Law & Justice
Undergraduate Law & Justice brochure
(PDF, 2.7mb)
Law & Justice
Our Law and Justice courses will open career doors to and beyond the courtroom, and equip you with a practical legal education to pursue social justice and make a difference in this world.
Students have the opportunity to specialise across an extensive range of contemporary issues such as family law, mediation, youth awareness, the psychology of criminal behaviour, offender management and effective forensic investigation.
WA's first online Law degree
We are the only WA university to offer an accredited online Bachelor of Laws degree, giving you the freedom to pursue your passion wherever you are!
The new delivery mode means studying law is now accessible to students from regional and remote communities without the need to relocate. It also provides an alternate study mode for students with work and other commitments who are unable to attend on-campus lectures.
But studying online doesn't mean you have to miss out on the university experience. Off-campus (online) students have access to interactive learning spaces, recorded lectures and online discussion groups.
Our Students help pursue social justice with the Criminal Justice Review Project
Our Criminology, Law and Forensic Investigation students work with ECU academics and criminal barristers on the Criminal Justice Review Project to develop skills in case file management, investigative techniques and research. The project is committed to exonerating innocent persons who have been wrongly convicted.
Fresh evidence recently uncovered by our Law students may lead to a second appeal for Perth man Arthur Greer, following his 1992 arrest for the murder of Mosman Park school girl, Sharon Mason. Law students involved in the Criminal Justice Review Project ('Innocence' Project) have been investigating his case for the past two years.
The Criminal Justice Review Project pursues the exoneration of those who have been wrongly convicted. It normally considers requests from applicants to review a case when conviction has occurred, the appeal period has expired and DNA testing or other procedures may provide new evidence that leads to exoneration.
Case reviews are driven by students, under the careful guidance of senior legal practitioners and scholars. Students and scholars are drawn from a variety of disciplines such as law, criminology, forensic science and forensic psychology. These multi-disciplinary teams work collaboratively on a pro-bono basis.
Our Law students get hands-on experience in moot court
In 2010, a team of our Bachelor of Laws students participated in the annual Malcolm McCusker Criminal Law Moot at the WA Police Academy moot court.
The competition is an internal law moot (a simulated court proceeding) run by the Law Student Body and the North Law Society, and judged by Academic Competitions Coordinator and ECU lecturer, Mr Michael Crowley.
The 2010 moot involved the review of a trial judge's directions to the jury. Competing teams made submissions both for and against the judge’s directions, providing our Law students with a great opportunity to cultivate their skills.
Intrigued by TV shows like Silent Witness, Law & Order and CSI?
If you've ever imagined yourself in a scene from Silent Witness, Law and Order or CSI and in pursuit of justice, consider a career in solving crimes. Our Bachelor of Forensic Investigation differs from other forensic courses by combining applied science with relevant Law and Justice units.
Graduates will be able to collect, analyse and interpret forensic data and present that evidence in court.
Our Law and Justice courses connect theory and practice
Our Law and Justice students are given a broad range of opportunities to gain practical experience by working with trained professionals and engaging with the community. Students participate in client interviewing, competitions, moots, legal research and writing clinics.
Our Law students add an important practical component to their studies by assisting with real-life case studies under the supervision of legal practitioners at the on-campus Joondalup Community Legal Centre (JCLC). The centre provides legal information and advice for the community in the areas of family and criminal law, domestic violence, tenancy, elder abuse and some areas of civil law.
Our Criminology and Justice students gain practical experience through a practicum unit offered in their third year of study. This practicum placement provides students an opportunity to work in an area of the criminal justice system. Previously, students have been placed in a wide range of areas, including Community Corrections, Youth Justice, WA Police, the Australian Federal Police and the Corruption and Crime Commission.
"Studying at ECU fits into my life perfectly."
"With two boys under five, running a real estate company, lecturing at TAFE and studying Law, I needed a university that offered convenient campus locations and flexible class timetables. With their northern suburb campus, flexible study options and friendly and supportive staff, ECU made perfect sense to me. ECU has also provided me a unique opportunity to gain valuable practical experience. Through their Criminal Justice Review Project (Innocence Project), I've been working on high profile criminal cases under the guidance of legal practitioners."
Lorri Reeve
Laws student
Law and Justice Researcher Publishes International Book
Our Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Dr Adrian Scott has released a book entitled, Forensic Psychology.
Available internationally, the book offers a broad and varied introduction to forensic psychology, including the theories of offending and how psychological research has informed the different stages of the criminal justice system, from offender profiling to the treatment of offenders.
The book is part of an eight book series published by Palgrave Macmillan, entitled Insights in Psychology, which covers a range of key topics including sport, intelligence, media, forensics, addiction and relationships. Each book is written by a subject specialist who teaches and researches at university level, with the aim to inspire confidence in students and teachers and entice people to study psychology at any level.
This is the first book written by Dr Scott, who was thrilled to contribute to the psychology series and grateful for the support received from his colleagues in the Sellenger Centre for Research in Law, Justice and Social Change.
Actively engaged with industry
Our lecturers and tutors are committed to creating challenging classroom environments by drawing on their industry experience.
Our Law and Justice staff are actively engaged with industry and the community, developing significant relationships with bodies such as the Law Society, the Western Australian Dispute Resolutions Association (WADRA), and the Northern Suburbs Community Legal Centre.
Our Law and Justice courses are relevant and practical, with course content developed in consultation with key stakeholders including members of the Judiciary, the legal profession, the Department of Corrections, the Department of the Attorney-General, WA Police and Legal Aid.
"The best aspect of my course has been the network of support.
"From a young age I have enjoyed learning about human behavior and the thought processes behind peoples actions. I decided to complete my masters in criminal justice at ECU so I could gain a broader understanding of the criminal justice system, policy reform and how implemented changes can impact upon social issues.
"The masters program has proved challenging, but with the help, motivation and support of the law and justice teaching staff behind me, I feel confident in finishing a thesis I will be proud of.
"I have acquired indispensable skills such as conflict resolution, public speaking, working within a team, case management, learning how to present papers or reports and so much more than I had anticipated."
Kara Wright
Criminal Justice graduate
Beyond the Courtroom
If you have an interest in law or justice, you don’t necessarily have to aim for a career in the courtroom. Your desire to make a difference in this world will serve you well in a career in youth justice, social work, corrections, forensic investigation, law enforcement, customs and business, to name a few.