Harness your critical and lateral thinking for a career in journalism or law
Our journalism degree produces journalists with a strong sense of ethics and practical skills in print, broadcast and digital media. Develop cutting-edge problem-solving and communication skills to work across a range of media platforms.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
- * It is recommended that students planning to study part-time apply for the Bachelor of Laws rather than a double degree.
- * It is recommended that students planning to study part-time apply for the Bachelor of Laws rather than a double degree.
Our journalism degree produces journalists with a strong sense of ethics and practical skills in print, broadcast and digital media. Develop cutting-edge problem-solving and communication skills to work across a range of media platforms.
You will cover all the academic courses required for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. You will engage in active learning experiences and gain practical skills right from your first year. For example, you will observe volunteer lawyers conducting client interviews at an advice clinic operated by Suncoast Community Legal Service.
You will research answers to legal problems, prepare advice, present legal argument, observe court proceedings, and take part in simulated court presentations in our new Moot Court venue. You can further develop your skills by working with Legal Service clients under legal supervision in law professional practice, or undertake a legal internship.
Take advantage of careers for law graduates with especially strong English skills in areas such as parliamentary counsel, contract drafting, corporate writing and legal publishing.
Law Honours is available, usually without extending the time required to complete your degree.
Career opportunities
This double degree offers a wide range of career opportunities including as a solicitor, barrister, government legal officer, journalist, corporate or government communications, technical writing.
Registration
The degree is an approved academic qualification for admission to the legal profession. Graduates must undertake a further period of practical legal training before being admitted as a legal practitioner.
Program structure
USC Law School courses
Introductory courses (5)
COR109 Medical Biochemistry
LAW101 Health, Law and Ethics
LAW102 Epidemiology and Biostatistics
LAW103 Functional Anatomy
LAW104 Clinical Trials Management
Advanced courses (20)
14 required courses:
LAW201 Biochemical Pharmacology
LAW202 Clinical Embryology
LAW203 Medicinal Organic Chemistry
LAW204 Pharmaceutical and Food Microbiology
LAW205 Microbial Pathogenesis
LAW206 Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
LAW301 Special Research Project
LAW302 Special Research Project
LAW303 Workplace Learning I
LAW304 Workplace Learning II
LAW401 Communication and Thought
LAW402 Introduction to Psychology A
LAW403 Introduction to Psychology B
LAW404 Communication and Thought
PLUS select 6 elective courses from:
LAW305 Foundations of Australian Law A
LAW306 Foundations of Australian Law B
LAW307 Criminal Law and Procedure A
LAW309 Criminal Law and Procedure B
LAW310 Torts A
LAW311 Torts B
LAW312 Contracts A
LAW313 Contracts B
LAW315 Property A
LAW316 Property B
LAW318 Constitutional Law
LAW405 Equity & Trusts
LAW406 Corporations Law
LAW407 Civil Procedure
LAW408 Administrative Law
LAW409 Professional Conduct
LAW410 Evidence
LAW411 Regulation
LAW412 Family Law
LAW414 Employment Law
LAW415 Commercial Law
LAW416 Health Law
The following 2 elective courses are only available to students who have been accepted into honours in Law:
LAW440 Children & the Law
LAW441 Law Professional Practice
Please note: Semester offerings for Law elective courses are subject to change and are dependent on student demand. For more information on elective availability please contact your Program Coordinator.
Journalism courses
Introductory courses (3)
CMN104 Competition Law
CMN130 Building & Construction Law
CMN150 Indigenous Legal Issues
Advanced courses (12)
CMN213 Equal Opportunity Law
CMN228 Advocacy
CMN235 Alternative Dispute Resolution
CMN237 Environment & Planning Law
CMN240 Elder Law and Succession
CMN249 Intellectual Property
CMN277 Taxation
CMN302 Public International Law
CMN305 Private International Law
CMN306 International Human Rights Law
CMN307 Legal Internship
CMN330 Sports Law
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 480
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 480 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete 5 introductory level (100 coded) required law courses including COR109
- Complete 14 advanced level (200/300/400 coded) required law courses
- Complete 6 law electives
- Complete 3 introductory level (100 coded) required School of Communication and Creative Industries courses
- Complete 12 advanced level (200/300 coded) required journalism courses
- Complete no more than 15 introductory level (100 coded) courses in total, including the core course
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses)
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Refer to the Planning your study page to manage your progression
- Semester offerings for Law elective courses are subject to change and are dependent on student demand. For more information on elective availability please contact your Coordinator
- Honours in Law available for high performing students