Juris Doctor

JD

Course Overview | Course Structure

Course Overview

 
Program Name Juris Doctor
Program Code LA-43031
CRICOS Code 036762E
Level Postgraduate
Type Masters
Mode On-campus
Duration A minimum of 2 years full-time
Starting Semesters January, May, September
Host Faculty Law
Admissions, Enrolment and General Enquiries

RECRUITMENT & ADMISSIONS

Domestic Enquiries:
Toll-free: 1800 074 074 (from within Australia)
Email: information@bond.edu.au

International Enquiries:
Phone: +61 7 5595 1024
Email: international@bond.edu.au
Program-specific Enquiries and Credit for Prior Study Enquiries Tanya Merrotsy
+61 7 5595 2251
tanya_merrotsy@bond.edu.au

The Juris Doctor (JD) is a professional legal qualification designed to equip students for a career in the legal profession, business, industry or government, in Australia and overseas. Its combination of excellent teaching, small classes and an extensive legal skills program differentiates Bond from other institutions. It provides an exciting learning experience that both challenges students academically and prepares them practically for a legal career. Our 20-component skills program equips students with the following skills needed to practice law in a modern environment:

  • Legal research and analysis
  • Legal writing and drafting
  • Negotiation and dispute resolution
  • Advocacy and oral presentation
  • Client interviewing and communication

Career Outcomes

The Juris Doctor has been constructed to enable graduates to take leading positions in the public and private sectors. Our graduates are now employed in top law firms throughout Australia and across 38 countries, including the USA, UK, Canada, Malaysia and Singapore, as solicitors in private practice, barristers, government lawyers, in-house counsel and academics. Students are encouraged to emphasise specific areas of study that they feel best serve their proposed career paths.

Work Experience & Internships

Some students without practical workplace experience, or with workplace experience in a field different from their studies, choose to undertake an a clerkship or work experience as part of their degree.

This intensely practical professional development approach fosters graduates who are ready, willing and able to hit the ground running and make an immediate impact in the workplace.

Attendance

Most students undertake four subjects per semester. You may, however, enrol in fewer subjects and extend your degree over a longer period.

Note that due to professional admission requirements, JD students may not overload and must take a minimum of six semesters to complete the degree.  

Bond's teaching methodology involves a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, examinations, projects, presentations, assignments, computer labs and industry projects.

The Juris Doctor program is not eligible for Austudy as the program is considered masters equivalent. International students are required to study a minimum of 30 credit hours (three subjects equivalent) per semester to fulfil Australian study visa requirements.

Professional Recognition

The Juris Doctor degree is an approved degree for purposes of admission as a barrister or solicitor in all Australia jurisdictions. (Students are always advised to confirm admission requirements in the particular jurisdiction in which they wish to practise). In conjunction with futher study, the degree can also be used to gain admission internationally.

Industry Experience

The Queensland Public Interest Law Clearing House (QPILCH)
runs an administrative law clinic as a Bond elective subject.
Students research cases and write submissions on behalf of QPILCH. The Faculty strongly encourages students to complete clerkships or work experience with law firms during their holidays, but these do not form part of course requirements.

Combined Degrees

Combined degrees are encouraged and take between three and four years full-time to complete. The Juris Doctor can be combined with most other postgraduate awards. Popular combinations include the MBA, Master of Accounting, Master of Arts and Master of International Relations.