“I did not study Law. Can I still pursue a Master’s degree in Economic Law?” This is a common question among prospective postgraduate students, particularly those who have graduated in Accounting, Finance and Banking, Business Administration, Marketing, Technology, Engineering and other fields, and are looking to strengthen their legal knowledge to support their professional work.
In an interview with the Admissions and Communications Center of Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry and Trade (HUIT), Dr. Luong Khai An, Dean of the Faculty of Law, shared insights into who can pursue a Master’s degree in Economic Law and the value of combining legal knowledge with professional expertise.
Many people believe that only graduates of Law or Economic Law programs can pursue a Master’s degree in Economic Law. Could you clarify this?
Dr. Luong Khai An: Those who have graduated from Law-related disciplines naturally have a relevant academic foundation for postgraduate study. However, graduates from other fields may also pursue the program if they meet the admission requirements and complete the supplementary coursework required by the program. In practice, there are already many cases demonstrating that this pathway is feasible and can lead to positive academic outcomes.
Dr. Luong Khai An, Dean of the Faculty of Law, shares his views
Therefore, the pool of prospective students for a Master’s degree in Economic Law is broader than many people may think. What matters is that learners clearly identify their purpose in acquiring legal knowledge—whether to enhance their current professional performance, minimize potential risks, or pursue further career development in the future.
For those who have studied Accounting, Finance and Banking, Business Administration, Marketing, Engineering or Technology, how can knowledge of Economic Law support their professional work?
Dr. Luong Khai An: This is a very interesting question, and I believe many people are interested in the answer. In my view, we should approach this from the perspective of combining professional expertise with legal competence.
Accountants regularly deal with taxation, finance, capital arising from contractual arrangements, and regulations relating to businesses and banks. Business managers may have to address issues involving labor management, investment procedures, contract performance and corporate legal responsibilities. Those working in business need to understand the rights, obligations and legal consequences applicable to the parties involved in a transaction.
Even professionals working in engineering, technology, construction or services may encounter issues involving contracts, intellectual property, employment, legal liability, or disputes with customers and business partners at various stages of their work.
In such cases, knowledge of Economic Law serves as an additional layer of competence built on an existing professional foundation. Learners can gain a stronger basis for identifying risks, assessing contractual obligations and performance, working with partners, and making more appropriate and effective decisions in their professional activities.
For someone without a background in Law who wants to pursue a Master’s degree in Economic Law, what is the most important thing they should consider before making the decision?
Dr. Luong Khai An: First and foremost, learners need to answer the question: “What do I want to achieve by studying this field?” Some people want to understand the law better in order to manage their businesses more effectively. Others need a deeper understanding of contracts and transactions. Some want to proactively identify risks when working with customers, business partners or employees, while others may wish to pursue more in-depth study and eventually become researchers or legal experts.
I once heard about a very practical case involving a person running an industrial cleaning and landscaping services business. He shared that he wanted to study Law so that he could better understand how to work and communicate with customers on a legal basis. The story may sound simple, but it clearly reflects a practical need. Regardless of the field in which people work, having a sound understanding of the law can help them be more proactive, confident and effective in their professional activities.
Therefore, pursuing a Master’s degree in Economic Law does not necessarily mean that graduates have to switch entirely to a legal career. For many professionals, it can be a way to add legal competence to their existing professional expertise, enabling them to better understand the basis of their decisions, identify potential risks and respond more confidently to issues that arise in the workplace.
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