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 2024 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 Human Pathophysiology
LAW101 Challenges to Mental Health
LAW102 Nursing Practicum 3
LAW103 Nursing Practicum 2
LAW104 Caring for Child, Youth and Family
Advanced courses (20)
14 required courses:
LAW201 Health Law and Ethics
LAW202 Drug Therapy
LAW203 Health Alteration
LAW204 Nursing Internship
LAW205 Nursing Practicum 4
LAW206 Acute Health Alteration
LAW301 Transcultural Health Practices
LAW302 Palliative, Rehabilitation and Continuing Care
LAW303 Caring for the Older Client
LAW304 Communication and Thought
LAW401 Foundations of Australian Law A
LAW402 Foundations of Australian Law B
LAW403 Criminal Law and Procedure A
LAW404 Criminal Law and Procedure B
PLUS select 6 elective courses from:
LAW305 Torts A
LAW306 Torts B
LAW307 Contracts A
LAW309 Contracts B
LAW310 Property A
LAW311 Property B
LAW312 Constitutional Law
LAW313 Equity & Trusts
LAW315 Corporations Law
LAW316 Civil Procedure
LAW318 Administrative Law
LAW405 Professional Conduct
LAW406 Evidence
LAW407 Regulation
LAW408 Family Law
LAW409 Employment Law
LAW410 Commercial Law
LAW411 Health Law
LAW412 Children & the Law
LAW414 Law Professional Practice
LAW415 Competition Law
LAW416 Building & Construction Law
The following 2 elective courses are only available to students who have been accepted into honours in Law:
LAW440 Indigenous Legal Issues
LAW441 Equal Opportunity Law
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 Advocacy
CMN130 Alternative Dispute Resolution
CMN150 Environment & Planning Law
Advanced courses (12)
CMN213 Elder Law and Succession
CMN228 Media Law and Ethics
CMN235
CMN237
CMN240 Feature Writing
CMN249
CMN277 Video production and television journalism
CMN302 Investigative and Data Journalism
CMN305
CMN306
CMN307
CMN330 Newsroom
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