Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies

Southern Cross University

CRICOS Institution Code 01241G

Duration

156 weeks

Delivery

On-campus and online. On-campus students experience lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. Online study is highly interactive and may include podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.

Study Load

Full-time / Part-time / Online / On-campus

Intakes

Domestic: March (Term 1), July (Term 3), October (Term 5) | International (on-campus): March (Term 1), June (Term 3) | International (online): March (Term 1)

Course Overview

About This Course

Overview In the fight for justice, you need knowledge, integrity and perseverance. This degree embraces all these qualities as you learn how the law works, why specific laws exist, and how our laws impact on others. The Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies is an excellent degree for those wanting to work in policy development, paralegal positions, conveyancing, and in the justice sector. It provides a thorough practical grounding in legal knowledge and a strong understanding of Australian and international politics and society. If you have already been working professionally in the fields of law and justice, this course will extend your knowledge, skills and expertise. The conveyancing major, which is accredited by New South Wales Fair Trading, enables you to become a licenced conveyancer in NSW. "I chose Southern Cross because I wanted somewhere where the lecturers knew me by name and provided one-on-one assistance. The course was definitely challenging but I learned so much and the staff were always so willing to help." Sarah Ashley Clayton Utz, Brisbane, Bachelor of Laws graduate Understanding the Southern Cross Model The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study. Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning. On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes. Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit. Learn more Learning outcomes and graduate attributes Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA). Course Learning Outcome GA1: Intellectual rigour Apply appropriate research to analyse legal issues and challenges in paralegal, professional, social and political context as well as generating reasoned responses. Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on social justice and legal ethical issues and exercise ethical judgement in professional context. GA2: Creativity Apply appropriate research to analyse legal issues and challenges in paralegal, professional, social and political context as well as generating reasoned responses. GA3: Ethical practice Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on social justice and legal ethical issues and exercise ethical judgement in professional context. Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on how law, justice and the legal environment can contribute to sustainability and sustainable development. GA4: Knowledge of a discipline Apply appropriate research to analyse legal issues and challenges in paralegal, professional, social and political context as well as generating reasoned responses. Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on social justice and legal ethical issues and exercise ethical judgement in professional context. Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on how law, justice and the legal environment can contribute to sustainability and sustainable development. Demonstrate the ability to analyse and evaluate a broad body of knowledge relating to the paralegal, professional and social contexts of the fundamental areas of law, the Australian legal system, and underlying principles and concepts. GA5: Lifelong learning Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on social justice and legal ethical issues and exercise ethical judgement in professional context. Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on how law, justice and the legal environment can contribute to sustainability and sustainable development. Develop self-management skills to learn and work independently and reflect on one's own capabilities and performance. Demonstrate appropriate and effective collaborations and communications with others, orally and in writing, and use feedback to support professional development. GA6: Communication and social skills Demonstrate appropriate and effective collaborations and communications with others, orally and in writing, and use feedback to support professional development. GA7: Cultural competence Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on how law, justice and the legal environment can contribute to sustainability and sustainable development. Demonstrate appropriate and effective collaborations and communications with others, orally and in writing, and use feedback to support professional development. Develop the ability to recognise and reflect on Australian indigenous perspectives in law, justice and the legal environment. Placements, work experience and study hours Students can undertake voluntary legal experience and para-professional placement with legal firms or offices to complement their practical legal skills and become familiar with the issues facing working paralegals. Specialisations, majors and minors The course consists of core and elective units, including Australian Politics, the Australian Legal System, Global Social Movements and Social Policy. Students can choose to study a major in Conveyancing. Additional information: Some elective units, when studied online, require students to attend on-campus workshops. Availability Availability and fees Location Teaching period Gold Coast Term 1, Term 3 Online Term 1, Term 3, Term 5 Location Teaching period Annual Fees CRICOS Gold Coast Term 1, Term 3 $26,000 ($3,250 per unit) 022342G Online Term 1 $26,000 ($3,250 per unit) N/A Tuition fees are in Australian dollars, and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of a course. Annual tuition fee is based on completing 8 units per year. In addition students are required to pay OSHC for the duration of their visa in advance. Non-tuition fee covers textbooks, stationery and excursions.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

Sydney

Ground floor and Level 1-3, 60 Phillip St, SYDNEY, NSW 2000

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Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

