Undergraduate
Associate Degree of Legal Studies
2020
The Associate Degree of Legal Studies is for anyone who is interested in broadening their understanding of the legal system without committing to a full law degree.
This course will give you a broad understanding of the law, legal processes and legal principles and introduce you to practical areas of the law such as torts, contracts, criminal law and transnational law.
It caters for two groups of students: those who have a general interest in legal issues without wishing to complete a full law degree and those who wish to gauge their interest in legal studies and perhaps later seek to undertake a full law degree program.
Career opportunities
Completing the Associate Degree of Legal Studies may lead to career opportunities in administrative, secretarial or paralegal roles in government, corporate and private legal environment.
Professional recognition
This course does not lead to professional accreditation, though students can transfer to the LLB degree, which is accredited with the Legal Practitioners Admissions Board of the Northern Territory, with full credit for units completed.
Credit transfers & pathways
Pathways for VET to Higher Education
Guaranteed credit transfer arrangements are available to students commencing a bachelor degree at Charles Darwin University with completed Certificate IV, Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree qualifications in the same field or discipline. Students who hold completed qualifications should refer to the additional information provided about Advanced Standing and Credit Transfer and Pathways using the links below:
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
International applications
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The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It provides data on students that commenced this course and passed the census date in Semester 1, 2019.
Applicant background (Semester one intake 2019) No. of Students % of all Students A. Higher education study
(includes a bridging or enabling course)<5 N/P B. Vocational education and training (VET) study <5 N/P C. Work and life experience
(Admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)<5 N/P D. Recent secondary education - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
(regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)
<5 N/P - Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
<5 N/P - Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
(e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
<5 N/P International students N/A N/A All students N/A N/A Notes
"<5" - the number of students is less than 5
N/A - Students not accepted in this category
N/P - Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students. -
This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
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Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 6.
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
Course structure
The course will introduce students to the fundamental concepts and processes of law including criminal law, torts, contracts and constitutional law. Specialist elective units provide students the opportunity to pursue further study into special interest topics such as transnational law, property law, human rights and criminology.
External students have access to live online tutorials as well as online access to the recordings of all lectures, enabling them to complete the course from anywhere in the world.
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 160 credit points (cp) as detailed below.
| Unit type |
Credit Points |
Specific requirements |
| Common Units (2 units) |
20 |
Common units totalling 20 credit points as detailed below.
CUC107 Cultural Intelligence and Capability (compulsory) Select Common Units to find out more about individual units and advanced standing options. |
| Core Units (7 units) |
70 |
Compulsory Core units totalling 70 credit points as detailed below.
LWZ112 Comparative Legal Systems |
| Specialist Elective (4 units) |
40 |
Units totalling 40 credit points selected from the list of available units detailed below. LWA110 Legal History (offered each year) LWZ210 Equity |
| Electives (3 units) |
30 |
Units totalling 30 credit points selected from undergraduate units offered by the University.
When selecting electives, choose units at a suitable level. The first number in each unit code indicates the year level at which the subject is taught. Undergraduate units are coded at 100 to 300 level, therefore units coded as LWA1xx, LWA2xx and LWA3xx would be first, second and third year units respectively. |
|
160 |
Total Credit Points |
Students who commence in or after 2013
No more than 10 credit points shall be counted with a grade of "PC" in an Associate Degree or Advanced Diploma AQF Level 6 course award.
Of the total 160 credit points: (unless specified in the specific course structure above)
* a minimum of 60 credit points must be taken from 200 level units
Students should refer to the current Grading Policy and Common Course Rules for further information.
Course Changes and Transfer Arrangements - 2016
The unit LWZ112 Comparative Legal Systems has been added to the course structure as an introductory unit, in addition to LWZ115 Legal Process. LWZ212 Transnational Law has also been made a core unit and LWZ223 Property Law moved to a Specialist Elective.
