Juris Doctor | Flinders Online - Flinders University

Juris Doctor

Are you a leader looking to add legal expertise to your skill set or to practise law?

This flexible and prestigious law degree from a top law school offers the perfect solution.

Apply now

Enquire now

Fast Facts

Entry requirements

Bachelor's degree in an area other than law

See entry requirements

Duration

3 years

Delivery mode

Online

Availability

Full-time, part-time

Start dates

March, July

Annual indicative fees (2025)

$33,768 (FFP)

Available for midyear entry?

Yes

Duration

3 years

Delivery mode

Online

Availability

Full-time, part-time

Start dates

March, July

Annual indicative fees (2025)

$33,768 (FFP)

Available for midyear entry?

Yes

Overview

Overview Course details Career opportunities Testimonials Entry requirements Enquire now

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Study a Juris Doctor at Flinders

Add law to your repertoire.

Study a Juris Doctor at Flinders

Add law to your repertoire.

Flinders University is ranked in the top 2% globally* and No. 2 in Australia in Law & Paralegal Studies for teaching quality**. Our Juris Doctor is designed for leaders and career changers looking to enhance their skills with legal expertise or those aiming to practise law.

Personalised student support features throughout, including the Juris Doctor Mentor Network, which can help you grow your network as you study.

You’ll gain valuable skills from day one, and receive a Graduate Certificate and a Graduate Diploma within the first year of full-time study.

*THE World University Rankings 2024 as a percentage of the total number of universities in the world according to the International Association of Universities.

**The Good Universities Guide 2023 (postgraduate).

What you will study

You’ll study 18 core law topics and develop advanced skills in areas you choose to specialise in, including Corporate Law, Health Law and Ethics, Advanced and Comparative Intellectual Property, and more, with topics built by experienced international lawyers. You will compete in competitions and get access to prestigious internships.

What you will study

You’ll study 18 core law topics and develop advanced skills in areas you choose to specialise in, including Corporate Law, Health Law and Ethics, Advanced and Comparative Intellectual Property, and more, with topics built by experienced international lawyers. You will compete in competitions and get access to prestigious internships.

Year 1

First year may include:

The Australian Legal System
Contract
Torts
Legal Theory and Research
Dispute Resolution
Legal Innovation and Problem Solving
Property, Equity and Trusts
Principles of Public International Law

Year 2

Second year may include the following core topics and two additional option topics: 

Constitutional Law
Real Property Law
Criminal Law
Administrative Law
Civil Procedure
Corporate Law

Year 3

Third year may include the following core topics and four additional option topics: 

Evidence
Ethics and Regulation of the Legal Profession
Reforming Social Justice
Future Practice Skills

Option topics

Over the course of the degree two option topics are selected in second year and four option topics in third year, allowing you to specialise, including but not limited to:

Advanced and Comparative Intellectual Property
Advanced and Comparative Competition Law
Advanced and Comparative Technology Regulation
Advanced Corporate Law
Family Law
Employment Law
Health Law and Ethics
International Environmental Law
International Human Rights
Law of the Sea and Space
Research Projects (topic by agreement)

Year 1

First year may include:

The Australian Legal System
Contract
Torts
Legal Theory and Research
Dispute Resolution
Legal Innovation and Problem Solving
Property, Equity and Trusts
Principles of Public International Law

Year 2

Second year may include the following core topics and two additional option topics: 

Constitutional Law
Real Property Law
Criminal Law
Administrative Law
Civil Procedure
Corporate Law

Year 3

Third year may include the following core topics and four additional option topics: 

Evidence
Ethics and Regulation of the Legal Profession
Reforming Social Justice
Future Practice Skills

Option topics

Over the course of the degree two option topics are selected in second year and four option topics in third year, allowing you to specialise, including but not limited to:

Advanced and Comparative Intellectual Property
Advanced and Comparative Competition Law
Advanced and Comparative Technology Regulation
Advanced Corporate Law
Family Law
Employment Law
Health Law and Ethics
International Environmental Law
International Human Rights
Law of the Sea and Space
Research Projects (topic by agreement)

Apply now

Course handbook

Your career

The Juris Doctor meets the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in South Australia and all Australian jurisdictions, as well as in Singapore. Add law to your repertoire as a senior leader or enter the legal profession with this prestigious and flexible law degree.

