The general objectives of the masters program are:
1 to enable all candidates to develop and demonstrate advanced skills in research, analysis and the written or oral communication of complex ideas;
2 to enable all candidates to develop and demonstrate a knowledge of law, and the theoretical and policy framework within which the law operates, which is deeper or broader than that required for the degree of Bachelor of Laws;
3 to complement the undergraduate program of the faculty;
4 to serve the needs of the legal and wider community.
More particularly, in relation to the Master of Laws (coursework and minor thesis and coursework alone) program, the objectives may be stated as follows.
1 To enable candidates:
(a) to achieve a more advanced and detailed knowledge of the theoretical framework and of the major legal and policy issues of areas of legal study already undertaken at undergraduate level;
(b) to achieve a basic knowledge of the theoretical framework and of the major legal and policy issues of areas of legal study which are not offered at the undergraduate level by reason of their complexity or where the completion of undergraduate studies or work experience are a necessary prerequisite to its study; or
(c) to acquire interdisciplinary perspectives which will enhance their understanding of areas of legal study.
2 To enable candidates to develop their own skills of critical analysis of the law:
(a) by formulating independently and articulating (both orally and in writing) legal and policy issues;
(b) by enhancing their organisational, presentational and writing skills; and
(c) by becoming competent in relevant research skills.
3 To allow for an interchange of expertise and ideas between candidates and teachers, in order to achieve a breadth of legal scholarship.
The objectives of a PhD in law are:
1 to offer a flexible program - combining research with the opportunity to undertake coursework studies - which can be tailored to the individual needs of each candidate having regard to the availability of resources within the faculty;
2 to preserve the high status of the doctoral degree by maintaining a rigorous admissions policy which takes account both of the quality of applications received and the capacity of the faculty to provide expert supervision in an applicant's proposed area of research;
3 to design and maintain a program which caters particularly, though not exclusively, to the interests of candidates who are contemplating an academic career in law;
4 to provide a collegial environment for the pursuit of doctoral studies, and to encourage cooperation between candidates enrolled in the program through the exchange of ideas and experiences;
5 to encourage doctoral candidates to participate in the intellectual life of the faculty and to maximise the opportunities for interaction between doctoral candidates and members of the academic staff;
6 to encourage and promote interdisciplinary approaches to the advanced study of law, empirical research on the effects of legal rules and institutions, and the enhancement to the highest level of each candidate's skills in the areas of legal research techniques and legal writing.
Applicants for admission to the degree of Master of Laws by major thesis must have qualified for the degree of Bachelor of Laws or equivalent legal qualification, at a high standard of excellence. Normally applicants for admission to the degree of Master of Laws by coursework and minor thesis or coursework alone must be similarly qualified. However, a student who is not so qualified may be admitted to candidature for these degrees if he or she has equivalent qualifications and experience.
Normally applicants for admission to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy will have qualified for the degree of Master of Laws, or the degree of Bachelor of Laws with first class or second class division A honours or equivalent legal qualification.
Applicants for admission to the degree of Doctor of Laws must have held for a period of at least six years the degree of Bachelor of Laws of Monash University or in the opinion of the faculty an equivalent degree of another university or (unless the board otherwise resolves) has carried out advanced study and research in Monash University for a period of at least two years.
Applications for admission to candidature for the LLM degree by major thesis, the PhD degree or the LLD degree may be received at any time during the academic year.
Applications for admission to candidature for the LLM degree by coursework and minor thesis and by coursework alone are normally required to be lodged by 30 November for admission in the first semester and by 30 June for admission in the second semester. Late applications may be approved in special circumstances.
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