Juris Doctor/Master of Business Administration (J.D./MBA)

The College of Law and the College of Business at Northern Illinois University offer a unique opportunity for qualified students to earn a J.D. and an M.B.A. in less time than it would take to complete both degrees separately. 

Whether you plan to pursue a career in law or as a business leader, your J.D./M.B.A. will distinguish you from other job applicants and provide you with the skills to excel in your chosen field.

The J.D./MBA Advantage

  • Flexibility to pursue and transition between careers in both law and business
  • You can distinguish yourself from other corporate professionals with a law degree and business management degree
  • NIU’s MBA program is ranked among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report and is accredited by the Association of Advance Collegiate Business Schools
  • You will expand your network through your interaction with students, professors and alumni in the worlds of both law and business
  • You save money and complete the degrees in a shorter period of time because some credits meet the requirements of both programs

Simultaneous Enrollment Plan

To graduate from the joint J.D./MBA program, you must meet all graduation requirements of both degree programs. The benefit of enrolling in the joint degree program is that up to nine credit hours of J.D. program coursework may be applied to the 30-hour Phase II (Business Application Core and Electives) requirement for the MBA degree, and up to nine credit hours of MBA coursework may be applied toward the 90 semester hours required for the J.D. degree.

Students who have completed all Phase I (Business Foundation Core) requirements in the College of Business prior to commencement of their J.D. and MBA degrees can complete both degrees in three years and two summers. If not, the program will generally take four to five years. You may obtain either degree prior to completing all requirements for the other degree.


I really enjoyed the J.D./MBA program, because it provides valuable context and insight during law school. Throughout law school, it’s very easy to get wrapped up in the daily grind of class and to lose focus on the bigger picture. The combined programs provide regular exposure to professionals in other fields which helps remove some of this tunnel vision. The practice of law is not a silo; rather, it combines and permeates through so many other areas of business and life. Further, this professional exposure provides great opportunity for mentorship and networking.

- Adam Lichtenauer J.D./MBA ’16

Contact Us

Admissions
Swen Parson Hall 151
815-753-8595
law-admit@niu.edu
Dean's Office
Swen Parson Hall 270
815-753-1068

Ask the Dean