Progressive, real-world learning. Online.
Key facts
Duration
Campuses
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 3 2020 close 1 November 2020
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 1 2021 close 21 February 2021
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course information
The Deakin Juris Doctor (JD) combines its commercial focus with the development of practical skills essential to contemporary legal practice. Designed for non-law graduates, this intellectually-stimulating course is offered fully online after an optional, but highly recommended, induction program held in Melbourne.
The Deakin JD goes beyond the teaching of legal knowledge and practical skills, to the development of a broader understanding of the policy informing the law, focusing on current policy issues and developing skills in the use of legal theory and legal research methods.
Your assignments might include problem-based written advice, an oral bail application, an assignment focusing on the implementation of procedural rules, preparation of a memorandum of advice, oral court submissions and a file management project. Group assignment work is also a feature of some units to ensure you develop the important skills necessary to work as part of a team.
The Deakin JD meets the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Victoria and other Australian jurisdictions. A person wishing to practise as a lawyer is also required to complete a 12-month traineeship program or six-month legal practice course and demonstrate that they are a ‘fit and proper person’ as required by Australian admitting bodies.
The Deakin JD course is designed to produce graduates who can become first-class law practitioners by providing comprehensive training in each of the major areas of legal practice and systematically embedding research, theory and policy considerations throughout the curriculum. A distinctive feature of the course is its orientation towards commercial law, though students may choose from a range of elective options including placement in the Deakin Law Clinics, an award winning community legal centre where students can work with practicing solicitors and real client matters.
Leading practising lawyers help shape our courses, so everything you learn is relevant to the industry and preparing you for a career in law.
Read MoreCourse structure
To complete the Juris Doctor, students must attain a total of 24 credit points, including 17 core units and 7 elective units, plus completion of the compulsory 0-credit point unit, MAI010 Academic Integrity. Each unit (think of units as 'subjects') is equal to 1 credit point.
Students are introduced to research tools and techniques in core units of the course where they learn analytic skills and the ability to apply those skills in professional contexts. They must also complete advanced level units and a capstone unit that require them to integrate the skills learnt over their course of study and produce applied pieces of research with reference to prevailing literature.
17
Core units
7
Elective units
24
Total units
Core units
Optional (but highly recommended) on-campus Induction program, which is live-streamed and recorded, plus online pre-recorded presentations
plus:
Compulsory 0-credit point unit
To be completed in the first trimester of study:-
Elective units
7 credit points of elective units can be chosen from:
Key information
2021 course information
Campuses by intake
Campus availability varies per trimester. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Read more to learn where this course will be offered throughout the year.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Cloud (online)
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Cloud (online)
Trimester 3 * - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Cloud (online)
Please note: This course is available for part-time study only in Trimester 3 though students may commence with full time study in Trimester 1 and Trimester 2.
Additional course information
JD students are invited to attend an optional (but highly recommended) campus-based Juris Doctor Induction Program which will be live-streamed and recorded and includes video presentations. Induction for students commencing in trimester 1 is a two day program at the Burwood campus. Induction for students commencing in trimester 3 (part-time students only) is a one day program at the Burwood campus.
2020 Induction Program dates
Trimester 1: February 2020 (Date TBC)
Trimester 3: October 2020 (Date TBC)
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Mandatory student checks
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.
Workload
As a student in the Faculty of Business and Law, you can expect to participate in a range of teaching activities each week. This could include classes, seminars, practical activities and online interaction. 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.
Participation requirements
Work experience
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Entry requirements
Entry information
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements.
Please note that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee selection, which is based on merit, likelihood of success and availability of places in the course.
For more information on the Admission Criteria and Selection (Higher Education Courses) Policy visit the Deakin Policy Library
Minimum admission criteria:
- Bachelor degree in different discipline with a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 65%, OR
- Bachelor degree in a different discipline with a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 60% and two years relevant work experience, OR
- Masters degree in a different discipline.
A) A bachelor's degree in a different discipline must be a non-law bachelor’s degree that is not accredited or approved by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (previously COLE) as meeting the requirements for admission to the legal profession.
