Gain practical skills through work-integrated learning
#1 Victorian university for law course satisfaction
Flexible online study
Why choose juris doctor at Deakin
Launch your law career with Deakin’s online Juris Doctor, a progressive, engaging and flexible course at one of Victoria’s top 3 law schools. Designed for non-law graduates the Juris Doctor provides a comprehensive legal education with a focus on policy that will enhance your versatility and career opportunities.
Through core units you will meet academic requirements for legal practice and develop your critical thinking and communication skills. Choose specialist electives ranging from business taxation through to animal, technology or health law. Sharpen your practical skills through mooting, legal research, policy analysis and real-world experience at the Deakin Law Clinic, while exploring how law and law reform shape society.
By graduation, you will bring a solid combination of legal knowledge, practical experience and professional networks to pursue admission as a legal practitioner or build a career in areas such as legal practice, policy, regulation or advocacy.
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Real legal experience
Build practical skills through our work-integrated learning program including opportunities at the Deakin Law Clinic where you work on real cases in professional legal settings.
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Top-ranked law school
Study at a law school ranked among the top in Victoria, recognised for strong teaching and student experience.
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Global learning opportunities
Expand your perspective through programs like Law Without Walls and international study experiences.
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Flexible online learning
Offered 100% online, you can study wherever you are, while fitting learning around your work and life commitments and receiving strong support.
Connected to industry
Deakin’s strong industry connections help shape your learning. Build practical experience in real workplace contexts through work-integrated learning, mentoring and networking opportunities. Industry advisory boards also help shape our degrees, which means what you study is current, relevant and aligned to what your future employers need.
Deakin puts employability first
Career outcomes
Develop advanced legal knowledge, practical skills and critical thinking for careers across legal practice, government, business and policy. You will graduate ready to contribute confidently in legal and regulatory environments.
Employment lawyer
Advise employers and employees on workplace laws, contracts, disputes and compliance. Represent clients in negotiations and court to resolve employment and industrial relations matters effectively.
- $145k
Typical Australian annual salary
- 20%
Projected job growth in 5 years
Policy adviser
Research, develop and evaluate policies that help governments and organisations respond to legal, regulatory and community issues through evidence-based advice.
- $120k
Typical Australian annual salary
- 8.7%
Projected job growth in 5 years
- 4.6/5
Job satisfaction
Other jobs
- Solicitor
- Barrister
- Corporate legal adviser
- Government lawyer
- Community lawyer
- Risk and governance manager
“I was able to work full time whilst changing careers through studying the Juris Doctor. I gained a competitive role at a mid-tier law firm and finished my degree with a strong network of lawyers, barristers and friends.”
StellaJuris Doctor
Stories that start here
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 3 2026 applications close 18 October 2026
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
Download a course guide
Study at Deakin and be rewarded with new skills that will give you an edge in the job market
FAQs
A Deakin postgraduate degree can help you advance your career, deepen your expertise in a specialist field, pivot into a new industry and stand out in a competitive job market. Every course is built with industry input and taught by academics who are active practitioners, so the skills you gain are immediately applicable. Postgraduate study at Deakin is also your chance to connect with leaders in your field and build a network of industry contacts who become valuable professional connections, giving you an advantage that goes well beyond the qualification itself.
Most Deakin postgraduate courses are fee-paying, but there are practical ways to manage the cost of study. You can defer fees with a FEE-HELP loan, repaid through the ATO once you earn above the income threshold. A number of courses have Commonwealth Supported Places where the government covers part of your tuition. Deakin scholarships recognise academic achievement, professional experience and financial need. If you've studied at Deakin before, you may be eligible for a 10% alumni discount. Recognition of prior learning can also reduce costs by crediting past study so you finish sooner.
Yes to all three. Most Deakin postgraduate degrees can be studied online, on campus or a blend of both, and you may be able to switch between full and part time at the start of each trimester to suit your life. If you want to move faster, select courses offer a one-year masters degree designed for working professionals. With three start dates each year for most courses – March, July and November – you don't have to wait long to begin.
