Program Overview

Introduction to the Juris Doctor Program

The Juris Doctor (JD) program at Griffith University is a graduate-entry degree designed for students from diverse academic backgrounds. This program provides the knowledge, skills, and practical experiences necessary to succeed in a rewarding legal career.

Program Overview

The JD program is an AQF Level 9 Masters Extended degree, requiring the completion of 240 credit points. The program can be completed in two to three years full-time or six years part-time. Students can choose to study on-campus at the Nathan or Gold Coast campuses or online.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the JD program, applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

• A recognized Bachelor degree (except a Bachelor of Laws) or higher
• A law degree from a different legal system (this must be a Bachelor of Laws from a non-Australian tertiary institution) Higher degrees must be equivalent to 1.5 years of study, and applicants must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 4.0 (on a 7.0 point scale) in their previous qualification.

Language Requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants are:

• A minimum overall band score of 7.0 on IELTS (Academic) with no sub-score of less than 6.5
• OR a minimum score of 580 on TOEFL
• OR an internet-based (iBT) TOEFL score of 92 (no score less than 22)
• OR no score less than 4 in each skill of the ISLPR (conducted by ISLPR Language Services only)
• OR a minimum overall score of 185 (no score less than 176) on C2 Proficiency (formerly Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English)
• OR an overall score of 65 in the Pearson Test of English (Academic) with no score less than 58

Tuition Fees

The indicative annual tuition fee for the JD program is $48,500. This fee is based on a standard full-time study load and is subject to change.

Program Structure

The JD program consists of 240 credit points, comprising:

• 180 credit points of core courses
• 60 credit points of core course options or major courses

Core Courses

Students must complete all of the following core courses:

• Foundations of Law
• Contracts 1
• Crime 1
• Torts 1
• Global Law
• Contracts 2
• Crime 2
• Torts 2
• Constitutional Law
• Administrative Law
• Evidence
• Property 1
• Equity and Trusts
• Civil Procedure
• Property 2
• Corporations and Associations
• Theories of Law
• Ethics and Professional Responsibility in Practice

Core Course Options

Students must complete exactly 60 credit points from the following core course options:

• Trimester in Practice Clinic
• Innocence Project Clinic
• Innocence Project 2
• Extended Internship Clinic
• International Experience Clinic
• Internship Clinic
• Culturally Principled Practice Clinic
• Social Justice Lawyering 1
• Social Justice Lawyering 2
• Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot (Written Competition)
• Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot (Oral Competition)
• Jessup International Moot
• First Peoples Moot - Written
• First Peoples Moot - Oral
• Canadian Constitutional Law
• Canadian Administrative Law
• Canadian Legal Professional Responsibility
• Canadian Criminal Law
• Foundations of Canadian Law
• Urban Planning Law
• Competition and Consumer Law
• Family Law
• Workplace Law
• Health Care Law
• Public International Law
• The Law and Practice of Native Title
• Animal Law
• Immigration and Refugee Law
• Domestic and Family Violence
• Succession
• Environmental Law
• Insurance Law
• Gender and the Law
• Environmental Justice
• Criminal Advocacy
• Law and Synthetic Biology
• Financial Services Regulation
• Advanced Legal Writing
• Mental Health Law
• Law and Digital Media
• Law and Rights of Older People
• Advanced Urban Planning Law
• International Negotiations
• Investor State Arbitration
• Global Dimensions of Intellectual Property Law
• Transitional Justice
• International Environmental Law
• International Human Rights
• International Criminal Law
• International Trade Law
• International Family Law and Litigation
• International Commercial Litigation
• International Commercial Arbitration
• Law of Armed Conflict
• Cyber International Law
• Principles of Public International Law
• International Organisations, Peace and Conflict
• Counter-Terrorism Law
• Taxation Law
• Media Law
• Insolvency Law
• Fraud and Cybercrime
• Taxation Planning for Advisors
• Legal Research Methods
• Thesis Work in Progress
• Thesis Completion

Majors

The JD program offers the following majors:

• Canadian Law
• International Law
• Migration Law

Canadian Law Major

The Canadian Law major prepares students for legal practice in Canada's common law provinces. Students must complete 40 credit points of major courses, including:

• Foundations of Canadian Law
• Canadian Constitutional Law
• Canadian Administrative Law
• Canadian Legal Professional Responsibility
• Canadian Criminal Law

International Law Major

The International Law major provides advanced knowledge of legal frameworks, institutions, and disputes that shape the global order. Students must complete 40 credit points of major courses, including:

• The Law of International Organisations
• International Negotiations
• Investor State Arbitration
• Global Dimensions of Intellectual Property Law
• Transitional Justice
• International Environmental Law
• International Human Rights
• International Criminal Law
• International Trade Law
• International Family Law and Litigation
• International Commercial Litigation
• International Commercial Arbitration
• Law of Armed Conflict
• Cyber International Law
• Principles of Public International Law

Migration Law Major

The Migration Law major prepares students for a career in one of Australia's most complex and fast-evolving legal fields. Students must complete 40 credit points of major courses, including:

• Foundations of Australian Migration Law and Practice
• Australia's Visa System
• Visa Compliance, Cancellation and Review
• Advocacy Skills in Migration Casework

Professional Recognition

To be eligible for admission as a solicitor, a person must complete an approved Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor degree and undertake approved practical legal training via a practical legal training course or supervised traineeship at a law firm.

Career Opportunities

JD graduates are eligible to seek admission as solicitors or barristers in Australia and many find rewarding roles in private practice, government, NGOs, and international organisations. Beyond legal practice, graduates' skills in analysis, problem-solving, and advocacy open doors in areas such as policy, finance, industrial relations, academia, management, marketing, and consulting.

Similar Degrees

Griffith University offers several similar degrees, including:

• Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
• Diploma of Legal Studies
• Bachelor of Laws (Honours) / Arts