Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Psychological Sciences

Overview

The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Psychological Sciences allows students to gain an accredited qualification in Australian law plus learn behavioural analysis and research skills. Delve into current psychological theories to examine local and global criminality and traditional and emerging, tech-enabled responses to crime. Learn how to formulate unshakeable arguments. 

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Bachelor of Laws

• apply the principles and doctrines that underpin the fundamental areas of Australian law and the Australian legal system
• apply the principles and doctrines that underpin the fundamental areas of Australian law and the Australian legal system
• analyse and evaluate the interdisciplinary contexts in which legal issues arise and the disciplines and policy considerations that influence the content and operation of the law
• interpret issues affecting the legal status and experiences of Indigenous peoples in Australia and apply legal doctrine and other approaches to solve problems in preparation for professional practice acknowledging the culture, traditions and beliefs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and other communities
• critically evaluate events or factual situations, identify the legal issues to which they give rise and develop and articulate appropriate and creative responses
• undertake and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to make judgements to solve complex legal problems with intellectual independence
• effectively communicate persuasive legal arguments to legal and non-legal audiences
• function as an effective member or leader of a team and critically reflect on individual performance and professional development

• systematically review and critically evaluate research from a variety of sources to inform their knowledge and conceptual understandings in psychology
• formulate arguments that are fit for purpose and demonstrate an understanding of the relevant theories and evidence in psychology
• critically analyse information to generate creative solutions to solve complex problems in the area of psychology
• define and integrate theoretical principles and apply these in their disciplinary areas of expertise
• apply knowledge and skills with responsibility and accountability for their own learning and practice, individually and in collaboration with others
• interpret and communicate ideas, problems and arguments in modes suitable to a range of audiences using a range of media
• coherently articulate a line of reasoning demonstrating cultural sensitivity and apply a framework to analyse and offer solutions to ethical dilemmas in local and international context.

Career opportunities

Graduates with a degrees in psychology and law can work in many fields such as public affairs, education, health, business, sales, service industries. Graduates will also have the ability to start a legal practice career.

Course rules

To qualify for the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychological Sciences, students must complete 500 Credit Points comprising:

• Twenty (20) Core Law units (250 credit points)
• Four (4) Law Elective units (50 credit points)
• Three (3) Professional Experience units in law (0 credit points)* (450 Professional Experience hours)
• Four (4) Core Psychological Sciences units (50 credit points)
• Eight (8) units of study from the Psychological Sciences discipline major (100 credit points)
• Four (4) units of study comprising a minor, advanced minor or electives (50 credit points)

* Note: If a student selects the Psychology Professional Placement units, the Professional Experience in Law units are still required. However, if a student selects the Law Professional Placement units, the Professional Experience in Law units are waived.

Domestic students also have an opportunity to undertake a WIL Professional Placement. Please note that due to government regulation international students holding a student visa are not able to undertake Professional Placements in this course.

Students may not complete more than 175 credit points (normally 14 units) at Introductory Level. A unit of study can only be counted once, where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternate.

Professional placements

Professional Placements are subject to a competitive selection process. Students who undertake a 12-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 575 credit points comprising:

• Twenty (20) Core Law units (250 credit points)
• Four (4) Law Elective units (50 credit points)
• Three (3) Professional Experience units in law (0 credit points)* (450 Professional Experience hours)
• Four (4) Core Psychological Sciences units (50 credit points)
• Eight (8) units of study from the Psychological Sciences discipline major (100 credit points)
• Two (2) units of study comprising electives (25 credit points)
• Four (4) Professional Placement units (100 credit points) (1672 - 1976 Professional Placement hours)

Students who elect to undertake a 6-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 537.5 credit points comprising:

• Twenty (20) Core Law units (250 credit points)
• Four (4) Law Elective units (50 credit points)
• Three (3) Professional Experience units in law (0 credit points)* (450 Professional Experience hours)
• Four (4) Core Psychological Sciences units (50 credit points)
• Eight (8) units of study from the Psychological Sciences discipline major (100 credit points)
• Three (3) units of study comprising electives (37.5 credit points)
• Two (2) Professional Placement units (50 credit points) (836 - 988 Professional Placement hours)

* Please note if a student selects the Psychology Professional Placement units, the Professional Experience in Law units are required to be completed. If students select the Law Professional Placement units, the Professional Experience in Law units are waived.

Volume of Learning

The Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychological Sciences consists of 500 credit points. Units normally carry 12.5 credit points (cps). A standard annual full-time load comprises 100 credit points and a part-time load comprises 50 credit points. 

The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychological Sciences is typically 5 years.

This course requires students to complete 450 hours Professional Experience.

For students who complete a Professional Placement the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychological Sciences consists of 537.5-575 credit points. Units normally carry 12.5 credit points with placement units carrying 25 credit points each. A standard annual full-time student load comprises 100 credit points, and a standard part-time load comprises 50 credit points.

The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychological Sciences with a 6-month placement is typically 5.5 years.

The volume of learning of the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychological Sciences with a 12 month placement is typically 6 years

Maximum Academic Credit

The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychological Sciences is 250 credit points (normally 20 units), 150 credit points maximum from Law discipline and 100 credit points from Psychological Sciences discipline.