Program Overview
Master of Legal Studies
The Master of Legal Studies is a postgraduate degree designed for non-law graduates who wish to gain an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks of their field. This course provides students with a comprehensive knowledge of the Australian legal system, including criminal, ethics, contract, tort, and constitutional law.
Overview
The Master of Legal Studies is not a professional legal qualification. Students seeking admission to practice as a lawyer should consider the Juris Doctor or the Bachelor of Laws. Some subjects in the Master of Legal Studies may be credited towards these degrees.
Career Options
The program particularly benefits professionals in various fields, including:
- Accountants and auditors
- Business development managers
- Compliance managers
- Engineers and architects
- Financial advisers and planners
- IT professionals
- Law enforcement officers
- Paralegals
- Policy officers in the public, private, and non-profit sectors
- Property developers
- Public sector managers and administrators
Course Intended Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Master of Legal Studies, students will possess:
- An advanced and integrated understanding of a complex body of legal knowledge, including:
- The Australian colonial and post-colonial legal system
- International and comparative contexts
- Theoretical and technical knowledge
- The broader contexts within which legal issues arise and the law operates
- The principles and values of justice and ethical practices in legal and regulatory frameworks
- An advanced and integrated capacity to value and promote honesty, integrity, cultural respect, accountability, public service, and ethical standards
- A capacity to think critically, strategically, and creatively
- Specialist cognitive and practical skills necessary to identify, research, evaluate, and synthesise relevant factual, legal, and policy issues
- Well-developed professional and appropriate communication skills
- Advanced and integrated collaboration skills in working together to achieve a common goal
- A well-developed capacity to work with Indigenous peoples in a professional context
- A high level of autonomy, accountability, and professionalism, and the ability to implement appropriate self-management and life-long learning strategies
Admission Requirements
Applicants must have completed a UTS recognised bachelor's degree, or an equivalent or higher qualification, or submitted other evidence of general and professional qualifications that demonstrates potential to pursue graduate studies. The equivalent qualification required is a bachelor's degree in a discipline other than law or a law qualification from an overseas jurisdiction.
Inherent (Essential) Requirements
Inherent (essential) requirements are academic and non-academic requirements that are essential to the successful completion of a course. Prospective and current students should carefully read the Inherent (Essential) Requirements Statement and consider whether they might experience challenges in successfully completing this course.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Students who successfully complete the Master of International Commercial and Business Law or the Master of International Commercial and Business Law Master of Business Administration may apply for 24cp of elective credit to be applied to the Juris Doctor, the Master of Legal Studies, or Master of Laws.
Course Duration and Attendance
The course can be completed in a minimum of two years of full-time or four years of part-time study. Subjects may also be available in Summer session, allowing accelerated progression.
Course Structure
The course requires completion of core subjects (48 credit points) and a further eight option subjects (48 credit points). Core subjects are timetabled in Autumn and Spring sessions, and option subjects are regularly timetabled but not all option subjects listed are offered in any one session.
Course Completion Requirements
- STM90834 Core subjects (PG Legal Studies): 48cp
- CBK90928 Options (Legal Studies): 48cp Total: 96cp
Course Program
A sample full-time program is shown below:
Autumn Commencing, Full Time
Year 1
- Autumn session:
- 70102 Foundations of Law: 8cp
- 70114 Criminal Law and Procedure: 8cp
- 70103 Ethics Law and Justice: 6cp
- Spring session:
- 70311 Torts: 8cp
- 70616 Australian Constitutional Law: 8cp
- 70211 Contracts: 8cp
Year 2
- Autumn session:
- 70327 Introduction to Property and Commercial Law: 6cp
- Select 18 credit points from the following: 18cp
- CBK90928 Options (Legal Studies): 48cp
- Spring session:
- 70317 Real Property: 8cp
- Select 18 credit points from the following: 18cp
- CBK90928 Options (Legal Studies): 48cp
Articulation with UTS Courses
Subjects undertaken within the Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies are recognised within the Master of Legal Studies. Students enrolled in the graduate diploma may apply to internally transfer to the master's program. Candidates are not awarded the graduate diploma, but subjects undertaken are applied towards the master's.
Subjects undertaken within the Juris Doctor are recognised within the Master of Legal Studies. Students enrolled in the Juris Doctor may apply to internally transfer to the master's program. Candidates are not awarded the Juris Doctor, but subjects undertaken are applied towards the master's.
Students who successfully complete three core subjects in the Master of Legal Studies may apply to internally transfer to the Juris Doctor. Candidates are not awarded the master's, but completed subjects are applied towards the Juris Doctor.