- Students who began their studies in 2015 and completed LWZ111 Introduction to Law will be exempt from completing LWZ115 Legal Process. However, they will still be required to complete LWZ112 Comparative Legal Systems and LWZ212 Transnational Law.
- Students who have already completed LWZ223 Property Law will be able to count this unit as a Specialist Elective.
- Students will be given credit for all units accredited under the past course codes of BLAW, BLAWG and ADLS.
In 2015 LWZ100A and LWZ100B were replaced by one introductory unit – LWZ111.
- Students who have completed either LWZ100A or LWZ100B will be exempt from completing LWZ115. However they will still be required to complete LWZ112 and LWZ212.
- Students who have completed both LWZ100A and LWZ100B will be exempt from doing LWZ115 and they will still have to complete LWZ112 and LWZ212. However, they will not be disadvantaged and will receive 10cp to be credited towards their degree as a specialist elective at 100 level.
Please see the same information below in a table format:
| Student has completed before 2016 | Student Exempt in 2016 | Student has to complete in 2016 |
| LWZ111 | LWZ115 Legal Process | LWZ112 Comparative Legal Systems LWZ212 Transnational Law |
| LWZ100A and LWZ100B | LWZ115 Legal Process plus Receive 10cp as a specialist elective unit at 100 level |
LWZ112 Comparative Legal Systems LWZ212 Transnational Law |
| LWZ100A | LWZ115 Legal Process | LWZ112 Comparative Legal Systems LWZ212 Transnational Law |
| LWZ100B | LWZ115 Legal Process | LWZ112 Comparative Legal Systems LWZ212 Transnational Law |
Transitioning rules applicable to students who started before 2015:
LWZ202 was a core unit which was being discontinued and its outcomes were incorporated into the core units LWZ203 Constitutional Law and LWZ312 Administrative Law.
Their new unit codes are LWZ204 Constitutional Law and LWZ304 Administrative Law
Proposed rules:
- Students who have done LWZ202 and LWZ203 are not required to do LWZ204 however they still have to complete the core unit LWZ304
- Students who have done LWZ202 and LWZ312 are not required to do LWZ304. However they still have to complete the core unit LWZ204
- Students who have done LWZ203 will have to do LWZ204. However they will receive 10cp towards their Bachelor of Laws degree so they will not be disadvantaged.
- Students who have done LWZ312 will have to do LWZ304. However they will receive 10cp towards their Bachelor of Laws degree so they will not be disadvantaged.
Table format:
| Student has completed before 2015 | Student Exempt from completing | Student has to complete |
| LWZ202 and LWZ203 and LWZ312 | LWZ204 LWZ304 1 x Specialist Elective at 200 level |
|
| LWZ202 and LWZ203 | LWZ204 1 x Specialist Elective at 200 level |
|
| LWZ202 and LWZ312 | LWZ304 1 x Specialist Elective at 200 level |
LWZ204 |
| LWZ202 (but not LWZ203 or LWZ312) | 1 x Specialist Elective at 200 level | LWZ204 LWZ304 |
| LWZ203 (but not LWZ202 or LWZ312) | 1 x Specialist Elective at 200 level | LWZ204 LWZ304 |
| LWZ312 (but not LWZ202 or LWZ203) | 1 x Specialist Elective at 200 level | LWZ204 LWZ304 |
Study plan
Students Commencing in Semester 1
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard full time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
♦ ensure LWZ115 is completed in the first semester of study;
♦ maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
♦ check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some 200 and 300 level units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the subject area at a lower level. 200 level units have the unit code which includes a number starting with 200 i.e. LWZ210.