The main differences are depth, duration and career outcomes. A graduate certificate is a short, focused qualification, typically six months full time, ideal for upskilling quickly in a specific area. A graduate diploma offers broader knowledge or supports a career change, usually one-year full time. A masters degree delivers advanced expertise and professional recognition, typically one to two years full time. You can also stack qualifications – complete a graduate certificate and use the credit towards a masters.
Each Deakin postgraduate course has a unique structure, check the course stucture section of the course page to see compulsory units, electives and any specialisation streams available. All courses are shaped by industry, so content reflects real challenges in your field. Many courses let you tailor your studies through elective units or specialisations, and some include a capstone project where you apply your learning to a genuine workplace problem.
Entry requirements vary by course, so check this tab on the course page for specific criteria. Most Deakin postgraduate courses require a relevant bachelor degree, though some may accept significant demonstrable work experience as an alternative. You may also be able to build eligibility through a graduate certificate or graduate diploma, which in many cases could count towards a masters degree.
Deakin postgraduate courses are built with industry input, so you're learning skills employers are actively looking for. Depending on your course, you may access work-integrated learning through placements, internships or industry projects with partners including Microsoft, KPMG, National Australia Bank and the Geelong Cats Football Club. DeakinTALENT, Deakin's career service, supports you throughout your studies and for life, helping you grow your network and connect with opportunities in your field.
Yes. Recognition of prior learning (RPL) may turn your previous study or work experience into course credit, reducing both your study time and tuition costs. For some masters degrees, you may be able to receive credit for up to two-thirds of the course, if eligible. Use the RPL calculator to get an indication of what you might receive, and note that prior learning must generally be within the last 10 years, although some courses have a shorter time limit. You can apply for RPL as part of your course application.
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. Learn more about our achievements on our University rankings page, or explore our sources page for supporting references.
What will I study in the Juris Doctor?
Over three years, you’ll move from foundational legal principles to advanced legal analysis and practice, developing the critical thinking, ethical judgement and communication skills expected of legal professionals. You’ll graduate ready to pursue admission to legal practice and contribute confidently across diverse legal and policy contexts.
Foundations of legal knowledge
Learn core legal skills
From legal research to analysis and critical thinking, develop skills that you will call on throughout your studies and career.
Develop legal reasoning and interpretation
Build skills in analysing cases, interpreting legislation and constructing arguments.
Establish professional communication skills
Learn to communicate complex legal ideas clearly and persuasively.
Expanding legal capability
Engage with diverse legal fields
Study areas that reflect the breadth of modern legal practice and policy environments.
Apply law in practical contexts
Work through legal problems to strengthen decision-making and advisory skills.
Begin shaping your interests
Select electives aligned with your developing career goals.
Advanced practice and professional readiness
Refine advanced legal expertise
Tackle complex legal issues and deepen your knowledge in specialised areas.
Develop practice-ready capabilities
Build skills in advocacy, ethics and professional responsibility.
Tailor your pathway with electives
Choose advanced study options aligned with your intended legal career.
Course structure
To complete the Juris Doctor, you must pass 8, 12, 16 or 24 credit points. The number of credit points required may vary, depending on your entry point or how much credit you receive as recognition of prior learning (RPL) based on your professional experience and previous qualifications.
Most units are equal to one credit point. As a full-time student you will study four credit points per trimester and usually undertake two trimesters per year.
Are you a current student? For course information that applies to the year you started your degree, visit the handbook.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements
Units
Optional (but highly recommended) JD Induction program (refer to additional course information below for dates and times), which is live-streamed and recorded, plus online pre-recorded presentations
plus:
Note: MLP code denotes Priestley units, which teach the academic areas of knowledge prescribed for admission to legal practice .
To be completed in the first trimester of study:-
Not all elective units will be offered every year. Units not offered in 2027 may be offered in 2028 or 2029. From time to time, the Law School may develop new units to strengthen the law elective list.
7 credit points of elective units can be chosen from:
Elective units offered in 2027
#previously coded MLP705
Elective units not offered in 2027
*MLI code denotes optional residential version of the unit.
^MLT code denotes study tour version of the unit.
Professional recognition
Deakin's Juris Doctor is designed to satisfy the academic qualifications necessary for admission to the legal profession in Victoria; these have been established by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB). In addition to satisfying the academic requirements, a person seeking admission to the legal profession in Victoria is required to have satisfactorily completed certain practical legal training requirements and must be considered a fit and proper person to be admitted to the legal profession.
