Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Journalism | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Journalism

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. In the Law component, you’ll cover all the academic courses required for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia.

Study location QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast 018271
Minimum selection threshold
OP - 8 Rank - 84
UniSC program code
AR395
Commence
Semester 1
Duration
5 years full time or equivalent part time *
Prerequisites
English (4,SA)
Fee type 2015
  • What will I pay?
Total courses
40
Total units
480
Footnotes
  • * 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. In the Law component, you’ll cover all the academic courses required for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia.

Choose from a range of Law electives to suit your interests and career ambitions. You’ll conduct client interviews, prepare legal advice, undertake legal research and observe litigation and gain practical experience in USC’s Law Clinic and mock court.

From first year, you’ll work with local legal practitioners at the Suncoast Community Legal Service assisting real clients with their legal problems. 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.

Career opportunities

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 Introduction to Marketing
LAW101 Accounting for Business
LAW102 Introduction to Informatics
LAW103 Business Law and Ethics
LAW104 Communication and Thought

Advanced courses (20)

14 required courses:

LAW201 Foundations of Australian Law A
LAW202 Foundations of Australian Law B
LAW203 Criminal Law and Procedure A
LAW204 Criminal Law and Procedure B
LAW205 Torts A
LAW206 Torts B
LAW301 Contracts A
LAW302 Contracts B
LAW303 Property A
LAW304 Property B
LAW401 Constitutional Law
LAW402 Equity & Trusts
LAW403 Corporations and Partnership Law
LAW404 Civil Procedure

PLUS select 6 elective courses from:

LAW305 Administrative Law
LAW306 Professional Conduct
LAW307 Evidence
LAW308 Regulation
LAW309 Family Law
LAW310 Employment Law
LAW311 Commercial Law
LAW312 Succession
LAW313 Health Law
LAW314 Children & the Law
LAW315 Law Clinic
LAW316 Competition Law
LAW405 Building & Construction Law
LAW406 Mining & Resources Law
LAW407 Indigenous Legal Issues
LAW408 Equal Opportunity Law
LAW409 Alternative Dispute Resolution
LAW410 Environment & Planning Law
LAW411 Elder Law
LAW412 Intellectual Property
LAW413

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 Leaders.

Journalism courses
Introductory courses (3)

CMN104
CMN130
CMN150

Advanced courses (11)

CMN213
CMN214
CMN227
CMN228
CMN235 Editing for the Communications Professional
CMN237 Computer-Assisted Reporting
CMN240 News Rounds
CMN249 The Writer and the Law
CMN277 News Writing: Print and Broadcast
CMN306 Writing for the Web(24 units)
CMN330 Digital Photojournalism and Feature Writing

Total units: 480
Recommended study sequences

Program requirements and notes

Program requirements

In order to graduate you must:

  • 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 courses
  • Complete 11 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. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
  • When enrolling, refer to the Study Plan.
  • 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 Leaders.