Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychological Studies

Program Overview

This five-year double degree combines a law qualification with psychological studies, providing a global and social-justice perspective on human behavior, motivation, and legal knowledge. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the legal system, human mind, and psychological processes, preparing them for careers in law, psychology, or related fields. The program is taught at Victoria University's Queen Street law hub, offering access to specialized facilities and industry connections.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Overview: This five-year double degree lets you combine a law qualification with psychological studies.
You’ll gain a global and social-justice perspective and an understanding of human behaviour, motivation, relationships, communication, and cognitive processes.
• Objectives:
• Integrate conceptual understandings of psychology theories and fundamental areas of legal knowledge and relevant advanced specialist bodies of knowledge within the discipline of law and psychological studies.
• Critically review, analyse, adapt, and apply broad and coherent theoretical and technical knowledge of law and psychological studies and underlying principles and concepts in diverse contemporary local and international and comparative contexts.
• Identify, articulate, and respond to complex issues by critically analyzing and applying information with initiative and judgment in order to both anticipate and creatively solve problems in authentic/contemporary professional, community, and global settings.
• Exhibit professional accountabilities and ethical judgment, by evaluating, synthesizing, and adapting knowledge, skills, legal reasoning, and research to make appropriate responses that reflect the social, political, and contextual factors.
• Communicate a clear, coherent, and independent exposition of knowledge and skills appropriate for professional and non-professional audiences, in both oral and written form.
• Reflect on personal learning and skills in relation to career goals and implement effective, creative strategies to promote lifelong learning and pathways to further learning, including a commitment to ongoing professional development.
• Apply personal and interpersonal competencies, including organizational and collaborative skills, necessary to operate within broad parameters in the immensely divergent and complex global and Australian cultures.
• Contribute effectively, with personal accountability for outcomes in a dynamic 21st-century work team, working in an ethical and socially responsible manner.

Outline:

• Program content:
• Legal system
• Human mind
• Human Behaviour
• Motivation
• Relationships
• Communication
• Cognitive processes
• Course structure:
• 480 credit points in total
• 96 credit points of First Year Core Law and Psychology units
• 180 credit points of Professional Core Law units
• 120 credit points of Professional Core Psychological Studies units
• 60 credit points of Law electives
• 24 credit points of Psychology electives
• Course schedule:
• Full-time: 5 years
• Part-time: Longer than 5 years
• Individual modules with descriptions:
• Psychology 1A:
Introduction to psychology and basic principles of psychology
• Psychology 1B:
Introduction to research methods in psychology
• Foundations of Psychological Research:
Theory and practice of psychological research
• Foundations of Social Science Research:
Theory and practice of social science research
• Australian Legal System in Context:
History and structure of the Australian legal system
• Contracts 1:
Basic principles of contract law
• Legal Research Methods:
Theory and practice of legal research
• Legal Interpretation:
Theory and practice of legal interpretation
• Torts:
Law of civil wrongs
• Real Property Law:
Law governing land and property
• Criminal Law:
Basic principles of criminal law
• Criminal Investigation, Procedure, and Sentencing:
Theory and practice of criminal investigation, procedure, and sentencing
• Legal Writing and Drafting:
Theory and practice of legal writing and drafting
• Corporations Law:
Law governing corporations
• Constitutional Law:
Law of the Australian Constitution
• Commercial Law:
Law governing commercial transactions
• Psychology 2A:
Psychology of human development
• Psychology 2B:
Social psychology
• Qualitative Social Research Methods 1:
Theory and practice of qualitative social research
• Developmental Psychology:
Psychology of human development from conception to adolescence
• Australian Administrative Law:
Law governing the Australian government and its agencies
• Equity and Trusts:
Law governing equitable interests and trusts
• Fieldwork:
Placement in a professional setting to gain practical experience
• History, Theories, and Practice of Psychology:
History and major theories of psychology
• Clinical Aspects of Psychology:
Clinical approaches to psychological disorders
• Quantitative Social Research Methods 1:
Theory and practice of quantitative social research
• Lawyers' Ethics and Professional Responsibility:
Ethical and professional responsibilities of lawyers
• Civil Procedure:
Law governing civil court proceedings
• Evidence:
Law governing the admissibility of evidence in court
• Psychological Issues in the Workplace:
Psychological issues in the workplace
• Research Methods in Psychology:
Advanced research methods in psychology
• Internships and Law Practice:
Placement in a law firm or other legal setting to gain practical experience However, the program is taught at Victoria University's Queen Street law hub in the heart of Melbourne's legal district.
• The law hub features:
• Specialized law library
• Legal research centers
• Mooting court
• Computer labs
• Student lounges, study spaces
• Prayer room
• The program benefits from VU's many industry connections, including partnerships and programs with:
• Victoria Police
• Magistrates', County, and Supreme Courts
• Community legal centers WEstjustice