Learn business law with online courses and programs
Business law governs the rights and obligations of parties that do business together. It ensures fair trading practices and provides legal remedies for breaches of contract. Learn business law with online courses delivered through edX.
What is business law?
Business law, also called corporate law, refers to the body of regulations that govern the transactions and activities of businesses. The purpose of this branch of law in contemporary business is to protect the rights of companies, individuals, and employees — and to ensure that all parties involved in a transaction are held accountable for their actions.
Examples of business law can be found in everyday life. Business law is crucial to the formation of a company, and can help determine the selection of a corporate structure or direct the filing of articles of incorporation. It encompasses all aspects of running a business including contracts, trademarks, intellectual property, taxation, international trade, and more.1 When a company wants to sell a company or declare bankruptcy, business law guides that process.
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Related Topics
Media law | Business law | Criminal law | International law | Immigration | Intellectual property | Taxes | Contracts
Business law course curriculum
Business law draws on several legal disciplines including administrative law, copyright law, contract law, labor law, consumer law, and competition law. Topics in business law run a wide gamut.
Before diving deep into the many topics built into this branch of law, individuals enrolled in business law classes learn about the statutes and legal principles that form the foundation of business operations and develop the skills to interpret them. Learners combine that with a mastery of important terms and structures. This includes knowledge of the various types of business entities such as partnerships, corporations, and limited liability companies. With that, learners can begin to explore the step-by-step process of drafting contracts as well as conducting common business transactions.
Notably, ethics and business negotiations are central to many business law courses. An understanding of the two provides learners with precepts for engaging in sound decision-making and advising clients on major business deals.
Learn about types of business law and practical applications with online business law courses delivered through edX. From bachelor’s degree programs in business to individual courses that focus on legal topics, there are many different educational pathways that can help you build critical knowledge that can be applied to this field.
Explore jobs in business law
When most people think of the legal landscape, attorney tends to be one of the first jobs that come to mind. But there are far more business law degree jobs to consider. Roles such as corporate paralegal, compliance officer, policy manager, risk analyst, patent agent, contracts administrator, and commercial underwriter all rely on business law in some way.
A bachelor’s degree program in legal studies or a related discipline may be a viable starting point for individuals interested in learning about this subset of law. A master’s degree program in business administration may also have legal coursework. But for those who have their sights set on becoming a business law attorney, a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school is often the minimum education requirement to practice.2
Whether you want to pursue a master’s degree or upskill with a specialized boot camp, edX offers a variety of learning opportunities that can help you achieve your professional goals. Find the right course for you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Business Law. (2001). International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences. Retrieved April 5, 2023.
How to Become a Lawyer. (2022). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.Retrieved April 5, 2023.