<p>Hey all...I'm in a program currently to get an BA and MA (concurrently) in history and am doing a lot of econ classes - my career interest is business, specifically real estate development (though that may change). I was wondering how valuable a JD/MBA program is in the business world to someone not planning on practicing law. In other words, I just want the JD for the ability to make better business decisions regarding contracts and the laws of the cities i develop in. Would I be served well by the JD or is that overkill? Do most people getting the JD/MBA work more on the law side of the equation (corporate law or something)? Thanks.</p>
<p>Most work on the law side of the equation. Doing both lengthens the would-be attorney's time and expense in graduate school by a third, but doubles the investment in time and money for the would-be business person.</p>
<p>Getting a J.D. is unlikely to teach you much of anything specific about local law in the cities you'd like to work as a developer. For that, you might consider practicing real estate law in the area where you wish to work for a few years.</p>
<p>I was just thinking that if I got a JD/MBA (from a top school) I would be well placed for any career in business that I desired. I am probably looking at real estate development, either privately or in a corporate setting...but, it just seems like a great credential to have. Hard to justify the extra 2 years if I cant come up with a job I would get anyway with just the mba - just seems to me if a job is asking for someone with an mba and some work exp. then I would have a better credential with a jd/mba than my competitors for that position..getting into the most competitive firms/jobs.</p>
<p>My crystal ball's a little cloudy today; having that extra credential might get you a better job, but it might not. Some prospective employers might view you as "neither fish nor fowl." If you're applying for business jobs, you'll stand out, but not necessarily in a good way. Some prospective employers may feel you've made an expensive and questionable business judgment. Others may feel you're insufficiently committed to a single career path.</p>
<p>In any event, getting the extra credential will mean that you're starting your career two years later, presumably with twice as much debt from graduate school. Don't forget include the opportunity cost in your decision matrix.</p>
<p>Very good points greybeard. My father's friend is CEO of a nyse-listed real estate company. I guess when the time comes to apply (to either mba or jd/mba) I will call him up and ask his opinion. He is another interesting case of someone who has more degree than "necessary". He worked as a venture capitalist for most of his career (and also a developer) after he earned a PhD in business.</p>