Graduate Certificate in Law

This course is an Exit Award only for students who have completed 24 credit points at 500 level from units in the Master of Laws.

Course Aims

The Graduate Certificate in Law aims to enable students from a non-related law discipline or a law discipline to develop independent critical thinking and to further develop research analysis in legal environments. They can gain specialised knowledge and skills for professional practice, scholarship, research and/or further learning of Australian law. These studies enable students to apply interdisciplinary and global approaches to the development of law, and develop further competence in oral and written communication.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: demonstrate an understanding of advanced skills in research analysis and the written or oral communication of complex ideas; demonstrate advanced knowledge in a range of theories that seek to explain how law is created and operates in society; demonstrate a sound knowledge in some areas of law and a range of legal and theoretical concepts, values and principles; and demonstrate developed concrete conceptual, analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Graduate Attributes

Knowledge of a Discipline Knowledge of the discipline including a global perspective is taught, practised and assessed in both core units and electives; The focus is on Australian law but units will often provide information about relevant law in other areas of the world in order to encourage a critical perspective. Legal resources may include international law, comparative material such as case-law and legislation from other jurisdictions and also social, political and economic perspectives. Students will also be encouraged to consider the law through indigenous, theoretical and international perspectives. Communication Skills Both oral and written communication skills are practised and assessed. In particular, students will develop skills in legal writing and argument for them to practise the skills of communicating effectively and confidently both orally and in writing, either physically or with the application of relevant technologies in both legal and non-legal contexts. Problem Solving Individual units will present students with problem-based learning and case studies so that they can learn and practice solutions. Identification, conceptualisation and solution modelling is required, either in teams or individually, and also forms part of their assessment. Information Literacy Throughout their studies, students are taught advanced legal research methods. This provides them with the means to construct arguments, to present new considerations, and the ability to verify or refute the academic literature on a particular topic. Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility In law, students are constantly reminded that their actions, and reporting of research findings, have consequences. It is important that they conduct their research ethically, and report their findings responsibly. Lifelong Learning The skills acquired and developed throughout the course will prepare the students with self-motivated learning techniques for their future challenges. Independence and Collaboration Academia is, on the whole, a collegial vocation, which is reflected in this course. Students are required to work independently and to participate in small groups.