Juris Doctor

The ANU JD is a distinctive program for graduates of non-law disciplines (or non-Australian law degrees). The program consists of compulsory and elective courses. Graduates complete all the academic courses required by Australian Legal Practitioners Admission Boards for admission to legal practice following completion of additional practical training. Students have access to dedicated JD courses and other courses offered as part of the LLM program. A small number of LLB electives can also be included in the program of study. The program can be studied either full or part-time with entry points in Semester 1 and Second semester.Employment OpportunitiesJuris Doctor (JD) graduates may find work either in areas where a law degree is a professional requirement or more general fields in which law is especially useful. A Law degree (JD) would normally be a requirement for the following occupations: a Barrister or Solicitor in professional practice; a Legal Officer in government departments or private enterprise; a Corporate Legal Officer in private industry, commerce and finance; community legal work; law teaching and academic research; a Judge's Associate, and legal journalism. To practice as a Barrister or Solicitor graduates must complete professional training such as the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at ANU. More general fields of employment include: the Australian Foreign Service; industrial relations; social welfare; government administration; business management; lobbying; media; public relations; law librarianship; court reporting; environmental agencies; technology and communications; and Federal and State police forces.Learning OutcomesUpon successful completion, students will be able to:apply an advanced body of legal knowledge in a range of contexts for professional practice in law, and as a pathway for further legal learningapply a body of legal knowledge that includes an extended understanding of recent developments in the discipline and professional legal practiceexhibit cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex legal ideas and concepts at an abstract levelexhibit communication and technical legal research skills to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions to specialist and non-specialist audiencesexhibit technical and communication legal skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyze and theories about developments that contribute to legal professional practicedemonstrate the application of knowledge and skills with creativity and initiative to new situations in legal professional practice and/or further learningdemonstrate application of knowledge and skills with high level personal autonomy and accountabilitydemonstrate application of knowledge and skills to plan and execute a substantial research-based legal project, capstone experience and/or professionally focused project.