Course summary

Examining the criminal mind is a fascinating and revealing journey. In this double degree, you’ll experience the mindsets of criminals, the perspectives of victims and the motivations of people working within the legal process.

The course will equip you with the skills, knowledge and experience required to embark on a career in law, as well as a strong grounding in psychology and psychological theory, providing insights into the workings of the human mind. Through an optional professional placement you can develop networks and gain vital insight into career possibilities.

Graduates may choose to pursue a career in one of the many facets of law, from health, social and disability services to youth services, corrective services, the armed services, research agencies and in education; or you can pursue postgraduate training for registration as a psychologist.

This degree fulfils the academic requirements for admission to the legal profession in Australia. Professional admission authorities also require law graduates of all universities to complete practical legal training or similar to be eligible to practise as a lawyer.

The course also has Australian Psychology Accreditation Council accreditation for entrance into postgraduate training. 

Examining the criminal mind is a fascinating and revealing journey. In this double degree, you’ll experience the mindsets of criminals, the perspectives of victims and the motivations of people working within the legal process.

The course will equip you with the skills, knowledge and experience required to embark on a career in law, as well as a strong grounding in psychology and psychological theory, providing insights into the workings of the human mind. Through an optional professional placement you can develop networks and gain vital insight into career possibilities.

Graduates may choose to pursue a career in one of the many facets of law, from health, social and disability services to youth services, corrective services, the armed services, research agencies and in education; or you can pursue postgraduate training for registration as a psychologist.

This degree fulfils the academic requirements for admission to the legal profession in Australia. Professional admission authorities also require law graduates of all universities to complete practical legal training or similar to be eligible to practise as a lawyer.

The course also has Australian Psychology Accreditation Council accreditation for entrance into postgraduate training. 

You'll study core units in both law and psychology, and select units from an extensive range of electives to suit your career aspirations.

Course Learning Outcome

Demonstrate the intellectual and practical skills needed to identify, research, evaluate and synthesise relevant factual, legal and policy issues

Apply knowledge of the scientific method in thinking about problems related to behaviour and mental processes

Question claims that arise from myth, stereotype, pseudoscience or untested assumptions and recognise and defend against the major fallacies of human thinking

Apply legal reasoning, critical analysis, research and evidence to generate appropriate responses to legal problems

Demonstrate practical skills in laboratory- based and other psychological research

Demonstrate an attitude of critical thinking that includes persistence, open- mindedness, and intellectual engagement

Apply psychological concepts, theories, and research findings to solve problems in everyday life and in society

Demonstrate an understanding of approaches to ethical decision-making and an ability to recognise, reflect upon, and respond to ethical issues likely to arise in professional contexts

Demonstrate an ability to recognise and reflect upon the professional responsibilities of lawyers in promoting justice and in service to the community

Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between law and sustainability.

Use information in an ethical manner (e.g., acknowledge and respect work and intellectual property rights of others through appropriate citations in oral and written communication)

Exhibit a scientific attitude in critically thinking about, and learning about, human behaviour, and in creative and pragmatic problem solving

Promote evidence-based approaches to understanding and changing human behaviour

Demonstrate an understanding of a broad and coherent body of knowledge that includes the fundamental areas of law, the Australian legal system, and underlying principles and concepts, including international and comparative contexts, and the broader contexts within which legal issues arise.

Demonstrate an understanding of the international and comparative contexts in which legal issues arise.

