Article source: Studyonline.canberra.edu
Are you looking for a career change or to enhance your career? A graduate certificate in law could be the perfect course for you! But what do you know about the course? Finding out about a graduate certificate in law can be challenging, but it doesn’t need to be. We are here today with our guide that walks you through everything you need to know about a graduate certificate in law, including its contents, career outcomes, and more.
What is a graduate certificate in law?
A graduate certificate in law is a postgraduate course designed to provide you with the legal fundamentals that can help you transition into a career in law. The course will develop your practical dispute resolution skills and equip you with ethical and effective legal communication skills across a range of settings, helping you thrive.
The course will teach you how to navigate, lead, and influence high-stakes discussions, helping you to make an impact in your organisation or community. The course spans four units and can be delivered full or part-time. There is also the choice to study online, with complete flexibility. This flexibility is ideal for individuals with caring responsibilities or those who need to continue working while studying.
What will you learn in a graduate certificate in law?
What you will learn in a graduate certificate in law can vary depending on the course provider. We recommend checking with your course provider before applying to ensure the course covers the relevant content that you need. Many graduate certificates in law will feature overlapping content, so you don’t need to worry about missing out on the information you need. Usually, the course will feature the following learning outcomes:
- Engage respectfully with Indigenous contexts – where you reflect critically on historical and social contexts to work respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
- Legal fundamentals – you will demonstrate a broad and coherent theoretical and technical knowledge of complex legal concepts, helping you to navigate and interpret legal contracts, documents, and frameworks that govern the public sector or organisations
- Master effective and ethical legal communication across diverse settings – to communicate legal knowledge, ideas, and arguments, ethically and effectively within mult-modal and cultural boundaries
- Proactive strategies for preventing and solving problems – where you learn how to interpret and apply legal principles to make strategic and informed decisions. You will integrate legal research and a holistic approach to dispute resolution, strategic thinking, ethical decision-making, and critical analysis to combat challenges
One of the biggest benefits of a graduate certificate in law is that you can tailor the course to suit your interests and career goals. The course comprises four units, two of which are foundation units, and you can then choose from a variety of units to tailor the course to your specific needs. These units will vary, but you can expect to find the following:
Foundation units
- Legal methods and skills
- Legal systems
Elective units
Business law stream
- Contract law
- Corporations law
- Dispute management
- Intellectual property law
- Lawyers and professional responsibility
- Negotiation
- Workplace law in context
Electives
- Administrative law
- Advanced legal research and writing skills
- Civil procedure
- Contract law
- Criminal law and procedure
- Constitutional law
- Corporations law
- Dispute management
- Equity and trusts law
- Evidence law
- Human rights law
- International law
- Intellectual property law
- Law, innovation and technologies
- Law reform and social change
- Lawyers and professional responsibility
- Legal theory
- Negotiation
- Property law
- Torts law
- Workplace law in context
Public policy stream
- Administrative law
- Constitutional law
- International law
- Lawyers and professional responsibilities
- Legal theory
- Reform and social change
What can I do with a graduate certificate in law?
What you can do with a graduate certificate in law can vary, with many students moving into the following roles across different sectors:
- C-Suite leader
- Compliance director/head of compliance
- Compliance officer
- Executive/Non-executive director
- Government relations officer
- Management consultant
- Policy director
- Policy advisor
- Regulatory affairs manager
- Strategy director
- Trustee/advisory board member
You can also choose to remain in education, completing a graduate diploma in law or a juris doctor course. These can provide access to higher-paid roles and more opportunities, ultimately leading to a career as a solicitor. You should speak to your course provider to inquire about career progression opportunities and whether you can use credits from your current course towards the new one.
What are the requirements to apply for a graduate certificate in law?
The entry requirements for a graduate certificate in law vary depending on the provider of the course. Still, typically you will need to hold an undergraduate degree in a non-law discipline and achieve a GPA of at least 5/7. You might also need to meet additional requirements if English is not your first language. The requirements will vary, so be sure to speak to your course provider or an enrolment advisor to learn more.
Find your law course today
A graduate certificate in law is the perfect stepping stone to your new career. When choosing your course, we recommend considering EDU, who offer an excellent graduate certificate in law. Their course offers a wide range of electives to choose from, allowing you to tailor it perfectly to your needs and career goals. Check out their graduate certificate in law to see if it’s the course for you!