Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies

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 (GA).

GA1: Intellectual rigour

• Apply appropriate research to analyse legal issues and challenges in paralegal, professional, social and political context as well as generating reasoned responses.
• Explain and evaluate social justice and legal ethical issues, and exercise ethical judgement in a professional context.

GA2: Creativity

• Apply appropriate research to analyse legal issues and challenges in paralegal, professional, social and political context as well as generating reasoned responses.

GA3: Ethical practice

• Explain and evaluate social justice and legal ethical issues, and exercise ethical judgement in a professional context.
• Explain and interpret how law, justice and the legal environment can contribute to sustainability and sustainable development.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

• Apply appropriate research to analyse legal issues and challenges in paralegal, professional, social and political context as well as generating reasoned responses.
• Explain and evaluate social justice and legal ethical issues, and exercise ethical judgement in a professional context.
• Explain and interpret how law, justice and the legal environment can contribute to sustainability and sustainable development.
• Analyse and evaluate the underlying legal principles and concepts related to the paralegal, professional, and social contexts of the fundamental areas of law, including the Australian legal system.

GA5: Lifelong learning

• Explain and evaluate social justice and legal ethical issues, and exercise ethical judgement in a professional context.
• Explain and interpret how law, justice and the legal environment can contribute to sustainability and sustainable development.
• Develop self-management skills to learn and work independently and reflect on one's own capabilities and performance.
• Apply appropriate and effective collaboration and communication with others, orally and in writing, and use feedback to support professional development.

GA6: Communication and social skills

• Apply appropriate and effective collaboration and communication with others, orally and in writing, and use feedback to support professional development.

GA7: Cultural competence

• Explain and interpret how law, justice and the legal environment can contribute to sustainability and sustainable development.
• Apply appropriate and effective collaboration and communication with others, orally and in writing, and use feedback to support professional development.
• Explain and interpret Australian indigenous perspectives in law, justice and the legal environment.

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.

Award requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points), comprising:

• 12 core units (144 credit points),
• the Conveyancing Major (96 credit points) and 4 Law electives (48 credit points), or
• 10 Law electives (120 credit points) and 2 Law or University-wide electives (24 credit points), or
• 4 Law electives (48 credit points) and a Shared Major (96 credit points), excluding the Law and Justice Major.

Choose your subjects

Majors

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.

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

Exit points

Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Law (Paralegal Studies) after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points), as per the Associate Degree of Law (Paralegal Studies) Schedule of Units.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $54,072

The amounts shown here are 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.

Revolutionary learning for strong employment outcomes

At Southern Cross University, online study is designed to fit around your life without compromising on quality. Through the Southern Cross Model, you learn in focused six-week terms, usually studying one or two units at a time.

This immersive approach helps you stay motivated, build momentum and balance study with work, family and other commitments.

You'll be supported by innovative teaching, practical learning experiences and a university community committed to your success - whether you're interested in business, education, healthcare, law, engineering, IT, science or other career-focused study areas.

Your flexible online study comes with the support, connections and confidence to help you achieve your goals and take the next step in your career.

Learn more about Southern Cross University

Explore Southern Cross University courses

QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

31

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

32

ATAR: 60 or equivalent.

Southern Cross Uni's Early Offer program also allows Year 12 students to secure a place in most Southern Cross University undergraduate degrees before Year 12 results are released. It’s designed to remove some of the pressure from Year 12 and provide a pathway directly into university study that is not based solely on Year 12 results. Excludes Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours). 

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows:

Overall: 6.0

• Listening: minimum 5.5
• Reading: minimum 5.5
• Speaking: minimum 5.5
• Writing: minimum 5.5.

Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.

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.

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