C10258v1 Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Journalism) Bachelor of Laws

Overview

This course is offered jointly by UTS: Law and UTS: Communication. It aims to produce journalists with the knowledge and analytical skills of lawyers, and lawyers with the communication skills of professional journalists. It develops a broad range of professional skills and knowledge for either legal or media practice.

For those wishing to specialise after graduation, the course offers a number of possibilities including media and communications legal practice, policy and research work, specialist legal and crime reporting and publishing for print, internet, radio or television, and legal communications or publishing in the private sector.

Career options

Career options include journalist with professional skills in one or more of the print, radio, television or internet media; lawyer in the media and communication industry or legal policy adviser in a government department such as the Australian Broadcasting Authority.

Assumed knowledge

Proficiency in English and computer literacy.

Course duration and attendance

The course is offered on a five-year, full-time basis. Students are required to attend approximately 17 hours of seminars and lectures per week. Timetable constraints may require attendance at daytime and evening classes in the Law component.

Course structure

The course comprises 240 credit points. The study components for course completion are as follows.

The Law component of 144 credit points is made up of:

• 102 credit points of compulsory core law subjects (14 subjects)
• 18 credit points of law options (three subjects), and
• either 24 credit points of practical legal training subjects (five subjects) or an additional 24 credit points of law options (four subjects).

The Communication component of 96 credit points is made up of:

• 48 credit points of compulsory subjects (six subjects), and
• 48 credit points of subjects from the Journalism major (six subjects).

Industrial training/professional practice

To practise as a lawyer in NSW students must successfully complete an accredited legal qualification (e.g. UTS Bachelor of Laws) and an accredited course of practical legal training, such as the UTS Practical Legal Training program.

Course completion requirements

Course diagram

Course program

Levels of award

Professional recognition

Supreme Court of NSW

This course satisfies the requirements for admission as a lawyer, provided students undertake the optional Practical Legal Training in their final semesters.

Other information

Further information on the Communication component is available from: