Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychology

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Edith Cowan University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychology at Edith Cowan University combines professional legal education with a comprehensive understanding of human behaviour, preparing graduates for careers that intersect law, psychology, policy, justice, and social services. Students develop courtroom-ready legal skills while exploring psychological processes, mental health, social behaviour, and research methods, creating a unique skill set highly valued across a range of professions. Campus Location: ECU City Campus, Perth, Western Australia.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

The first year establishes strong foundations in both disciplines. Students develop core legal skills through units such as Legal Reasoning, Legal Writing and Research, and Contract Law I, while building an understanding of human behaviour through Introduction to Psychology, Psychology of Motivation and Emotion, Biopsychology, Sensation and Perception, and Social Determinants of Behaviour. This combination helps students begin thinking critically about both legal systems and psychological processes.

Year 2

In the second year, students explore key areas of legal practice and psychological science. Law studies include Torts I & II, Criminal Law I & II, and Property Law I & II, while psychology units such as Fundamentals of Psychological Inquiry, Psychology of Personality and Individual Differences, Learning, Memory and Cognition, and Developmental Psychology deepen students’ understanding of research, personality, and human development.

Year 3

The third year introduces more advanced and specialised content. Students study legal subjects including Administrative Law, Corporations Law, Equity, Evidence, and Law of Trusts, while psychology studies focus on areas such as Mental Health and Psychological Interventions, Advanced Methods of Psychological Inquiry, Cultural Issues in Psychology, and Applications of Psychological Literacy. These subjects strengthen analytical, advocacy, and professional decision-making skills.

Year 4

Students further develop professional legal expertise through advanced units including Constitutional Law, Human Rights Law, Commercial Practice, Civil Procedure and Practice, Family Law, Statutory Interpretation, and Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility. Elective law units allow students to tailor their studies towards areas of personal and professional interest.

Year 5

The final year provides significant flexibility through a range of law electives. Students can pursue specialist interests in areas such as Cyberlaw, Security and Intelligence Governance, Contemporary Criminal Justice, and other advanced legal fields, allowing them to shape their degree around their desired career pathway and graduate with specialised expertise.

Focus Areas

Legal reasoning and advocacy, human behaviour and mental processes, criminal law, psychological assessment and research, human rights, mental health, commercial law, evidence and justice systems, policy development, cross-cultural psychology.

Learning Outcomes

Develop advanced legal knowledge and professional legal skills; analyse human behaviour using psychological theory and evidence; conduct and evaluate psychological research; apply critical thinking to legal and psychological issues; communicate effectively in professional environments; evaluate ethical, cultural, and social dimensions of legal and psychological practice; solve complex problems using interdisciplinary perspectives.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The law component satisfies the academic requirements for admission as a legal practitioner in Western Australia, subject to completion of practical legal training and admission requirements. The psychology component is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC), providing a recognised pathway towards further psychology training and registration.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Edith Cowan University is recognised for its strong focus on practical, industry-relevant learning and graduate employability. ECU consistently performs strongly in Australian graduate outcome measures, with a reputation for producing work-ready graduates through real-world learning experiences, professional practice opportunities, and industry engagement.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychology at Edith Cowan University combines legal training with psychological science, giving students practical experience in understanding both the law and human behaviour. Throughout the degree, students develop professional skills through real-world legal practice opportunities, industry engagement, psychological research, and workplace-based learning. Students learn in contemporary facilities, work on authentic legal matters, and gain hands-on experience that helps bridge theory with professional practice.

This practical learning experience is strengthened through:

Community Legal Practice: Students participate in ECU's Community Legal Practice unit, applying legal knowledge to real-world legal issues and developing practical client-focused skills.
Professional Practice Placement: Students complete a minimum of 80 hours of professional practice, which may include internships, client-based projects, consultancy projects, service learning, simulated practice, industry competitions, or other approved workplace experiences.
Work-Integrated Learning (WIL): ECU's School of Business and Law Work-Integrated Learning team assists students in securing and preparing for industry placements and professional experiences relevant to their career goals.
Mooting Competitions: Students can participate in national and international mooting competitions, developing advocacy, legal research, courtroom presentation, and argumentation skills in simulated court environments.
Law Access Program: The program provides opportunities to work on real-life legal matters, allowing students to apply classroom knowledge to practical legal situations.
Law Society Peer Mentoring Program: Students can engage with peer mentoring initiatives that provide professional networking opportunities and support throughout their studies.
Psychological Services Centre: Psychology students benefit from ECU's dedicated Psychological Services Centre, which supports practical learning and exposure to professional psychological practice environments.
Psychology Research Training: The psychology component develops skills in behavioural analysis, psychological research methods, data interpretation, and evidence-based decision-making, preparing students for professional and postgraduate pathways.
Cross-Disciplinary Learning: The combination of law and psychology allows students to examine legal issues through behavioural and psychological perspectives, particularly in areas such as social change, group processes, cross-cultural communication, and human behaviour.
Library and Learning Resources: Students have access to ECU's extensive library collections, legal databases, academic journals, psychological research resources, and digital learning platforms that support both legal and psychological studies.

Progression & Future Opportunities

A Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychology from Edith Cowan University offers a powerful combination of legal expertise and psychological insight, preparing graduates to understand both the law and human behaviour. This unique skill set opens doors to careers in legal practice, policy development, human services, and corporate environments. Graduates may pursue roles such as Lawyer, Policy Advisor, Human Resources Consultant, or Youth and Family Services Officer. Students graduate with practical experience, professional skills, and industry knowledge that are highly valued across a wide range of sectors.

This strong career foundation is supported by:

Dedicated employability support: ECU’s School of Business and Law Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) team assists students in securing professional practice opportunities, internships, consultancy projects, client-based projects, and industry experiences. Students complete a minimum of 80 hours of professional practice, helping them build workplace skills and professional networks before graduation.
Industry partnerships and real-world experience: Students can gain hands-on experience through ECU’s Community Legal Practice unit, collaborations with Community Legal Centres in Perth, participation in the Law Access Program, the Innocence Project, and national and international mooting competitions. These opportunities allow students to apply their knowledge to real legal and social issues while building valuable professional connections.
Employment outcomes and salary potential: ECU Law graduates have reported strong employment outcomes, with graduates entering legal, government, community services, human resources, compliance, and policy-related careers. Based on recent graduate outcome data for ECU law-related graduates, early-career salaries typically range from approximately AUD $65,000 to $80,000 per year, with a median salary of around AUD $72,000 annually, depending on industry sector, location, and role.
Long-term accreditation value: This degree is professionally accredited by both the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) and the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia (LPBWA). The law component satisfies the academic requirements for admission as a legal practitioner in Western Australia, while the psychology component provides an accredited foundation for further psychology training and registration pathways.
Strong graduate outcomes: Graduates develop advanced skills in legal reasoning, critical thinking, communication, research, problem-solving, ethical decision-making, and understanding human behaviour. These capabilities create career flexibility across legal, corporate, government, community, and social justice sectors.

Further Academic Progression: After completing this double degree, graduates can continue their studies through a range of postgraduate pathways. Students wishing to become practising lawyers can undertake Practical Legal Training (PLT) and proceed to admission as a legal practitioner. Those interested in psychology can pursue an Honours year, postgraduate psychology qualifications, or specialised master's programs leading toward professional registration pathways. Graduates may also choose advanced study in areas such as Clinical Psychology, Organisational Psychology, Public Policy, Human Rights Law, Criminology, Mental Health, or Legal Practice, enabling them to further specialise and enhance their career opportunities in both legal and behavioural science professions.