J.D. / Master of Laws (Juris Doctor)
Monash University Law School
Melbourne, Australia

WCL and Monash University Law School (Monash) are offering a joint J.D.-Master of Laws (Juris Doctor) program. WCL students study at WCL for the first 2 years (59 credits) followed by 4 trimesters (approximately 1.5 years) in Melbourne. After completing the program, students are qualified to sit for the U.S. bar examination and/or start the Australian Practical Legal Training process.

Background

Monash was established in 1958 and currently reports having 50,000 students enrolled, representing 130 countries, with satellite campus throughout other states of Australia as well as abroad in Malaysia, South Africa, and Europe. The University's main campus is located in a suburb of Melbourne and has approximately 2,700 undergraduate and postgraduate students attending the law school. The University's Law Chambers are located in downtown Melbourne, just a 15 minute train ride from the beach.

Following the academic tradition of the United Kingdom, Australia's law degree is an undergraduate LL. B. In recent years, several law schools in Australia have created Master of Laws (Juris Doctor) targeted towards students who have a non-legal undergraduate degree but decide to pursue law. Many of these programs coexist with the LL. B program, with one university that has phased out the LL. B. offering completely only providing a Master of Laws (Juris Doctor) option.

The Master of Laws (Juris Doctor) Program at Monash:

Monash has a large LL.B. program and a very selective Master of Laws (JD) program. While most classes for the undergraduate degree are held on the Clayton Campus, the JD program takes place at the Monash University Law Chambers in the legal district of central Melbourne. Dual degree students will enjoy the comfort of living and studying in downtown Melbourne, where there are many restaurants, cultural opportunities and other attractions nearby.

Because the Monash JD program is not an undergraduate degree, the student body is similar in age and background to WCL students. Additionally, the Monash LLM program also takes place at the Law Chambers, making the student body internationally diverse.

The Master of Laws (Juris Doctor) is governed by the Australian ESOS framework. This seeks to ensure that the provision of education services to overseas students is of the highest quality. More information is available in the 'Government explanation for students' section. (CRICOS Provider: Monash University 00008C).

The JD/Master of Laws (Juris Doctor) Program

Academic Requirements:

Please note: If you are an International JD student at WCL and will be applying for Optional Practical Training (OPT), contact the Director before applying. A modified timeline may apply.

59 credits will need to be completed at WCL by all outgoing students and 59 credits by all incoming students. This amount includes all mandatory courses and additional requirements.

At Monash, students must complete the courses listed below and take a variable number of electives. The number of electives will depend on the classes taken at WCL and will be reviewed by Monash. WCL dual degree students should be able to complete the program of study at Monash after 4 trimesters of residence in Australia. In some cases, this may be extended to 5 trimesters if necessary.


Mandatory Classes at Monash:

Advanced Property Law
Principles of Constitutional Law
Principles of Trusts (can be waived if Wills and Trusts is taken at WCL)
Principles of Evidence (can be waived if Evidence is taken at WCL)
Principles of Administrative Law
Principles of Corporations
Principles of Equity
Advanced Corporations
Lawyer's Responsibilities

Tentative Program of Study for Students Starting at Monash in Fall 2009:

T3 2009 - August to December

Principles of Equity
Principles of Trust (or elective if Wills and Trusts has been taken at WCL)
Principles of Constitutional Law
Elective

T1 2010 - Mid January to Late April

Advanced Corporations
Advanced Property Law
Principles of Administrative Law
Elective

T2 2010 - Mid May to Mid August

Lawyers' Responsibilities
Advanced Corporations
2 Electives

T3 2010 - Late August to December

3 or 4 Electives

Tuition and Expenses:

  • Students will pay 3 years of regular full-time tuition and fees to their home institutions. There will be no additional tuition payment to the host school. WCL students enrolled in the program will pay the same amount of tuition as regular WCL students and will remain eligible for financial aid and grants as if they studied all 3 years at WCL.
  • All participating students are required to have health insurance while at WCL and at Monash. Health insurance coverage is the sole responsibility of each student and students must show proof of coverage.
  • Travel and housing expenses are the students' responsibility. Upon their arrival to Melbourne, Monash will provide WCL students with information on housing.

Application:

The application consists of the following materials:

  1. 2013-2015 Monash Program Application
  2. Consent and release form duly signed.
  3. Statement of interest.  Please submit a brief statement of no more than one page describing your professional interests and goals.  You should include your reasons for applying for this program.
  4. Current resume.
  5. Letter of Recommendation. (Please submit a letter from a professional or academic reference. No letters from relatives.)
  6. Updated WCL academic transcripts.

Deadline: The deadline for the 2013-2015 program is January 27, 2012.

Please submit all application materials to the Program Director. Decisions will be made in late March.

Contact:

Theresa Kaiser, Director of Study Abroad & International Exchange
International JD Dual Degree Program
American University Washington College of Law
4801 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Office of the Dean
Washington, DC, 20016 USA
Telephone: [+001] 202-274-4237
Fax: [+001] 202-274-4005
Email: intldualdegree@wcl.american.edu