A person seeking admission in a jurisdiction outside Australia may be required to satisfy different academic or other requirements. Please check the relevant jurisdiction’s legal admissions authority to confirm the required academic qualifications criteria, including any restrictions on online study or distance education.
What to expect while studying
You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.
JD students are invited to attend our Juris Doctor Induction Program which will occur in person (and livestreamed online) during Orientation Week and will support you in your studies. Orientation Week occurs the week prior to Week 1 teaching of each trimester.
Students receive an email with a link to the Orientation program and information about how to register.
2027 Induction Program dates:
- T1: Friday 26 February (Deakin Downtown starting at 2.30pm)
- T2: Friday 2 July (Deakin Downtown starting at 1.30pm)
- T3: TBC
Units which contain work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, working with children check or other check. These requirements will be detailed in unit guides upon enrolment.
You can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include lectures, seminars, online interactions, or professional experiences for Work Integrated Learning (WIL) units. You can refer to the individual unit details in the course structure for more information. You will also need to study and complete assessment tasks in your own time.
Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
This course does not require students to complete compulsory work integrated learning units.
At Deakin, we're committed to ensuring an inclusive environment that supports all students to belong, thrive and succeed. We work closely with students, where needed, to identify potential barriers to participation and where possible, provide tailored support so students can engage with learning and assessment activities.
If you are neurodivergent, have a disability, health condition or mental health condition that may impact your study or participation in university life, and want to know how Deakin could support you, contact our Domestic students (opens in a new window) or International students (opens in a new window) or Disability Resource Centre (opens email client) teams for a collaborative and confidential discussion. This discussion is to support you to make plans for your studies and future career and will not have any bearing on your application to the course.
When can I start?
When you study depends on your course, location and available intakes. Check the table to see when you can start and how study is offered throughout the year.
Please note: Full-time study in Trimester 1 and Trimester 2 only. Part-time study only in Trimester 3.
Students should be aware of the commitment required for this course. Each core subject includes 22 hours of pre-recorded lectures, 22 hours of seminars and up to 100 hours of reading and assessment time. The live seminars are not mandatory however students who do attend gain a greater learning experience.
Your course learning outcomes describe the knowledge, skills and capabilities you’ll develop and be able to demonstrate by the time you graduate. Built into your course through your units and assessments, they provide a clear picture of what you’ll be equipped to know, understand and do – preparing you to apply your learning with confidence beyond university.
| Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|
| Develop an advanced and integrated understanding of the Australian legal system, the fundamental areas of knowledge required for legal practice, and the broader contexts within which legal issues arise, including international and comparative contexts and contemporary developments in the law; and apply that understanding, including to demonstrate appropriate competence in the fundamental areas of knowledge. |
| Develop and apply an ability to communicate effectively and persuasively to both legal and non-legal audiences, orally and in writing |
| Use technologies to identify, locate, and evaluate information for researching legal questions, solving legal problems and communicating legal solutions |
| Apply sophisticated critical thinking capacities and exercise intellectual independence to identify and articulate complex legal issues. |
| Apply legal reasoning and research to understand and analyse legal problems, to identify possible responses, and to make reasoned and appropriate choices to generate and justify jurisprudential and practical solutions. |
| Develop the capacity to learn and research with autonomy, accountability and professionalism, and to reflect on and assess personal capabilities and performance. |
| Collaborate effectively in team environments, demonstrating constructive engagement and contribution to the team and the ability to draw on strengths of others. |
| Recognise and reflect on the ethical and professional responsibilities of legal professionals, and the requirements of ethical decision-making in legal practice; and apply these to a range of social, ethical, global and environmental contexts. |
- Award granted
- Juris Doctor
- Year
2027 course information
- Deakin code
- M729
- Level
- Higher Degree Coursework (Masters and Doctorates)
- Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 9
Fees
Estimated tuition fee
$41,000
for 1 yr full-time - Full-fee paying place
Estimated tuition fee
$18,026
- Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
Commonwealth Support Place
Please be aware, there are limited Commonwealth Support Places available in this course.