ATAR: 60
English Language Requirements (International and non-English prior study applicants):
- IELTS Overall Score: 6.0
- Listening: minimum 5.5
- Reading: minimum 5.5
- Speaking: minimum 5.5
- Writing: minimum 5.5
Credit for Prior Learning: Candidates who have completed an Associate Degree of Law (Paralegal Studies) may be granted advanced standing for up to sixteen (16) units towards the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies.
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points), comprising:
- 12 core units (144 credit points), and either:
- Conveyancing Major (96 credit points) and 4 Law electives (48 credit points), or
- 10 Law electives (120 credit points) and 2 Law or University-wide electives (24 credit points), or
- 4 Law electives (48 credit points) and a Shared Major (96 credit points), excluding the Law and Justice Major.
Inherent Requirements: None

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Career Outcomes Potential occupations Our graduates can envisage career roles across the justice and social policy sector, as well as the public service. The Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies, when studied with the Conveyancing major, is a recognised educational qualification for a licensed conveyancer in NSW. Students wanting to become lawyers may receive advanced standing for eligible units in the Bachelor of Laws , during or on completion of the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies, subject to approval by the Course Coordinator. Students intending to apply for advanced standing into the Bachelor of Laws are advised to contact SCU Law Enquiry at their earliest convenience. Alternatively, students can choose to graduate with the Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies) after completing the required 16 units. Other career outcomes include law-related work in legal firms, government policy making, corporate firms, government legal departments, law enforcement agencies, legal aid offices, court administration, public prosecutions, and in the corporate sector in banking, insurance and conveyancing. Professional accreditation The Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies (Conveyancing major) conducted by Southern Cross University is an approved educational qualification as provided for in Schedule 1 of the Conveyancers Licensing (Qualifications) Order 2006. For licensing requirements, and details of mandatory additional work experience required to enable registration, enquiries should be made to NSW Fair Trading . Note that each Australian state or territory has its own legislation regulating conveyancing practice, except QLD where only qualified solicitors are legally permitted to engage in conveyancing. The unit, 'LEGL2012 - Mediation Practice and Procedure', meets the training and assessment threshold requirements as specified in the Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards (AMDRAS). As such, Southern Cross University is a Recognised Training Provider (RTP) under AMDRAS. Upon successful completion of the unit, students may apply to a Registered Mediation Accreditation Body (RMAB) to finalise their accreditation.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units1 units

LEGL2012

Mediation Practice and Procedure

Meets the training and assessment threshold requirements as specified in the Australian Mediator and Dispute Resolution Accreditation Standards (AMDRAS).

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I become a licensed conveyancer after completing this degree?

Yes. The Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies (Conveyancing major) conducted by Southern Cross University is an approved educational qualification as provided for in Schedule 1 of the Conveyancers Licensing (Qualifications) Order 2006. For licensing requirements and details of mandatory additional work experience required to enable registration, enquiries should be made to NSW Fair Trading. Note that each Australian state or territory has its own legislation regulating conveyancing practice, except QLD where only qualified solicitors are legally permitted to engage in conveyancing.

Can I use this degree as a pathway into the Bachelor of Laws?

Yes. Students wanting to become lawyers may receive advanced standing for eligible units in the Bachelor of Laws, during or on completion of the Bachelor of Legal and Justice Studies, subject to approval by the Course Coordinator. Students intending to apply for advanced standing into the Bachelor of Laws are advised to contact SCU Law Enquiry at their earliest convenience.

Is there a work placement component in this course?

Students can undertake voluntary legal experience and para-professional placement with legal firms or offices to complement their practical legal skills and become familiar with the issues facing working paralegals.

Can I exit the course early with a qualification?

Yes. Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Law (Paralegal Studies) after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points), as per the Associate Degree of Law (Paralegal Studies) Schedule of Units.

What is the indicative tuition fee for this course?

For domestic students, the indicative fee is $17,392 (first year only) under a Commonwealth supported place. For international students studying on the Gold Coast, the annual tuition fee is $26,000 ($3,250 per unit), based on completing 8 units per year. Tuition fees are in Australian dollars and are subject to change, including annual increases over the duration of the course.

Application

How to Apply

Three simple steps to get enrolled

Step 01

Enquire

Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.

Step 02

Submit Documents

Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.

Step 03

Get Enrolled

Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!

Course Snapshot

Typical Salary (AUD)

Entry-level (0-2 years)$50,000 – $65,000/yr

Early Career (2-5 years)$65,000 – $85,000/yr

Mid-Level (5-10 years)$85,000 – $105,000/yr

Career Paths

Police Officer
Intelligence Analyst
Policy Officer – Crime and Justice
Corrections Officer
Youth Justice Worker

Key Skills

Critical analysis of crime theories and criminal behaviour
Research design, data collection, and quantitative/qualitative analysis
Policy evaluation and evidence-based policy development
Understanding of Australian criminal law and the justice system
Risk assessment and offender management frameworks

Full course overview

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