Juris Doctor graduate attributes

Graduate Attributes

Graduate Attribute 1: Legal Knowledge

An advanced and integrated understanding of a complex body of legal knowledge including the Australian legal system, impacts of historical and ongoing Anglo-Australian laws, social justice, cultural and international contexts, the principles and values of ethical practice, and contemporary developments in law and its professional practice.

Graduate Attribute 2: Ethics and Professional Responsibility

An advanced and integrated capacity to value and promote honesty, integrity, cultural respect, accountability, public service and ethical standards including an understanding of approaches to ethical decision making, the rules of professional responsibility, an ability to reflect upon and respond to ethical challenges in practice, and a developing ability to engage in the profession of law and to exercise professional judgment.

Graduate Attribute 3: Critical Analysis and Evaluation

A capacity to think critically, strategically and creatively including an ability to identify and articulate complex legal issues, apply reasoning and research to generate appropriate theoretical and practical responses, and, demonstrate sophisticated cognitive and creative skills in approaching complex legal issues and generating appropriate responses.

Graduate Attribute 4: Research skills

Specialist cognitive and practical skills necessary to identify, research, evaluate and synthesise relevant factual, legal and policy issues and demonstrate intellectual and practical skills necessary to justify and interpret theoretical propositions, legal methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions and to apply ethical research practices.

Graduate Attribute 5: Communication:

Well-developed, professional and appropriate communication skills including highly effective use of the English language, an ability to inform, analyse, report and persuade using an appropriate medium and message and an ability to respond respectfully.

Graduate Attribute 6: Collaboration: 

Advanced and integrated collaboration skills in working together to achieve a common goal in a group learning environment or the workplace, including the capacity to give and receive feedback, appropriate professional and interpersonal skills in working cooperatively and the ability to develop strategies to successfully negotiate group challenges.

Graduate Attribute 7: Indigenous Cultural Capability

A well-developed capability to: work with Indigenous peoples in a professional context; respect, recognise and advocate for Indigenous strengths and self-determination; identify and challenge the deficit narratives and biases of Anglo-Australian laws towards Indigenous Australians.

Graduate Attribute 8: Self-management

A high level of autonomy, accountability and professionalism, the ability to implement appropriate self-management and lifelong learning strategies including initiating self-directed work and learning, judgment and responsibility, self-assessment of skills, personal wellbeing and appropriate use of feedback and, a capacity to adapt to and embrace change.