Psych x Law

Beyond your brain: How to blend your passion for law and criminology with your psychology degree

11/11/2024 |
4 MINS

Studying psychology and an arts or commerce degree at UWA offers you a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of human behaviour and legal systems, equipping you with a broad understanding of both fields. UWA provides two distinct pathways for those interested in combining these disciplines, the combined Bachelor of Psychology and Bachelor of Arts and the combined Bachelor of Psychology and Bachelor of Commerce. Each course structure is designed to offer specialised knowledge in psychology while allowing you to tailor your legal studies through various majors, including Criminology, Law and Society, under the Bachelor of Arts and Business Law, under the Bachelor of Commerce.

Bachelor of Psychology and Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Psychology and Bachelor of Arts is an excellent choice if you are interested in exploring the societal and cultural aspects of law alongside psychological studies. This degree allows you to major in Psychology under the Bachelor of Psychology and major in Criminology or Law and Society under the Bachelor of Arts.

  • Psychology (Extended Major): Gain an in-depth understanding of human behaviour, mental processes, and the factors that influence how people think, feel, and act. It includes topics such as cognitive, social and industrial and organisational psychology, offering you a strong foundation in both theoretical and applied aspects of psychology.

  • Criminology: This major focuses on the study of crime, its causes, consequences, and ways to prevent it. By combining criminology with psychology, you’ll gain insight into the psychological factors that influence criminal behaviour and how legal systems respond to crime. 

  • Law and Society: Examine the role of law in society, exploring how legal institutions and practices impact social issues. When combined with psychology, this major offers a comprehensive understanding of how legal frameworks influence human behaviour and social norms.

When combined with arts majors like Criminology or Law and Society, the Psychology (Extended Major) will enhance your ability to analyse legal and social issues from a psychological perspective, preparing you for career opportunities that require both legal knowledge and psychological insight.

Bachelor of Psychology and Bachelor of Commerce

If you are interested in the business side of law, the Bachelor of Psychology and Bachelor of Commerce is a great choice. This degree allows you to major in Psychology under the Bachelor of Psychology and major in Business Law under the Bachelor of Commerce.

  • Psychology (Extended Major): Gain an in-depth understanding of human behaviour, mental processes, and the factors that influence how people think, feel, and act. It includes topics such as cognitive, social and industrial and organisational psychology, offering you a strong foundation in both theoretical and applied aspects of psychology.

  • Business Law: This major focuses on the legal aspects of the business world, including contract law, corporate governance, and regulatory compliance. When paired with psychology, you’ll gain a unique perspective on how psychological principles can be applied to business practices, relationships and decision-making processes.

This combination allows you to approach business law with a unique perspective, understanding not only the legal frameworks but also the psychological factors that drive business decisions. This degree is particularly beneficial for those interested in career opportunities in corporate law, human resources, or management consulting.

Why study a combined bachelor's degree with psychology?

Combining psychology with these majors at UWA gives you a multidisciplinary approach to understanding human behaviour within legal systems, offering a holistic perspective on justice, ethics, and social responsibility. This broad foundation can open doors to career opportunities supporting legal practitioners, and in mental health, criminal justice, corporate governance, and public policy.

UWA’s flexible course structure allows you to tailor your studies to match your interests in psychology and law. The skills you gain are highly transferable, preparing you to adapt to changing job markets and providing a strong foundation for success in various professional fields. By understanding the psychological factors that influence behaviour and the legal frameworks that shape society, UWA graduates are well-prepared to make meaningful contributions to their communities and beyond.

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