Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Criminology and Justice

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Edith Cowan University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Criminology and Justice at Edith Cowan University combines professional legal education with an in-depth understanding of crime, justice systems, social policy, and criminal behaviour. Students develop the legal knowledge required for a law career while gaining valuable insights into criminology, policing, corrections, social justice, and the broader criminal justice system, making it an excellent choice for students interested in legal practice, advocacy, policy, and justice reform. Campus Location: ECU City Campus, Perth, Western Australia (with study options available on campus and selected online delivery).

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

The first year establishes the foundations of both law and criminology. Students develop essential legal skills through units such as Legal Reasoning, Legal Writing and Research, Contract Law I, and Torts I, while also exploring justice issues through The Pursuit of Justice. As the year progresses, students build their understanding of legal theory and criminal behaviour through Jurisprudence, Contract Law II, Torts II, and The Psychology of Criminal Behaviour, while strengthening research capabilities in Research in Action.

Year 2

In the second year, students move into core areas of legal practice and criminological analysis. Studies include Criminal Law I, Property Law I, and Administrative Law, providing a deeper understanding of legal institutions and government decision-making. Alongside these subjects, students undertake Criminology and elective studies that allow them to begin exploring specialised interests within law and justice.

Year 3

The third year broadens students' understanding of criminal justice systems and legal processes. Students continue developing advanced legal knowledge while examining contemporary justice issues through subjects such as Policing and Social Justice, Corrections and Alternatives to Punishment, and Case Management and Professional Skills. Elective opportunities enable students to tailor their studies toward areas including criminal justice, social justice, and emerging legal fields.

Year 4

During the fourth year, students focus on practical legal application and professional preparation. Core law units such as Civil Procedure and Practice, Family Law, Statutory Interpretation, and Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility develop the knowledge and ethical competencies required for legal practice. Students also continue elective studies that deepen expertise in specialised legal and criminological areas.

Year 5

The final year allows students to consolidate their expertise and prepare for professional careers. Students complete Human Rights Law alongside a range of advanced law electives, while the criminology component culminates in the Criminology and Justice Capstone Project, where students apply their learning to real-world justice issues. This final stage encourages critical analysis, independent research, and professional-level problem solving across legal and justice contexts.

Focus Areas (in a string)

Legal reasoning, legal research and writing, criminal law, property law, administrative law, jurisprudence, criminology, psychology of criminal behaviour, policing and social justice, corrections and rehabilitation, family law, human rights law, ethics and professional responsibility, justice policy, social justice, crime prevention, legal advocacy.

Learning Outcomes (in a string)

Apply legal principles to complex issues, conduct legal and criminological research, analyse crime and justice systems, communicate legal arguments effectively, demonstrate ethical and professional responsibility, evaluate public policy and justice practices, develop evidence-based solutions to social and legal challenges, work effectively across legal and justice environments, and apply critical thinking to contemporary criminological and legal issues.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Bachelor of Laws component is designed to satisfy the academic requirements for admission to legal practice in Australia, subject to completion of the required practical legal training following graduation. The course is recognised as a professionally accredited law qualification and includes the core legal knowledge areas required for legal practice.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Edith Cowan University is recognised for student experience and teaching quality, receiving Australia's highest undergraduate overall student experience rating among public universities through QILT measures. ECU has also achieved 19 consecutive years of 5-star ratings for teaching quality in The Good Universities Guide and is recognised among leading young universities globally. These strengths contribute to strong graduate employability outcomes and industry readiness.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in Edith Cowan University’s Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Criminology and Justice develop practical legal and justice-sector skills through a combination of classroom learning, industry engagement, real-world projects, and professional practice opportunities. The degree is designed to connect legal theory with contemporary criminal justice issues, giving students hands-on experience in areas such as legal advocacy, justice policy, criminal behaviour, policing, courts, and corrections. Throughout the program, students work on authentic industry-based projects, collaborate with peers, and engage with community and legal organisations to build professional capabilities before graduation. The combination of Law and Criminology & Justice studies ensures graduates are prepared for both legal practice and careers across the broader justice sector:

