Program Overview
The University of Western Australia's Juris Doctor (JD) program is a three-year postgraduate qualification designed to prepare students for a career in legal practice. The program emphasizes critical thinking, cultural competence, resilience, and a global perspective. It is taught by renowned legal professionals and academics, featuring practical skill-building opportunities like the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Juris Doctor (JD) is a three-year postgraduate qualification that is internationally recognized. It is designed to prepare students for a career in legal practice. The JD program is open to students who have completed a bachelor's degree in any discipline.
Objectives:
The JD program aims to develop students into:
- Problem solvers: With a deep understanding of legal theory and practice, critical thinking skills, and an awareness of how local, national, and global contexts influence the law.
- Relationship builders: Skilled in empathetic listening, effective communication, and building constructive and collaborative relationships with colleagues, clients, and communities.
- Resilient and reflective learners: Adaptable thinkers who are able to critically self-reflect, engage in lifelong learning, and manage their own well-being and that of others.
- Global citizens: Committed to ethical and professional legal practice, seeking solutions on a national, transnational, and international level.
Teaching:
- The JD program is taught by a faculty of nationally recognized legal professionals and academics.
- Students have the opportunity to participate in practical skill-building programs, such as the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition.
Careers:
- The JD program prepares students for a wide range of legal careers, including:
- Queen's Counsel and Senior Counsel barristers
- Solicitors
- Academic lawyers
- Rhodes and Fulbright Scholars
- The UWA Law School has a strong track record of placing graduates in legal positions, with consistently high employment rates.
Other:
- The UWA Law School is the fifth oldest in Australia and ranks in the top 150 for Law and Legal Studies, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023.
- The JD curriculum is designed to scaffold sequential knowledge and skills progression.
- Students can complete the JD program full-time in three years or part-time over up to nine years.
- The UWA Juris Doctor degree is recognized in China, Malaysia, and Singapore.
- The UWA Law School is certified by the Australian Law School Standards.
- The UWA Law School has a strong tradition of excellence spanning 90 years.
- Six of Australia's High Court judges graduated from the University of Western Australia.
