Bachelor of Psychological Science / Bachelor of Laws (Honours)

Within this combined degree program, students study a combination of psychological science and law courses over a period of five years full-time. On completion of the first three years students will have completed all the required courses for the Bachelor of Psychological Science degree. In the final two years of the combined degree program students complete the requirements of the Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and may enrol in these two years on a less than full time basis.

Students completing this combined degree meet the academic requirement to practise law in NSW, and acquire skills and knowledge through their psychological science studies. Psychological science is a fascinating area which examines the cause of human behaviour. This understanding is then used to solve practical problems that will positively impact the lives of others. Students wishing to practise Law must also complete postgraduate professional training approved by the Legal Profession Admission Board. Alternatively, students completing this degree may apply for entry to the Bachelor of Laws/Diploma of Legal Practice program which allows immediate admission to legal practice on graduation.

This program is conditionally accredited with the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).

Commencement in this program is only available in Semester 1. Due to timetabling issues this program is not available for a Semester 2 commencement.

On successful completion of the program students will have:

• Comprehended and applied a broad and coherent body of knowledge of Psychology, with depth of understanding of underlying principles, theories and concepts in the discipline, using a scientific approach, including the following topics: the history and philosophy underpinning the science of psychology and the social, cultural, historical and professional influences on the practice of psychology, individual differences in capacity, behaviour and personality, psychological health and well-being, psychological disorders and evidence-based interventions, learning and memory, cognition, language and perception, motivation and emotion, neuroscience and the biological bases of behaviour, lifespan developmental psychology, social psychology, culturally appropriate psychological assessment and measurement, and research methods and statistics.
• Lateral thinking skills to solve legal problems through the range of available dispute resolution mechanisms
• Advanced oral and written communication skills
• Skills to recognise the importance of acting as a professional advocate for the rule of law
• Professional skills to apply the maintenance and reform of the legal system
• Skills to uphold the highest ethical standards in discharging responsibilities to clients, other professionals, the courts and the public
• Skills to understand, evaluate and critically reflect upon the interaction of law and society
• Capacity to recognise Law as a dynamic discipline requiring professional lifelong learning and skill development
• Applied knowledge and skills of Psychology in a manner that is reflexive, culturally appropriate and sensitive to the diversity of individuals.
• Analysed and critique theory and research in the discipline of psychology and communicate these in written and oral formats.
• Demonstrated an understanding of appropriate values and ethics in Psychology.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and teamwork.
• Demonstrated self-directed pursuit of scholarly inquiry in Psychology.
• The capacity to provide professional advice, based on specialised knowledge of law and its application in diverse contexts, to employers, government and individual clients
• The technical and cognitive skills required to plan and conduct advanced legal research tasks working independently and in collaboration with others
• Critical thinking skills to analyse the formation , content and operation of the law