Program Overview

Introduction to the Juris Doctor Graduate Certificate in Professional Legal Practice

The Juris Doctor Graduate Certificate in Professional Legal Practice, also known as JD Accelerate, is a postgraduate degree offered by the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). This groundbreaking program integrates Practical Legal Training (PLT), enabling students to graduate ready to practice law in New South Wales (NSW) in just three years.

Program Overview

The JD Accelerate program is designed for students who aspire to practice law in NSW and want an accelerated path to their career. It stands out as Sydney's sole integrated law and PLT degree, satisfying both the academic and hands-on training requirements for admission as a lawyer in NSW. Through a combination of rigorous legal theory and immersive practical experience, students learn the essentials of law while gaining practical skills needed to excel in the legal profession.

Program Structure

The program consists of:

• 15 core JD law subjects
• 5 JD Options law subjects
• 1 Legal Theory subject
• 4 core Practice subjects

Students can complete the program in three years full-time or five years part-time, with two intakes per year (in Autumn and Spring sessions).

Admission Requirements

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

• Completed Australian doctorate or overseas equivalent
• Completed Australian bachelor's degree, Australian bachelor honors degree, or Australian master's degree, or overseas equivalent, with a minimum GPA of 4.5/7
• Completed Australian graduate certificate or Australian graduate diploma, or overseas equivalent, with a minimum GPA of 5/7
• Completed Australian bachelor's degree, Australian bachelor honors degree, or Australian master's degree, or overseas equivalent, with a minimum GPA of 4.1/7 and demonstrated capacity to study the course through relevant professional work experience

Tuition Fees

The indicative total tuition fee for government-supported domestic students is $62,881.00, while the indicative total tuition fee for domestic students is $162,764.00. Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may change.

Career Options

As a UTS Juris Doctor Graduate Certificate in Professional Legal Practice graduate, students can pursue various career paths, including:

• Criminal Lawyer
• Family Lawyer
• Human Rights Lawyer
• Business or Corporate Lawyer
• Copyright or Patent Lawyer
• Employment or Labour Lawyer
• Environmental Lawyer
• Civil Rights Lawyer
• Government Lawyer

Professional Recognition

The course is accredited by the Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB) of the Supreme Court of NSW, satisfying both the academic and practical legal training requirements for admission as a lawyer to the Supreme Court of NSW.

Inherent Requirements

Inherent requirements are academic and non-academic requirements that are essential for successfully completing the course. Students can find the inherent requirements for the JD Accelerate program via the inherent requirements directory.

Recognition of Prior Learning

General and course-specific recognition of prior learning information regarding the JD Accelerate program is available in postgraduate course information.

Why Study Law at UTS?

With a Law degree at UTS, students gain work-ready skills and learn how to ethically use law and new technologies to create positive social change. Employers value UTS graduates for their problem-solving, collaborative skills, and lateral thinking. The university offers practical learning opportunities, including in-house legal counsel, legal centers, and firms, and summer clerkship programs.