Central Queensland University

What you'll study

This double degree integrates the core legal curriculum with a comprehensive psychology program. Law components cover foundational and practice-focused subjects such as contract law, torts, criminal law, constitutional and administrative law, property law, evidence, legal research and writing, professional ethics and legal practice, and practical experience through clinical programs or simulated practice units. Psychology components include foundational topics and scientific methods: introduction to psychology, developmental psychology, cognitive and social psychology, biological bases of behaviour, research methods and statistics, personality and abnormal psychology, assessment and intervention principles, and application-focused units that prepare you for advanced study or applied roles.

The program is structured to develop transferable skills — critical thinking, research design and analysis, advocacy, negotiation, report-writing and interpersonal communication. Students also complete practical and workplace-based learning experiences offered through legal clinics, industry projects or supervised placements in community and health settings.

Entry requirements

Admission is competitive and based on one or more of the following pathways: successful completion of secondary school qualifications (with an appropriate English prerequisite), recognised tertiary study, relevant diplomas, or demonstrated work/life experience for mature-age entry. Applicants whose first language is not English will need to meet English language proficiency standards. Specific entry pathways and any assumed knowledge (for example in English and numeracy/statistics) vary by campus and delivery mode, so applicants should check the university’s admissions pages or contact admissions advisors for personalised advice.

Career prospects

Graduates leave with a mix of legal knowledge and psychological insight that is attractive to employers across many sectors. Typical career outcomes include:

• Legal practitioner roles (solicitor, and after completing required practical legal training, progression toward bar work where applicable).
• Policy advisor, legislative officer or compliance professional in government, regulatory bodies and non-government organisations.
• Community legal centre worker, youth justice or victim support officer integrating psychological approaches with legal advocacy.
• Paralegal, court or tribunal officer, and roles in alternative dispute resolution.
• Psychology-related roles such as caseworker, research assistant, mental health support worker or roles in human services and community health; graduates seeking to become registered psychologists will usually undertake further accredited fourth-year and postgraduate training.

The combination of disciplines also suits careers in corporate governance, human resources, family services, forensic settings, and advocacy or consultancy roles where understanding both law and human behaviour is beneficial.

Why study at Central Queensland University

Central Queensland University offers flexible study options across on-campus and online delivery, enabling students to balance practical placements, regional commitments or work. The university provides practical learning opportunities such as legal clinics and supervised placements that build workplace-ready skills. CQU’s campuses and support services include academic skills assistance, career services and industry engagement to help students transition into professional roles. The curriculum is designed to align with the academic requirements for legal practice and to provide the foundational psychology sequence required for entry into advanced, accredited psychology pathways, giving graduates routes into both legal and psychology professions.