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.
- * 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 Cross-Cultural Management
LAW101 Project Management
LAW102 Small Business and New Venture Management
LAW103 Advanced Strategic Management
LAW104 Quality Management
Advanced courses (20)
14 required courses:
LAW201 Leadership and Team Dynamics
LAW202 Managing Organisational Change
LAW203 Communication and Thought
LAW204 Foundations of Australian Law A
LAW205 Foundations of Australian Law B
LAW206 Criminal Law and Procedure A
LAW301 Criminal Law and Procedure B
LAW302 Torts A
LAW303 Torts B
LAW304 Contracts A
LAW401 Contracts B
LAW402 Property A
LAW403 Property B
LAW404 Constitutional Law
PLUS select 6 elective courses from:
LAW305 Equity & Trusts
LAW306 Corporations and Partnership Law
LAW307 Civil Procedure
LAW308
LAW309
LAW310 Children & the Law
LAW311 Law Professional Practice
LAW312 Competition and Consumer Law
LAW313
LAW314
LAW315
LAW316
LAW405 Legal Dispute Resolution
LAW406
LAW407 Wills, Estates and Elder Law
LAW408 Intellectual Property
LAW409
LAW410 Public International Law
LAW411
LAW412 International Human Rights Law
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 Introduction to Screen and Media Industries
CMN130 News and Reporting
CMN150 Digital Journalism
Advanced courses (11)
CMN213
CMN214
CMN227
CMN228 Media Law and Ethics
CMN235
CMN237
CMN240 Feature Writing
CMN249
CMN277 Video production and television journalism
CMN306(24 units)
CMN330 Newsroom
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.