Just apply for a joint JD/MBA. Northwestern University has a great dual degree program for students to study business and the law. Northwestern consolidated their law school applications for the joint degree to one and reduced the program to a jam-packed three years instead of four.

Some schools like the University of Virginia now offers a specialized program in business and the law by offering first year students basic accounting and finance courses.

A joint degree in business and the law is the best of both worlds.

I think the first question to ask is In that case, why bother getting a JD if you never want to work as a lawyer? The common denominator between the two options is the MBA degree, so let's set that aside for the moment. So, the question is now, what career options are available for someone with a JD who does not wish to practice law after graduating?

I dont think that a prerequisite to law school is the intent to practicing law. Many people start off practicing law and then change careers. My father practiced law for about 11 years and then starting a home health care company and has ben doing that every since.

I agree with nic. Many people start out as attorneys and switch paths as they evolve. Its interesting, you never hear about someone with a law degree that does another trade and then switches back to the law.

In fact i hear more and more about people entering corporate america with a law degree than going to traditional law firms.

I think more and more law grads will seek employment outside the practice of law. In order for a law firm to be an attractive place to work, the billable requirements and the work/life balance need to be more favorable.

On average, a JD makes more than an MBA, but that' mostly due to the fact that there are lots and lots of mediocre no-name MBA programs out there (including the online programs). There are also mediocre no-name JD programs out there too, but I doubt that there are as many as there are MBA programs. Hence, the average MBA salaries get dragged down by all the mediocre MBA's.