Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychological Science

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Deakin University

Program Overview

Deakin University – Burwood (Melbourne) and Waterfront (Geelong), Victoria, Australia

This unique double degree combines professional legal training with a deep understanding of human behaviour, giving students the ability to analyse both legal issues and the psychological factors that influence individuals, communities, and institutions. It is ideal for students interested in law, mental health, advocacy, policy, justice, and behavioural research, while also keeping pathways open to legal practice and future psychology registration.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Students build strong foundations across both disciplines, learning how legal systems operate while developing an introduction to psychological science and human behaviour. Core units such as Legal Research and Statutory Interpretation (MLL110), Foundations of Psychological Science (HPS104), and Introduction to Psychology: Human Behaviour (HPS111) introduce critical thinking, legal analysis, behavioural science, and research skills that underpin the rest of the degree.

Year 2:
The second year focuses on understanding legal responsibility, dispute resolution, social behaviour, and developmental psychology. Through units including Criminal Law (MLP114), Resolving Disputes and Legal Communication (MLL113), and Developmental Psychology (Child and Adolescent) (HPS202), students explore how legal systems interact with human development, behaviour, and decision-making.

Year 3:
Students advance into more specialised legal and psychological concepts while strengthening analytical and research capabilities. Units such as Contract B (MLP219), Constitutional Law (MLP323), and Cognitive Psychology (HPS203) help students examine legal frameworks, human cognition, decision-making processes, and the role of law within society.

Year 4:
The fourth year develops professional-level understanding of ethics, evidence, personality, and mental health. Students engage with units including Evidence (MLP334), Legal Practice and Ethics (MLP235), Personality Psychology (HPS307), and Psychopathology (HPS308), preparing them for complex legal environments involving behavioural and psychological considerations.

Year 5:
In the final year, students integrate advanced legal problem-solving with applied psychological practice. Subjects such as Advanced Legal Problem Solving and Persuasion (MLL427), Applied Counselling Skills (Intermediate) (HPY306), and experiential opportunities including the Deakin Law Clinic (MLL420) or Community Legal Internship (MLL351) allow students to apply their learning in professional contexts and graduate with practical workplace experience.

Focus Areas:

Legal reasoning, criminal law, mental health and law, forensic psychology, counselling skills, behavioural assessment, dispute resolution, policy and advocacy, human behaviour, legal ethics, psychological research methods, social justice.

Learning Outcomes:

Develop advanced legal analysis and advocacy skills; understand human behaviour, cognition, personality, and mental health; apply psychological research to real-world issues; communicate effectively with legal and non-legal audiences; demonstrate counselling and interpersonal communication skills; solve complex legal and behavioural challenges using evidence-based approaches.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The law component is designed to satisfy the academic requirements for admission to the legal profession as set by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB). The psychological science component also provides a recognised pathway toward further psychology study required for progression toward psychologist registration in Australia.

Reputation (Employability Rankings):

Deakin Law School is ranked among the top 3 law schools in Victoria (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025), while Deakin is recognised as the #1 Victorian university for psychology undergraduate employment (Graduate Outcomes Survey, QILT 2024). The university also reports strong student satisfaction, teaching quality, facilities, and graduate employment outcomes across both disciplines.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Deakin University – Burwood (Melbourne), Victoria, Australia

This double degree gives students the opportunity to develop practical legal knowledge alongside a scientific understanding of human behaviour, cognition, and decision-making. Learning extends beyond lectures through professional legal experiences, psychology research activities, digital learning environments, and industry-relevant projects. Students have access to specialist facilities, research-informed teaching, and practical experiences that help them apply psychological and legal concepts to real-world situations.

