Business Law Major
Become a source of indispensable guidance as you help organizations successfully navigate the laws and regulations shaping today’s complex business environment.
Zimpleman College of Business | On-Campus
Program Options
Legal issues matter to every organization. Unlock multiple career directions by building expertise in this area, whether through a minor, a bachelor’s, or a combined program terminating in a law degree.
B.S.B.A. in Business Law
Establish a foundation for law school or launch your career in business, policy, or compliance. Complete a robust business core plus coursework in business law, taxation, risk management, and more topics that explore legal considerations for nonprofit and private entities.
Business-Law 3+3 Program
Know where you’re going? This program gets you there faster. Earn your B.S.B.A. plus your Juris Doctor (J.D.) in just six years, transitioning from the Zimpleman College of Business to Drake Law School.
Law and Business Minor
Increase your attractiveness to organizations across sectors by adding knowledge of business law, accounting, and finance to your major with just 18 hours of coursework.
Meet the Faculty
From working in retail management to presenting research at international conferences, Business Law faculty represent a dynamic mix of real-world experience and theoretical expertise.
Outside the Classroom
Leverage Drake’s resources to extend your learning and enhance your growth, from securing an internship in Des Moines’ thriving business sector to gaining international corporate experience.
Internships
Get real-world professional experience minutes from campus. Des Moines, Iowa’s capital and business hub, is home to major insurance, healthcare, banking, and real estate companies, law firms, nonprofits, and government organizations, providing abundant internship options.
Student Clubs
Expand your leadership skills, accelerate your growth, and extend your professional network as you interact with fellow students, faculty members, and industry leaders in 14 business-related student organizations on campus, including Drake Mock Trial and Delta Theta Phi.
Research
Investigate a pressing question, learn more about entrepreneurship, serve the local business community, and forge connections with faculty, fellow students, and area business leaders.
Awards
The Zimpleman College of Business cultivates an ethos of social, environmental, and economic responsibility. The Dean’s Honor Roll for Social Impact recognizes students who invest in the local community through service and outreach.
Scholarships
100% of full-time Drake undergraduate students receive scholarship support. You may be eligible for both merit- and need-based aid to significantly offset the cost of your education.
Study Abroad
From studying the European legal framework in Austria to interning with a multinational company in China, trips to more than 70 countries equip you for a globalized business climate.
Careers & Skills
All industries need to pay careful attention and respond to their respective legal and regulatory requirements. Your training in business law prepares you to maneuver these minefields and inform new initiatives, whether you plan to pursue law school or positions in human resources, insurance, banking, or another highly regulated area.
Employers
- Allstate
- Berkshire Hathaway
- JPMorgan
- Principal Financial Group
- Wells Fargo
- Willis Towers Watson
Skills
- Applying tax laws
- Assessing business risks and liabilities
- Regulation analysis
- Contract creation and analysis
- Professional communication
- Case law analysis
- An understanding of estates and trusts, insurance, sales securities law, and agency law
- Critical thinking and problem-solving
Salary & Growth Outlook
The average salary for compliance officers as of 2024. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
Take the Next Step
Merge legal sophistication and keen business insights to prepare for law school or spark your business career with Drake’s Business Law program.
