Handbook : Course informationEdith Cowan University

Course Information

Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychology

Effective from 01-JAN-2026 : Code W83

ECU’s Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Psychology double degree offers a unique combination of legal training and psychological insight, preparing you for a dynamic career both in the courtroom and beyond. You will explore key areas such as social change, group processes, cross-cultural communication, and human behaviour, while developing strong analytical and research skills. This degree provides a strong foundation for careers in mental health, human resources, child and family services, youth work, alcohol and drug counselling, disability and rehabilitation support, migrant services, as well as research and policy development. Through practical learning opportunities, including our Community Legal Practice unit and participation in national and international mooting competitions, you will gain hands-on experience that bridges theory and practice. You will graduate well-equipped for a successful careerin the courtroom and beyond.

Disclaimer

This course information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester. In particular please check the course requirements and the unit and unit set offerings, as these differ according to course delivery location.

Internship Option

Students will complete a minimum of 80 hours of professional practice in their major or chosen career area, taking significant responsibility for their own learning outcomes. During the 80 hours, students will be immersed into professional life, actively engaging with industry/community partners and applying their discipline learning and professional skills in a meaningful way. Examples of professional practice could be an internship, client-based project, consultancy, service learning, simulated practice, competition, or combination of. Students will reflect on their professional practice to inform their longer-term career planning and professional development. Students are responsible for sourcing their own professional practice opportunity, with the support of the School of Business and Law’s Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) team. All opportunities are vetted to ensure they can provide a meaningful learning experience. Recognition of Prior Learning will not be considered for this unit.

Duty of care

Students must complete the relevant risk management documentation prescribed by the work-integrated learning team, in accordance with ECU policy and procedures. Students should be aware of any work-related restrictions in their visa conditions, if applicable. They must also provide any documentation required by their host partner, including police clearances and immunisations. Required documentation is likely to vary across host organisations.

Attendance requirements

Students are required to attend host organisations to complete their learning in a work setting. Hours will be organised on an individual basis and host organisations may require students to attend after hours and on the weekends. In addition to their time in the work setting, students may be required to attend virtual and/or face-to-face sessions as instructed by the Unit Coordinator.

Prerequisites

Completion of 180 credit points and the career development learning content for their course of study.

Professional practice rules

Students are expected to behave in a professional manner in the work setting and adhere to the host organisation and/or industry's Code of Conduct. They are also required to meet the requirements outlined in the SBL WIL Guidelines for Students’. Host organisations are expected to the meet the requirements outlined in the 'SBL WIL Guidelines for Collaborators'.

Work Experience Option

Students have an opportunity to gain practical experience in collaboration with selected Community Legal Centres in Perth.

Duty of care

Conflict of interest checks may apply.

Application process

Students are required to apply to the Unit Coordinator.

Course Learning Outcomes

1. Adopt professional and ethical behaviour and/or personal citizenship that reflect the interrelationship between ethics, codes of conduct, justice and community service.
2. Apply broad and coherent range of legal and psychology knowledge to a range of theoretical and practical issues, incorporating international/global/cultural/Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.
3. Exercise critical thinking, judgement and intellectual independence to evaluate, consolidate and synthesise knowledge relevant to legal and psychology issues.
4. Think creatively to anticipate challenges and generate solutions in legal, psychology-based situations.
5. Communicate legal and psychology knowledge, concepts and advice using relevant technologies clearly and persuasively.
6. Collaborate in team settings and demonstrate initiative to produce measurable outcomes.
7. Reflect on feedback and critique on own performance to support scholarship and personal and professional development, demonstrating autonomy, responsibility and accountability.
8. Use digital technologies and discipline related literacies to access, evaluate and synthesise relevant information from multiple sources.

Registration

Students will need to graduate to be eligible to register with the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia (LPBWA). Registration with the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia (LPBWA) is required to practice in the profession.

This degree satisfies the academic requirements for admission as a legal practitioner in Western Australia and is professionally accredited by the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia. This means that graduates are eligible to register with the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia (LPBWA). For further information about the admission process contact the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia.

Admission requirements

Admission requirement (Band 5)

All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• AQF Advanced Diploma or equivalent;
• Undergraduate Certificate;
• Successfully completed 1 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
• Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test;
• University Preparation Course;
• Indigenous University Orientation Course; or
• Associate Degree.

English Language requirement (Band 3)

English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
• Special Tertiary Admissions Test;
• IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0);
• Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
• University Preparation Course;
• Indigenous University Orientation Course;
• AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree;
• Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or
• Other tests, courses or programs as defined in the Admissions Policy.

Portfolio pathway applications are not accepted for this course.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 7 Bachelor Degree Award.

Course Duration

• Full Time: 5 Years
• Part Time: 10 Years

Course Delivery

• Joondalup: Full Time, Part Time
• Online: Full Time, Part Time

Non standard timetable requirements

Students should be aware that unit overloads will be required in some semesters, in order to complete the course within the standard duration.

Course Coordinator

Dr Tanzim AFROZ

Course Structure

Students are required to complete: 23 Core Law units and 9 recommended law elective units, plus 12 Core Psychology units.

Note: Generally, psychology units should be completed in year sequence (e.g. all first-year units should be completed before proceeding to second-year units)

RECOMMENDED ELECTIVES

9 recommended elective units are to be selected from any of the following streams.