Juris Doctor
Change to a career in law
The Juris Doctor is a graduate entry program for non-law graduates. This means that if you want a career in law and already have an undergraduate degree, you can enter the Juris Doctor rather than the undergraduate Bachelor of Laws.
Because we know that you come to us with a wealth of previous experience, the Juris Doctor is pitched at a higher level to challenge you and to build your capabilities for a legal workplace. The Juris Doctor has the additional advantage of being a three year program, saving you one year of full-time study compared with the undergraduate equivalent.
Professional relevance
Our Law programs have been developed with extensive input from experts in the profession. Our lecturers have strong connections with legal practice and understand the needs of the legal profession. Collectively, they have a wealth of experience in a diverse range of backgrounds, including general legal practice, criminal law, human rights, international and comparative law, family and succession law, environmental and natural resources law, commercial and taxation law, and public law and policy.
This expertise is supplemented by contributions from high profile members of the legal profession, in the form of guest lectures and advice from an Advisory committee chaired by a Judge. Previous guest presenters have included former High Court Justice Michael Kirby and current Chief Justice of Australia Robert French.
Access to lecturers
At USQ we pride ourselves on our ability to get to know our students, and in our Law programs it is no different with small on-campus classes. Our lecturers also pay special attention to the learning needs of our online Juris Doctor students. As is the case at USQ generally, we understand what it means to deliver online programs.
Career opportunities
Apart from the obvious career as a legal practitioner, the Juris Doctor also opens up a wide range of career paths within the public service, government, politics, non-government organisations and businesses.
Professional accreditation
The Juris Doctor has been accredited by the Legal Practitioners Admissions Board, Queensland and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Queensland as an approved academic qualification under the Supreme Court (Legal Practitioner Admission) Rules 2004 Qld.
This will partially satisfy the requirements to practise as a solicitor or barrister in Queensland or as a legal practitioner elsewhere in Australia. Intending solicitors and barristers must also complete an approved practical legal training course in order to become admitted to practice. All law graduates have the option of completing their practical legal training through a one-year traineeship in a law practice, or through an institution that offers a practical legal training qualification.
