Associate Degree in Legal Practice
(Paralegal) - An undergraduate qualification
taught in a TAFE environment
Kathie Nickson,
RMIT Program Manager, Business TAFE School
Why choose the Associate Degree in Legal
Practice at RMIT?
• Industry Leader - unique to RMIT
• Innovative Teaching & Learning Environment
• Quality staff
• Pathway to University
• Excellent Career Prospects
RMIT University©2012
Business TAFE School
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Overview
Associate Degree in Legal Practice (Paralegal) program:
• Focuses on developing high level legal skills for paralegals in the
legal industry
• Designed to cater for the increasingly complex roles of paralegals
• Based on developing practical legal skills in addition to identify and
analysing legal concepts and principals
• Aims to develop skills in
– case analysis
– legal research
– file management
– legal writing and drafting
– interview and negotiation skills
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Business TAFE School
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Study areas
• 16 Courses (subjects)
• Three common business core courses in first year
• Specialised courses in :
– Law
– Legal practice,
– Conveyancing
• One elective
• A work-integrated learning course
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Business TAFE School
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Pathways
Articulation to Bachelor of Arts (Criminal Justice Administration)
Associate Degree in Legal Practice
( Paralegal)
Bachelor of Arts
( Criminal Justice Administration)
LAW2477
Commercial Law
HUSO2235
Foundations of Law
(12 credit points)
LAW2493
Criminal Law
HUSO2231
Criminal Law & Procedure A
(12 credit points)
BUSM2461
Introduction to Organisational Behaviour
BUSM3207
Justice Management HR
(12 credit points)
LAW2487
Evidence Law
JUS2280
Principles of Evidence A
(12 credit points)
Law 2488
Business and Corporate Law
Unspecified elective
(12 credit points)
LAW 2492
Family Law
Unspecified elective
(12 credit points)
Successful applicants who gain entry to Bachelor of Arts (Criminal
Justice Administration) will be granted a total of 72 points
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Careers
• Wide range of legal careers
• Employment in:
– Legal firms
– Conveyancing firms
– Government Departments and Agencies eg.
Department of Justice, Court Administration, the
Victorian Government Solicitor, Prosecutions,
Victorian Legal Aid and Community Legal
Centre's.
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Comparison to Advanced Diploma of Legal
Practice
• Graduates will have specialised and integrated technical
and theoretical knowledge
• Higher level analytical skills
• Skills to evaluate information
• Problem solving and decision making in paraprofessional
practice
• Communication skills to make a clear and coherent
presentation of knowledge and ideas with some
intellectual independence
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Business TAFE School
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Questions?
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Business TAFE School
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