Law is a very broad field. Some people think that taking a course in law is basically getting your degree in just that subject. However, this could not be further from the truth. There are so many types of law courses. Each one focuses on a different aspect of the venerable subject. For example, you will only be looking to complete one or two of the many law courses Sydney offers in its many law schools.

The 5 Types Of Law Courses You Can Take

One common factor that links all law courses is that they are pretty tough. A lot of students who do law drop out early because they can’t handle the pressure that comes with the course material. However, for the select few who stick through it, the rewards can be very high.

Becoming a Lawyer is a Lengthy Process

There are two steps a student has to go through if they want to actually practice law one day. While the basic theory behind each step is the same, there are certain differences that make each type a class of its own. When it comes togetting a degree in law, the first step is to become academically qualified.

The 5 Types Of Law Courses You Can Take

This means that the student is taught the basic theories of law. This includes doing multiple case studies and learning the laws of the country by heart. There aren’t many practical sessions or modules in these courses. They are more about learning the subject so that it can be applied anywhere in the world.

However, to become a practicing lawyer, one needs to go a step further after completing an academic course in the subject. This is called the Practical Legal Training course and it allows students to become fully fledged practicing lawyers after graduation.

5 Different Legal Courses

Law is a subject that is taught at universities all over the country. For instance, if you live in NSW, the number of universities with legal departments is quite high. There are 5 main legal courses in the country’s universities:

  1. Bachelor of Laws (LLB)

Class – Academic

The LLB is a 4 year degree that is open to nearly everyone who meets its requirements, whether they have just completed school or are recent university graduates. If you have completed school and have a high enough ATAR grade, you can enroll in an LLB course for 4 years. If you are a recent university graduate with enough credits, you can sign up for the LLB course, but it is possible that the duration will be just 3 years.

  1. Bachelor of Laws (LLB) Combined

Class – Academic

This is a double degree, or dual degree, that an LLB student can take in order to graduate with 2 degrees instead of one. The course duration is typically extended to 5 years. Units from a different degree are studied during the normal LLB degree, like business for instance.

  1. Juris Doctor (JD)

Class – Academic

This is a 3 year postgraduate degree. It is the same as entering an LLB course after graduating from university. However, the course material is more advanced, because it is made for graduates. This specialized course carries with it a higher tuition fee, and since it isn’t an undergraduate course the students are less likely to get government help with their finances during study.

  1. Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (GradDipLegalPrac)

Class – Practical Legal Training (PLT)

This is a 6 to 12 month course that focuses on the more practical side of the law. This is a way for law students who have just completed their LLB or their Juris Doctor degree to start practicing Law as a career. The course involves a lot of model courtroom sessions and on-the-job training.

  1. Master of Laws (LLM) (Legal Practice)

Class – Practical Legal Training (PLT)

This is a degree that is obtained when you extend the duration of study of your GradDipLegalPrac course. It is a postgraduate qualification with the added bonus of being able to practice Law. This isn’t an option that is offered by many universities, so if you are looking for a Master’s degree, make sure you do your research on the universities that offer legal courses.

Other Advanced Degrees in Law

In addition to the 5 main degrees offered by universities in the field of Law, there are many ways in which you can gain an advanced specialization in the subject after your LLB or JD.

  • Graduate Certificate in Law (GradCertLaw)
  • Graduate Diploma in Law (GradDipLaw)
  • Master of Laws (Coursework) (LLM)
  • Master of Laws (Research) (LLM)
  • Doctor of Philosophy in a legal field (PhD)