B) Applicants with a law degree from an overseas jurisdiction, deemed to be the AQF equivalent of a 3 year bachelor’s degree, will be eligible to apply.
C) A master’s degree in a different discipline must be a master’s degree that is not accredited or approved by VLAB as meeting the requirements for admission to the legal profession.
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
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.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
The available fee places for this course are detailed above. Not all courses at Deakin have Commonwealth supported places available.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of Prior Learning.
One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the Handbook.
Learn more about fees and available payment options.
FEE-HELP calculator
What is FEE-HELP?
FEE-HELP loans cover up to 100% of tuition fees for eligible students. By taking out a FEE-HELP loan, the government pays your tuition fees directly to Deakin, and the balance is repaid from your employment income - but only once you're earning over $45,881.
Please note: fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and based on 2020 rates. Actual fees may vary. We advise confirming fees with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
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- $* is the 2020 estimated tuition fee for a Juris Doctor (24 credit points) at Deakin
- is the annual FEE-HELP payment, based on your current salary
- of your current salary be spent on FEE-HELP
*Disclaimer
Deakin University (Deakin):
- gives no warranty and accepts no responsibility for the currency, accuracy or the completeness of the information provided;
- advises users that no reliance should be placed upon on the information provided, and;
- instructs users that they should confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
This tool provides indicative information about the fees that will be payable in respect of courses and subjects offered to prospective students domiciled in Australia during the periods indicated.
Please note that the fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and actual fees may vary. Users are advised to confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
The estimated course fee is based on the tuition fee costs applicable to a domestic full time student commencing the course in Trimester 1 and studying full time for the duration of the course but:
- does not include non-tuition costs that may apply, such as Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF);
- does not take into account any scholarships or bursaries awarded to the student (including the 15% Deakin Alumni Postgraduate Course Fee Bursary);
- assumes the maximum number of units that need to be successfully completed actual number completed may be reduced if Credit for Prior Learning is granted;
- assumes that no exceptional, or non-typical, circumstances apply to the proposed course of study;
- assumes that the options that the user selects are appropriate for the course of study that they intend to undertake;
- where fees are estimated for future years those fee will be subject to annual increases in accordance with increases in the cost of course delivery.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.
Postgraduate bursary
If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 15% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees. Your Immediate Family Members may also be eligible to apply for this bursary.
Apply now
How to apply
Applications can be made directly to the University through the Application Portal. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the how to apply web page. Please note that closing dates may vary for individual courses.
For more information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage. If you're still having problems, please contact us for assistance.
Why choose Deakin
Career outcomes
A Juris Doctor is a qualification that offers great career opportunities. In addition to opportunities within law firms, which range from small rural and regional general legal practices through to large national or international practices, law graduates may enter other industries such as business (e.g as a corporate lawyer, company administrator or business manager); government service (e.g. as a lawyer with departments or authorities as diverse as the Attorney-General’s Department, the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission); industrial relations; public administration; academia; or bodies that recommend law reform (e.g. as a law reform commissioner).
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 set by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB). In addition to satisfying the academic qualifications, 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.
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline Specific knowledge and capabilities | Develop an advanced and integrated understanding of a complex body of knowledge, including: |
| Communication | Develop high level communication skills, including: |
| Digital Literacy | Use technologies to identify, locate, evaluate information for complex problem solving scenarios as well as communicating legal solutions, including: |
| Critical thinking | Exercise critical thinking |
| Problem Solving | Develop sophisticated |
| Self-management | Develop high level capacities to: |
| Teamwork | Develop high level |
| Global Citizenship | Develop a sophisticated awareness of, and a high level capacity to, apply legal knowledge in different environments and global contexts, including: |
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*2019 Student Experience Survey, based on undergraduate students
#ARWU Rankings 2019
~According to the Voice Project IT Service Quality Support Benchmark Survey
^Australian Graduate Recruitment Industry Awards, 2017, 2018, 2019 winner
^^Australian Graduate Survey 2010–2015, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2016–2019 (GOS), Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT)
+Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our list of media references.