Law on offer at USQ from 2008
The introduction of Law at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) from 2008 has been heralded as a significant program development for the University.
Law programs will be offered on-campus at the USQ Toowoomba and Springfield campuses as well as externally from Semester 1 2008. The new programs will include elective specialisations in commercial law, general practice, natural resource law and international law.
Faculty of Business Dean, Professor Allan Layton, said that the programs will provide opportunities for prospective students which were previously not available at the University.
'This is a great initiative for USQ generally as well as the Faculty of Business and we expect that there will be strong interest from students, not only locally, but in remote areas and nationally as well,' he said.
'It will provide a very valuable alternative option for those wishing to study Law. For local high school leavers on both the Darling Downs region and in the Springfield area, it means that instead of leaving to go elsewhere, they will now be able to stay closer to home.
'For others in remote areas and/or in employment throughout the region and nationally, it will mean an opportunity to study Law with a University widely-known for its very fine reputation for distance and on-line education.'
The new programs will build on the current courses offered within the Faculty of Business.
'Within the Faculty of Business, our Law Department has been teaching law courses for over 35 years in Business, IT and Commerce programs, so we have considerable experience in delivering law courses,' Professor Layton said.
The new programs have also received backing from Toowoomba law firms, who see Law at USQ as an avenue to provide more study options, choice and opportunity for those wishing to study Law at the University.
'Local law firms have been extremely supportive and they have talked about the potential for putting students into traineeships at their firms while they study,' Professor Layton said.
Although the programs will be offered from 2008, Professor Layton urged those wishing to study a double degree with Law to consider USQ this year.
'I would encourage students who are wishing to combine a degree such Bachelor of Business, Commerce or Arts with a Bachelor of Laws to enrol at USQ now in 2007,' he said.
'They can start the non-law components this year and then commence the Law program when it is offered in 2008.'
While the law programs have been approved by the University's Vice-Chancellor, they are yet to be accredited by the Legal Practitioners' Admission Board and Chief Justice, but are expected to be certified around March this year.
Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media, + 61 7 4631 1628