Course duration
8 weeks
Excluding orientation
Language
English
Access resources from start date
Effort
5–7 hours per week
Self-paced learning online
Program overview
The average amount spent on legal disputes in the U.S. for every $1 billion in revenue.
Norton Rose Fulbright (2019).
The number of new U.S. laws that came into effect in 2019.
GovTrack (Nd). Accessed March 24, 2020.
Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)
Understanding the law is a crucial skill for business leaders. However, legal regulations are becoming increasingly complex and mitigating potential risk is becoming more challenging. The Legal Strategy for Business online program from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University is designed to help you guide the strategic direction of your organization within the complex U.S. legal landscape.
Over the course of eight weeks, you’ll develop the legal literacy needed to grasp the fundamental principles of U.S. business law, as well as the expertise to interpret and navigate various legal regulations. You’ll also explore topics such as employer liability and tort law, the fundamentals of contract law, and antitrust and competition law. You’ll also develop a strategic approach to intellectual property, review various legal business structures, and assess what constitutes good corporate governance.
Is this program for you?
This online executive education program is aimed at professionals requiring a foundational understanding of the laws that govern business operations in the U.S. Business owners, managers, start-up founders, and entrepreneurs who don’t have a legal background will learn how laws impact their organizations.
Program overview
Introduction
Duration: 8 weeks (excluding orientation)
Understanding the law is a crucial skill for business leaders. However, legal regulations are becoming increasingly complex and mitigating potential risk is becoming more challenging. The Legal Strategy for Business online program from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University is designed to help you guide the strategic direction of your organization within the complex U.S. legal landscape.
Over the course of eight weeks, you’ll develop the legal literacy needed to grasp the fundamental principles of U.S. business law, as well as the expertise to interpret and navigate various legal regulations. You’ll also explore topics such as employer liability and tort law, the fundamentals of contract law, and antitrust and competition law. You’ll also develop a strategic approach to intellectual property, review various legal business structures, and assess what constitutes good corporate governance.
Is this program for you?
This online executive education program is aimed at professionals requiring a foundational understanding of the laws that govern business operations in the U.S. Business owners, managers, start-up founders, and entrepreneurs who don’t have a legal background will learn how laws impact their organizations.
What will set you apart
Program Curriculum
Orientation module
Welcome to your Online Campus
Module 1
Legal systems and the role of regulation
Module 2
Agency and employment law
Module 3
Tort law: Establishing liability for civil wrongs
Module 4
Leveraging contract law for commercial success
Module 5
Antitrust and competition law
Module 6
Developing an intellectual property strategy
Module 7
Corporations, LLCs, partnerships, and other business entities
Module 8
Corporate governance and the duties of officers and directors
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Academic Director
Mark McCareins
Clinical Professor of Business Law, Strategy Department, Kellogg School of Management
About the certificate
Learn how to navigate the complex legal landscape when doing business in the U.S. and earn an official digital certificate of completion from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.
Assessment is continuous and based on a series of practical assignments completed online. In order to be issued with a certificate, you’ll need to meet the requirements outlined in the program handbook. The handbook will be made available to you as soon as you begin the program.
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Want to know more?
Why choose GetSmarter?
GetSmarter, a 2U, Inc. brand, is an online learning expert with over 10 years' experience in developing high-quality online short courses from the world’s leading universities. We deliver market-led courses that equip working professionals with the expertise required for the workplace of the future. Through a data-driven approach, we analyze future skills requirements and ensure all courses address this need.
Students are supported at every stage of the learning journey, enabling them to thrive professionally through increased relevance, competence, and confidence. Find out more about GetSmarter’s approach to digital learning, course design, and online delivery here.
Payment options
You can pay your course fees before the course starts, or you may opt for a split payment plan on courses that are nine weeks and shorter. For courses 10 weeks and longer, there is a three-part payment plan available. To find out more about payment options please visit our Payment and Financing FAQ, or contact an Enrollment Adviser, to find out which option you qualify for.
Manage your time
GetSmarter's learning model is designed to help you, as a working professional, improve your skills without compromising on work and family responsibilities. The course work is broken up into weekly, manageable bite-sized modules, with incremental deadlines, designed to help you pace yourself over the duration of the course and allow you the legroom to work when it suits you best.
At the beginning of each module you'll be presented with the course content and assignments necessary for completion. You also have access to your Success Adviser who will help you manage your time, and support you with any administrative or technical queries you might have.
Seek employer assistance
By improving your skills and industry knowledge, you'll have an influence on the success of your organization. Why wouldn't you ask your boss to help you fund your studies if it's going to have an impact on the way you do business?
Of our past students, 37 percent have received financial assistance from their employers. You can ask for help, too. Here is a guide to show you how to request financial assistance from your employer.
If you are a Learning & Development (L&D) manager, or involved in training and upskilling for an organization, you can request information regarding our corporate offering on our GetSmarter for business page.
How to change your start date
As part of our commitment to your professional development, GetSmarter offers you a two-week period to change your course start date or request your money back if you’re not fully satisfied.
To qualify for a deferral of your course start date, or to cancel your enrollment and receive a refund of your course fee, your request would need to reach our Success Advisers before the release of Module 2. For more information, please read our Terms and Conditions.
Discover the Online Campus
The Online Campus will be your virtual classroom for the duration of your course. Through its easy-to-use interface you'll have access to a diverse variety of course content formats including: interactive videos, module notes, practice quizzes, presentations, assignment briefs, and additional web resources.
On the Online Campus, you'll also be able to ask questions and interact with your fellow students and teaching team through the discussion forums. If you are looking for your Online Campus login, please see the list of university partner login pages here.