Bachelor of Psychological Science, Bachelor of Laws

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 graduate attributes (GA):

GA1: Intellectual rigour

• Access, manage, research and evaluate sources of information using intellectual and practical skills relevant to legal research and policy issues in professional practice.
• Apply psychological principles, theories, and concepts using a scientific, evidence-based approach across the core domains of psychology.

GA2: Creativity

• Apply legal reasoning, critical analysis and research to generate appropriate responses to legal problems.
• Demonstrate independence and integrity in the pursuit of scholarly inquiry and creative problem-solving in psychology

GA3: Ethical practice

• Identify, discuss and explain approaches to ethical decision-making and reflect upon and respond to ethical issues likely to arise in professional contexts.
• Explain and evaluate the professional responsibilities of lawyers in promoting justice and sustainability in service to the community.
• Evaluate the relationship between law and sustainability.
• Evaluate evidence and tolerate ambiguity, while critically reflecting on biases, values, and ethics to support inclusive, reflexive and safety-focused professional conduct in psychology.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

• Identify and explain fundamental areas of law, including the Australian legal system, and underlying principles and concepts, including international and comparative contexts, and the broader contexts within which legal issues arise.
• Evaluate and apply evidence-based research and assessment methods according to ethical principles, including the responsible use of technology in psychology.

GA5: Lifelong learning

• Exercise independent judgment and assess self-capabilities and performance, and apply feedback to determine personal and professional development needs and achievements.
• Access, manage and evaluate sources of information relevant to legal research and practice.
• Apply psychological knowledge and skills to personal, professional, and societal contexts, incorporating strategies for self-care, resilience, and management of psychosocial risks.

GA6: Communication and social skills

• Collaborate and communicate using appropriate academic skills in ways that are effective, appropriate and persuasive for legal and non-legal audiences.
• Critically analyse and evaluate psychological theory and research, and communicate findings effectively in written and oral forms.
• Demonstrate interpersonal and collaboration skills by working respectfully with others and maintaining safe and professional relationships.

GA7: Cultural competence

• Apply Australian Indigenous perspectives to all aspects of legal professional practice.
• Demonstrate appropriate reflexive and responsive practice when working with socially and culturally diverse people, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

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.

The course will equip you with the skills, knowledge and experience required to embark on a career in law, as well as a strong grounding in psychology and psychological theory, providing insights into 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 in Australia. 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.

The course also has Australian Psychology Accreditation Council accreditation for entrance into postgraduate training.

Award requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Psychological Science, Bachelor of Laws, students must complete the equivalent of 40 units (480 credit points), comprising:

• 35 core units (420 credit points), and
• 5 Law Option Units (60 credit points).

Inherent Requirements

Inherent Requirements apply to this course as defined on the Inclusion Support website. Students who have a disability or health condition which may impact on their ability to meet these requirements are encouraged to visit the Inclusion Support website for further information and contact details.

Choose your subjects

Majors

You'll study core units in both law and psychology, and select units from an extensive range of electives to suit your career aspirations.

Exit points

• Students may be eligible to exit with a Bachelor of Laws after completing the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points), as per the Bachelor of Laws Schedule of Units.
• Students may be eligible to exit with a Bachelor of Psychological Science after completing the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points), the Bachelor of Psychological Science Schedule of Units.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $74,850

The amounts shown here are indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

Revolutionary learning for strong employment outcomes

At Southern Cross University, online study is designed to fit around your life without compromising on quality. Through the Southern Cross Model, you learn in focused six-week terms, usually studying one or two units at a time.

This immersive approach helps you stay motivated, build momentum and balance study with work, family and other commitments.

You'll be supported by innovative teaching, practical learning experiences and a university community committed to your success - whether you're interested in business, education, healthcare, law, engineering, IT, science or other career-focused study areas.

Your flexible online study comes with the support, connections and confidence to help you achieve your goals and take the next step in your career.

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QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

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32

ATAR 80 or equivalent.

Southern Cross Uni's Early Offer program also allows Year 12 students to secure a place in most Southern Cross University undergraduate degrees before Year 12 results are released. It’s designed to remove some of the pressure from Year 12 and provide a pathway directly into university study that is not based solely on Year 12 results. Excludes Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (Honours). 

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows. Don’t meet the English language requirements? View our English language programs.

• Overall: 6.0
• Listening: minimum 5.5
• Reading: minimum 5.5
• Speaking: minimum 5.5
• Writing: minimum 5.5.

Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.

Students can undertake voluntary legal experience and professional placement with legal firms or offices to build their practical legal skills and develop their professional networks.