All students should enrol in LWZ115 in the first semester of study.
| Legend: | CU = Common Unit | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective | E = Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| CUC100 Academic Literacies Through Exploring Sustainability OR CUC106 Design and Innovation: Communicating Technology |
CU | LWZ116 Torts | CO |
| CUC107 Cultural Intelligence and Capability | CU | LWZ118 Contracts | CO |
| LWZ112 Comparative Legal Systems | CO | Elective 1 / Law specialist elective 1 | E/SE |
| LWZ115 Legal Process | CO | Elective 2 / Law specialist elective 2 | E/SE |
| Year 2 | |||
| LWZ114 Criminal Law | CO | LWZ204 Constitutional Law | CO |
| Elective 3 / Law specialist elective 3 | E/SE | LWZ212 Transnational Law | CO |
| Law specialist elective 4 | SE | Law specialist elective 6 | SE |
| Law specialist elective 5 | SE | Law specialist elective 7 | SE |
Specialist Elective Availability for 2020
| Semester 1 | Study Period 2 | Semester 2 | Summer Semester |
| Specialist Electives Available in 2020 | |||
| LWA111 Indigenous Peoples and the Legal System LWA133 Legal Reasoning (offered each year) LWA221 Human Rights Law LWA316 Intellectual Property Law LWA317 Research Paper LWA329 Conveyancing Law |
LWA207 Dispute Resolution (previously LWS221) LWA210 Contemporary Issues |
LWA110 Legal History LWA112 Environmental and Planning Law LWA317 Research Paper LWA321 Public International Law LWA322 Moot Court |
LWA210 Contemporary Issues LWA217 Resources and Energy Law LWA317 Research Paper |
| Specialist Electives Not Offered in 2020 | |||
| LWA114 Law, Justice and the State LWA319 Private International Law LWZ210 Equity LWZ223 Property Law LWZ304 Administrative Law LWZ315 Corporations Law LWZ316 Evidence LWA325 Succession |
LWA113 Customary Law LWA219 Criminology |
LWA213 Family Law LWA298 Legal Clinic LWA328 Competition and Consumer Law LWA332 Science and Law LWZ211 Trusts LWZ317 Civil Procedure LWZ320 Professional Responsibility LWA331 Finance and Securities Law |
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Students Commencing in Semester 2
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 2 and enrolling in a standard full time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
♦ ensure LWZ115 is completed in the first semester of study;
♦ maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
♦ check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some 200 and 300 level units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the subject area at a lower level. 200 level units have the unit code which includes a number starting with 200 i.e. LWZ210.
All students should enrol in LWZ115 in the first semester of study.
| Legend: | CU = Common Unit | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective | E = Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| CUC100 Academic Literacies Through Exploring Sustainability OR CUC106 Design and Innovation: Communicating Technology |
CU | ||
| CUC107 Cultural Intelligence and Capability | CU | ||
| LWZ112 Comparative Legal Systems | CO | ||
| LWZ115 Legal Process | CO | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| LWZ114 Criminal Law | CO | LWZ116 Torts | CO |
| Elective 1 / Law specialist elective 1 | E/SE | LWZ118 Contracts | CO |
| Elective 2 / Law specialist elective 2 | E/SE | LWZ204 Constitutional Law | CO |
| Elective 3 / Law specialist elective 3 | E/SE | LWZ212 Transnational Law | CO |
| Year 3 | |||
| Law specialist elective 4 | SE | ||
| Law specialist elective 5 | SE | ||
| Law specialist elective 6 | SE | ||
| Law specialist elective 7 | SE | ||
Specialist Elective Availability for 2020
| Semester 1 | Study Period 2 | Semester 2 | Summer Semester |
| Specialist Electives Available in 2020 | |||
| LWA111 Indigenous Peoples and the Legal System LWA133 Legal Reasoning (offered each year) LWA221 Human Rights Law LWA316 Intellectual Property Law LWA317 Research Paper LWA329 Conveyancing Law |
LWA207 Dispute Resolution (previously LWS221) LWA210 Contemporary Issues |
LWA110 Legal History LWA112 Environmental and Planning Law LWA317 Research Paper LWA321 Public International Law LWA322 Moot Court |
LWA210 Contemporary Issues LWA217 Resources and Energy Law LWA317 Research Paper |
| Specialist Electives Not Offered in 2020 | |||
| LWA114 Law, Justice and the State LWA319 Private International Law LWZ210 Equity LWZ223 Property Law LWZ304 Administrative Law LWZ315 Corporations Law LWZ316 Evidence LWA325 Succession |
LWA113 Customary Law LWA219 Criminology |
LWA213 Family Law LWA298 Legal Clinic LWA328 Competition and Consumer Law LWA332 Science and Law LWZ211 Trusts LWZ317 Civil Procedure LWZ320 Professional Responsibility LWA331 Finance and Securities Law |
|
Students commencing in Summer Semester
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in summer semester and enrolling in a reduced full time load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
When designing an individual study plan:
♦ ensure Common Units are completed in the first year of study;
♦ maintain the basic order in which units are to be attempted; and
♦ check the assumed knowledge for each unit as some 200 and 300 level units assume you have completed foundation unit/s in the subject area at a lower level. 200 level units have the unit code which includes a number starting with 200.
