Business Law Concentration

Customize Your J.D. with a Focus on Business Law

The Business Law Concentration provides JD students with a structured pathway to develop advanced knowledge and practical skills in business law. Through a rigorous curriculum of business law courses, a substantial writing project on a business law topic, and an experiential learning component, students gain both the academic foundation and hands-on experience needed for business-focused legal practice. Students who complete the concentration earn a certificate and a transcript designation, demonstrating their specialized training and preparation for careers in law firms, corporations, financial institutions, and other business-related legal settings.
   
Dallas Hall and SMU campus overview

Concentration Timeline

Submit your signed Notice of Intent to Complete form. This is the first step to apply.

Your Business Law Concentration Self-Assessment should be partially completed. (No submission needed — this is for tracking your progress. If you have any questions or need a consultation, please contact buslawconcentration@smu.edu.)

To receive concentration recognition, all concentration completion forms listed below must be submitted by March 1 after completing your concentration coursework.

1. Writing Requirement Approval Form: This form confirms that your business law paper topic was approved by your instructor and the Rowling Center and may be used to fulfill your concentration course requirement.

2. Final Assessment Form

Concentration Forms

The following four forms are required to apply for and complete a concentration. Please review the applicable requirements and submit all forms by the applicable deadlines.

Application Forms

Use the forms below to apply for a concentration and track your progress toward completion.

Concentration Completion Forms

Upon completion of your concentration coursework, submit the forms below to receive concentration recognition.

 

 

FAQs

The Business Law Concentration can be completed in 2 years.

Students can begin taking courses towards the Business Law Concentration in their 2L year.

Yes, once the Business Law Concentration is completed, and your degree is confirmed, it will appear on your transcript.

The following can count towards your writing requirement:

  • Papers on a business law topic with faculty pre-approval
  • Papers on a business law topic that is greater than or equal to 50% of your grade in a non-writing course with Faculty pre-approval
  • Directed Research Papers greater than or equal to 2 credits with faculty pre-approval
  • Law Journal Comment with faculty pre-approval

If you have any questions or concerns about your requirement, please email them to buslawconcentration@smu.edu.

Yes, as long as you can complete the requirements within the duration of the JD/MBA program.

No, please submit your unofficial transcripts to buslawconcentration@smu.edu.

SMU JD students who are interested in business law and are committed to actively pursuing the concentration should apply by completing their Intent to Complete and Business Law Concentration Self-Assessment and submitting to buslawconcentration@smu.edu.

Yes, the Business Law Concentration will be on your SMU official transcript beginning Fall 2023.

No, the Business Law Concentration will not appear on your SMU degree.

Yes, please feel free to include the Business Law Concentration on your resume.

Students are allowed to include the Business Law Concentration on their resume once they have submitted their Intent to Complete to the Rowling Center for Business Law & Leadership.

You may contact the Rowling Center at buslawconcentration@smu.edu.

The Rowling Center can be reached on LinkedIn, Flickr, and YouTube.

Get in Touch

Questions? Reach out to the Business Law Concentration team.
Contact Business Law Team