Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies)
Undergraduate
SCU-LPS-DEG 2025Course information for 2025 intake View information for 2024 course intake
Get ready to work in the legal sector
Explore the Australian legal system and become familiar with legal documents. You’ll study the foundations of criminal law, contract law, land law, and family law. Build your practical, professional skills and form an awareness of ethical issues.
- Study method
- Online & on-campus
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 2 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 16
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies)
About this degree
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.
Course Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate the ability to apply a broad knowledge of the principles and concepts of law and the Australian legal system to generate responses to legal issues and challenges in paralegal, professional and social contexts.
- Recognise and reflect on how law, justice and the legal environment can contribute to sustainability and sustainable development and exercise ethical judgement in professional contexts.
- Recognise and reflect on how law, justice and the legal environment can contribute to sustainability and sustainable development and exercise ethical judgement in professional contexts.
- Demonstrate the ability to apply a broad knowledge of the principles and concepts of law and the Australian legal system to generate responses to legal issues and challenges in paralegal, professional and social contexts.
- Develop interpersonal, reflective and self-management skills to work independently and as part of teams.
- Develop interpersonal, reflective and self-management skills to work independently and as part of teams.
- Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on Australian indigenous perspectives in law, justice and the legal environment.
Paralegals are a highly-valued part of the legal sector and there is increasing demand for paralegal professionals who can think outside the box.
This course will get you working in law quickly and lays the foundation for career progression. As you explore the Australian legal system, you will gather skills in legal research and writing, and absorb foundational principles in key areas of the law. You can choose to undertake voluntary legal experience or a para-professional placement to become familiar with the issues facing working paralegals. An optional major in Conveyancing provides the academic pre-requisite for qualification as a conveyancer in NSW.
Paralegals work with solicitors and barristers, in government legal departments, law enforcement agencies, legal aid offices, court administration, public prosecutions and in the community and corporate sectors in finance, banking, insurance and conveyancing.
Graduates may also consider roles as a para-professional within a range of industries. This degree is also a pathway to further studies to become a lawyer.
Recommended study pattern
As a guide, core subjects in this degree can include:
• Australian Legal System
• Criminal Process
• Legal Research and Writing
• Interviewing, Negotiation and Ethics
As part of your application, you’ll be guided through how to get the right degree structure in place for you.
Award requirements
To be eligible to receive the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies), students must complete the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points), comprising:
- 8 core units (96 credit points); and
- Conveyancing Major (96 credit points); or
- 6 Law electives (72 credit points) and 2 Law or University-wide electives (24 credit points).
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $33,000
The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
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How to apply
Southern Cross University manages enquiries and applications for this degree.
Complete your details and we'll make sure your enquiry is sent to Southern Cross University who will contact you to discuss this degree.
Don't worry, we're still here to help you - you'll receive a personalised follow-up from an Open Universities Australia student advisor to make sure you have found the right degree for you.
Entry requirements
ATAR: 55 or equivalent.
Applicants or students that can provide supporting documents to verify they already know, understand and can perform the learning outcomes for one or more units within a Southern Cross course, are eligible to have their prior learning assessed for credit by submitting an application for Advanced Standing.
Study method requirements
You may 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.
Some elective units, when studied online, require students to attend on-campus workshops.
Career opportunities
In legal offices in most areas of paralegal practice, with solicitors and barristers, government legal departments, law enforcement agencies, legal aid offices, court administration, public prosecutions, and in the corporate sector in finance, banking, insurance and conveyancing.
Paralegals perform substantive legal work in legal practices, banks, insurance companies, or other public and private organisations with in-house legal departments. A paralegal’s tasks may include legal research, drafting wills, preparing legal arguments, preparing agreements, compiling court documentation, legal record keeping, legal communication and client services.
The Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) when studied with the Conveyancing major is a recognised educational qualification for a licensed conveyancer in NSW.
Students may receive advanced standing for eligible units in the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies during or on completion of the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies). Students who graduate with the Associate Degree in Law may choose to apply for admission into the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies and may graduate with a Bachelor degree after just one additional year of study.
Students wanting to become lawyers may receive advanced standing for eligible units in the Bachelor of Laws, during or on completion of the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies), subject to approval by the Course Coordinator. Students intending to apply for advanced standing into the Bachelor of Laws are advised to contact SCU Law Enquiry at their earliest convenience.
Professional recognition
The Associate Degree of Law (Conveyancing major) conducted by Southern Cross University is an approved educational qualification as provided for in Schedule 1 of the Conveyancers Licensing (Qualifications) Order 2006. 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.
The subject ‘LEGL2012 - Mediation Practice and Procedure’, meets the training and assessment threshold requirements as specified in the National Mediator Accreditation System. As such, Southern Cross University is recognised as an Education and Training Provider Member of the Mediation Standards Board. Upon successful completion of the unit, students may apply to a Registered Mediation Accreditation Body (RMAB) to finalise their accreditation.
Career outlook
- Conveyancers and Legal Executives:
- Below $60K
- Court and Legal Clerks:
- $60K to $74K
- Policy and Planning Managers:
- Over $120K