In the fight for justice, you need knowledge, integrity and perseverance. This degree embraces all these qualities as you learn how the law works, why specific laws exist, and how our laws impact on others.
The Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies is an excellent degree for those wanting to work in policy development, paralegal positions, conveyancing, and in the justice sector. It provides a thorough practical grounding in legal knowledge and a strong understanding of Australian and international politics and society. If you have already been working professionally in the fields of law and justice, this course will extend your knowledge, skills and expertise. The conveyancing major, which is accredited by New South Wales Fair Trading, enables you to become a licenced conveyancer in NSW.
Course Learning Outcome
GA1: 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.
GA2: 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.
GA3: 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
GA4: 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.
GA5: 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.
GA6: Communication and social skills
Communicate appropriately and effectively, both orally and in writing.
Collaborate effectively and constructively with others.
GA7: 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.
The course consists of core and elective units, including Australian Politics, the Australian Legal System, Global Social Movements and Social Policy. Students can choose to study a major in Conveyancing.
Additional information: 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
When studied with the conveyancing major, this is a recognised educational qualification for a licensed conveyancer 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.
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.
Entry requirements
Language 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
Category
Score
Overall
6.0
Listening
minimum 5.5
Reading
minimum 5.5
Speaking
minimum 5.5
Writing
minimum 5.5
Credit for prior learning
Candidates who have completed an Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) may be granted advanced standing for up to sixteen (16) units towards the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies.
Course requirements
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points), comprising:
12 core units (144 credit points),
the Conveyancing Major (96 credit points) and 4 Law electives (48 credit points), or
10 Law electives (120 credit points) and 2 Law or University-wide electives (24 credit points), or
4 Law electives (48 credit points) and a Shared Major (96 credit points), excluding the Law and Justice Major.
Exit Award
Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points), comprising 8 core units and 8 elective or major units.
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
It is preferable to have completed the following units: LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1005 - Legal Process OR LEGL1004 - Australian Legal System
It is preferable to have completed the following units: LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1005 - Legal Process OR LEGL1004 - Australian Legal System OR LEGL1003 - Introduction to Business Law.
It is preferable to have completed the following units: LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing AND LEGL1005 - Legal Process OR LEGL1004 - Australian Legal System.
Must have completed or be currently enrolled in LAW00131 Business Law OR
LEGL1003 - Introduction to Business Law OR
LEGL2007 - Principles of Contract Law
Anti-requisites
Not available for students admitted to an LLB course.
Unit Code
Unit Title
Available
Credit points
Notes
Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award
Attendance and participation in the workshop/s for this unit is mandatory. A student who cannot attend at the scheduled time must contact the Unit Assessor promptly to negotiate to determine if an acceptable alternative arrangement can be put in place, documenting reasons that warrant Special Consideration, or else the student may fail the unit.
Note
2:
Participation in the workshop/s for this unit is normally expected and strongly encouraged. However, any students who cannot participate at the scheduled time may be able to view or download a recording from MySCU Blackboard.
Note
3:
Attendance at a compulsory 3 day workshop is required in order to meet the training and assessment requirements prescribed by the National Mediator Accreditation System (NMAS).