Your career

The Juris Doctor meets the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in South Australia and all Australian jurisdictions, as well as in Singapore. Add law to your repertoire as a senior leader or enter the legal profession with this prestigious and flexible law degree.

Potential occupations

Chief Executive Officer

$255,000*

In-house Lawyer

$155,000*

Legal Counsel

$150,000*

Legal Manager

$145,000

Solicitor

$95,000*

*Upon completion of Practical Legal Training, typical salaries are drawn from a variety of sources, including Seek, Glassdoor and Indeed, and may vary. Please do your own research.

Potential employers

Law firms
Corporations
Government agencies
Not-for-profit organisations
Consulting firms
Small-medium enterprises

Professional accreditations

LPEAC

The Legal Practitioners Education and Admission Council

This course is accredited by the Legal Practitioners Education and Admission Council in South Australia and is recognised in Australian states and territories.

CALD

The Council of Australian Law Deans

This course is compliant with the standards for Australian Law Schools adopted by the Council of Australian Law Deans and assessed by the Australian Law Schools Standards Committee (ALSSC).

The Institute

The Singapore Institute of Legal Education

In Singapore this course is recognised by the Legal Professional (Qualified Persons) Rules under the Legal Profession Act 1966. Application for admission in Singapore will require meeting the requirements of that law and the practical requirements and process administrated by the Singapore Institute of Legal Education.

Potential occupations

Chief Executive Officer

$255,000*

In-house Lawyer

$155,000*

Legal Counsel

$150,000*

Legal Manager

$145,000

Solicitor

$95,000*

*Upon completion of Practical Legal Training, typical salaries are drawn from a variety of sources, including Seek, Glassdoor and Indeed, and may vary. Please do your own research.

Potential employers

Law firms
Corporations
Government agencies
Not-for-profit organisations
Consulting firms
Small-medium enterprises

Professional accreditations

This course is accredited by the Legal Practitioners Education and Admission Council in South Australia and is recognised in Australian states and territories.

This course is compliant with the standards for Australian Law Schools adopted by the Council of Australian Law Deans and assessed by the Australian Law Schools Standards Committee (ALSSC).

In Singapore this course is recognised by the Legal Professional (Qualified Persons) Rules under the Legal Profession Act 1966. Application for admission in Singapore will require meeting the requirements of that law and the practical requirements and process administrated by the Singapore Institute of Legal Education.

Practical experience

Gain practical skills to apply the law in a dynamic, interconnected, global and increasingly digital world.

Practical experience

Gain practical skills to apply the law in a dynamic, interconnected, global and increasingly digital world.

Interactive, case-based teaching

Debate and reflect on real-world issues

Interactive, case-based teaching

Debate and reflect on real-world issues

Interactive, case-based
teaching

Debate and reflect on real-world issues

Practical assessments

This course has no mandatory placement requirements. Instead, students are provided with assessments and opportunities throughout the course to develop practical skills as part of their coursework in each topic.

Practical assessments

This course has no mandatory placement requirements. Instead, students are provided with assessments and opportunities throughout the course to develop practical skills as part of their coursework in each topic.

Industry connections

The Juris Doctor Connect Mentor Network at Flinders University connects students with experienced legal professionals, providing valuable mentorship opportunities, and exposes them to a broad range of legal practice beyond those fields covered in the course itself.

Flinders University is a future you can count on

Qualify to practise law in Australia and in Singapore with a university ranked in the top 2% globally and No. 2 in Australia in Law & Paralegal Studies for teaching quality*

Personalised support - including an exclusive Juris Doctor Mentor Network, ‘New in Law’ orientation program, and a LinkedIn group for ongoing connections.

Develop practical skills in specialisations of your choice and be able to participate in competitions and access prestigious internships.

Learn from experienced lawyers through interactive, case-based teaching.

3 qualifications in 1. Complete a Graduate Certificate and a Graduate Diploma midway through the degree, helping provide opportunities for immediate career development.

Accredited by the Legal Practitioners Education and Admission Council in South Australia and compliant with Australian Law Schools standard.

