University of Canberra
Juris Doctor Online
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 3 Years
- Course Type: Master's
Gain the academic legal knowledge required for admission to legal practice through an online postgraduate law degree covering core legal principles, research, dispute resolution and advanced legal study.
Course overview
The University of Canberra's Juris Doctor is a 72-credit-point postgraduate law degree delivered online. Designed for graduates from non-law disciplines, the course covers the academic knowledge required for admission to legal practice while developing advanced legal research, analysis and professional skills.
Key areas of study include contract law, criminal law, constitutional law, corporations law, property law, administrative law, evidence, equity and trusts and civil procedure. Students also examine legal theory, international law, dispute management and professional responsibility within broader social, historical and economic contexts.
The course comprises 51 credit points of required study and 21 credit points of restricted-choice study. Restricted-choice options include human rights law, intellectual property, negotiation, law reform, legal technology, workplace law, research projects and a law internship, allowing students to shape part of the course around their interests.
The Juris Doctor satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice through the relevant ACT accreditation arrangements. Published career outcomes include solicitor, legal counsel, workplace relations consultant, family lawyer and legal case manager. Graduates seeking to practise law must also complete the additional practical training and admission requirements that apply in their jurisdiction.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
March, 2027
May, 2027
July, 2027
August, 2027
October, 2027
What you will study
The Juris Doctor comprises 24 units. Each unit duration is seven weeks. uc advises a minimum of 15 to 20 hours of online study per week.
- Dispute Management
- Lawyers and Professional Responsibility
- Contract Law
- Torts Law
- Criminal Law and Procedure
- Constitutional Law
- Corporations Law
- Property Law
- Legal Theory
- Administrative Law
- Evidence Law
- Legal Research and Writing Skills
- International Law
- Legal Methods and Skills
- Legal Systems
- Civil Procedure
- Equity and Trusts Law
- Workplace Law in Context
- Law Internship
- Intellectual Property Law
- Law Reform and Social Change
- Law, Innovation and Technologies
- Negotiation
- Legal Research Project A
- Legal Research Project B
- Human Rights Law
Entry requirements
To be eligible for the Juris Doctor, applicants must have an undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in any non-law discipline, with a GPA of at least 5/7.
English language requirements
The Juris Doctor requires an overall IELTS Academic score (or equivalent) of 6.5, with no band score below 6.0.
Contact the university or visit its website for more information.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Your previous studies can be acknowledged as credit towards your postgraduate studies, provided that they meet the relevant course requirements.
If you receive an offer of enrolment and you’ve undertaken prior learning, you may be eligible to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning. The procedure is governed by the university's Recognition of Prior Learning policy. Contact the university for more details.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
- Integrate advanced legal research and apply critical analysis, professional strategic thinking and ethical decision-making to problem prevention and holistic dispute resolution.
- Reflect critically on historical and social contexts to work respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in socially just ways.
- Communicate complex legal knowledge, ideas and arguments, ethically and effectively, within and across professional, multi-modal and cultural boundaries.
- Demonstrate a broad and coherent theoretical and technical knowledge of the discipline of law to undertake professional legal roles other than those requiring admission to legal practice.
Career outcomes
With a Juris Doctor from the University of Canberra, you’ll be equipped to work in a wide variety of organisations and areas of law, including:
- Corporate law
- Property law
- Human rights law
- Your career options include working as a:
- Solicitor
- Legal counsel
- Workplace relations consultant
- Family lawyer
- Legal case manager
Fees and CSP
Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) in 2027:
- Fee per unit: $2,253
- Fee per annum: $18,025
- Full-course fee: $54,072
The full-course CSP fee is based on completion of 72 credit points across 24 units.
Indicative cost per unit in 2027: $4,362 (domestic full-fee paying place)
Indicative cost per unit in 2027: $34,900 (domestic full-fee paying place)
Indicative total cost in 2027: $104,700 (domestic full-fee paying place)
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of 24 units.
Student fees may vary in accordance with:
- The number of units studied per term.
- The choice of major or specialisation.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
Who You Will Learn From
Dr Trevor O'Ryan
UC Course Director, Juris Doctor
“The University of Canberra online Juris Doctor makes the depth of experience of academics and practitioners at Canberra Law School more accessible than ever and will set you up with the skills you need to make a difference."
Associate Professor Trevor Ryan teaches Legal Theory and Constitutional Law at Canberra Law School. His main research interests are elder law and the role of social norms and civil society in legal and regulatory reform. His methodology is comparative, drawing especially from Australia, the UK, the USA, and Japan. Topics Trevor has published on include tortious liability for accidents caused by dementia-related behaviours such as wandering, legal issues surrounding accommodation for senior citizens, adult guardianship and enduring powers, family trusts, retirement income disputes, welfare entitlements of non-citizens, the contractualisation of welfare and the political rights of persons with mental impairment.