The combination of law and psychological science creates valuable hands-on learning opportunities across both disciplines:

Deakin Law Clinic provides opportunities to work on real legal matters under the supervision of qualified legal practitioners, helping students develop professional legal skills and client interaction experience
Moot Court facilities allow students to practise courtroom advocacy, legal argumentation, negotiation, and dispute resolution in a realistic court environment
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities within the law program enable students to gain industry experience through placements, internships, and community legal projects
Psychology research participation and laboratory-based learning expose students to contemporary psychological research methods, behavioural studies, and data collection techniques
Specialist psychology laboratories support practical learning in cognitive, behavioural, developmental, and social psychology
Research training using industry-standard statistical software such as SPSS, helping students develop data analysis and research interpretation skills widely used in psychology professions
CloudDeakin digital learning platform provides access to interactive learning resources, legal databases, psychology research materials, collaboration tools, and assessment activities
Group research projects and case-based learning activities help students apply legal reasoning and psychological science concepts to complex real-world issues
Deakin Library facilities provide extensive access to legal databases, court judgments, psychological journals, research collections, and digital academic resources
Research-active teaching staff connect students with current developments in areas such as forensic psychology, behavioural science, mental health, criminal justice, and legal decision-making
Community engagement opportunities through legal and psychology-related projects that develop professional communication, ethical reasoning, and problem-solving capabilities

Progression & Future Opportunities

This unique double degree combines legal expertise with a strong understanding of human behaviour, decision-making, mental processes, and social influences. Graduates are well positioned for careers where legal knowledge and psychological insight intersect, making them valuable in legal practice, policy development, human services, and regulatory environments. Common career pathways include lawyer, policy adviser, criminology and justice officer, human resources specialist, court support officer, and behavioural policy analyst: providing flexibility across both legal and behavioural science professions.

Future progression and career opportunities are strengthened through Deakin’s practical learning experiences, professional recognition, and dedicated employability support:

Deakin Talent and Careers offers personalised career coaching, employability workshops, networking opportunities, resume assistance, interview preparation, and employer engagement programs
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities within the law degree allow students to gain practical experience through legal internships, professional placements, community legal programs, and the Deakin Law Clinic
Deakin Law Clinic partnerships provide opportunities to work alongside qualified legal professionals and engage with real client matters under supervision
Psychological Science graduates develop highly transferable skills in research, behavioural analysis, communication, critical thinking, and evidence-based decision-making that are valued across many industries
Victorian Legal Admissions Board (VLAB) accredited law qualification, satisfying the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Victoria (subject to completion of Practical Legal Training)
Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accredited psychology sequence, providing a recognised pathway toward further psychology training and registration requirements
Industry engagement opportunities through community organisations, legal services, government agencies, and behavioural research settings
Strong graduate employment outcomes, supported by Deakin being recognised as the #1 Victorian university for graduate employment
Interdisciplinary expertise creates opportunities in areas such as forensic psychology, criminal justice policy, workplace relations, mediation, compliance, and behavioural regulation

Employment & Salary Outcomes:

Graduate Lawyer / Legal Adviser: approximately AUD $75,000 – $110,000+
Human Resources or Employee Relations Specialist: approximately AUD $80,000 – $120,000+
Policy Analyst / Behavioural Policy Adviser: approximately AUD $85,000 – $130,000+
Justice, Corrections, or Court Services Professional: approximately AUD $75,000 – $115,000+

Estimated Median Salary Range:
Graduates entering law, behavioural science, policy, and people-focused professions typically achieve a median salary of approximately AUD $85,000 – $115,000, with substantial long-term growth available through legal admission, management positions, specialist consulting, or postgraduate psychology qualifications.

Further Academic Progression:

After graduation, students can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a solicitor in Australia. Graduates wishing to pursue a psychology career can continue into an APAC-accredited Honours year in Psychology, followed by postgraduate psychology training such as a Master of Psychology or doctoral qualification, depending on their career goals. Additional pathways include a Master of Laws (LLM), Master of Criminology, Master of Public Policy, or research degrees in law, psychology, justice, and behavioural sciences, leading to advanced professional and leadership opportunities.