Back to Find Courses page

Associate Degree of Law (Paralegal Studies)

Associate Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Course abbreviation

    AssocDegLaw (Paralegal)

  • Course code

    2206351

  • Credit points

    192

  • Equivalent units

    16

  • Indicative Fee


Overview

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.

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

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.

GA2: Creativity

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

GA3: Ethical practice

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

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

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.

GA5: Lifelong learning

Develop interpersonal, reflective and self-management skills to work independently and as part of teams

GA6: Communication and social skills

Develop interpersonal, reflective and self-management skills to work independently and as part of teams

GA7: Cultural competence

Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on Australian indigenous perspectives in law, justice and the legal environment.

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.

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 Term 1 , Term 3 N/A N/A
Online Term 1 , Term 3 , Term 5 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

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.

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 of 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).

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 of 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).

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 Notes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

LEGL1001 Legal Research and Writing
Term1,3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1,3
Term1,3
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
LEGL1004 Australian Legal System
Term1,3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1,3
Term1,3
Online
Term1,3,5
N/A
Anti-requisites Not available for students admitted to an LLB course.
LAWS2055 Criminal Process
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term2
N/A
Pre-requisites Must have completed or be currently enrolled in LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing OR LEGL1004 - Australian Legal System
Anti-requisites Not available for students admitted to an LLB course.
LEGL1002 Interviewing, Negotiation and Ethics
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
N/A
Pre-requisites LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1005 - Legal Process OR LEGL1004 - Australian Legal System
Anti-requisites Not available for students admitted to an LLB course.
LEGL2002 Foundations of Torts
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
Term3
Pre-requisites Must have completed or be currently enrolled in LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1004 - Australian Legal System
Anti-requisites Not available for students admitted to an LLB course.
LEGL2001 Introduction to Land Law
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A
Pre-requisites Must have completed or be currently enrolled in LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1004 - Australian Legal System
Anti-requisites Not available for students admitted to an LLB course.
LAWS2056 Family Law Practice
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
Term4
Pre-requisites LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1005 - Legal Process OR LEGL1004 - Australian Legal System
LEGL2007 Principles of Contract Law
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
Pre-requisites Must have completed or be currently enrolled in LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1004 - Australian Legal System
Anti-requisites Not available for students admitted to an LLB course.

Second Year

Law Elective
Law Elective
Law Elective
Law Elective
Law Elective
Law Elective
Law Elective OR University-wide Elective
Law Elective OR University-wide Elective

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

LEGL1001 Legal Research and Writing
Term1,3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1,3
Term1,3
Online
Term1,3,5
Term1,3,5
LEGL1004 Australian Legal System
Term1,3,5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1,3
Term1,3
Online
Term1,3,5
N/A
Anti-requisites Not available for students admitted to an LLB course.
LAWS2055 Criminal Process
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term2
N/A
Pre-requisites Must have completed or be currently enrolled in LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing OR LEGL1004 - Australian Legal System
Anti-requisites Not available for students admitted to an LLB course.
LEGL1002 Interviewing, Negotiation and Ethics
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
N/A
Pre-requisites LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1005 - Legal Process OR LEGL1004 - Australian Legal System
Anti-requisites Not available for students admitted to an LLB course.
LEGL2002 Foundations of Torts
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
Term3
Pre-requisites Must have completed or be currently enrolled in LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1004 - Australian Legal System
Anti-requisites Not available for students admitted to an LLB course.
LEGL2001 Introduction to Land Law
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A
Pre-requisites Must have completed or be currently enrolled in LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1004 - Australian Legal System
Anti-requisites Not available for students admitted to an LLB course.
LAWS2056 Family Law Practice
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
Term4
Pre-requisites LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1005 - Legal Process OR LEGL1004 - Australian Legal System
LEGL2007 Principles of Contract Law
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
Pre-requisites Must have completed or be currently enrolled in LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1004 - Australian Legal System
Anti-requisites Not available for students admitted to an LLB course.

