Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Science (Psychology)

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Curtin University Perth

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Science (Psychology) at Curtin University combines professional legal education with scientific psychological training, giving students a strong understanding of both human behaviour and the legal system. The program is ideal for students interested in criminal justice, mental health law, forensic psychology, advocacy, policy, or people-focused legal careers. Campus location: Curtin Perth campus, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia.

Curriculum structure

First Year

In the first year, students build core foundations in both legal studies and psychological science while developing academic research and communication skills. Units such as Legal Foundations, Contract Law, and Introduction to Psychology introduce students to legal reasoning, behavioural science concepts, ethics, and the Australian legal system while establishing strong analytical thinking abilities.

Second Year

The second year focuses on developing a deeper understanding of law, human behaviour, and research methodology through both theoretical and applied learning. Students study units including Criminal Law, Research Methods and Statistics, and Developmental Psychology, helping them analyse legal issues alongside psychological factors influencing individuals and communities.

Third Year

During the third year, students strengthen their legal and scientific knowledge through specialised coursework and practical problem-solving activities. Units such as Torts, Constitutional Law, and Cognitive Psychology explore legal responsibility, government systems, and mental processes while improving legal analysis, research interpretation, and professional communication skills.

Fourth Year

In the fourth year, students move into advanced legal and psychological applications with greater emphasis on professional practice and interdisciplinary understanding. Through units including Property Law, Evidence, and Abnormal Psychology, students examine how psychological concepts interact with legal systems, criminal justice processes, and professional ethical responsibilities.

Fifth Year

The final year prepares students for graduate employment and future professional pathways through advanced legal study and specialised psychology learning. Units such as Civil Procedure, Corporations Law, and Psychological Assessment help students develop professional-level analytical, advocacy, and research capabilities while preparing for legal practice, postgraduate psychology study, or interdisciplinary careers.

Focus areas

Criminal law, forensic psychology, behavioural science, mental health law, advocacy, legal ethics, psychological assessment, research methods, human behaviour, dispute resolution, public policy, cognitive psychology.

Learning outcomes

Graduates develop professional legal reasoning, psychological analysis, research interpretation, communication, advocacy, and ethical decision-making skills. Students gain the ability to understand human behaviour within legal contexts, evaluate evidence critically, apply psychological theory to legal issues, and communicate effectively across professional environments.

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The law component of the degree satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Western Australia when followed by Practical Legal Training (PLT). The psychology component provides an accredited undergraduate sequence in psychology that can support progression into further psychology training and postgraduate psychology programs.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Curtin University is recognised for its industry-connected education, practical learning opportunities, and strong graduate employability focus. Curtin Law School’s location within Perth’s legal precinct and Curtin’s science and health research strengths provide students with valuable professional exposure across both legal and behavioural science sectors.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Science (Psychology) at Curtin University combines practical legal training with scientific and psychological learning, allowing students to understand both legal systems and human behaviour in professional settings. Students develop hands-on skills through legal clinics, psychology research activities, laboratory-based learning, case analysis, professional simulations, and collaborative projects that reflect real-world legal and behavioural science environments. Curtin University’s Perth campus provides access to specialised law facilities, psychology laboratories, research centres, digital learning technologies, and industry-connected learning experiences that support both legal and psychological professional development.

The program integrates practical and research-based learning opportunities across law and psychology disciplines, including:

