Juris Doctor

Overview

• UniSQ's Juris Doctor is a graduate entry program for non-law graduates. 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.
• You can fast-track this degree and complete your studies in 2 years of full-time over 6 consecutive semesters.
• We know that you come to us with a wealth of previous experience, and the Juris Doctor is therefore pitched at a higher level to challenge you and to build your capabilities in a legal workplace.
• UniSQ lecturers are very accessible and we pride ourselves on our ability to know our students individually, whether you study on campus or online.
• 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.

Thinking of studying in 2023? UniSQ will be delivering flexible new ways of teaching, with different calendar offerings, making the balance of study and life easier. Read more in our new academic calendar FAQs.

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).

It has also been approved by the Australian Law Schools Standards Committee under the Standards for Australian Law Schools adopted by the Council of Australian Law Deans. This degree will partially satisfy the requirements to practise as lawyer in Queensland, or elsewhere in Australia. Intending lawyers (whether barristers or solicitors) must also complete an approved practical legal training course in order to become admitted to practise law. Advice on practical legal training programs can be obtained through Ask UniSQ.

Career outcomes

• Aside from a 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.
• The amount of research required in this degree means that, as a graduate, you are also qualified for entry into the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Degree structure

To complete this degree students must complete 24 units. Most courses (similar to 'subjects') are valued at 1 unit. To study full-time you would usually complete 4 units per semester.

Courses to be studied Units Core courses 17 7 x law electives 7 Total 24

Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for courses to be studied and recommended enrolment patterns.

How to apply

Complete your online application directly to UniSQ.

Apply direct to UniSQ

The closing dates for applying directly to UniSQ are:

• Interim Trimester 1, 2023 - applications close 20 February and the Interim Trimester 1 study period commences on 20 February, 2023.
• Interim Trimester 2, 2023 - applications close 5 June and the Interim Trimester 2 study period commences on 5 June, 2023.
• Interim Trimester 3, 2023 - applications close 18 September and the Interim Trimester 3 study period commences on 18 September, 2023.

More information on applying key dates is available.

Further information

Discover further information on applying to study at UniSQ that is relevant to you. Remember, from 2023 UniSQ will be delivering a new flexible way of teaching this degree. Read more in our new academic calendar FAQs.