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Course summary

In the fight for justice, you need knowledge, integrity and perseverance. This degree embraces all these qualities as you learn how the law works, why specific laws exist, and how our laws impact on others.

The Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies is an excellent degree for those wanting to work in policy development, paralegal positions, conveyancing, and in the justice sector. It provides a thorough practical grounding in legal knowledge and a strong understanding of Australian and international politics and society. If you have already been working professionally in the fields of law and justice, this course will extend your knowledge, skills and expertise. The conveyancing major, which is accredited by New South Wales Fair Trading, enables you to become a licenced conveyancer in NSW.

Our graduates can envisage career roles across the justice and social policy sector, as well as the public service. Students who want to become lawyers may apply for admission to the Bachelor of Laws during or at the completion of their studies.

Alternatively, students can choose to graduate with the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) after completing the required 16 units.

Domestic snapshot

DurationLocationSession

3F/6P

Gold Coast1, 2
Lismore1, 2
Online1, 2, 3

International snapshot

DurationLocationSession

3F/6P

Gold Coast1, 2
Lismore2

The course consists of core and elective units, including Australian Politics, the Australian Legal System, Global Social Movements and Social Policy. Students can choose to study a major in Conveyancing.

Additional information: Some elective units, when studied online, require students to attend on-campus workshops.

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.

Graduate AttributeCourse Learning Outcome
Intellectual rigour

Apply critical judgement including analysis, reasoning, and appropriate directed research to legal issues and challenges in paralegal, professional social and political contexts.

Apply these skills to a broad and diverse range of legal topics.

Creativity

Apply legal reasoning and research to generate appropriate responses to legal problems in paralegal, professional and political contexts.

Apply these skills to a broad and diverse range of legal topics.

Ethical practice

Demonstrate an understanding and evaluate issues with reference to principles of social justice and legal ethical frameworks.

Understanding the relationship between law and sustainability.

Apply these skills to a broad and diverse range of legal topics

Knowledge of a discipline

Demonstrate an understanding of a broad and coherent body of knowledge relating to the paralegal, professional and social contexts of the fundamental areas of law, the Australian legal system, and underlying principles and concepts.

Lifelong learning

Learn and work independently within broad parameters.

Reflect on and assess their own capabilities and performance.

Access, manage and evaluate sources of information relevant to legal issues in social and political contexts.

Communication and social skills

Communicate appropriately and effectively, both orally and in writing.

Collaborate effectively and constructively with others.

Cultural competence

Apply an understanding of Australian Indigenous perspectives to all aspects of legal professional practice.

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 online 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.

The following elective units require attendance at on-campus workshops:

Law-related work In legal firms, government policy making, corporate firms, government legal departments, law enforcement agencies, legal aid offices, court administration, public prosecutions, and in the corporate sector in banking, insurance and conveyancing.

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.

When studied with the conveyancing major, this is a recognised educational qualification for a licensed conveyancer 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.

Notice

The information on this page may be subject to change over time. Please check this web page again before acting and see our disclaimer

From the 1st of June, 2017, the term 'Distance Education' has been replaced with 'Online'

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