Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies)

This course consists of compulsory law units and elective units. Students can choose to study a major in either Civil Practice or Conveyancing.

Civil Practice provides a platform for students to move into support roles in the fields of commercial and civil litigation practice within legal firms.

Conveyancing provides students with the academic requirements necessary to obtain a conveyancer’s licence in NSW, and is accredited by NSW Fair Trading. For licensing requirements, and details of mandatory additional work experience required to enable registration, enquiries should be made to NSW Fair Trading. Note that each Australian state or territory has its own legislation regulating conveyancing practice, except QLD where only qualified solicitors are legally permitted to engage in conveyancing.

Additional information: Some elective units, when studied by distance education, require students to attend on-campus workshops. Contact the University for more information.

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes.

The assessment methods used in this course vary from unit to unit. They may include research proposals, research essays, reports, oral and written presentations, case studies, online and class participation, and examinations. The weighting of assessment marks between assignments and examinations also varies.

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including face-to-face lectures and tutorials. Some units offer online activities, classes, pre-recorded and/or live lectures. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

The distance education study option is highly interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. Students may receive online pre-recorded and/or live lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.

If distance education students choose to study the following elective units, they will need to attend workshops at either the Lismore or the Gold Coast campus:

• LAW00057 - Conveyancing Law (a one-day workshop, usually Saturday or Sunday)
• LAW00214 - Mediation and Dispute Resolution (a two-day workshop, usually Saturday and Sunday)
• LAW00216 - Mediation Practice and Procedure (a two-day workshop, usually Saturday and Sunday)

Students can undertake voluntary legal experience and para-professional placement with legal firms or offices to complement their practical legal skills and become familiar with the issues facing working paralegals.

The Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies), with a major in Conveyancing, is accredited by NSW Fair Trading. See Major areas of study (below) for more information.