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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

Open the door to your legal career with this two-year degree, which not only provides a professional qualification as a paralegal or in conveyancing, but also an admission pathway to becoming a lawyer.

The Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) explores the Australian legal system and its processes. The course will introduce you to legal research and writing and also equip you with foundational principles in key areas of the law, combining intellectual rigour with practical legal skills.

This degree offers a fantastic opportunity to gain a qualification and start working in the legal profession quickly. Graduates will be able to work in a range of professional fields, and eligible students may also choose to continue their studies to become a lawyer.

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 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.

This course consists of compulsory law units and elective units. Students can choose to study a major in conveyancing.

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

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Gold Coast Session 1 , Session 2 336361 056361
Lismore Session 1 , Session 2 336300 056061
Online Session 1 , Session 2 , Session 3 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

When taken with the conveyancing major, the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies), fulfils 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.

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

To be eligible to receive the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies), students must complete 16 units (192 credit points), comprising:

  • 8 core units (96 credit points); and
  • the Conveyancing Major (96 credit points); or
  • 6 Law electives (72 credit points) and 2 Law or University-wide electives (24 credit points).

Entry requirements

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

Language requirements

To be eligible to receive the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies), students must complete 16 units (192 credit points), comprising:

  • 8 core units (96 credit points); and
  • the Conveyancing Major (96 credit points); or
  • 6 Law electives (72 credit points) and 2 Law or University-wide electives (24 credit points).

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
Year 1, Session 1
Part-time students should complete the first two units in Year 1, Session 1. The remaining two units should be completed in Year 2, Session 1.
LAW00051 -  Legal Research and Writing Introductory
LAW10157 -  Australian Legal System Introductory
LAW00050 -  Criminal Process Introductory
LAW00128 -  Interviewing, Negotiation and Ethics Introductory
Year 1, Session 2
Part-time students should complete the first two units in Year 1, Session 2. The remaining two units should be completed in Year 2, Session 2.
LAW10159 -  Principles of Contract Law Intermediate
LAW00052 -  Introduction to Land Law Introductory
LAW00053 -  Foundations of Torts Intermediate
LAW00054 -  Family Law Practice Intermediate
Year 2, Session 1
1st Law Electives Unit or Conveyancing major
2nd Law Electives Unit or Conveyancing major
3rd Law Electives Unit or Conveyancing major
4th Law Electives Unit or Conveyancing major
Year 2, Session 2
5th Law Electives Unit or Conveyancing major
6th Law Electives Unit or Conveyancing major
7th Law Electives Unit or Conveyancing major or University-wide Elective
8th Law Electives Unit or Conveyancing major or University-wide Elective

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Year 1, Session 2
LAW00051 -  Legal Research and Writing Introductory
LAW10157 -  Australian Legal System Introductory
LAW00052 -  Introduction to Land Law Introductory
LAW10159 -  Principles of Contract Law Intermediate
Year 2, Session 1
LAW00050 -  Criminal Process Introductory
LAW00128 -  Interviewing, Negotiation and Ethics Introductory
1st Conveyancing major unit OR Law Electives
2nd Conveyancing major unit OR Law Electives
Year 2, Session 2
LAW00053 -  Foundations of Torts Intermediate
LAW00054 -  Family Law Practice Intermediate
3rd Conveyancing major unit OR Law Electives
4th Conveyancing major unit OR Law Electives
Year 3, Session 1
5th Conveyancing major unit OR Law Electives
6th Conveyancing major unit OR Law Electives
7th Conveyancing major unit OR Law Electives OR University-wide elective
8th Conveyancing major unit OR Law Electives OR University-wide elective

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Year 1, Session 3
LAW00051 -  Legal Research and Writing Introductory
LAW10157 -  Australian Legal System Introductory
Year 2, Session 1 follow the course progression for Session 1 commencement excluding the completed units.

Note 1:

Unit requires attendance at a compulsory workshop.

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes

Core Units
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

Electives

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
LAW72006 Climate Law and Policy Intermediate
LAW72008 Indigenous Jurisprudence Intermediate
LAW72011 Why the State Needs to Kill: law, violence and the production of political authority Intermediate
LAW72014 Struggles, Movements, and the Idea of Communism Intermediate
LAW72015 Law, Film and Ideology Intermediate
LAW71006 The Rhetoric of Law Introductory
LAW73004 Legal Fictions: Writing the Law Advanced
LAW72007 International Business Negotiations Intermediate
LAW73051 Global Legal Pluralism Advanced Note 1
LAW73049 Information Environmentalism Advanced Note 1
LAW72016 Crimen Exceptum: The English Witch Prosecution in Context Intermediate Note 1
LAW72013 Wisdom, Traditional Knowledge and Intellectual Property Intermediate Note 1

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