In addition to academic merit, priority consideration may be given to applicants experiencing financial hardship or those from a disadvantaged socioeconomic background.
Eligibility
To be considered for a Commonwealth Supported Place, you must:
- Apply for a full-fee paying place in the Juris Doctor and receive an unconditional offer from Deakin
- Meet the citizenship and residency requirements for a Commonwealth Supported Place
- Be able to demonstrate that you are from a disadvantaged socioeconomic background; and/or are currently experiencing financial hardship
How to apply for Commonwealth Supported Place
Please ensure you complete the application form for the intake for which you have received an unconditional offer. You must also provide all required information and supporting documentation by the relevant application deadline outlined below.
Trimester 3, 2026
If you have received an unconditional offer for Trimester 3, 2026, please complete the M729 - Juris Doctor - Request for Commonwealth Supported Place consideration 2026 | Students
Commonwealth Supported Place applications for Trimester 3, 2026 must be submitted by 18th October 2026
Trimester 1, 2027
If you have received an unconditional offer for Trimester 1, 2027, please complete the M729 - Juris Doctor - Request for Commonwealth Supported Place consideration 2027 | Students
Commonwealth Supported Place applications for Trimester 1, 2027 must be submitted by 18th December 2026
The estimated tuition fee above is based on a typical first-year full-time enrolment of 8 credit points and is provided as a guide only. Your tuition fees are determined by your course , unit enrolment and the type of fee place you are offered. In a Commonwealth Supported Place, your student contribution is determined by the units you choose. For full fee-paying places, tuition fees are determined by your course and the units you choose. Your student contribution or tuition fees will vary depending on your study load, the course duration, and any approved recognition of prior learning. You may be eligible for a Government HELP loan to defer all or part of your student contribution.
Please be aware, there are limited Commonwealth Supported Places available in this course.
Check your eligibility or learn more about a Government HELP loan.
Save 10% as a Deakin alumni
We love welcoming Deakin alumni back to continue their journey with us. If you're starting a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible for a 10% discount on your enrolment fees, applied per unit. It's our way of supporting your next step.
Scholarships
A Deakin scholarship can open the door to new opportunities. Whether you have something unique to offer or simply need a bit of extra support to reach your goals, we’re here to help. Scholarships can assist with course fees, living costs and study materials – so you can focus on achieving your best.
Deakin Scholarship for Excellence - Juris Doctor
Providing support for Juris Doctor students with a strong academic background or a record of excellence in extracurricular activities, including elite sport, the arts community service or leadership.
Applications for 2027 are open
Ready to take the next step? Apply now to start your journey at Deakin and get ready for what’s next.
Key dates
Direct applications
Trimester 3 2026 applications close 18 October 2026
Trimester 1 2027 applications close 7 February 2027
Apply now
Apply direct
Simply create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal and educational details, upload your supporting documents and submit your application.
Readmission into law courses
All students seeking readmission into law courses must be readmitted into the latest version of a course. To satisfy admission requirements to the legal profession, you may need to pick up additional units or repeat units where prior studies at Deakin were undertaken more than 5 years ago; or where units were undertaken in a previous course version.
Recognition of prior learning
We value your previous study and experience. Recognition of prior learning enables you to get credit for what you've already achieved. When you apply, we'll consider your previous study and experience for recognition of prior learning.
Recognition of prior learning into the Master of Laws (Juris Doctor) may be granted to students who have successfully completed appropriate Masters-level law studies in Juris Doctor programs offered at other universities.
Note:
(a) For accreditation purposes, the University normally only considers RPL for core Deakin Bachelor of Laws units, or core Juris Doctor units, on the basis of previous law study that has taken place within five years of the anticipated commencement
[Note 1] of the degree at Deakin. Please note that RPL requests for any law unit core to the degree undertaken more than 5 years ago is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Deakin Law School.
(b) RPL for any non-core (elective) units will be determined via normal RPL policy rules; however, if the unit would be more than 5 years old at the student's anticipated course commencement date, then the decision needs to be made within the Law School (in order to ensure the currency of the learning that is being recognised).
[Note 1] Note that the date taken is commencement of studies at Deakin, not the date of the RPL Application.
You can also refer to the recognition of prior learning (RPL) system which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.