Graduate Diploma in Environmental Law

The specialisation in environmental law provides students with expertise in a dynamic area of law that will continue to grow in importance.

The course is of particular relevance to people working in environmental and resources sectors, professionals in government, legal practitioners and those with a broader philosophical or practical interest.

The subjects are focused on emerging national and international legal issues and practices, such as in water law, climate change law, animal law, waste management and general planning and development.

Other areas include the negotiation of international environmental treaties and the laws surrounding international ‘commons’ areas such as Antarctica, the high seas and outer space.

Course structure

Students must complete 50 credit points from the prescribed lists.

Students who do not have a law degree from a common law jurisdiction or any prior legal studies or experience are also expected to complete the two-day preliminary subject Australian Legal Process and Legal Institutions.

Note: Most subjects in the MLM program are 12.5 credit points each. Check individual subject handbook entries for confirmation.

Entry requirements

1. In order to be considered for entry, applicants must have completed:

• a degree in Law (LLB, JD or equivalent) at honours standard or equivalent leading to admission to legal practice; or
• a degree in Law (LLB, JD or equivalent) or equivalent leading to admission to legal practice and at least one year of documented, relevant professional experience; or
• an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline and at least one year of documented, relevant professional work experience.

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee selection.

2. In ranking applications, the Selection Committee will consider:

• prior academic performance; and if necessary
• the professional experience.

3. The Selection Committee may seek further information to clarify any aspect of an application in accordance with the Academic Board rules on the use of selection instruments.

4. Applicants are required to satisfy the university’s English language requirements for graduate courses. For those applicants seeking to meet these requirements by one of the standard tests approved by the Academic Board, performance band 6.5 is required.

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The Melbourne Law Masters welcomes applications from students with disabilities. The inherent academic requirements for study in the Melbourne Law Masters are:

• The ability to attend a minimum of 75% of classes and actively engage in the analysis and critique of complex materials and debate;
• The ability to read, analyse and comprehend complex written legal materials and complex interdisciplinary materials;
• The ability to clearly and independently communicate in writing a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and to critically evaluate these;
• The ability to clearly and independently communicate orally a knowledge and application of legal principles and interdisciplinary materials and critically evaluate these;
• The ability to work independently and as a part of a group;
• The ability to present orally and in writing legal analysis to a professional standard.

Students who feel their disability will inhibit them from meeting these inherent academic requirements are encouraged to contact Student Equity and Disability Support.

Intended learning outcomes

Graduates of the Graduate Diploma in Environmental Law will:

Have an advanced and integrated understanding of the complex body of knowledge in the field of environmental law including:

• an in-depth knowledge of the specialist area of environmental law and associated disciplinary areas
• detailed knowledge of the complex law and regulation in the field
• the capacity to identify new laws and/or apply existing law in the rapidly evolving legal context for environmental law, including international environmental law

Have expert, specialised cognitive and technical skills that equip them to independently:

• analyse, critically reflect on and synthesise complex information, concepts and theories in the field of environmental law
• research and apply such information, concepts and theories to the relevant body of knowledge and practice
• interpret and transmit their knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences

Apply their knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy, expert judgment, adaptability and responsibility as a practitioner and learner in the field of environmental law.