Juris Doctor (DJUR)

Back to top Program aims The Juris Doctor is a graduate entry program (for holders of non-law bachelor degrees) that provides students with the opportunity for a comprehensive study of law.

The program aims to equip students with an academic qualification for professional practice.

Not all law graduates aspire to a career in legal practice, but the specialised capabilities that a legal education can offer enhances their capacity to pursue many other possible careers.

The program provides opportunities for students to develop advanced skills in analysis, problem-solving, communication, dispute-resolution, ethical decision-making, research and critical thinking - and engage with varying theories and perspectives on the law and the broader contexts for its operation.

The program includes a particular focus on the development of high-level applied research skills.

Core courses

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Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

• Completion of an Australian university three-year Bachelor degree in an area other than law, or equivalent.
• English Language Proficiency requirements for Category 3.

All students are required to satisfy the applicable English language requirements.

If students do not meet the English language requirements they may apply to study a University-approved English language program. On successful completion of the English language program, students may be admitted to an award program.

Program objectives

Upon completion of the Juris Doctor students will be able to:

• demonstrate an advanced and integrated understanding of a complex body of knowledge that includes: the fundamental areas of legal knowledge, the Australian legal system and underlying principles and concepts (including Indigenous, international and comparative contexts); the broader contexts within which legal issues arise; the principles and values of justice and of ethical practice in lawyers’ roles; and contemporary developments in law, and its professional practice (JD TLO 1)
• demonstrate an advanced and integrated understanding of approaches to ethical decision-making, an ability to recognise and reflect upon (and a developing ability to respond to) ethical issues likely to arise in professional contexts, an ability to recognise and reflect upon the professional responsibilities of lawyers in promoting justice and in service to the community, and a developing ability to exercise professional judgement (JD TLO 2)
• identify and articulate complex legal issues, apply legal reasoning and research to generate appropriate jurisprudential and practical responses to legal issues, engage in critical analysis and make reasoned and appropriate choices amongst alternatives, and demonstrate sophisticated cognitive and creative skills in approaching legal issues and generating appropriate responses (JD TLO 3)
• demonstrate the intellectual and practical skills needed to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, legal methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions, as well as to identify, research, evaluate and synthesise relevant factual, legal, and policy issues (JD TLO 4)
• communicate in ways that are effective, appropriate and persuasive for legal and non-legal audiences, and collaborate effectively (JD TLO 5)
• learn and work with a high level of autonomy, accountability and professionalism; and reflect on and assess their own capabilities and performance, and make use of feedback as appropriate, to support personal and professional development (JD TLO 6)
• explain the legislative process and identify applicable legislation and delegated legislation, apply general principles of statutory interpretation, make appropriate use of authorised aids to statutory interpretation, and deploy appropriate techniques in the course of solving interpretative problems
• reflect on and articulate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in key areas of law in order to develop an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, values, histories and contributions to Australian society, demonstrate an appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander legal issues in an Australian context, and critically reflect on the responsiveness of western law to Indigenous histories, values and needs.