Key facts
Duration
3 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Locations
OnlineCourse overview
Prepare for a first-class law career at one of Victoria’s top 3 law schools.* Deakin’s Juris Doctor (JD) is built on the principle that lawyers can be catalysts for positive change in society. Designed for non-law graduates, this prestigious law program will give you a comprehensive legal education. You will focus on sharpening your critical thinking and practical skills and explore policy issues relating to law and law reform, while developing a solid foundation of legal knowledge.
Looking for a progressive, engaging and flexible online course to launch your law career?
Delivered fully online, Deakin’s JD gives you a comprehensive education in each of the major areas of legal practice, with research, theory and policy considerations embedded throughout the curriculum. With flexibility at its core, lectures and interactive live seminars are also recorded so you can schedule your study around your other commitments.
Learn from leading scholars inhuman rights, criminal law, constitutional law, administrative law, intellectual property, international law, property, and mining and energy law, and be guided by teachers with strong research and practice backgrounds. This impressive array of expertise helps shape the course, so you can be confident everything you learn is relevant to legal practice and can be applied as soon as you enter the field.
A placement in the Deakin Law Clinic is also on offer – an award-winning community legal centre where you will gain real-world experience with practicing solicitors and real clients. Other work-integrated learning (WIL) options, including internships and placements, are available and strongly encouraged.
The Deakin JD cohort is made up of students with rich and diverse personal and professional backgrounds. Often already successful and established in their first career, your fellow classmates can be a positive source of encouragement and inspiration. Group assignments not only allow you to network in a professional capacity but will enable you to forge genuine connections that you will carry throughout your career.
You will also have extracurricular opportunities to network with the Deakin Law Students’ Society and can access our campuses, libraries and facilities at any time.
*QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 3 2026 close 18 October 2026
Current Deakin students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
- Award granted
- Juris Doctor
- Year
2026 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
Discover the Deakin Juris Doctor
Watch our Juris Doctor webinar, where course experts Dr David Tan, Professor Marilyn McMahon and past student Cameron MacRae explore what makes our postgraduate Juris Doctor unique. Learn about the 100% online learning model, career pathways and networking opportunities available at Deakin.
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.
A 24-credit point Juris Doctor includes:
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
- 17 credit points of core units
- 7 credit points of course elective units.
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.
All students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements.
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 2025 may be offered in 2026 or 2027. 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 2026
*MLI code denotes optional residential version of the unit.
^MLT code denotes study tour version of the unit.
Elective units not offered in 2026
Intakes by location
The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Online
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Online
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Online
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.
Course duration
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.
Juris Doctor Induction Program
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.
2026 Induction Program dates:
- T1: Wednesday 25th February (Deakin Downtown and Livestreamed)
- T2: Friday 3rd July (Deakin Downtown and Livestreamed)
- T3: to be advised
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
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.
Participation requirements
Units in this course may have participation requirements that include compulsory placements, work-based training, community-based learning or collaborative research training arrangements.
Work experience
This course does not require students to complete compulsory work integrated learning units.
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Entry requirements
Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.
A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.
To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- completion of a bachelor degree in a different discipline with a minimum Weighted Average Mark (WAM) (or equivalent average grade indicator) of 65
- completion of a bachelor degree in a different discipline with a WAM of 60 and at least two years' relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
- completion of a graduate certificate in a law or related discipline* with a minimum (WAM) (or equivalent average grade indicator) of 65
- completion of a masters degree in a different discipline.
A) A bachelor degree in a different discipline must be a non-law bachelor 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 three year bachelor degree, will be eligible to apply.
C) A masters degree in a different discipline must be a masters degree that is not accredited or approved by VLAB as meeting the requirements for admission to the legal profession.
Examples of related disciplines include, but not limited to: Graduate Certificate of Law, Graduate Certificate of Business Law, Graduate Certificate of Migration Law, Graduate Certificate of Property Law, Graduate Certificate of Criminology, Graduate Certificate of Cyber Law, Graduate Certificate of Legal Studies, Graduate Certificate of International Law etc.
To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:
- bachelor degree from a recognised English-speaking country
- IELTS overall score of 7.0 (with no band less than 7.0) or equivalent
- other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)
Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.