Acquire an understanding of core topics and describe the basic characteristics of the science of psychology

Explain the major themes (e.g., interaction of genetics and environment) and perspectives (e.g., behavioural, evolutionary, sociocultural) of psychology

Learn and work independently

Reflect on and assess their own capabilities and performance, and seek and make use of feedback as appropriate, to determine personal and professional development needs and achievements

Access, manage and evaluate sources of information relevant to legal research and practice

Demonstrate a capacity for independent learning to sustain personal and professional development in the changing world of the science and practice of psychology

Apply psychological principles to promote personal development through self- regulation in setting and achieving career and personal goals; self-assess performance accurately; incorporate feedback for improved performance; and purposefully evaluate the quality of one’s thinking (metacognition)

Communicate in ways that are effective, appropriate and persuasive for legal and non-legal audiences

Write effectively in a variety of formats (e.g., essays, research proposals, reports) and for a variety of purposes (e.g., informing, arguing) using the appropriate conventions and referencing styles

Demonstrate effective oral communication skills in various formats (e.g., debate, group discussion, presentation) and for various purposes

Apply an understanding of Australian Indigenous perspectives to all aspects of legal professional practice

Recognise and respect social, cultural, linguistic, spiritual, and gender diversity

Recognise how privilege, power, and oppression may affect prejudice, discrimination, and inequity

Reflect on one’s experiences and learn from them in order to identify and articulate one’s personal, sociocultural, and professional values; demonstrate insightful awareness of one’s feelings, motives, and attitudes based on psychological principles

Students can undertake voluntary legal experience and professional placement with legal firms or offices to build their practical legal skills and develop their professional networks.

The Bachelor of Laws fulfils the academic requirements for admission to the legal profession, and is accredited with the NSW Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB). Professional admission authorities also require law graduates of all universities to complete practical legal training or similar to practise as a lawyer.

Students who intend to practise law outside Australia should refer to the relevant country’s admission body to confirm their admission requirements.

The course also has Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accreditation for entrance into postgraduate training. 


Course overview

Course code

3207007

Course abbreviation

BPsychSc, LLB

Credit points

480

Equivalent units

40

Duration

5 years full-time; 10 years part-time

Duration

5 years full-time

Availability details

Domestic

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Coffs Harbour Session 1 N/A N/A
Gold Coast Session 1 N/A N/A
Online Session 1 N/A N/A

Fee information

Commonwealth supported


Course requirements

See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Psychological Science, Bachelor of Laws, students must complete the equivalent of 40 units (480 credit points), comprising:

  • 32 core units (384 credit points), and
  • 8 Law electives (96 credit points).

Schedule of units

Title Note

Core Units

LEGL1001 - Legal Research and Writing
LEGL1005 - Legal Process
LAWS2002 - Contract Law I
LAWS2008 - Criminal Procedure
LAWS2003 - Contract Law II
LAWS2009 - Criminal Law
LAWS2007 - Corporations Law
LAWS2016 - Evidence
LAWS2013 - Civil Litigation and Procedure
LAWS2015 - Torts
LAWS2005 - Constitutional Law
LAWS2011 - Statutory Interpretation
LAWS2012 - Property Principles
LAWS2017 - Principles of Equity
LAWS2006 - Administrative Law
LAWS3003 - Professional Conduct
PSYC1001 - Introduction to Psychology I
PSYC1005 - Fundamentals of Career Success in Psychology
PSYC1002 - Introduction to Psychology II
PSYC1004 - Introduction to Psychological Investigation
PSYC2001 - Psychological Assessment
PSYC3001 - Social Psychology
PSYC3003 - Learning and Memory
STAT2002 - Quantitative Methods in Psychology
STAT3001 - Advanced Quantitative Methods in Psychology
PSYC2002 - Abnormal Psychology
PSYC2004 - Development across the Lifespan
PSYC3004 - Biological Psychology
PSYC2005 - Advanced Psychological Investigation
PSYC3002 - Applied Psychological Investigation
PSYC3005 - Cross Cultural and Indigenous Issues in Psychology
LEGL1006 - Jurisprudence

Electives

Choose eight (8) units from the following electives

Course progressions

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment

Browse uni-wide elective units by selecting Uni-wide elective in the advanced filter of the Unit search.

Browse shared majors and their units at Shared majors

Notes

Note 1: Attendance at a compulsory workshop is required.