Qualify to practise law in Australia and in Singapore with a university ranked in the top 2% globally and No. 2 in Australia in Law & Paralegal Studies for teaching quality*

Personalised support - including an exclusive Juris Doctor Mentor Network, ‘New in Law’ orientation program, and a LinkedIn group for ongoing connections.

Develop practical skills in specialisations of your choice and be able to participate in competitions and access prestigious internships.

Learn from experienced lawyers through interactive, case-based teaching.

3 qualifications in 1. Complete a Graduate Certificate and a Graduate Diploma midway through the degree, helping provide opportunities for immediate career development.

Accredited by the Legal Practitioners Education and Admission Council in South Australia and compliant with Australian Law Schools standard.

*THE World University Rankings 2024 as a percentage of the total number of universities in the world according to the International Association of Universities

Get inspired

Discover more about Flinders University’s Juris Doctor course.

Get inspired

Discover more about Flinders University’s Juris Doctor course.

Juris Doctor

Learn about the Juris Doctor with alumnus Katherine Barreto.

A Career in Law

Learn about Flinders University's law programme with Dean of Law Professor Tania Leiman.

“The JD was the most practical university degree I have undertaken.”

Kyron Johnson

Department of Premier and Cabinet, Tasmania

“Flinders stood out as a university committed to innovation and technology.”

Megan Ellis

Assistant Director, Attorney-General's Department

“As a result of the internship I built strong networks with the Australian Ambassador, Embassy staff and UN representatives.”

Brett Maryniak

Juris Doctor student

“The JD was the most practical university degree I have undertaken.”

Kyron Johnson

Department of Premier and Cabinet, Tasmania

“Flinders stood out as a university committed to innovation and technology.”

Megan Ellis

Assistant Director, Attorney-General's Department

“Flinders stood out as a university committed to innovation and technology.”

Megan Ellis

Assistant Director, Attorney-General's Department

Meet your academics

Our incredible teaching and professional staff are experts in their fields and well-connected to industry.

Meet your academics

Our incredible teaching and professional staff are experts in their fields and well-connected to industry.

Robert Chalmers

Senior Lecturer

Robert draws on his diverse experience as a lawyer, educator, and commercial adviser to prepare students for real-world challenges. Specialising in intellectual property and technology, he explores the dynamic interplay between technological innovation, societal impacts, and regulatory frameworks.

See full profile

Robert Chalmers

Senior Lecturer

Show less

Robert draws on his diverse experience as a lawyer, educator, and commercial adviser to prepare students for real-world challenges. Specialising in intellectual property and technology, he explores the dynamic interplay between technological innovation, societal impacts, and regulatory frameworks.

See full profile

Simone Daniells

Associate Lecturer

Simone is a lawyer with over 13 years' experience, and integrates legal and business innovation into her teaching. As Dedicated Course Mentor for the Juris Doctor program, she fosters student success by blending practical expertise in law with collaborative problem-solving and design thinking approaches.

See full profile

Simone Daniells

Associate Lecturer

Show less

Simone is a lawyer with over 13 years' experience, and integrates legal and business innovation into her teaching. As Dedicated Course Mentor for the Juris Doctor program, she fosters student success by blending practical expertise in law with collaborative problem-solving and design thinking approaches.

See full profile

Professor Tania Leiman

Dean of Law

Tania leads Flinders Law’s innovative undergraduate curriculum, focusing on legal education for emerging technologies, access to justice, and sustainability. An award-winning educator and researcher, she contributes to national initiatives on future mobility, legal tech, and regulatory frameworks, shaping the future of legal practice and education.

See full profile

Professor Tania Leiman

Dean of Law

Show less

Tania leads Flinders Law’s innovative undergraduate curriculum, focusing on legal education for emerging technologies, access to justice, and sustainability. An award-winning educator and researcher, she contributes to national initiatives on future mobility, legal tech, and regulatory frameworks, shaping the future of legal practice and education.

See full profile

Robert Chalmers

Senior Lecturer

Robert draws on his diverse experience as a lawyer, educator, and commercial adviser to prepare students for real-world challenges. Specialising in intellectual property and technology, he explores the dynamic interplay between technological innovation, societal impacts, and regulatory frameworks.