Work-Integrated Learning (WIL): Students undertake professional practice experiences that may include internships, client-based projects, consultancy work, service learning, simulated professional practice, or industry competitions. A minimum of 80 hours of professional practice can be completed with approved industry or community partners.
Industry Capstone Project: In the final stages of the degree, students work in small groups on a real-life industry-based project, applying legal and criminological knowledge to practical challenges faced by organisations and communities.
Community Legal Experience: Students have opportunities to gain practical experience through collaborations with Community Legal Centres, allowing them to observe and contribute to real legal service environments.
Criminal Justice Review Project (Innocence Project): Students can participate in ECU’s Criminal Justice Review Project, which provides exposure to real criminal justice matters while developing investigative, analytical, and research skills.
Mooting Competitions: Law students can participate in national and international mooting competitions, strengthening courtroom advocacy, legal research, written submissions, and oral argument skills.
Law Access Program: The program offers opportunities for students to engage with legal assistance initiatives and gain insight into community-focused legal practice.
Peer Mentoring Opportunities: Students can participate in the Law Society Peer Mentoring Program, helping build professional networks and collaborative learning skills.
Research and Investigation Skills: Units such as Legal Writing and Research, Legal Reasoning, and Research in Action develop advanced legal research, evidence evaluation, and professional communication capabilities.
Digital Technologies: Criminology and Justice students learn to use established and emerging digital technologies to investigate, analyse, and respond to criminological and social justice issues.
Modern Campus Facilities: Law studies are delivered through ECU’s City Campus facilities, while Criminology and Justice studies utilise resources at the Joondalup Campus, providing access to contemporary learning environments, libraries, study spaces, and discipline-specific academic support.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of Edith Cowan University’s Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Criminology and Justice are equipped with both legal expertise and a deep understanding of crime, justice systems, and public policy. This combination creates strong career opportunities across legal practice, government agencies, law enforcement, and justice-focused organisations. Typical graduate roles include Lawyer, Solicitor, Policy Officer, Community Corrections Officer, Youth Justice Officer, Police Officer, and Research Officer.

This strong career foundation is supported by:

Dedicated employability support: ECU’s School of Business and Law Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) team helps students secure professional practice opportunities, internships, client-based projects, consultancy projects, and industry placements. Students complete a minimum of 80 hours of professional practice and receive support in sourcing suitable opportunities.
Industry-connected learning: Students gain practical experience through collaborations with Community Legal Centres, the Criminal Justice Review Project (Innocence Project), industry-based projects, practicum experiences, and workplace learning opportunities that expose them to real legal and justice-sector challenges.
Graduate employment outcomes: Recent graduate outcomes for ECU Law and Paralegal Studies graduates show a full-time employment rate of approximately 77.5%, with an average graduate salary of around AUD $72,000. Based on these outcomes, students can typically expect an early-career salary range of approximately AUD $65,000–$80,000, depending on employer, location, and role.
Professional accreditation value: The degree satisfies the academic requirements for admission as a legal practitioner in Western Australia and is professionally accredited by the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia, enabling graduates to progress toward legal practice after completing the required practical legal training and admission processes.
Strong graduate outcomes: ECU law graduates develop highly transferable skills in legal analysis, advocacy, communication, research, problem-solving, and policy development, making them attractive to employers across both the public and private sectors. Career pathways extend beyond traditional legal practice into government policy, intelligence, corporate compliance, politics, research, and justice administration.

Further Academic Progression: After completing this double degree, graduates can continue their education through postgraduate study at ECU or other universities. Popular pathways include a Bachelor of Laws Honours degree, specialised master's programs in areas such as Criminology, Criminal Justice, Public Policy, Cyber Security, International Law, Human Rights, or Business Law. Graduates seeking admission to legal practice can also undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) to qualify for admission as a legal practitioner. These advanced qualifications can enhance professional expertise, increase career advancement opportunities, and open pathways into leadership, policy development, research, and academic careers.