MC161 - Juris Doctor
Plan: MC161O - Juris Doctor
Campus: City Campus
Overview
Program detailsPurpose of the ProgramArticulation and pathwaysEntrance requirementsExternal accreditation and industry linksStudent expenses and charges in addition to feesLibrary, IT and specialist resourcesProgram details
Award title: Juris Doctor
Award abbreviation: JD
Total credit points: 288
Career: PGRD
Duration: Domestic students: 3 years full time; 6 years part time
Location: RMIT Online
Owning school: Graduate School of Business and Law (660H)
Owning school URL: www.rmit.edu.au/about/schools-colleges/graduate-school-of-business-and-law
ASCED code: 090901
CRICOS code:
Top of pagePurpose of the Program
The Juris Doctor program is accredited by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) as meeting the educational requirements for admission to practice as an Australian lawyer. You will be able to be admitted to legal practice after completing a recognised Practical Legal Training course (6 months); or supervised workplace training with a law firm (12 months) and have satisfied other relevant criteria for admission. You will gain detailed and comprehensive knowledge of the Australian legal framework and fundamental legal principles, an understanding of comparative and international legal systems, an understanding of the ethical framework in which the Australian legal system operates, and a fundamental knowledge of the extra-legal factors impinging upon the substantive law.
Juris Doctor graduates will have the foundational legal knowledge required for a career as a legal practitioner or legal/non-legal roles in a variety of law-related fields. You will have the ability to analyse a problem involving a question or questions of law and, through research, to provide a solution to it. You will gain the skills needed to practice law in a variety of fields, industry sectors and locations; and you will develop skills in effective writing, drafting, advocacy, interviewing and advising, negotiation, team work and presentations. You will have an understanding of the application of ethical standards; be able to demonstrate judgement and strategic reasoning; and be effective in self-management and be lifelong learners. Possessing strong self management skills, you will be able to work well individually and as members of teams. You will have sound commercial judgement and an awareness of the ethical and justice issues affecting all stakeholders in the Australian legal system.
Learning activities and experiences in this program include case-based learning where you will be encouraged to engage in critical discussion in seminars and online forums, supplemented by active, authentic experiential learning opportunities in various simulations that develop legal skills. These simulations include writing briefs and other legal documents, mooting, interviewing, negotiation and mediation skills. These are integrated into most substantive law courses to ensure that you develop the skills in close connection with the legal knowledge. Clinical legal education and industry placement opportunities are also provided.
A capstone experience will be provided in the course LAW1037 Legal Practice Management and Professional Conduct (12 credit points) which will give you the opportunity to critically reflect on the curriculum of this program. The course promotes the integration and synthesis of a range of knowledge and skills gained in the program and the application of these in discipline related real-world scenarios.
The core research course of this program is LAW2551 Innovative Justice. This course is designed to develop your knowledge of research principles and methods and how to apply them within the contemporary business environment. You will have the opportunity to conduct a research project/proposal and further develop your skills in research methodology.
This program is delivered wholly online.
Top of pageArticulation and pathways
Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT University Credit Policy and Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) requirements.
Applicants who have completed or partially completed a similar program at another institution (with entry criteria similar to this program) may be granted some credits or exemptions towards this program.
Australian law degrees are required to include 11 core areas of knowledge – the ‘Priestley 11’. These areas are: Criminal Law and Procedure, Tort, Contract, Property, Equity, Company Law, Administrative Law, Federal and State Constitutional Law, Civil Procedure, Evidence, Professional Conduct. Exemptions towards the Priestley 11 courses are not possible unless the equivalent Priestley 11 courses have been completed in a postgraduate law program from an accredited law school. Students are advised to seek clarification from the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) to ensure the credit will not impact admission to legal practice.
Credit for all other law courses can only be granted if a course has been completed at an accredited law school.
If you require more information on credit and exemptions please contact RMIT Connect.
Top of pageEntrance requirements
Academic Entrance requirements
An Australian bachelor degree or equivalent in any discipline (except a Bachelor of Laws (LLB - Common Law) with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (out of 4.0).
You must meet the University's minimum English language requirements to be eligible for a place in this program.
Top of pageExternal accreditation and industry links
This program is accredited by the statutory and professional bodies listed in the table below.
To be eligible to be admitted to practice law in Australia, graduates must complete the Practical Legal Training (PLT) requirements, either a one year of Supervised Workplace Training with a law firm or an approved PLT course. The PLT course can be undertaken on a fee paying basis through Leo Cussen Centre for Law or The College of Law.
| Statutory/Professional Body | Accreditation Description |
|---|---|
|
Victorian Legal Admissions Board [VLAB] |
Program satisfies the academic requirements for graduates admission to the Australian Legal Profession. |
|
Council of Australian Law Deans [CALD] |
The School is compliant with the standards for Australian Law Schools adopted by the Council of Australian Law Deans and assessed by the Australian Law Schools Standards Committee [ALSSC] |
An Industry Advisory Committee with representatives from diverse organisations relevant to the profession has input regarding the development, delivery and assessment of the program, to ensure the program is relevant and reflects current practice.
Top of pageStudent expenses and charges in addition to fees
Once you are enrolled as a student in this program you will need to allow for expenses other than university tuition fees. Additional expenses may relate to the purchase of lecture notes, textbooks, stationery, consumables such as printer paper, fees levied by commercial internet service providers for internet access outside of the university campus, and other relevant costs.
Top of pageLibrary, IT and specialist resources
Resources available from the Library
RMIT Library provides extensive resources, services and study space. All RMIT students have access to scholarly resources including course related material, books, e-books, journals and databases.
One-on-one study support is available for assistance with assignment preparation, academic writing, referencing, maths and study skills. To contact Library staff for help, phone, email or chat via the Ask the Library service.
You can find more information on Library resources and services at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/library and this guide for assistance with finding legal resources: https://rmit.libguides.com/law-justice
IT and Wireless
If you have a laptop or other wireless-enabled device, you can connect to RMIT’s fast Wi-Fi. While on campus, no matter how you work or where you work, you’re able to connect, collaborate and create using this secure network. In addition, with myDesktop, you can access your RMIT desktop and applications from home or wherever you have an internet connection.
Online learning tools and content
Each course is delivered online and the online environment will present learning activities and contain the core resources, such as videos, podcasts, readings, templates, articles, industry tools and/or communities that you need to complete that activity, or links to those resources. Additional learning resources designed into the course, will be clearly marked as supplemental. If your course teaching team finds additional resources during course delivery which they think can support or be of interest to the class cohort, these will be made available as required during the teaching period. In your online learning environment, besides your learning activities you will also find:
all assessment information (assessment briefs), a course information page with a study schedule, various communication tools to facilitate collaboration with your peers and facilitators, and to share information.
Learning services available to you as a student at RMIT
RMIT provides a wide range of resources and opportunities to assist your learning and wellbeing so you can
achieve your study and career goals. Services are available face to face and online assisting with:
- transition to tertiary study and learning
- study skills, academic skills including literacy, mathematics and basic sciences if relevant
- enabling assistance if you have a disability, long term medical condition or other form of disadvantage which may impact on your learning
- career development and employment
- living and wellbeing (including advice on health, housing and financial matters)
- opportunities for scholarships, leadership and study abroad
- opportunities for participating in arts, sport, recreation, fitness activities as well as student activism and university governance
We also offer a friendly and supportive environment for First Nations students. You can find more information at: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students
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