Where the law and the media connect.
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 Introduction to Psychology A
LAW101 Introduction to Psychology B
LAW102 Current Directions in Psychology
LAW103 Research Methods in Psychology A
LAW104 Research Methods in Psychology B
Advanced courses (20)
14 required courses:
LAW201 Physiological Psychology
LAW202 Introduction to Human Development
LAW203 Social Psychology
LAW204 Motivation and Emotion
LAW205 Advanced Methods in Psychology
LAW206 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
LAW301 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
LAW302 Personality and Assessment
LAW303 Human Associative Learning
LAW304 Abnormal Psychology
LAW401 Psychology of Health and Wellbeing
LAW402 Adult Development and Ageing
LAW403 Introduction to Criminology
LAW404 Understanding Crime
PLUS select 6 elective courses from:
LAW307 Punishment and Corrections
LAW310 Policing
LAW311 Justice and the Australian Legal System
LAW312 Australian Society: How does(n't) it work? - An Introduction to Sociology
LAW318 Applied Crime Prevention
LAW407 Criminal Law
LAW408 Professional Development
LAW414 Professional Ethics and Integrity Management
LAW415 Diversity, Crime and Justice
LAW416 Criminal Profiling & Intelligence
LAW417 International Justice and Human Rights
LAW418 Homicide, Investigations & Forensic Science
LAW419 Youth Justice & Restorative Justice
LAW420 Professional Placement
The following 2 elective courses are only available to students who have been accepted into honours in Law:
LAW440 Crime Research Methods
LAW441 Working with Victims and Offenders
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 Introduction to Cyber Crime
CMN130 Human Development and Learning
CMN150 Professional Experience: The role of the teacher
Advanced courses (12)
CMN213 Foundations of Numeracy
CMN228 English Language and Literacy
CMN235 Teaching with Technology
CMN237 Professional Experience: Connecting with Learning and Teaching
CMN240 Teaching Mathematics in the Early Years
CMN249 Teaching English: Curriculum and Pedagogy
CMN277 Teaching Science in the Early Years
CMN302 Teaching Arts in the Early Years
CMN305 Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
CMN306 Playing with Words: an Introduction to Creative Writing Craft
CMN307 Earth's Surface Processes
CMN330 Discovering Science
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