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Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies

Bachelors Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    View in availability

  • Duration

    3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

  • Location

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

  • Placements

    NA

  • Course abbreviation

    BLJSt

  • Course code

    3006110

  • Credit points

    288

  • Equivalent units

    24

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

The Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies brings together studies in law and politics. It is an excellent degree for those wanting to work in policy development, para-legal positions, conveyancing, and in the fields of justice. It provides a thorough practical grounding in legal knowledge and a strong understanding of Australian and international politics and society. For people who have already been working professionally in the fields of law and justice, this course will help extend their knowledge, skills and expertise to develop their career. This Bachelor degree is an extension of the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies), and offers a wider choice of specialised study areas. 

Students who want to become lawyers and who achieve the necessary grade point average may apply for admission to the Bachelor of Laws during or at the completion of their studies. 

Alternatively, students who wish to exit this course early with the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) may do so with the completion of the required 16 units.

Graduate AttributeCourse Learning Outcome
Intellectual rigour

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

Apply these skills to a broad and diverse range of legal topics.

Creativity

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

Apply these skills to a broad and diverse range of legal topics.

Ethical practice

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

Understanding the relationship between law and sustainability.

Apply these skills to a broad and diverse range of legal topics

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 issues in social and political contexts.

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 paraprofessional placement with legal firms or offices to complement their practical legal skills and become familiar with the issues facing working paralegals.

The course consists of compulsory law and politics units and elective units. Students can choose to study a major in Conveyancing.

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 Queensland 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 — see teaching methods.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Gold Coast Session 1 336161 056161
Lismore Session 1 336110 056051
Online Session 1, Session 2 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

The Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies 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.

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.

Entry requirements

Credit for prior learning

  1. Candidates who have completed an Associate Degree in Law or Diploma in Law (Paralegal Studies), Associate Degree in Law or Diploma in Law (Aboriginal Paralegal Studies), Associate Diploma in Business (Paralegal Studies) or Associate Degree in Correctional Administration may be granted advanced standing for up to sixteen (16) units towards the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies.

Course requirements

  1. To be eligible for the award of Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies a candidate shall successfully complete twenty-four (24) units, comprising:
    1. all units in Part A of the Schedule of Units; and either
    2. the eight (8) unit Conveyancing major in Part B of the Schedule and four (4) additional units selected from Part B of the Schedule of Units; or
    3. twelve (12) elective units of which a minimum of ten (10) units are selected from Part B of the Schedule of Units; or
    4. four (4) elective units selected from Part B of the Schedule of Units and one (1) eight (8) unit University-wide major selected from the University-wide Schedule of majors, excluding the Law and Justice major.
  2. a candidate who while enrolled for the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies degree, has completed the requirements for the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) may elect to be awarded the Associate degree following withdrawal from candidature for the Bachelor degree.

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.
LAW00052 -  Introduction to Land Law Introductory
LAW10159 -  Principles of Contract Law Intermediate
LAW00053 -  Foundations of Torts Intermediate
LAW00054 -  Family Law Practice Intermediate
Year 2, Session 1
From year 2 choose either the Conveyancing Major and four (4) Part B elective units OR twelve (12) elective units (10 units must be from Part B, OR a University-wide Major and four (4) Part B elective units.
POL10244 -  Australian Politics Introductory
POL20001 -  Analysing Policy Problems Intermediate
1st Conveyancing major OR Part B Electives OR Shared majors unit
2nd Conveyancing major OR Part B Electives OR Shared majors unit
Year 2, Session 2
POL00013 -  Global Social Movements Intermediate
SOC00112 -  Social Policy Introductory
3rd Conveyancing major OR Part B Electives OR Shared majors unit
4th Conveyancing major OR Part B Electives OR Shared majors unit
Year 3, Session 1
5th Conveyancing major OR Part B Electives OR Shared majors unit
6th Conveyancing major OR Part B Electives OR Shared majors unit
Part B Electives
Part B Electives
Year 3, Session 2
7th Conveyancing major OR Part B Electives OR Shared majors unit
8th Conveyancing major OR Part B Electives OR Shared majors unit
1 Part B Electives OR University-wide Elective
1 Part B Electives OR University-wide 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.
Students wishing to study full time should contact the Student Advice Team via email lawenquiry@scu.edu.au for assistance with recommended course progression.
Year 1, Session 2
LAW00051 -  Legal Research and Writing Introductory
LAW10157 -  Australian Legal System Introductory
Year 2, Session 1
LAW00050 -  Criminal Process Introductory
LAW00128 -  Interviewing, Negotiation and Ethics Introductory
Year 2, Session 2
LAW10159 -  Principles of Contract Law Intermediate
LAW00053 -  Foundations of Torts Intermediate
Year 3, Session 1
POL10244 -  Australian Politics Introductory
POL20001 -  Analysing Policy Problems Intermediate
Year 3, Session 2
LAW00054 -  Family Law Practice Intermediate
LAW00052 -  Introduction to Land Law Introductory
Year 4, Session 1
From Year 4 choose either the Conveyancing Major and four (4) Part B elective units OR twelve (12) elective units (ten (10) units must be from Part B), OR a University-wide Major and four (4) Part B elective units.
1st Conveyancing major OR Part B Electives OR Shared majors unit
2nd Conveyancing major OR Part B Electives OR Shared majors unit
Year 4, Session 2
POL00013 -  Global Social Movements Intermediate
SOC00112 -  Social Policy Introductory
Year 5, Session 1
3rd Conveyancing major OR Part B Electives OR Shared majors unit
4th Conveyancing major OR Part B Electives OR Shared majors unit
Year 5, Session 2
5th Conveyancing major OR Part B Electives OR Shared majors unit
6th Conveyancing major OR Part B Electives OR Shared majors unit
Year 6, Session 1
7th Conveyancing major OR Part B Electives OR Shared majors unit
8th Conveyancing major OR Part B Electives OR Shared majors unit
Year 6, Session 2
Part B Electives
Part B Electives
Year 7, Session 1
Part B Electives
Part B Electives

Note 1:

Unit requires attendance at a compulsory workshop.

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes

Part A
LAW10157 Australian Legal System Introductory
LAW00050 Criminal Process Introductory
LAW00051 Legal Research and Writing Introductory
LAW00128 Interviewing, Negotiation and Ethics Introductory
LAW10159 Principles of Contract Law Intermediate
LAW00052 Introduction to Land Law Introductory
LAW00053 Foundations of Torts Intermediate
LAW00054 Family Law Practice Intermediate
POL10244 Australian Politics Introductory
POL20001 Analysing Policy Problems Intermediate
POL00013 Global Social Movements Intermediate
SOC00112 Social Policy Introductory

Part B

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