Australian Catholic University

What you'll study

This combined program typically runs as a multi‑year full‑time degree and brings together core psychological science subjects with the substantive and professional training of an honours law degree. The curriculum balances research and applied skills in psychology with doctrinal, practical and ethics training in law.

• Psychological science core: research methods and statistics; cognitive, developmental and social psychology; biological bases of behaviour; personality and individual differences; psychological assessment and measurement; abnormal psychology; ethics in psychological practice.
• Psychology applied units: intervention and therapy concepts, clinical case formulation, community and organisational psychology, and placements or supervised client contact in ACU clinics or partner organisations where available.
• Law core: legal method and reasoning, contract law, torts, property law, criminal law, constitutional and administrative law, evidence, and obligations.
• Professional and advanced law: civil procedure, commercial and corporations law, legal research and writing, negotiation and advocacy (including mooting and simulation), ethics and professional responsibility, and experiential legal clinic work.
• Honours and research: the honours component in law typically involves advanced coursework and a substantial research project or thesis, or other designated honours requirements, designed to develop independent research, analysis and writing at a higher academic level.
• Capstone and electives: opportunities to take specialist electives such as forensic psychology, family law, human rights, mental health law, workplace relations, or policy units depending on campus availability and student interest.

Entry requirements

Entry is competitive and based on a combination of secondary‑school results (or equivalent), and in some cases prior tertiary study or recognised work experience for mature applicants. Applicants will normally need:

• Successful completion of secondary education or an approved alternative qualification; higher rank or ATAR-equivalent results normally strengthen an application.
• For international applicants, approved English language proficiency evidence is required.
• Some pathways may consider prior university study, recognised diplomas, or relevant work experience for admission as a mature‑age student.
• Because the program includes placements and client contact, selected units may require background checks, clearances or health requirements (for example criminal history checks or immunisation checks) before commencing placement.

Career prospects

Graduates exit with a unique combination of skills in psychological assessment, research and interpersonal understanding, together with legal analysis, advocacy and professional legal training. Typical career pathways include:

• Legal careers: pathway to admission as a solicitor (and later barrister) after completing any required practical legal training and meeting local admission requirements; roles in private practice, in‑house counsel, government legal teams, and compliance.
• Psychology and allied roles: further postgraduate study or supervised practice is usually required for registration as a psychologist; graduates may work in research, community services, case management, policy development, or allied mental health roles while completing postgraduate training.
• Combined and specialised roles: forensic and correctional services, family and child protection services, victim advocacy, dispute resolution, workplace relations, human resources, regulatory bodies, and NGOs where dual expertise in law and human behaviour is valued.
• Research, policy and academia: opportunities to undertake further postgraduate research in psychology, law or interdisciplinary fields such as mental health law, forensic psychology or public policy.

Why study at Australian Catholic University

ACU emphasises values‑based, practice‑oriented education with a focus on social justice and community engagement. The university offers smaller cohort sizes for many professional units, which supports close contact with academic staff and personalised feedback.

• Practical learning: law moots, negotiation simulations and clinical placements, alongside psychology placements and on‑campus clinics, give students hands‑on experience before graduation.
• Professional preparation: the curriculum is structured to meet professional accreditation and admission pathways, and includes training in ethics, professional conduct and research skills relevant to both psychology and law.
• Support and flexibility: ACU provides student support services for academic skills, placement preparation and career planning, with multiple campus locations and some flexibility in delivery to suit diverse student needs.
• Interdisciplinary perspective: combining psychological science with honours law equips graduates to work across sectors where legal issues and human behaviour intersect, providing a strategic advantage in specialist fields such as forensic practice, policy and advocacy.