Where law and media intersect
Acquire the knowledge and ability for two professions in this double degree. The journalism component produces journalists with a strong sense of ethics, and practical skills in print, broadcast and digital media. At the same time, you will cover all the academic courses required for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. From first year, you will engage in active learning experiences and gain practical legal skills.
- 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.
Acquire the knowledge and ability for two professions in this double degree. The journalism component produces journalists with a strong sense of ethics, and practical skills in print, broadcast and digital media. At the same time, you will cover all the academic courses required for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia. From first year, you will engage in active learning experiences and gain practical legal skills.
In this program you will:
- Develop cutting-edge problem-solving and communication skills to work across a range of media platforms.
- Cover all the academic courses required for admission as a legal practitioner in Australia.
- Research answers to legal problems, prepare advice, present legal argument, observe court proceedings, and take part in simulated court presentations in USC's Moot Court.
- Develop your skills by working with Legal Service clients under legal supervision in law professional practice and also complete a journalism internship.
- Have the option to complete Law Honours, usually without extending the time required to complete your degree.
Career opportunities:
- Solicitor
- Government legal officer
- Journalist
- Digital communications officer
- Communications officer – corporate or government
- Technical writer
Program structure
Bachelor of Laws courses
Introductory courses (4) 48 units
LAW101 Riots and Rebellions: Conflict in Australian History
LAW102 Cultural Heritage
LAW103 Upfront: History of Film in Australia
LAW104 Communication and Thought
Developing and Graduate courses (20) 240 units
14 required courses (168 units)
LAW201 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
LAW202 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
LAW203 Social Work and Human Services Practice
LAW204 Foundations of Human Behaviour
LAW205 Communication and Thought
LAW206 Secondary Professional Learning 1: Transitioning into the Profession
LAW301 Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
LAW302 Teaching Senior Secondary Arts
LAW303 Teaching Senior Secondary Geography
LAW304 Engaging Diverse Learners
LAW401 Secondary Professional Experience 2 : Managing the Diverse Learning Environment
LAW402 Arts Education: Curriculum A
LAW403 The World of Geography Education: Curriculum A
LAW404 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Learning and Teaching
PLUS select 6 elective courses (72 units) from:
Not all electives are offered every year. For a list of current Law elective courses click HERE.
LAW307 Responding to Diversity and Inclusion
LAW310 Secondary Professional Learning 3: Diversity and Inclusion
LAW311 The Psychology of Learning
LAW312 Secondary Literacy and Numeracy Across the Curriculum
LAW313 Secondary Assessment and Reporting
LAW315 Secondary Assessment and Reporting
LAW318 Using Data for Learning
LAW405 Secondary Professional Learning: The Professional Empowered and Engaged
LAW406 Communication and Thought
LAW407 Understanding Crime
LAW408 Punishment and Corrections
LAW409 Introduction to Psychology B
LAW410 Introduction to Criminology
LAW411 Justice and the Australian Legal System
LAW412 Introduction to Psychology A
LAW414 Current Directions in Psychology
LAW415 Policing
LAW416 Applied Crime Prevention
LAW417 Research Methods in Psychology B
LAW418 Social Psychology
LAW419 Diversity, Crime and Justice
LAW420 Research Methods in Psychology A
LAW421 Physiological Psychology
The following 2 elective courses (24 units) are only available to students who have been accepted into honours in Law:
LAW440 Australian Society: How does(n't) it work? - An Introduction to Sociology
LAW441 Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice
Journalism courses
Introductory courses (5) 60 units
CMN101 Criminal Law: An Introduction
CMN106 Motivation and Emotion
CMN130 Professional Ethics and Integrity Management
CMN150 Introduction to Human Development
COR109 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
Developing and Graduate courses (11) 132 units
CMN202 Human Associative Learning
CMN228 Abnormal Psychology
CMN235 Adult Development and Ageing
CMN237 Advanced Methods in Psychology
CMN240 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
CMN277 Personality and Assessment
CMN302 Psychology of Health and Wellbeing
CMN305 Communication and Thought
CMN312 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
CMN313 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
CMN330 Social Work and Human Services Practice
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
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 480 units as outlined in the Program Structure
- Complete no more than 15 introductory level courses, including core courses
Program Notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 units per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of academic calendar dates
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on Student visa
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses
- Semester offerings for Law elective courses are subject to change and are dependant on student demand. For more information on elective availability please contact your Program Coordinator
- Honours in Law is available for high performing students and approval from the Program Coordinator