Second Year

LAWS2018 Wills and Estates
Summer Term
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Summer Term
Term4
Summer Term
Term4
Online
Summer Term
Term4
Summer Term
Term4
Pre-requisites Must have completed LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1004 - Australian Legal System OR LEGL1005 - Legal Process
LAWS2014 Local Government and Planning Law
Term1,5
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term5
Term5
Online
Term1,5
Term1,5
Pre-requisites LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1005 - Legal Process OR LEGL1004 - Australian Legal System
LAWS2024 Commercial Law
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
Term1
Pre-requisites LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1005 - Legal Process OR LEGL1004 - Australian Legal System
LAWS2022 Competition and Consumer Law
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Melbourne N/A
Term2
Online
Term2
Term2
Perth N/A
Term2
Sydney N/A
Term2
Pre-requisites LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1005 - Legal Process OR LEGL1004 - Australian Legal System
LEGL2008 Conveyancing Law
Term2
12 Note 1
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
Term2
Pre-requisites Must have completed LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1004 - Australian Legal System OR LEGL1005 - Legal Process
LEGL2005 Legal and Conveyancing Practice
Term1,3
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term1,3
N/A
Pre-requisites Must have completed LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1004 - Australian Legal System
Anti-requisites Not available for students admitted to an LLB course.
LEGL2004 Conveyancers Professional Practice
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
Pre-requisites Must have completed LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1004 - Australian Legal System
Anti-requisites Not available for students admitted to an LLB course.
LAWS2001 Company Law
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Melbourne N/A
Term4
Online
Term4
Term4
Perth N/A
Term4
Sydney N/A
Term4
Pre-requisites Must have completed or be currently enrolled in LEGL1003 - Introduction to Business Law OR LEGL2007 - Principles of Contract Law
Anti-requisites Not available for students admitted to an LLB course.

Note 1:

Unit requires attendance at a compulsory practicum/residential.

Unit Code Unit Title Notes

Core Units

LEGL1004 Australian Legal System
LAWS2055 Criminal Process
LEGL1002 Interviewing, Negotiation and Ethics
LEGL1001 Legal Research and Writing
LEGL2007 Principles of Contract Law
LEGL2001 Introduction to Land Law
LAWS2056 Family Law Practice
LEGL2002 Foundations of Torts

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
ACCT2001 Taxation
ACCT3001 Advanced Taxation
LAWS2001 Company Law
LEGL2008 Conveyancing Law Note 1
LAWS2057 Welfare Law
LAWS2060 Drugs, Crime and the Law
LAWS2018 Wills and Estates
LAWS2019 Employment and Industrial Relations Law
JUST2005 EEO and OH&S Law and Practice
LEGL2004 Conveyancers Professional Practice
LEGL2005 Legal and Conveyancing Practice
LAWS2014 Local Government and Planning Law
LAWS2020 Intellectual Property
LAWS2021 International Business Law
LAWS2022 Competition and Consumer Law
LEGL2011 Mediation and Dispute Resolution Note 1
LEGL2012 Mediation Practice and Procedure Note 1
LAWS2023 International Law
JUST2004 Human Rights
LAWS2024 Commercial Law
LAWS2025 Stock Exchange and Finance Law
LEGL2017 Public Interest Advocacy
LEGL2009 Mooting
LAWS2028 Animal Law
LAWS2032 Comparative Law
LAWS2004 Paralegal Placement
LAWS2066 Climate Law and Policy
LAWS2035 International Business Negotiations
LAWS2011 Statutory Interpretation
LAWS2010 Environmental Law

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
LEGL2005 Legal and Conveyancing Practice
LEGL2008 Conveyancing Law Note 1
LAWS2018 Wills and Estates
LEGL2004 Conveyancers Professional Practice
LAWS2024 Commercial Law
LAWS2001 Company Law
LAWS2014 Local Government and Planning Law
LAWS2022 Competition and Consumer Law