Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychological Science
La Trobe University
About
This five-year double degree prepares you to work in fields where law, psychology and mental health intersect.
You'll study topics like criminal law, the relationship between mental disorder and criminal responsibility, social psychology and psychological intervention.
You'll have access to over 20 psychology subjects and the chance to complete a subject on Autism Spectrum Disorders, learning from specialists at the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC).
You'll also be able to attend regular guest lectures from expert researchers and practitioners, building your understanding of the biological and social aspects of human behaviour.
You will have the opportunity to gain practical experience through our judicial mentoring program that allows you to spend a semester shadowing a judge or magistrate.
You can also undertake supervised legal work through one of our clinical legal education subjects.
You'll have the opportunity to participate in additional studies including Honours in Laws.
Your subjects will also help you build practical legal skills in advocacy, mediation and negotiation.
Bendigo students may undertake all core law subjects at the Bendigo Campus but a wider selection of law electives are available at the Melbourne Campus.
Some electives are available in intensive delivery at Melbourne during Summer and Winter semesters.
The qualification awarded on graduation is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as Level 7.
Structure
First year
| Semester | LAW1DR | LAW1LIM | PSY1EFP | PSY1HPM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Dispute Resolution | Legal Institutions and Methods | Experimental Foundations of Psychological Science | History, Philosophy and Methodology of Psychological Science |
| Semester 2 | Principles of Criminal Law | Principles of Public Law | Clinical Foundations of Psychological Science | Statistics for Psychology |
Second year
| Semester | LAW2CTA | LAW2TOT | PSY2PRM | PSY2COG |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Contract Law A | Principles of Tort Law | Psychological Research Methods | Cognition |
| Semester 2 | Contract Law B | Principles of Constitutional Law | Developmental Psychology | Abnormal, Clinical and Health Psychology |
Third year
| Semester | LAW2STA | LAW2FPL | OPTION | PSY3PAS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Statutory Interpretation | Foundations of Property Law | Level 2 or Level 3 Law School Elective (15cps) | Psychological Assessment |
| Semester 2 | Civil Procedure | Real Property Law | Mental Disorder and Criminal Responsibility | Social Psychology |
Fourth year
| Semester | LAW2ECP | OPTION | PSY3RPA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Evidence and Criminal Procedure | Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3 Psychology elective or an approved free elective (15cps) | Research project in Psychology A | |
| Semester 2 | Principles of Administrative Law | Level 2 or Level 3 Law School Elective (15cps) | Psychological Interventions | Research Project in Psychology B |
Fifth year
| Semester | LAW3CMP | LAW3ETR | OPTION |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Company Law | Principles of Equity and Trusts | Level 3 Psychology Elective (15cps) |
| Semester 2 | Remedies | Legal Practice and Conduct | Level 3 Psychology Elective (15cps) |
| Semester 2 | LAW4LPP - Legal Practice and Conduct - Critical Placement (this subject is by application only) |
Entry requirements
Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last two years)
Prerequisite
VCE: Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or at least 25 in English other than EAL.
Meeting minimum prerequisites does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into all La Trobe courses is based on competitive selection and there may be limited places available.
Admission criteria
ATAR (Compulsory)
This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.
*N/A: Students not accepted in this category, NC: New course, N/P: Not published (includes categories with less than five students). Learn more about our processes View the 2020 ATAR distribution report for the Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychological Science [195.9 KB].
Selection rank adjustments
Subject adjustments
VCE: A study score of 25 in any Humanities, any Information Technology, Legal Studies, Maths: Mathematical Methods, Maths: Specialist Mathematics or any Science equals 4 aggregate points per study. A study score of 20 in any LOTE equals 4 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points.
Special Access Schemes
For information on adjustment factors that may be applicable, such as those through Special Entry and Access Schemes (SEAS) and other La Trobe special access schemes see: Special access schemes
Applicants with higher education study
Prerequisite
Subject proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency equivalent to stated Year 12 prerequisites.
Meeting minimum prerequisites does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into all La Trobe courses is based on competitive selection and there may be limited places available.
Admission criteria
Entire Academic Record (Compulsory)
This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
English Language Test Selection
Applicants who have undertaken studies in a language other than English must demonstrate that they have achieved the required minimum scores in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Academic) or equivalent. Refer to Language requirements for further information.
Selection rank adjustments
Special Access Schemes
For information on adjustment factors that may be applicable, such as those through Special Entry and Access Schemes (SEAS) and other La Trobe special access schemes see: Special access schemes
Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study
Prerequisite
Subject proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency equivalent to stated Year 12 prerequisites.
Meeting minimum prerequisites does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into all La Trobe courses is based on competitive selection and there may be limited places available.
Admission criteria
Academic Record (Compulsory)
Applicants who have not successfully completed an Australian Year 12 or equivalent are ineligible to apply for this course. This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.
English Language Test Selection
Applicants who have undertaken studies in a language other than English must demonstrate that they have achieved the required minimum scores in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Academic) or equivalent. Refer to Language requirements for further information.
Selection rank adjustments
Special Access Schemes
For information on adjustment factors that may be applicable, such as those through Special Entry and Access Schemes (SEAS) and other La Trobe special access schemes see: Special access schemes
Applicants with work and life experience
Prerequisite
Subject proficiency: Demonstrated proficiency equivalent to stated Year 12 prerequisites.
Meeting minimum prerequisites does not guarantee an offer of a place. Entry into all La Trobe courses is based on competitive selection and there may be limited places available.
Admission criteria
Academic Record (Compulsory)
Applicants who have not successfully completed an Australian Year 12 or equivalent are ineligible to apply for this course. This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.
English Language Test Selection
Applicants who have undertaken studies in a language other than English must demonstrate that they have achieved the required minimum scores in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Academic) or equivalent. Refer to Language requirements for further information.
Selection rank adjustments
Subject adjustments
VCE: A study score of 25 in any Humanities, any Information Technology, Legal Studies, Maths: Mathematical Methods, Maths: Specialist Mathematics or any Science equals 4 aggregate points per study. A study score of 20 in any LOTE equals 4 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points.
Special Access Schemes
For information on adjustment factors that may be applicable, such as those through Special Entry and Access Schemes (SEAS) and other La Trobe special access schemes see: Special access schemes
Institution
