Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Course

The Master of Laws (LLM) program at Monash has been developed to offer maximum flexibility and choice for law graduates, with a broad range of subjects that enables students to individually tailor the masters degree to suit their interests and professional needs.

The Master of Laws aims to provide further education to lawyers to assist them to update their skills, specialise in specific areas of the law and undertake research. It may also contribute to continuing legal education and professional development. The course, in terms of course structure, teaching methods, class times and venues, is designed with the interests of part-time students particularly in mind.

12 credit points

The course comprises eight 6-point coursework units, or coursework units and a minor thesis.

This course may be taken in one of three ways*:

(a.) eight coursework units

(b.) four coursework units** and a minor thesis of 25,000-30,000 words on an approved topic

(c.) six coursework units** and a minor thesis of 12,000-15,000 words on an approved topic.

* Candidates with a law degree from a non-Australian jurisdiction will be required to complete the unit LAW7436 (Introduction to legal process).

** In order to qualify to undetake one of the minor thesis options, a student mush have achieved a minimum of 70 per cent in each of the units undertaken.

Postgraduate unit offerings

The faculty endeavours to offer a broad range of graduate units each year across many areas of specialisations and practice areas. The units published have been approved for the purpose of the coursework component in the postgraduate programs.

Units are offered on a rotational basis. Students should check the current timetable to determine which units are available each year. The faculty reserves the right not to offer in a particular year any of the published units if it appears there are insufficient enrolments or if there are other over-riding considerations. Enrolment quotas may have to be imposed in respect of the listed units.

For further information visit http://www.law.monash.edu.au/postgraduate/units-overview.html.

Thesis requirement

Candidates are required to submit a completed thesis proposal form to the postgraduate studies office (forms are available from the office). Students are encouraged to discuss their proposal with members of academic staff. If required, the chair, Postgraduate Studies Committee, will assist in recommending an appropriate member of staff.

Candidates must complete the thesis at a standard comparable to legal writings found in a learned law journal. For information on the requirements which must be met with respect to the certification of theses prior to submission for examination, contact the postgraduate program coordinator.

Students may exit with a Graduate Diploma in Law providing all requirements for that award have been met.

Master of Laws