All students should enrol in LWZ115 in the first semester the unit is available.
| Legend: | CU = Common Unit | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective | E = Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer Semester | |||
| Year 1 | |||||
| CUC100 Academic Literacies Through Exploring Sustainability or CUC106 Design and Innovation: Communicating Technology | CU | ||||
| CUC107 Cultural Intelligence and Capability | CU | ||||
| Year 2 | |||||
| LWZ112 Comparative Legal Systems | CO | LWZ116 Torts | CO | ||
| LWZ115 Legal Process | CO | LWZ118 Contracts | CO | ||
| Elective 1 / Law specialist elective 1 | E/SE | Elective 2 / Law specialist elective 2 | E/SE | ||
| Year 3 | |||||
| LWZ114 Criminal Law | CO | LWZ204 Constitutional Law | CO | ||
| Elective 3 / Law specialist elective 3 | E/SE | LWZ212 Transnational Law | CO | ||
| Law specialist elective 4 | SE | Law specialist elective 6 | SE | ||
| Law specialist elective 5 | SE | Law specialist elective 7 | SE | ||
Specialist Elective Availability for 2020
| Semester 1 | Study Period 2 | Semester 2 | Summer Semester |
| Specialist Electives Available in 2020 | |||
| LWA111 Indigenous Peoples and the Legal System LWA133 Legal Reasoning (offered each year) LWA221 Human Rights Law LWA316 Intellectual Property Law LWA317 Research Paper LWA329 Conveyancing Law |
LWA207 Dispute Resolution (previously LWS221) LWA210 Contemporary Issues |
LWA110 Legal History LWA112 Environmental and Planning Law LWA317 Research Paper LWA321 Public International Law LWA322 Moot Court |
LWA210 Contemporary Issues LWA217 Resources and Energy Law LWA317 Research Paper |
| Specialist Electives Not Offered in 2020 | |||
| LWA114 Law, Justice and the State LWA319 Private International Law LWZ210 Equity LWZ223 Property Law LWZ304 Administrative Law LWZ315 Corporations Law LWZ316 Evidence LWA325 Succession |
LWA113 Customary Law LWA219 Criminology |
LWA213 Family Law LWA298 Legal Clinic LWA328 Competition and Consumer Law LWA332 Science and Law LWZ211 Trusts LWZ317 Civil Procedure LWZ320 Professional Responsibility LWA331 Finance and Securities Law |
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Course fees
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:
(a) Australian Citizenship; or
(b) a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident visa holder who will be resident within Australia for the duration of the unit.
2020: Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
2021: Information about fees and charges for 2021 are not yet available however will be published prior to 1 December 2020.
International tuition fees
The annual course tuition fee for full time study of 80 credit points for commencing students in 2020 is AUD $26,968.00.
These fees are subject to annual increases each year of your study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.
CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.