Gain a competitive edge by combining law with psychological science, and graduate with two degrees in just five years.

A double degree expands your knowledge and opens doors to a broad range of career opportunities.

You will graduate with professional honours, an advanced understanding of legal principles of Australian law and the latest legal concepts in psychological science. This legal expertise, combined with the knowledge and skills you’ll gain from your specialisation, will set you on track for a leadership career.

In your law studies you’ll gain practical real-world experience by undertaking an industry or clinic placement, a law reform project or high-level research in your final year. You’ll also be involved in mock-trials in our moot court, learning what it’s like to be act as an advocate and argue a case before a judge. You can also gain valuable experience at our Legal Advice Clinic, solving legal problems of clients under the guidance of a managing solicitor.

In your psychological science studies you will develop an in-depth understanding of human behaviour, social interactions and why people think the way they do. Courses are taught by world-class researchers1 in the field of psychological science – in fact, the curriculum is informed by the research of our academics.

If you wish to practise law, you should also familiarise yourself with the requirements for admission as a legal practitioner in South Australia. 

12018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).

What you'll learn

This degree is made up of 40 courses. You will do 24 courses in law and 16 courses in psychological science.

Laws (Honours)

From your first few weeks as a law student you'll do practical courses and see what it's like to argue a case and provide legal advice. You’ll gain valuable skills that you can apply in reasoning, reporting, analysis, negotiation, communication and advocacy to resolve complex legal problems.

Throughout your degree you will study core courses that teach you the fundamental legal concepts that underpin the Australian legal system. Courses such as torts, contracts, criminal law and constitutional law will give you a good understanding of basic legal principles.

Through practical learning experiences including mooting and witness examination, you will be prepared for legal practice upon graduation.

You'll also be able to choose from an industry or clinic placement, a law reform project or high-level research in your final year.

Psychological Science

In your psychological science studies, you will develop a strong theoretical knowledge in the field as well as practical skills such as problem solving, planning, judgement and decision-making. 

Through your choice of electives you can expand your knowledge in an area of professional interest such as health law, sports law, family law and human rights law.

Careers in law, along with jobs in social welfare, are predicted to increase 12.9% by 20221.

Our quality teaching, focus on developing your practical skills and opportunities to connect with industry beyond the classroom will ensure you graduate career-ready.

You will hold a desired skillset for a diverse range of careers including:

• Arbitrator/Mediator: facilitating negotiation and settlement between disputing parties by providing direction and encouragement; working collaboratively with the parties and finding creative ways to reach a mutual solution
• Crime prevention specialist: working closely with/within government departments and agencies to reduce crime, enforce the law and maintain criminal justice
• Forensic psychologist (with further study): collecting and reporting evidence of a psychological nature for use in legal and criminal justice proceedings; undertaking psychological assessments, diagnoses and interventions; evaluating programs and conducting interviews 
• Policy analyst: analysing policies and their effects to provide advice and guidance to governments and organisations; offering strategic policy and planning advice on programs and operations; reviewing, developing, and implementing policies and strategies
• Project manager: ensuring projects are delivered on time and according to project plans; managing project team resources; scheduling, preparation and resource forecasting; managing vendors and suppliers; managing budgets
• Solicitor: commercial solicitor: focusing on business-specific legal practice such as: corporate, contract, competition, communications, commercial property, finance, employment, intellectual property, transport, sports and media law
  personal solicitor: focusing on areas such as personal injury, family and tort law, criminal litigation, succession and inheritance, residential property, taxation and trusts

Professional accreditation and recognition

The Law degree is accredited by the Bar Council of India. Indian students studying in Australia can have their Law Degree recognised for the purposes of a legal career in their home country. Students who wish to be admitted in India are advised to consult with the Bar Council about what bridging courses they may need to complete.

This program covers in a comprehensive way the academic requirements for admission to practice (the Uniform Admissions Rules) as specified by the National Law Admissions Consultative Committee. Students seeking admission to practice are required to complete an approved practical legal training (PLT) program. It is expected that students will complete the law degree before commencing the PLT. Students seeking admission to practice in other Australian jurisdictions should apply to the appropriate admitting authority. There are additional course requirements for students who wish to seek professional accreditation.

This program is accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. On completion of the program, graduates will have met the prerequisites to apply for fourth year programs in Psychology.