科廷科技大学

This double degree is ideal if you want to combine a career in law with a deeper understanding of human behaviour, or want to pursue a career in psychology in areas such as the criminal and justice systems.

The Bachelor of Laws degree is a qualification approved by the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia. It will equip you with legal knowledge and core skills that are essential to effective legal practice.

It will also give you a strong awareness of commercial law and opportunities to connect with industry.

The Bachelor of Science (Psychology) will teach you about emotion, behaviour, cognition, interpersonal relationships, perception and personality. You will learn how to examine, explain and predict what people do as individuals and in groups.

Professional recognition

An undergraduate degree in law is the first qualification you need if you want to practise as a lawyer in Australia. Further practical legal training must be undertaken after completing the Bachelor of Laws to be eligible for admission as a barrister and solicitor in Western Australia.

To be eligible for admission as a lawyer in Western Australia you must either undertake the Practical Legal Training course or complete 12 months articles of clerkship.

The Bachelor of Science (Psychology) degree is recognised by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) as meeting the first three years of study in psychology. A further year in psychology is necessary to apply for associate membership of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) or to apply for post graduate training (pathway to registration) in psychology.

Career information

Lawyer (further study required)
Policy Adviser
Social Researcher
Psychologist (further study required)
Support Worker
Youth Worker
Program Officer
Mental Health Advocate

What you'll learn

Apply knowledge of the Australian legal system, statutory rules and case law principles in both the fundamental areas of legal knowledge and a range of elective fields to the resolution of legal problems; apply psychological theory to evidence based practice and extend the boundaries of knowledge through research; discriminate between valid discipline knowledge and questionable esoteric theory and practice
Critically and creatively analyse legal problems to articulate the issues involved and apply legal reasoning to make a considered choice between competing solutions; apply logical and rational processes to critically analyse problems and generate innovative solutions to psychological questions
Identify, access, assess and synthesise relevant information from primary legal sources such as cases and legislation and secondary sources such as journal articles and commentaries (including electronic versions of these sources) and gather relevant oral and documentary evidence; access, evaluate and synthesise relevant information and evidence from a range of sources applicable to psychology
Communicate the outcomes of legal research and analysis effectively, appropriately and persuasively to colleagues, to clients and to other professionals and the broader community; communicate effectively with individuals, groups and communities
Use appropriate electronic legal databases for research purposes and be able to communicate effectively in electronic forms; select and effectively use appropriate technologies relevant to psychological research and practice
Maintain intellectual curiosity as to justice and its practical application in the legal system, be able to identify areas where their legal knowledge and skills require further development, and to critically reflect on their own performance as legal professionals, making use of feedback as appropriate; demonstrate ability for self directed learning and reflective practice.