pursuing an MBA is a significant investment of time, money, and effort. Be prepared for a rigorous program that will require significant dedication and hard work.

Table: Top 50 Business Schools for Lawyers

1. Harvard Business School
2. Stanford Graduate School of Business
3. Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania
4. Columbia Business School
5. Booth School of Business, University of Chicago
6. Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University
7. Sloan School of Management, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
8. Tuck School of Business, Dartmouth College
9. Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley
10. Ross School of Business, University of Michigan
11. Yale School of Management
12. Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell University
13. Fuqua School of Business, Duke University
14. Anderson School of Management, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
15. McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin
16. Kenan-Flagler Business School, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
17. Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University
18. McDonough School of Business, Georgetown University
19. Goizueta Business School, Emory University
20. Olin Business School, Washington University in St. Louis
21. Kelley School of Business, Indiana University Bloomington
22. Mendoza College of Business, University of Notre Dame
23. Krannert School of Management, Purdue University
24. Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota
25. Foster School of Business, University of Washington
26. Jones Graduate School of Business, Rice University
27. Broad College of Business, Michigan State University
28. Questrom School of Business, Boston University
29. Eller College of Management, University of Arizona
30. Hough Graduate School of Business, University of Florida
31. Scheller College of Business, Georgia Institute of Technology
32. Fisher College of Business, Ohio State University
33. Naveen Jindal School of Management, University of Texas at Dallas
34. Gabelli School of Business, Fordham University
35. Henry W. Bloch School of Management, University of Missouri-Kansas City
36. Darden School of Business, University of Virginia
37. David Eccles School of Business, University of Utah
38. Haslam College of Business, University of Tennessee
39. Lerner College of Business and Economics, University of Delaware
40. Albers School of Business and Economics, Seattle University
41. Cameron School of Business, University of St. Thomas
42. Rawls College of Business, Texas Tech University
43. Daniels College of Business, University of Denver
44. College of Business, Florida State University
45. LeBow College of Business, Drexel University
46. Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas
47. Greehey School of Business, St. Mary’s University
48. Gatton College of Business and Economics, University of Kentucky
49. Belk College of Business, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
50. Booth School of Business, University of Chicago (London campus)