Juris Doctor (DJUR) - JD

CRICOS code (International applicants): 060145G

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Program focus

The Juris Doctor is a graduate entry program that provides students with the opportunity for a comprehensive study of law, not only to prepare for practice as a solicitor or barrister in Queensland but also to examine the legal process and its social, political and economic context.

The program aims to equip students with an academic qualification for professional practice with particular specialisations offered in environmental and natural resources law, international law and general practice as well as an extensive specialisation in commercial law.

While this is a focused program preparing students for professional practice with particular skills in applied legal research, it also builds the special capabilities that a legal education can offer, such as complex problem-solving and policy analysis.

Please note this qualification does not entitle graduates to use the title 'Doctor'.

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. USQ law graduates have the option of completing their practical legal training either through USQ’s preferred provider or through another institution that specialises in this qualification).

Program aims

The Juris Doctor is a graduate entry program that provides students with the opportunity for a comprehensive study of law, not only to prepare for practice as a solicitor or barrister in Queensland but also to examine the legal process and its social, political and economic context.

The program aims to equip students with an academic qualification for professional practice with particular specialisations offered in environmental and natural resources law, international law and general practice as well as an extensive specialisation in commercial law.

While this is a focused program preparing students for professional practice with particular skills in applied legal research, it also builds the special capabilities that a legal education can offer, such as complex problem-solving and policy analysis.

Program objectives

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

• demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical framework of subject areas of study

• apply theoretical knowledge, concepts and principles to areas of practical significance

• research legal issues at an advanced level

• critically appraise law reform trends and recent developments and assess their impact upon legal practice and public policy

• demonstrate advanced communication, problem-solving and analytical skills

• satisfy academic admission requirements for legal practice in Queensland (subject to accreditation).

Admission requirements

To gain entry to the graduate entry program, students must have graduated with an approved three year undergraduate degree.

International applicants must have met the University's English language requirements or have completed the University's ELICOS/UNIPREP program.

How to apply

Domestic students

Application for postgraduate programs may be made directly to USQ. You should ensure you submit your application by the closing dates.

International students

This program is offered to international students. An international student is a person who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen and not an Australian permanent resident. Please refer to USQ International for information about entry requirements, visa arrangements and how to apply.

Program fees

Domestic full fee paying place

Domestic full fee paying places are funded entirely through the full fees paid by the student. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.

Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called FEE-HELP.

International full fee paying place

International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus, via distance education/online. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.

Program structure

The graduate entry program is 24 units in total. It has two prime components: a core (20 units) and law electives (4 units).

Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 9 years to complete this program.

Core courses

All students are required to complete a core of twenty single-unit courses. The purpose of the core courses is to expose law students to fundamental legal concepts and methods in legal research and reasoning.

Elective courses

The four law elective courses may be selected from any of the electives listed below. Students may choose to specialise by taking electives in one particular area of concentration.

Toowoomba campus

Courses available on-campus at Toowoomba are the 20 core courses plus a selection of electives.

Courses available externally from the Toowoomba campus are the 20 core courses plus the full range of electives.

Springfield campus

Courses available on-campus at Springfield are the 20 core courses plus a selection of electives.

IT requirements

For information technology requirements please refer to the computer requirements section.

Other program requirements

Students must maintain good standing in this program. Please refer to Academic Regulation 5.9 of the University Calendar.

Exemptions

Maximum credit

Exemptions from USQ courses credited to the Juris Doctor may be granted for a maximum of 50% of the program, that is, 12 courses.

Maximum credit for completed undergraduate courses

Exemptions from USQ courses creditable to the Juris Doctor may be granted for successful completion of undergraduate courses on condition that:

1. any other requirements for the granting of exemptions in these guidelines are met

2. if the student had been previously enrolled in a combined program with law at USQ or another university, and law courses were credited to the other award, exemptions are only granted so that, on completion of the Juris Doctor at USQ, the student will have successfully completed the equivalent of at least six years of full-time study

3. subject to paragraph 2, the maximum proportion of undergraduate courses that are taken or credited towards the Juris Doctor is 50% of the program, that is, the equivalent of 12 courses.

Admission courses

Exemptions may be granted from a core course that deals with an area of knowledge that is set out in Attachment 1 of the Supreme Court (Admission) Rules 2004 (Qld) if:

1. the course that was successfully completed at another university deals in substance with the topics that are set out in that area of knowledge

2. if the other university is an Australian university, the course was undertaken in a program that is an approved academic qualification for the purposes of admission as a lawyer in any Australian state or territory.

An exemption from a course that may be credited to the Juris Doctor will only be granted if:

1. the workload for the course that was successfully completed at another university is at least 70% of the workload required for the course from which an exemption is being granted

2. subject to paragraph 3, at least 70% of the content of the course that was successfully completed at the other university is similar to the content of the course from which an exemption is being granted.

No exemption from Advanced Capstone Research Project will be granted

In this section:

• Recommended enrolment pattern - part-time
• Recommended enrolment pattern - full-time (available only from 2009)

Recommended enrolment pattern - part-time

Recommended enrolment pattern - full-time (available only from 2009)