MC161 - Juris Doctor
Plan: MC161P14 - 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; International student: 3 years full-time
Location: Melbourne City campus
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: 103207F
Top of pagePurpose of the Program
The Juris Doctor program is accredited by the Council of Legal Education (CLE) in Victoria as meeting the educational requirements for admission to practice as an Australian lawyer. You will be able to be admitted to practice after completing a recognised Practical Legal Training course (6 months); or supervised workplace training with a law firm (12 months). You will possess a 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.
Learning activities and experiences in this program include case-based learning with students 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 students 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 (12 credit points). 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 on-campus.
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 an 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 Student Connect.
RMIT Master of Social Work and Juris Doctor Credit Arrangement
Students who commenced the RMIT Master of Social Work and Juris Doctor prior to 2021 may be eligible for up to 36 credit points of unspecified electives. For more information on this credit arrangement, please contact the College of Business and Law via RMIT Student Connect.
Top of pageEntrance requirements
Academic requirements
You must have:
An Australian bachelor degree, higher level qualification, or equivalent in any discipline (except a Bachelor of Laws (LLB - Common Law) or Juris Doctor) with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (out of 4.0).
Note:
Applicants seeking to enrol in a subject or subjects required to obtain admission into legal practice will only be considered for full-fee places. A letter from the Board of Examiners, Victorian Council of Education (or equivalent interstate body) that lists the subjects(s) required to be completed must be submitted.
Commonwealth supported places
There are a limited number of Commonwealth Supported Placed (CSP) available in this program. To be considered for a CSP place you must apply for the Juris Doctor CSP offering through the RMIT Application System. Admission for CSP is competitive and eligible applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement. The minimum GPA for CSP in an intake may be higher than 2.0 out of 4.0 as it is dependent on the number of applications received and available places in an intake.
Students currently enrolled in a full-fee place in the RMIT Juris Doctor may apply for a CSP in the Juris Doctor on completion of at least one year of full-time equivalent study (96 credit points) and have demonstrated a GPA of 2.0 (out of 4.0).
English language requirements:
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 the Leo Cussen Centre for Law or The College of Law.
| Statutory/Professional Body | Accreditation Description |
|---|---|
|
Victorian Legal Admissons 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] |
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
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. Computers, printers and group study rooms are available at each Melbourne Library location. You can access the Internet and Library e-resources. You can also access the RMIT University wireless network in the Library. Contact Ask the Library for assistance and further information www.rmit.edu.au/library.
Study Support is available for assistance with assignment preparation, academic writing, information literacy, referencing, maths and study skills.
Online learning tools and content
As a student in this program, you may access online learning tools and content for your program and associated courses from the student portal www.rmit.edu.au/students.
Services available to you as a student at RMIT University
RMIT University 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.
We also offer a dedicated support service for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. You can find more information at www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/indigenous.
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