Not sure if you can get into Deakin postgraduate study? Postgraduate study doesn’t have to be a balancing act; we provide flexible course entry and exit options based on your desired career outcomes and the time you are able to commit to your study.
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.
RPL will generally be granted for a Priestley 11 unit where a student completed the unit within 5 years of the date on which they will commence their Law degree at Deakin University. Whether RPL is granted for a Priestley unit that a student completed more than 5 years before that date will depend on an assessment of the particular unit, including whether its content remains current and it is substantially equivalent to the relevant unit in the Deakin Law course for which RPL is sought. It is possible that RPL may not be granted where the coverage of Priestley 11 knowledge areas across units of study is structured differently in the Law course at Deakin University compared to the Law course at the university where the student previously studied.
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.
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
Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place
$41,000 for 1 yr full-time - Full-fee paying place
Learn more about fees and your options for paying.
Estimated tuition fee - (CSP) ?Enrolling in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) means the Australian Government pays part of your course fees directly to Deakin, and you pay a 'student contribution'.
$17,399 - Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
Learn more about fees.
All Commonwealth Supported Places for 2026 have now been filled. No further places are available.
The available fee places for this course are detailed above. Tuition fees are determined by your enrolment:
- If you are offered a full fee paying place, your tuition fees are calculated based on your course.
- If you are offered a Commonwealth supported place, your tuition fees are calculated depending on the units you choose.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only and represents the typical tuition fees for students completing this course within the same year they started. 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 you have.
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.
Higher Education Loan Program
Take the next step towards your ultimate degree with a Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) loan to help pay your tuition fees. You may be eligible for a HELP loan - including FEE-HELP or HECS-HELP - depending on your course, type of fee place, and your citizenship or residency status. Check your eligibility and learn more about Government HELP loans.
Scholarship options
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. Explore the range of opportunities and find the right fit for you.
Postgraduate bursary
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.
Apply now
Apply directly to Deakin
To apply, create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal details and education experience, upload supporting documents and submit. Need help? Play this video, or contact one of our friendly future student advisers on 1800 693 888 or submit an online enquiry.
Readmission into law courses
All students seeking readmission into law courses must be readmitted into the latest version of a course. Please note that students readmitting may be required to pick up additional units or repeat units where prior studies were undertaken at Deakin more than 5 years ago; or where units were undertaken in a previous course version. This is due to units no longer being current so that students will have satisfied the requirements necessary for admission to the legal profession.
Career outcomes
A Juris Doctor degree meets the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Victoria and, through mutual recognition schemes, other Australian jurisdictions. It may also be recognised in other international contexts (please check the relevant jurisdiction’s legal admissions authority to confirm the required academic qualifications criteria).
Law intersects with every part of society — from government and business, to families and marginalised groups.. As a graduate, you’ll be equipped for a wide variety of career paths, including traditional legal practice and roles where legal expertise is highly valued. The analytical and communication skills you will develop in this course are also sought after outside legal practice.
Deakin JD graduates pursue careers as:
Solicitors in many areas, including commercial, criminal, family, property, and environmental law
- Barristers, including public prosecutors
- In-house counsel and corporate legal advisers
- Government and regulatory lawyers
- Policy officers or policy advisers
- Community or human rights lawyers (e.g. in CLCs or NGOs)
- Academics
- Industrial relations or employment law specialists
- Legal technology and compliance consultants
- Public administrators
- Risk and governance managers
- Management consultants or analysts.
The legal field is continually evolving and challenges such as emerging technologies, sustainability, and access to justice are currently at the forefront . A Deakin JD prepares you to thrive in this legal landscape.
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.
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.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities | 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. |
| Communication | Develop and apply an ability to communicate effectively and persuasively to both legal and non-legal audiences, orally and in writing |
| Digital Literacy | Use technologies to identify, locate, and evaluate information for researching legal questions, solving legal problems and communicating legal solutions |
| Critical thinking | Apply sophisticated critical thinking capacities and exercise intellectual independence to identify and articulate complex legal issues. |
| Problem Solving | 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. |
| Self-management | Develop the capacity to learn and research with autonomy, accountability and professionalism, and to reflect on and assess personal capabilities and performance. |
| Teamwork | Collaborate effectively in team environments, demonstrating constructive engagement and contribution to the team and the ability to draw on strengths of others. |
| Global Citizenship | 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. |
*Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.
