OVERVIEW

Almost all industries depend on people with an understanding of the law and skills in legal reasoning. With the UNE Diploma in Paralegal Studies, you will build the preparatory knowledge and skills you need to advance your career in a variety of in-demand legal sectors. Be supported by an expert teaching team to build you expertise, and study online in a timeframe that suits your lifestyle.

Why study the Diploma of Paralegal Studies with UNE?

UNE is home to Australia's largest law school outside a capital city, as well as being an early adopter of innovative technology in the delivery of our law programs. This course is a stepping-stone to a variety of professional pathways, whether that is to advance your career in a legal-related field or if you're planning to undertake further study in law. With UNE, you will build your preparatory legal knowledge and skills to pursue your unique goals, regardless of your educational background.

What makes our course different?

This course will enhance your career opportunities if you want to work in the ever-changing legal services market. You will have the opportunity to:

Complete eight units of study, giving you a solid grounding in the fundamentals of the Australian legal system, including business law, dispute resolution, law and first peoples of Australia.
Develop knowledge and skills to become a paralegal working for in-house lawyers, the fastest growing sector in law at present, not just legal practices or law firms.
Build transferable expertise to apply to a range of careers, from corporate governance and communications to politics and policy making.
Learn how to become a strategic and effective communicator in legal environments.
Apply this knowledge to springboard into further legal studies, for example, the UNE Advanced Diploma in Paralegal Studies or Bachelor of Legal Studies.
Have the freedom to study fully online in as little as one year (full-time) or up to four years (part-time).
Year after year, students award UNE the maximum 5-star ratings for Overall Experience and Student Support in The Good Universities Guide.

Study online

Most of our students choose to study online across three study periods with 24/7 tutor support* and fit study around work and family commitments. Uniquely, our online students are mostly over 30 and bring valuable experience with them. They form a community of adults juggling the same challenges and priorities and who bring their life and work experience together at UNE in order to become future-fit and better respond to a rapidly changing world.

Study on campus

Many of our students choose to take advantage of the on-campus lifestyle in Armidale, in the beautiful New England region, with access to unparalleled support, accommodation and sporting facilities. These students are often starting their first degree and have left school recently. Through access to academic and career support they get a fantastic start to their careers.

* 24/7 tutor support includes: essay feedback (within 24 hours); live chat 24/7 for generic feedback on academic writing; and subject-specific help at a foundation or first-year level for subjects including mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, business, accounting, microeconomics, macroeconomics and statistics. There are also a wide range of workshops, resources and courses available in academic skills support to assist you and help you to succeed.

COURSE STRUCTURE

Note: With the permission of the Course Coordinator, alternative units may be selected, subject to candidates meeting overall course requirements.

For UNE and OUA - admitted students: to qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 48 credit points.

CAREER OUTCOMES

Whether you’re already working in law and want to upskill, or you want to change careers, you can pursue a legal career in a range of areas including:

• paralegal, legal secretary or law-related professional working in a law firm or legal practice

• paralegal or legal roles in banking and finance, communications and public relations or corporate governance

• legal roles in court administration, information technology publishing, justice departments, politics and public policy making.

CAREER  OUTCOMES

Whether you’re already working in law and want to upskill, or you want to change careers, you can pursue a legal career in a range of areas including:

• paralegal, legal secretary or law-related professional working in a law firm or legal practice

• paralegal or legal roles in banking and finance, communications and public relations or corporate governance

• legal roles in court administration, information technology publishing, justice departments, politics and public policy making.

Course outcomes

The Diploma of Paralegal Studies aims to graduate students who can demonstrate: - a knowledge of the fundamentals of the Australian legal system; - knowledge of areas that include criminal law, dispute resolution, law and first peoples of Australia; - competence in written communication.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• demonstrate knowledge and have an understanding of law's purpose and its application

• demonstrate an ability to reflect upon and appreciate law's effect on society

• demonstrate an introductory knowledge of the fundamental areas of law, law's values and principles, and an awareness of Indigenous legal issues

• demonstrate an awareness of personal and social responsibility through an awareness of ethical issues in a legal context; and

• be accountable for their own learning by being independent and self-directed learners, and personally practising ethical conduct.