The School of Law and Society's mission is to provide a personal, inspiring and rigorous learning environment that empowers graduates to be career and future ready and to be able to make a significant contribution to their communities. We are committed to quality teaching and learning that focuses on face-to-face classes, where students work independently, as well as with staff and peers, to navigate complex substantive, social and ethical issues.
The School of Law and Society strives to:
- prepare outstanding and ethical graduates who are equipped for rapidly changing and interdisciplinary careers;
- advance meaningful scholarship and ideas for the benefit of the academic, professional and wider community; and
- foster public service and justice.
The School of Law and Society offers a range of programs including:
- Social Work
- Counselling
- Human Services
- Urban Design and Town Planning
- Sociology
- Politics and International Studies
- Development studies
- History
- Geography
- Indigenous Studies
- Law
- Criminology and Justice
The School is also focused on producing high quality and impactful research and welcomes Higher Degree Research (HDR) students in either Doctor of Philosophy or Master by Research programs. The School is home to the USC Road Accident Research Collaboration, Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit (SVRPU) and the Sustainability Research Centre (SRC).
We look forward to working with students and providing them with an education that is practical, personal, inspiring and rigorous.
Professor Jay Sanderson
Head of School
School of Law and Society
The Bachelor of Laws programs have been accredited for admission to legal practice in Queensland and throughout Australia. Our students develop strong critical and analytical skills and are given grounding in relevant practical skills and ethical issues.
In addition to studying the underlying principles and concepts of law, students engage and consider the broader context within which legal issues arise, including critical, cultural and professional considerations. Students will develop competence and confidence to independently perform a variety of key legal skills and practices.
The School has strong ties with the legal profession and is committed to enhancing the cultural, social, economic and intellectual development of our region. Bachelor of Laws students are introduced to legal practice in their foundation law courses by working with local legal practitioners. Later courses provide the opportunity for the critical study of regulation and regulatory approaches, advanced legal areas as well as additional opportunities to become involved in legal practice. Further information on the Bachelor of Laws can be found here.
The Law Honours Program is available for high-achieving law students to further develop research, writing and critical thinking skills, and deep knowledge of a selected area of law. Further information on the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) can be found here.
The Bachelor of Criminology and Justice gives students an authentic view of the social problems that relate to crime, justice and law. Students develop the knowledge and skills they need to help the world understand the nature and causes of crime and play a role in responding to and preventing crime. Throughout the degree, students will develop strong critical and analytical skills and be given grounding in relevant practical skills and ethical issues.
Students have the ability to expand their career options through studying one of four double degrees, attending the Criminology Careers Evening, and networking with fellow peers in the Criminology Student Institute. The lecturers also have strong ties with the first University-led Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit in Australia, within the School of Law and Society.
Through the School's strong relationships with the community and justice sector, students will be exposed to key industry professionals and have the opportunity to undertake a professional placement in their final year of the Bachelor of Criminology and Justice, where they can apply what they have learnt and begin to make a difference. Further information on the Bachelor of Criminology and Justice can be found here.
The Bachelor of Criminology and Justice Honours program is a one-year program designed for students to be able to build on their skills and knowledge developed from their undergraduate degree. Students will work alongside a dedicated team of researchers on a project relating to the criminology and justice discipline. Students will also develop industry relevant skills including, critical thinking and analysis, independence in problem-solving and project management as well as the ability to work collaboratively and ethically. The Honours program gives students a competitive edge for graduate employment or postgraduate study. Further information on the Bachelor of Criminology and Justice can be found here.
Enquiries
For more information about the programs on offer, please contact:
General Enquiries
Email: information@usc.edu.au
Program Advice
Email: studentcentral@usc.edu.au
Law and Criminology at USC news
USC Newsroom
USC law graduate named national Rising Star
1 SeptemberWhen COVID-19 restrictions closed the overseas study door on 25-year-old Sydney lawyer Michael Jefferies earlier this year, another two doors opened for the 2019 USC graduate.
Enrolling in Law a moot point for school leavers
25 AugustTwo 2019 Chancellor State College graduates are living their dream as USC Law students, inspired to study after competing in the University’s moot court.
$420,000 grant to rethink the modern corporation
18 December 2019USC Senior Lecturer in Law Dr Timothy Peters has received a $420,040 Australian Research Council Discovery Early Career Researcher Award grant, which was jointly announced yesterday by Federal Minister for Education Dan Tehan and Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace.