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Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies)

Associate Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    View in availability

  • Duration

    2 years full-time; 4 years part-time

  • Location

    View in availability
     Part time only for first year of studies if starting in session 2.

  • Placements

    NA

  • Course abbreviation

    AssocDegLaw (Paralegal)

  • Course code

    2206351

  • Credit points

    192

  • Equivalent units

    16

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

The Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) produces skilled graduates, ready for work in a legal environment with just two years of study. Combining intellectual rigour with practical legal skills, it gives students an exceptional foundation to a career as a paralegal professional in a broad range of settings. The Associate Degree in Law is offered on-campus and by distance education.

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.

Students who achieve the required grade point average during or on completion of this degree may apply for admission into the undergraduate entry Bachelor of Laws.

Graduate AttributeCourse Learning Outcome
Intellectual rigour

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

Creativity

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

Ethical practice

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

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 research and practice.

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.

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.

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.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Gold Coast Session 1 336361 056361
Lismore Session 1 N/A N/A
Online Session 1, Session 2 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

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.

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Course requirements

  1. To be eligible for the award of Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) a candidate shall successfully complete sixteen (16) units comprising:
    1. all units listed in Part A of the Schedule of Units;
    2. an eight (8) unit major from Part B, OR eight (8) elective units including at least six (6) units from Part B.

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Session 1, Year 1
Part-time students should complete the first two units for Session 1, Year 1 and the remaining two units for Session 1, Year 2
LAW00051 -  Legal Research and Writing Introductory
LAW10157 -  Australian Legal System Introductory
LAW00050 -  Criminal Process Introductory
LAW00128 -  Interviewing, Negotiation and Ethics Introductory
Session 2, Year 1
Part-time students should complete the first two units for Session 2, Year 1 and the remaining two units for Session 2, Year 2
LAW10159 -  Principles of Contract Law Intermediate
LAW00052 -  Introduction to Land Law Introductory
LAW00053 -  Foundations of Torts Intermediate
LAW00054 -  Family Law Practice Intermediate
From year 2 complete either Civil Practice major or Conveyancing major or elective units (6 units must be Part B Electives)
Session 1, Year 2
1st Major unit or Elective
2nd Major unit or Elective
3rd Major unit or Elective
4th Major unit or Elective
Session 2, Year 2
5th Major unit or Elective
6th Major unit or Elective
7th Major unit or Elective
8th Major unit or Elective

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Students commencing their studies in session 2 are limited to part time, external study for their first session. It may be possible to study on campus and or full time in subsequent sessions.
Session 2, Year 1
LAW00051 -  Legal Research and Writing Introductory
LAW10157 -  Australian Legal System Introductory
Session 1, Year 2
LAW00050 -  Criminal Process Introductory
LAW00128 -  Interviewing, Negotiation and Ethics Introductory
Students may also complete units from Session 1, Year 3 if they wish to study full-time in this Session.
Session 2, Year 2
LAW00052 -  Introduction to Land Law Introductory
LAW10159 -  Principles of Contract Law Intermediate
Students may also complete units from Session 2, Year 3 if they wish to study full-time in this Session.
Session 1, Year 3
Major unit refers to your choice of Civil Practice major or Conveyancing major. Alternatively, you may choose elective units (6 units must be Part B Electives)
1st Major unit or elective
2nd Major unit or elective
Session 2, Year 3
LAW00053 -  Foundations of Torts Intermediate
LAW00054 -  Family Law Practice Intermediate
Session 1, Year 4
3rd Major unit or elective
4th Major unit or elective
Session 2, Year 4
5th Major unit or elective
6th Major unit or elective
Session 1, Year 5
7th Major unit or elective
8th Major unit or elective

Note 1:

Unit requires attendance at compulsory workshop

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes

Part A
LAW10157 Australian Legal System Introductory
LAW00050 Criminal Process Introductory
LAW00128 Interviewing, Negotiation and Ethics Introductory
LAW00051 Legal Research and Writing Introductory
LAW10159 Principles of Contract Law Intermediate
LAW00052 Introduction to Land Law Introductory
LAW00054 Family Law Practice Intermediate
LAW00053 Foundations of Torts Intermediate

Part B

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
ACC00132 Taxation Advanced
ACC00134 Advanced Taxation Advanced
LAW00004 Company Law Intermediate
LAW00057 Conveyancing Law Intermediate Note 1
LAW00058 Litigation Practice Intermediate
LAW00059 Welfare Law Intermediate
LAW00061 Drugs, Crime and the Law Intermediate
LAW00062 Wills and Estates Intermediate
LAW00104 Employment and Industrial Relations Law Advanced
LAW00106 EEO and OH&S Law and Practice Advanced
LAW00107 Conveyancers Professional Practice Intermediate
LAW00108 Legal and Conveyancing Practice Introductory
LAW00118 Environmental Law Intermediate
LAW00119 Local Government and Planning Law Intermediate
LAW00120 Victimology Intermediate
LAW00121 Intellectual Property Advanced
LAW00124 International Business Law Intermediate
LAW00125 Information Technology and the Law Advanced
LAW00126 Competition and Consumer Law Intermediate
LAW00214 Mediation and Dispute Resolution Introductory Note 1
LAW00216 Mediation Practice and Procedure Intermediate Note 1
LAW00514 Criminology Intermediate
LAW00521 International Law Intermediate
LAW00522 Human Rights Advanced
LAW00523 Commercial Law Intermediate
LAW00525 Cyberlaw Intermediate
LAW00526 International Criminal Justice Advanced
LAW00529 Restorative Justice Intermediate
LAW01125 Stock Exchange and Finance Law Intermediate
LAW10068 Law and Government Decision Making Intermediate
LAW10069 Veterans Law I Intermediate
LAW10070 Veterans Law II Advanced
LAW10158 Introduction to Evidence and Advocacy Intermediate
LAW10160 Public Interest Advocacy Advanced
LAW10166 Entertainment Law Advanced
LAW10171 Mediating Across Cultures Introductory
LAW10206 The Holocaust, Genocide and the Law Intermediate
LAW10288 Mooting Advanced
LAW10292 Education and the Law Intermediate
LAW10472 International Human Rights Law Intermediate
LAW10487 Animal Law Intermediate
LAW10489 Australian Military and National Security Law Intermediate
LAW10490 Trials and Witnesses Intermediate
LAW10491 Sexual Orientation and the Law Intermediate
LAW10527 Comparative Law Advanced
LAW10727 Marine Animal Protection Law Intermediate
LAW20001 Paralegal Placement Intermediate
LAW30004 Comparative Criminal Law Advanced

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
LAW00058 Litigation Practice Intermediate
LAW00104 Employment and Industrial Relations Law Advanced
LAW00106 EEO and OH&S Law and Practice Advanced
LAW00119 Local Government and Planning Law Intermediate
LAW00124 International Business Law Intermediate
LAW00214 Mediation and Dispute Resolution Introductory Note 1
LAW00523 Commercial Law Intermediate
LAW10158 Introduction to Evidence and Advocacy Intermediate

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
LAW00108 Legal and Conveyancing Practice Introductory
LAW00057 Conveyancing Law Intermediate Note 1
LAW00062 Wills and Estates Intermediate
LAW00107 Conveyancers Professional Practice Intermediate
LAW00523 Commercial Law Intermediate
LAW00004 Company Law Intermediate
LAW00119 Local Government and Planning Law Intermediate
LAW00126 Competition and Consumer Law Intermediate