Bachelor of Psychological Science, Bachelor of Laws
Southern Cross University
About
Examining the criminal mind is a fascinating and revealing journey.
In this double degree, you’ll experience the mindsets of criminals, the perspectives of victims and the motivations of people working within the legal process.From this five-year degree you will emerge with skills and knowledge required for a career in law, as well as a strong grounding in the workings of the human mind.
Through an optional professional placement you can develop networks and gain vital insight into career possibilities.Graduates may choose to pursue a career in one of the many facets of law, from health, social and disability services to youth services, corrective services, the armed services, research agencies and in education;
or you can pursue postgraduate training for registration as a psychologist.This degree fulfils the academic requirements for admission to the legal profession.
Professional admission authorities also require law graduates of all universities to complete practical legal training or similar to be eligible to practise as a lawyer.It has Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) accreditation for entrance into postgraduate training.
Structure
Core Units
| Title | Level of learning | Note |
|---|---|---|
| LAW00051 - Legal Research and Writing | Introductory | |
| LAW00111 - Legal Process | Introductory | Note 1 |
| LAW10001 - Contract Law I | Introductory | |
| LAW10002 - Australian Criminal Law I | Introductory | |
| LAW10003 - Contract Law II | Intermediate | |
| LAW10004 - Australian Criminal Law II | Intermediate | |
| LAW00527 - Corporations Law | Intermediate | |
| LAW72005 - Evidence | Advanced | |
| LAW72001 - Civil Litigation and Procedure | Intermediate | |
| LAW72002 - Torts | Intermediate | |
| LAW00112 - Constitutional Law | Intermediate | |
| LAW30005 - Statutory Interpretation | Advanced | |
| LAW71005 - Property Principles | Introductory | |
| LAW72009 - Principles of Equity | Advanced | |
| LAW00117 - Administrative Law | Advanced | |
| LAW00519 - Professional Conduct | Advanced | Note 1 |
| BHS11001 - Introduction to Psychology I | Introductory | |
| BHS11004 - Fundamentals of Career Success in Psychology | Introductory | |
| BHS11002 - Introduction to Psychology II | Introductory | |
| BHS11003 - Introduction to Psychological Investigation | Introductory | |
| BHS20001 - Psychological Assessment | Intermediate | |
| BHS20006 - Social Psychology | Advanced | |
| BHS20007 - Learning and Memory | Advanced | |
| BHS20008 - Quantitative Methods in Psychology | Intermediate | |
| BHS30001 - Advanced Quantitative Methods in Psychology | Advanced | |
| BHS30002 - Abnormal Psychology | Intermediate | |
| BHS30003 - Development across the Lifespan | Intermediate | |
| BHS30004 - Biological Psychology | Advanced | |
| BHS72001 - Advanced Psychological Investigation | Intermediate | |
| PSY73001 - Applied Psychological Investigation | Advanced | |
| BHS30005 - Cross Cultural and Indigenous Issues in Psychology | Advanced | |
| LAW00520 - Jurisprudence | Intermediate |
Electives
Choose eight (8) units from the following electives
Entry requirements
To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Psychological Science, Bachelor of Laws, students must complete 40 units (480 credit points), comprising:
- 32 core units (384 credit points); and
- 8 Law electives (96 credit points).
Learning outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the <a href="/staff/teaching-and-learning/graduate-attributes/">graduate attributes</a>.
| Graduate Attribute | Course Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| Intellectual rigour | Demonstrate the intellectual and practical skills needed to identify, research, evaluate and synthesise relevant factual, legal and policy issuesApply knowledge of the scientific method in thinking about problems related to behaviour and mental processesQuestion claims that arise from myth, stereotype, pseudoscience or untested assumptions and recognise and defend against the major fallacies of human thinking |
| Creativity | Apply legal reasoning, critical analysis, research and evidence to generate appropriate responses to legal problemsDemonstrate practical skills in laboratory- based and other psychological researchDemonstrate an attitude of critical thinking that includes persistence, open- mindedness, and intellectual engagementApply psychological concepts, theories, and research findings to solve problems in everyday life and in society |
| Ethical practice | Demonstrate an understanding of approaches to ethical decision-making and an ability to recognise, reflect upon, and respond to ethical issues likely to arise in professional contextsDemonstrate an ability to recognise and reflect upon the professional responsibilities of lawyers in promoting justice and in service to the communityDemonstrate an understanding of the relationship between law and sustainability.Use information in an ethical manner (e.g., acknowledge and respect work and intellectual property rights of others through appropriate citations in oral and written communication)Exhibit a scientific attitude in critically thinking about, and learning about, human behaviour, and in creative and pragmatic problem solvingPromote evidence-based approaches to understanding and changing human behaviour |
| Knowledge of a discipline | Demonstrate an understanding of a broad and coherent body of knowledge that includes the fundamental areas of law, the Australian legal system, and underlying principles and concepts, including international and comparative contexts, and the broader contexts within which legal issues arise.Demonstrate an understanding of the international and comparative contexts in which legal issues arise.Acquire an understanding of core topics and describe the basic characteristics of the science of psychologyExplain the major themes (e.g., interaction of genetics and environment) and perspectives (e.g., behavioural, evolutionary, sociocultural) of psychology |
| Lifelong learning | Learn and work independentlyReflect on and assess their own capabilities and performance, and seek and make use of feedback as appropriate, to determine personal and professional development needs and achievementsAccess, manage and evaluate sources of information relevant to legal research and practiceDemonstrate a capacity for independent learning to sustain personal and professional development in the changing world of the science and practice of psychologyApply psychological principles to promote personal development through self- regulation in setting and achieving career and personal goals; self-assess performance accurately; incorporate feedback for improved performance; and purposefully evaluate the quality of one’s thinking (metacognition) |
| Communication and social skills | Communicate in ways that are effective, appropriate and persuasive for legal and non-legal audiencesWrite effectively in a variety of formats (e.g., essays, research proposals, reports) and for a variety of purposes (e.g., informing, arguing) using the appropriate conventions and referencing stylesDemonstrate effective oral communication skills in various formats (e.g., debate, group discussion, presentation) and for various purposes |
| Cultural competence | Apply an understanding of Australian Indigenous perspectives to all aspects of legal professional practiceRecognise and respect social, cultural, linguistic, spiritual, and gender diversityRecognise how privilege, power, and oppression may affect prejudice, discrimination, and inequityReflect on one’s experiences and learn from them in order to identify and articulate one’s personal, sociocultural, and professional values; demonstrate insightful awareness of one’s feelings, motives, and attitudes based on psychological principles |
Institution
