Juris Doctor

Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an advanced and integrated understanding of a complex body of knowledge that includes the fundamental areas of legal knowledge, the Australian legal system and underlying principles and concepts, the broader contexts within which legal issues arise, the principles and values of justice and of ethical practice in lawyers' roles, and contemporary developments in law and its professional practice.
2. Demonstrate an advanced and integrated understanding of approaches to ethical decision-making, the ability to recognize and reflect upon ethical issues likely to arise in professional contexts, the professional responsibilities of lawyers in promoting justice and in service to the community, and the ability to exercise professional judgment.
3. Identify and articulate complex legal issues, apply legal reasoning and research to generate appropriate responses to legal issues, engage in critical analysis, make reasoned choices among alternatives, and demonstrate sophisticated cognitive and creative skills in approaching legal issues.
4. Demonstrate the intellectual and practical skills needed to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, legal methodologies, conclusions, and professional decisions, as well as to identify, research, evaluate, and synthesize relevant factual, legal, and policy issues.
5. Communicate effectively for legal and non-legal audiences, collaborate effectively, and communicate in ways that are persuasive.
6. Learn and work with a high level of autonomy, accountability, and professionalism; reflect on and assess their own capabilities and performance, and make use of feedback to support personal and professional development.
7. Explain the legislative process, identify applicable legislation and delegated legislation, apply general principles of statutory interpretation, make appropriate use of authorized aids to statutory interpretation, and deploy appropriate techniques in solving interpretative problems.
8. Reflect on and articulate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in key areas of law to develop an understanding of their cultures, values, histories, and contributions to Australian society, appreciate legal issues in an Australian context, and critically reflect on the responsiveness of western law to Indigenous histories, values, and needs.

Recommended study pattern

Year 1

LAW5111 Advanced Australian Legal System

LAW5116 Advanced Contract

LAW5115 Advanced Legal History

LAW5121 Advanced Criminal Law and Procedure

LAW5122 Advanced Dispute Management

LAW5126 Advanced Torts

LAW5211 Advanced Constitutional Law

LAW5127 Advanced Equity and Trusts

Year 2

LAW5214 Advanced Property

LAW5222 Advanced Public International Law

LAW8001 Legal Research Methodology

LAW5221 Advanced Administrative Law

LAW5224 Advanced Theories of Law

LAW5322 Advanced Civil Procedure

2 x Course Electives

Year 3

LAW5311 Advanced Company Law

LAW5312 Advanced Lawyers’ Ethics

LAW5321 Advanced Evidence

5 x Course Electives

Award requirements

Choose your subjects

Electives

All electives in the Juris Doctor program must come from the Approved Law Courses list.

Exit points

A student who successfully completes eight Juris Doctor core units may, upon application, exit with a Graduate Diploma of Jurisprudence. The Graduate Diploma of Jurisprudence is located at Level 8 of the Australian Qualifications Framework.

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

Indicative total fee $93,120

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.

As Australia’s #1 university for graduate starting salary (Good Universities Guide, 2022), University of Southern Queensland is the right place to make real progress. Regardless of your education history, your age or your aspirations, at UniSQ you’ll be inspired by quality learning experiences matched with top resources and research. Having delivered distance and online learning for over 40+ years, UniSQ supports you to learn at your own pace—exactly how it suits you.

Learn more about USQ.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

24

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

25

All students are required to satisfy the applicable English language requirements. For entry to the Juris Doctor program, applicants are required to meet the Category 3 English Language Proficiency requirements.