See full profile

Simone Daniells

Associate Lecturer

Simone is a lawyer with over 13 years' experience, and integrates legal and business innovation into her teaching. As Dedicated Course Mentor for the Juris Doctor program, she fosters student success by blending practical expertise in law with collaborative problem-solving and design thinking approaches.

See full profile

Professor Tania Leiman

Dean of Law

Tania leads Flinders Law’s innovative undergraduate curriculum, focusing on legal education for emerging technologies, access to justice, and sustainability. An award-winning educator and researcher, she contributes to national initiatives on future mobility, legal tech, and regulatory frameworks, shaping the future of legal practice and education.

See full profile

Three qualifications in one

Flinders University offers staggered qualifications as you complete certain milestones. Finish four topics and you’ll receive a Graduate Certificate. Finish another four topics, and you’ll receive a Graduate Diploma. Complete a further 16 topics in addition to those, and you will be awarded a Juris Doctor.

Three qualifications in one

Flinders University offers staggered qualifications as you complete certain milestones. Finish four topics and you’ll receive a Graduate Certificate. Finish another four topics, and you’ll receive a Graduate Diploma. Complete a further 12 topics in addition to those, and you will be awarded a Juris Doctor.

Juris Doctor

24 topics
3-years duration

Graduate Diploma in Laws

8 topics
12-month duration

Graduate Certificate in Laws

4 topics
6-month duration

Juris Doctor

24 topics
3-years duration

Graduate Diploma in Laws

8 topics
12-month duration

Graduate Certificate in Laws

4 topics
6-month duration

Entry requirements

To be accepted into this course, applicants must meet at least one of the following entry requirements:

hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification in an area other than law, or
hold a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in law that does not make them eligible to be admitted to practise law in Australia.

Have a question?

Find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

Have a question?

Find the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.

What is a Juris Doctor in Australia?

It is a graduate-entry law degree that covers the required areas of knowledge for admission to practise law in Australia. It is a pathway into the legal profession for those who have an undergraduate degree from another discipline, or law degrees from overseas.

How is a Juris Doctor different from a standard law degree?

Both the Juris Doctor and the Bachelor of Laws – Legal Practice Entry satisfy the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia. The differences are: the Juris Doctor is designed for those who already have an undergraduate degree and is taught online, whereas the Bachelor of Laws – Legal Practice Entry is for those commencing their tertiary education and is taught on campus at Bedford Park or at the city campus.

I haven’t completed an undergraduate degree, but I’ve started one. Can my work be counted towards the Juris Doctor?

Possibly. Register your interest, add details about your studies to date and we'll get back to you.

What is Practical Legal Training?

If you want to practise law in Australia, Practical Legal Training (or PLT) is the next step to complete after graduating with a Juris Doctor of Bachelor of Laws – Legal Practice Entry. It is a requirement that helps you transition from your academic studies to real-life legal practice.

Is a Juris Doctor internationally recognised?

Yes, the Juris Doctor is a prestigious law qualification and is recognised internationally. If you intend to practise law in a country other than Australia you need to check the specific knowledge and admission requirements for that country, as most countries will require you to be familiar with their specific practices.

How to apply?

Select your preferred course.

Check the entry requirements and your eligibility.

Check the key application and enrolment dates.

Apply and submit your application via Direct Entry.

Who is eligible to apply?

Flinders Online courses are available for Australian or New Zealand citizens, Australian permanent residents, holders of Australian permanent humanitarian visas and Pacific Engagement visa holders.

International students in Australia who hold a student visa are not eligible to apply.

For further information regarding course eligibility, refer to the individual entry requirements for each course.

When do I apply?

You are encouraged to apply as soon as possible and by no later than teaching commencement dates. If places fill, applications for your preferred start date may close without notice and you will be considered for the next available intake.

Semester 1: teaching commences 3 March 2025 – Applications close 28 February 2025
Semester 2: teaching commences 28 July 2025 – Applications close 25 July 2025

Some courses have non-standard semester commencement dates as follows:

February Study Period: teaching commences 24 February 2025 – Applications close 21 February 2025
June Study Period: teaching commences 30 June 2025 – Applications close 27 June 2025
September Study Period: teaching commences 29 September 2025 – Applications close 26 September 2025

Please refer to the individual Flinders Online course for more information.

Other critical and key dates