Key facts
Duration
3 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Locations
OnlineCourse overview
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.
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
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
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 your 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.
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 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
Elective units not offered in 2027
*MLI code denotes optional residential version of the unit.
^MLT code denotes study tour version of the unit.
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.
2027 Induction Program dates: to be advised
- T1:
- T2:
- T3:
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.
(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.
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'.
$18,026 for 1 yr full-time - Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
Learn more about fees.
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.
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.
| 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. |
Note – From 2026, Deakin commenced introducing Graduate Attributes (GAs), which define the distinctive characteristics of a Deakin graduate. You may notice some courses still refer to Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) during this transition period.
*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.
