MC161 - Juris Doctor

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Plan: MC161P14 - Juris Doctor
Campus: City Campus

Overview

Program details
Purpose of the Program
Articulation and pathways
Entrance requirements
External accreditation and industry links
Student expenses and charges in addition to fees
Library, IT and specialist resources

Program details

Award title: Juris Doctor
Award abbreviation: JD
Total credit points: 288
Career: PGRD
Duration: Domestic students: 3 years full time; 6 years part time; International student: 3 years full-time
Location: Melbourne City campus
Owning school: Graduate School of Business and Law (660H)
Owning school URL: www.rmit.edu.au/about/schools-colleges/graduate-school-of-business-and-law
ASCED code: 090901
CRICOS code: 103207F

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Purpose of the Program

The Juris Doctor program is accredited by the Council of Legal Education (CLE) in Victoria as meeting the educational requirements for admission to practice as an Australian lawyer. You will be able to be admitted to practice after completing a recognised Practical Legal Training course (6 months); or supervised workplace training with a law firm (12 months). You will possess a detailed and comprehensive knowledge of the Australian legal framework and fundamental legal principles, an understanding of comparative and international legal systems, an understanding of the ethical framework in which the Australian legal system operates, and a fundamental knowledge of the extra-legal factors impinging upon the substantive law.

Learning activities and experiences in this program include case-based learning with students encouraged to engage in critical discussion in seminars and online forums, supplemented by active, authentic experiential learning opportunities in various simulations that develop legal skills. These simulations include writing briefs and other legal documents, mooting, interviewing, negotiation and mediation skills. These are integrated into most substantive law courses to ensure that students you develop the skills in close connection with the legal knowledge. Clinical legal education and industry placement opportunities are also provided.

A capstone experience will be provided in the course LAW1037 Legal Practice Management and Professional Conduct (12 credit points) which will give you the opportunity to critically reflect on the curriculum of this program. The course promotes the integration and synthesis of a range of knowledge and skills gained in the program and the application of these in discipline related real-world scenarios.

The core research course of this program is LAW2551 Innovative Justice. This course is designed to develop your knowledge of research principles and methods and how to apply them within the contemporary business environment. You will have the opportunity to conduct a research project/proposal and further develop your skills in research methodology.

This program is delivered on-campus.

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Articulation and pathways

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT University Credit Policy and Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) requirements. 

Applicants who have completed or partially completed a similar program at another institution (with entry criteria similar to this program) may be granted some credits or exemptions towards this program.

Australian law degrees are required to include 11 core areas of knowledge – the ‘Priestley 11’. These areas are: Criminal Law and Procedure, Tort, Contract, Property, Equity, Company Law, Administrative Law, Federal and State Constitutional Law, Civil Procedure, Evidence, Professional Conduct. Exemptions towards the Priestley 11 courses are not possible unless the equivalent Priestley 11 courses have been completed in an postgraduate law program from an accredited law school. Students are advised to seek clarification from the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) to ensure the credit will not impact admission to legal practice. 

Credit for all other law courses can only be granted if a course has been completed at an accredited law school. 

If you require more information on credit and exemptions please contact RMIT Connect

RMIT Master of Social Work and Juris Doctor Credit Arrangement

Students who commenced the RMIT Master of Social Work and Juris Doctor prior to 2021 may be eligible for up to 36 credit points of unspecified electives. For more information on this credit arrangement, please contact the College of Business and Law via RMIT Connect.

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Entrance requirements

Academic Entrance requirements
An Australian bachelor degree or equivalent in any discipline (except a Bachelor of Laws (LLB - Common Law)) with a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 (out of 4.0).

Note:
Applicants with an Australian bachelor degree in any discipline (except a Bachelor of Laws (LLB – Common Law)) with a minimum GPA of 2.0 (out of 4.0) may be considered for a full fee place when a personal statement is provided demonstrating significant interest or intended career progression in law.

Applicants seeking to enrol in a subject or subjects  required to obtain admission into legal practice will only be considered for full-fee places. A letter from the Board of Examiners, Victorian Council of Education (or equivalent interstate body) that lists the subjects(s) required to be completed must be submitted. 

Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) may be available for this  program. Admission for CSP is competitive and eligible applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement. The minimum GPA for CSP in an intake may be higher than 2.5 out of 4.0 as it is dependent on the number of applications received and available places in an intake.
Students currently enrolled in a full-fee place in the RMIT Juris Doctor may apply for a CSP in the Juris Doctor on completion of at least one year of full-time equivalent study (96 credit points) and have demonstrated a GPA of 3.0 (out of 4.0).

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External accreditation and industry links

This program is accredited by the statutory and professional bodies listed in the table below.

To be eligible to be admitted to practice law in Australia, graduates must complete the Practical Legal Training (PLT) requirements, either a one year of Supervised Workplace Training with a law firm or an approved PLT course.  The PLT course can be undertaken on a fee paying basis through Leo Cussen Centre for Law or The College of Law. 

Statutory/Professional Body Accreditation Description

Victorian Legal Admissons Board [VLAB]

www.lawadmissions.vic.gov.au

Program satisfies the academic requirements for graduates admission to the Australian Legal Profession.

Council of Australian Law Deans [CALD]

www.cald.asn.au

The School is compliant with the standards for Australian Law Schools adopted by the Council of Australian Law Deans and assessed by the Australian Law Schools Standards Committee [ALSSC]

 

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Student expenses and charges in addition to fees

Once you are enrolled as a student in this program you will need to allow for expenses other than university tuition fees.  Additional expenses may relate to the purchase of lecture notes, textbooks, stationery, consumables such as printer paper, fees levied by commercial internet service providers for internet access outside of the university campus, and other relevant costs.

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Library, IT and specialist resources

Library resources and services

As a student enrolled in a program at RMIT University you can access the extensive services, facilities and study space provided by the Library. The Library is continually expanding our electronic collections to make it easier for you to get the information you need when you need it.

All RMIT University students have unlimited access to quality electronic and print resources such as books, journals, newspapers, streaming media and past exam papers.  Through our document delivery service you can also request items from any library in the world.

Computers for study are available at every Library site and wireless access is available if you are working from a laptop or mobile device.

Library staff can show you how to find information for your assignments, or you can work through Library subject guides and web-based tutorials or use our online Ask the Library service. Drop into the Study Support Hubs for assistance or contact us via Ask the Library online chat. You can find more information on Library resources and services here.  

Moot Courts

Occasional access to courtrooms in the Old Magistrates Court would be needed for moot courts.

Online learning tools and content

Log in to myRMIT https://my.rmit.edu.au/portal/ and select the myStudies tab to access study resources for your program.

Services available to you as a student at RMIT University

RMIT University provides a wide range of resources and opportunities to assist your learning and wellbeing so you can achieve your study and career goals.

Services are available face to face and online assisting with:

  • transition to tertiary study and learning
  • study skills, academic skills including literacy, mathematics and basic sciences if relevant
  • enabling assistance if you have a disability, long term medical condition or other form of disadvantage which may impact on your learning
  • career development and employment
  • living and wellbeing (including advice on health, housing and financial matters)
  • opportunities for scholarships, leadership and study abroad
  • opportunities for participating in arts, sport, recreation, fitness activities as well as student activism and university governance

We also offer a friendly and supportive environment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

You can find more information at www.rmit.edu.au/students

 

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