Bachelor of Psychological Science / Bachelor of Laws

5 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Australian Catholic University

Program Overview

This double degree is a rare chance to explore the fascinating world of human behaviour alongside the structure and impact of the law. It’s perfect if you’re curious about people, justice, and advocacy — giving you the skills to make a real difference in communities, organisations, or the courtroom.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1: You’ll start by laying solid foundations in both law and psychology. Law units like Foundations of Law, Legal Research, and Contract Law introduce you to legal thinking, while psychology units such as Foundations of Psychology and Psychological Practice: Theory and Techniques help you begin exploring human behaviour and research basics. It’s a supportive, lively start that balances logical reasoning with curiosity about the mind.

Year 2: Here, the two fields start to connect more deeply. In law, Criminal Law and Procedure and Business Organisations show you how rules shape society, and the Community Legal Engagement Pro Bono unit gives you hands-on experience in real-world legal settings. On the psychology side, Life Span Development and Social Psychology let you understand people across ages and social contexts, helping you see behaviour in action.

Year 3: Now things get more complex — and exciting. Law units like Statutory Interpretation and Property, plus professional experience opportunities, help you build confidence in client-focused environments. Psychology units such as Personality and Individual Differences and Research Design and Data Analysis 3 strengthen your scientific thinking and research skills, giving you tools to understand and interpret human behaviour.

Year 4: This is where theory meets real-world practice. Law subjects like Evidence and Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility prepare you to think like a practitioner, while psychology units including Psychological Assessment and Brain and Behaviour explore biological and applied perspectives. You’ll start shaping your professional identity, blending sharp analysis with empathy.

Year 5: In your final year, you bring it all together. You’ll study higher-level law areas like Administrative Law and International Law, and choose electives that match your passions — from contemporary legal issues to intersections of psychology and law. It’s the perfect springboard into your first career steps.

Focus Areas: Balanced study of human behaviour and legal systems, with hands-on, experiential practice.

Learning Outcomes: By graduation, you’ll think critically, communicate with clarity and empathy, and apply both psychological insight and legal reasoning in diverse professional settings.

Professional Alignment: This degree meets the standards for legal practice across major Australian states and is accredited by the psychology board as a strong pathway toward professional registration in psychology.

Reputation & Employability: ACU is recognised among the top Catholic universities globally, with strong graduate employment outcomes — over 95% of graduates secure work soon after finishing their studies.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This double degree isn’t just about sitting in lectures and reading textbooks — it’s designed so you’re getting real professional experience from early on. You’ll dive into law pro bono placements in community settings, explore psychological science through research and analysis, and graduate with experience that employers genuinely value. The program is fully accredited for both legal practice and psychology pathways, so everything you do is directly connected to real career steps. It’s the kind of course where classroom learning and real-world experience grow together naturally.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

Pro Bono and Community Legal Work (80+ hours) — After your first year, you’ll spend at least 80 hours working in real community legal placements, gaining hands-on professional experience that goes far beyond theory.
Volunteer Opportunities through the Pro Bono Program — You’ll work with community organisations and real clients, building practical skills in legal and ethical practice while making a tangible difference.
Accredited Psychology Sequence — Your psychology studies follow the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) sequence, giving you coursework that’s fully aligned with professional training and research skills you’ll actually use.
Research Design and Data Analysis Units — Across your psychology subjects, you’ll get practical experience designing studies, working with data, and interpreting results — essential foundations for any psychology career.
Professional Recognition and Career Readiness — The law component is approved for legal practice in multiple states, and the psychology component is recognised by the Psychology Board of Australia. That means your degree doesn’t just look good on paper — it sets you up to step confidently into professional roles.

If you’re after a course where you build real professional skills through service, research, and community engagement — not just theory — this degree delivers that in very concrete, career-ready ways.

Progression & Future Opportunities

This double degree opens up a world of opportunities because it combines a deep understanding of human behaviour with strong legal training. Graduates leave ready for careers that involve working closely with people, shaping policy, or making a tangible difference in communities and organisations. Many find themselves in roles such as a solicitor, barrister, legal officer, or policy writer, while others go on to explore psychology-related paths like research or professional psychology with further study.

Support for your career: ACU is committed to helping you step confidently into the workforce. Through Career Development Services and community engagement programs, you’ll gain real-world experience even before you graduate. This includes 80 hours of structured pro bono legal work and access to tailored career advice and work-integrated learning opportunities.

Confidence in employment: Graduates from this program are highly employable, with around 95% finding work after completing their studies. You’ll be entering the job market with both skills and practical experience that employers value.

Hands-on, industry-relevant experience: The degree is designed so you can work in real community and legal contexts. You’ll be prepared for careers in government, NGOs, community services, law firms, or corporate settings—where your knowledge and empathy will make a real difference.

Accreditation and professional pathways: The law component meets requirements for legal practice in major Australian states, while the psychology sequence is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. This means your degree not only equips you with knowledge but also sets you up for future professional pathways in both fields.

Opportunities to keep learning: After completing this double degree, you can continue to build your expertise. If psychology excites you, there’s a clear path to honours or postgraduate programs that move you closer to becoming a registered psychologist. On the law side, you can progress to practical legal training or explore specialised postgraduate options, giving you the flexibility to shape your career exactly the way you want.