Juris Doctor (JD) course overview

The Monash JD is designed for non-law graduates wanting to obtain a degree in law which meets the academic requirements for admission as a legal practitioner.

The Monash JD offers you the opportunity to pursue a career change or follow a long-held ambition to practise law. The course brings together passionate and dedicated individuals with diverse backgrounds in a stimulating and challenging environment, enhancing the learning experience for all students.

Structure

The course is structured to ensure you develop the required skills and knowledge to progress through the course successfully while balancing other demands. 

The Monash JD comprises 24 units (15 compulsory and nine elective units), taught in a small, seminar-style format that facilitates interactive learning and lively class debate.

The initial unit, Australian legal reasoning and methods, provides an introduction to the study of law.

After completing most of the 15 compulsory units, you are able to undertake up to nine elective units from our masters program. Elective units are taught in a variety of formats: intensive or semi-intensive blocks or over the standard university semester. When undertaking these units, you study alongside qualified lawyers and professionals.

Duration

The JD is taught on a trimester basis. Each trimester in the program runs for approximately 12 teaching weeks.

The program duration is three years for full-time students (including international students).

Standard progression for Australian students who want more flexibility and work life balance. However, an accelerated program may be completed in just two and a half years by high achieving full-time students (including international students).

Admission to Practice

The Monash JD meets the current academic requirements for admission as a legal practitioner. In addition, law graduates must meet the practical legal training required for admission. Practical experience can be gained via either:

  • 12 months of Supervised Workplace Training (SWT/Traineeship); or
  • a practical legal training course.

For more information see the Law Institute of Victoria.

Once you have completed the practical requirements, you may apply to the Supreme Court of Victoria for admission.

Recognising your JD qualification

The appropriate designation is ‘Jane Smith, JD'.

Because the JD is not a professional doctorate, graduates are not permitted to refer to themselves as ‘Doctor'.