John Curtin Law Clinic: Students gain direct legal experience by working on real legal matters under professional supervision, helping develop advocacy, client communication, legal drafting, and case management skills.
Jeanette Hacket Moot Court: A professional courtroom simulation facility where students participate in mooting competitions, legal advocacy exercises, negotiations, and courtroom presentations.
Psychology laboratories and behavioural research facilities: Psychology students engage in practical research activities involving behavioural observation, psychological assessment, cognitive testing, and scientific data analysis.
Research-focused psychology learning environments: Students participate in empirical research projects and learn scientific methodologies used in contemporary psychological practice and behavioural research.
Digital legal and psychology research tools: Students access professional legal databases, psychology research journals, statistical analysis platforms, and online academic resources used across both legal and behavioural science professions.
Statistical and research software training: Psychology units may involve the use of research and statistical analysis tools to support behavioural data interpretation, experimental design, and scientific reporting.
Collaborative case studies and group projects: Students complete interdisciplinary projects involving legal ethics, criminal behaviour, social psychology, policy analysis, and human behaviour within legal contexts.
Industry engagement and professional networking: Students interact with legal practitioners, psychologists, researchers, and policy professionals through seminars, workshops, guest lectures, and professional events hosted across Curtin’s academic schools.
Curtin University Library and specialist collections: Students have access to extensive law and psychology resources, research databases, academic journals, study spaces, and specialist research support services.
Practical legal internships and experiential opportunities: Law students may participate in internships, legal clinics, community engagement programs, and professional placement opportunities that strengthen workplace readiness.
Interdisciplinary learning environment: The combined degree helps students explore how psychology influences criminal justice, legal decision-making, mental health law, dispute resolution, and organisational behaviour.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Science (Psychology) at Curtin University prepares graduates for careers that combine legal expertise with an advanced understanding of human behaviour, communication, and psychological science. This interdisciplinary qualification is ideal for students interested in areas such as criminal justice, mental health law, forensic psychology, advocacy, policy, and human services, while also developing strong analytical and professional skills applicable across multiple industries. Typical graduate career pathways include Lawyer, Forensic Policy Advisor, Mental Health Advocate, Legal Consultant, Human Behaviour Analyst, and Government Compliance Officer.

Curtin University supports students’ long-term employability and professional growth through practical learning opportunities, industry engagement, and career development services, including:

Curtin Careers and Employability services: Students receive professional career support through resume and interview workshops, networking opportunities, employability mentoring, employer events, and graduate recruitment preparation tailored to legal and behavioural science industries.
Interdisciplinary professional skill development: The combined degree strengthens graduate capabilities in legal analysis, behavioural assessment, communication, ethical reasoning, negotiation, research, and client interaction, creating versatile career opportunities across legal and psychological fields.
Legal internships and practical legal experience: Students may participate in internships, legal clinics, advocacy activities, and moot court exercises that provide direct exposure to legal practice and professional workplace environments.
Psychology research and applied learning opportunities: Psychology studies at Curtin include scientific research methods, behavioural analysis, and evidence-based learning experiences that help students understand human cognition, behaviour, and social interaction in legal and professional contexts.
Industry engagement and professional networking: Curtin Law School and Curtin’s psychology programs maintain connections with legal professionals, government agencies, behavioural specialists, and community organisations through seminars, workshops, and industry events.
Long-term accreditation value: The law component satisfies the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Western Australia when combined with Practical Legal Training (PLT). The psychology component also provides foundational academic preparation for further psychology training pathways.
Graduate employment outcomes: Graduates pursue opportunities across legal practice, criminal justice, policy development, behavioural consulting, mental health advocacy, government agencies, corporate compliance, and community service sectors.
Employment and salary outcomes: Graduates entering legal, behavioural science, and professional consulting sectors in Australia commonly begin with salaries ranging from approximately AUD $65,000–$95,000 annually, with strong long-term progression opportunities in specialised legal, government, and advisory careers.
Growing demand across legal and behavioural sectors: Employers increasingly value professionals who understand both legal systems and human behaviour, particularly in areas involving criminal justice, mediation, workplace relations, family law, and policy development.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Science (Psychology), graduates may continue toward admission as a practicing lawyer through Practical Legal Training programs such as the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. Students may also pursue postgraduate psychology pathways, including honours and accredited psychology training programs, depending on their chosen psychology pathway and academic performance. Additional progression opportunities include a Master of Laws (LLM), postgraduate studies in forensic psychology, public policy, counselling, behavioural science, criminology, or higher research degrees such as a PhD in Law or Psychology.