Whether you are defending a client in court, challenging a ruling in a sports tribunal, building a case to protect the environment, or wanting to kick-start a corporate career, a law degree is an incredibly useful qualification to have.
The graduate entry Bachelor of Laws at Southern Cross University is a three-year degree which meets the requirements for admission as a lawyer throughout Australia. Some graduate-entry students may choose to specialize in fields of law relevant to their previous degree.
Because laws have impacts on so many aspects of our lives, a legal degree is designed to equip you with the fundamentals of good legal practice. In addition, at Southern Cross, our commitment to ethics, social justice, and experience-based learning means that our law students are exposed to a broad range of learning opportunities that aren’t found at many other universities.
This course will equip you with the skills to start a legal career and practice as a lawyer, and will also prepare you for a wide range of careers in corporate management, philanthropic organizations or the private sector.
A small number of units include compulsory on-campus workshops for all students.
Career Opportunities
As barristers or solicitors; or in law-related areas in private, corporate or government organizations. During their careers, they can further develop a specialization in many fields of law such as family law, wills and estate planning, criminal law, corporate law, property, and conveyancing law, town planning and environmental law, employment and industrial relations, commercial law, compensation law, entertainment law and sporting law.
Professional Recognition
The Bachelor of Laws graduate entry fulfills the academic requirements for admission to the legal profession. Professional admission authorities also require law graduates of all universities to complete practical legal training or similar to practice as a lawyer.
Students who intend to practice law outside Australia should check with the relevant country's admissions body to confirm their admission requirements.
Professional Placement
Law students can undertake voluntary legal experience and professional placement with legal firms or offices to build their practical legal skills and develop their professional networks.
Major Areas of Study
Students study core units, plus select elective units to suit their career aspirations. Core units include areas such as Civil Litigation and Procedure; The Philosophy of Law; Environmental Law; Professional Conduct; Evidence; and Australian Criminal Law. Elective units may include areas as diverse as Cyberlaw; Entertainment Law; Victimology; Human Rights; Public Interest Advocacy; Race and the Law; Animal Law; and Ecological Jurisprudence. There is a full list of units on the course structure tab.
Honors are embedded in the Bachelor of Laws degree and requires the completion of two specified Law units in addition to a high academic achievement overall.
Assessment methods
The assessment methods used in this course vary from unit to unit. They may include research proposals, research essays, reports, oral and written presentations, case studies, online and class participation, and examinations. The weighting of assessment marks between assignments and examinations also varies.
Teaching methods
On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including face-to-face lectures and tutorials. Some units offer online activities, classes, pre-recorded and/or live lectures. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.
The online study option is highly interactive and strives to promote collaboration and a sense of community. Students may receive online pre-recorded and/or live lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes. The method of teaching may vary from unit to unit.
Attendance at an on-campus workshop for the unit Professional Conduct is a requirement of the Bachelor of Laws for both on-campus and online students. During the workshop, students meet key representatives of the legal profession who address issues of contemporary legal practice and professional conduct. For more information, go to law workshops.