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 2

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 RMIT University©2012 Business TAFE School 3

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 RMIT University©2012 Business TAFE School 4

Pathways

Articulation to Bachelor of Arts (Criminal Justice Administration)

Associate Degree in Legal Practice ( Paralegal)

LAW2477 Commercial Law LAW2493 Criminal Law BUSM2461 Introduction to Organisational Behaviour LAW2487 Evidence Law Law 2488 Business and Corporate Law LAW 2492 Family Law

Bachelor of Arts ( Criminal Justice Administration)

HUSO2235 Foundations of Law (12 credit points) HUSO2231 Criminal Law & Procedure A (12 credit points) BUSM3207 Justice Management HR (12 credit points) JUS2280 Principles of Evidence A (12 credit points) Unspecified elective (12 credit points) 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 RMIT University©2012 Business TAFE School 5

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.

RMIT University©2012 Business TAFE School 6

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 RMIT University©2012 Business TAFE School 7

Questions?

RMIT University©2012 Business TAFE School 8