Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Psychological Science (Dual Degree)

at La Trobe University - Bendigo Campus Australia

Rapid evolutions in science and technology mean our advancements sometimes outpace the law. Get the skills to stay ahead.

In La Trobe's Bachelor of Laws(Honours)/Bachelor of Science, you can pursue multiple interests and gain a powerful combination of legal skills and cutting-edge scientific knowledge.

From stem cell research to how personal information is collected, stored and shared, advances in science and technology have real human impacts. This double degree uniquely prepares you to address contemporary challenges from a scientific, legal and ethical perspective.

Benefit from our progressive approach to legal education with a law degree you can shape to your own career goals. You'll get a solid grounding in the basics of law and hone your expertise in advocacy, negotiation and dispute resolution – skills valued by employers across industries.

Your science degree offers you huge flexibility, with an extensive range of majors to choose from. Follow your interests in emerging areas like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and data science or traditional fields including chemistry, botany and genetics. Bring knowledge to life in world-class facilities, including the La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science (LIMS), and learn from academics who are leaders in their fields.

Take your skills into the real world while you study. You'll have the opportunity to do placements in a range of legal settings, including community legal centres, law firms, government agencies, and judges and magistrates (subject to availability). On the science side, you could complete a placement with one of our industry partners – previous students have worked with CSIRO, Bayer Crop Science, and various government departments.

You will graduate ready to start your career as an expert legal practitioner, with an advanced understanding of scientific concepts or a science professional with a solid understanding of regulatory environments and how they impact scientific work.

Applied chemistry

Explore how substances are structured, then use that knowledge to make new ones. Chemistry gives you a glimpse into how matter is created. You’ll be able to apply your knowledge in a range of areas, including genetics, nanotechnology, nuclear interaction and fuel creation.

Some of Australia's most important social problems are waiting to be solved. Learn how to create innovative solutions to social issues and build a safer community in our Bachelor of Criminology.

Explore crime in its broader social context. Understand how both crime and our response to it are shaped by gender, race, power and money. You will learn how to solve real problems in your community and gain a deeper understanding of various specialised areas including forensic science, victimology, family violence, international crime, youth justice, prisons and deaths in custody.

With more than 45 years' experience teaching law and criminology, La Trobe is committed to the highest levels of excellence in teaching, practice and ethics.

Gain invaluable experience with internships and work placements. In your third year, you can choose to take on an industry placement at organisations like the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre, Corrections, Victoria Police or the Victims of Crime Tribunal.

La Trobe's Diploma of Science is a supported pathway into the Bachelor of Science – or the qualification you need to kickstart a career in entry-level roles in the science industry.

Explore basic scientific concepts and learn how to harness collaboration in the laboratory. Consolidate your new knowledge and skills through practical, laboratory-based classes where you'll have opportunities for hands-on experience. And build skills in scientific communication – an essential skill for sharing outcomes with different audiences.

Already know where you want to steer your career? Our wide range of electives allow you to take specialist subjects right away. Depending on your campus, choose from biochemistry, zoology, physics, molecular biology, data science and more.

You'll learn alongside Bachelor's students in the same subjects, while you map out your transition to further university study. Depending on your subject selection, after successfully completing your Diploma you can transfer directly into the second year of La Trobe's Bachelor of Science. That's all thanks to the one year's worth of course credit (also called advanced standing) you could receive for the subjects you study in your Diploma.

We'll be with you every step of the way. Receive tailored advice from a dedicated Senior Support Adviser and connect with discipline-based peer mentors. We'll help you enrol, choose your subjects and navigate university systems and requirements. You can also access La Trobe's Careers Service to help you shape your future.

With global communities facing challenges of increasing complexity and urgency, we need confident and experienced professionals who can leverage the latest innovations and provide ethical governance. We need leaders in every industry who make decisions not just for today’s generation – but for tomorrow’s.

If you're ready to become a global leader, La Trobe's prestigious Master of Business Administration (MBA) will give you the world-class skills to advance your career, move into a new field or launch your own start-up. Tap into La Trobe's exclusive network of powerful business leaders and develop the essential experience to become an influential modern leader.

We've carefully designed the La Trobe MBA to suit your needs. Choose to study on campus, online or a blend of the two. You can also choose from a wide range of regional campuses. You'll keep your career moving forwards, even while you prepare to step up to the next level.

With La Trobe's internationally-renowned MBA, you'll immerse yourself in learning as you grow your business acumen and develop valuable human skills. Co-designed and co-delivered by leading industry partners such as Mercer, you'll be absorbed in interactive learning and develop critical business skills. Our MBA is built on evidence-based coursework – so you'll have the confidence to understand the issues facing global businesses, tackle real-world business problems and develop lifelong leadership skills.

Study with international leaders who are dedicated to building a better world. Globally regarded for our commitment to sustainable leadership, you'll gain the skills and knowledge to balance both economic and sustainability outcomes. Our MBA is built on the United Nations-backed Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) and we are proud to be the first Australian university to become a PRME Champion.

When you access the La Trobe MBA Alumni network, you'll join an exclusive network of high-performing senior executives. You can attend professional networking events and guest lectures, as you learn how to provide good corporate governance in challenging environments.

You'll transform your career when you choose from a wide range of carefully curated specialisations. You can also complete your MBA without a specialisation, and undertake a life-changing study tour or work placement (subject to government travel restrictions).

You can also receive support for your start-up. Through partnerships with the Melbourne Innovation Centre and Fishburners, you can access space in start-up hubs, individualised mentoring and more.

Graduate prepared to become an influential global leader – and change the world for the better.

You'll learn:

• Responsible leadership and corporate governance - Understand how to manage people and operations, and achieve ethical and sustainable outcomes.
• Entrepreneurship - Be ready to take your business plans from conception to completion.
• Innovation and design thinking - Learn how to think creatively and drive change across an organisation
• Business analysis - Explore how data can shape strategies and inform smarter decision-making.
• Accounting and financial management - Refine your skills in accounting and finance to better analyse business practices.

The modern business world is changing at breakneck speed. Ongoing digital and operational disruption present unique challenges – as well as opportunities. We need new leaders who are agile, entrepreneurial and, above all, able to innovate under the toughest of conditions.

Develop solid foundations in modern business with La Trobe's Bachelor of Business. Prepare to thrive in a digitally disrupted world with this highly flexible degree and start building your dream career in business.

You'll explore multiple business disciplines in your first year and develop foundational knowledge and enterprise skills in areas such as management, organisational structures, data analytics and ethical business practices.

You'll choose from a wide range of majors, minors and optional second majors. You can also pair your major with complementary study from another discipline.

No matter how you specialise, you'll get hands-on experience and learn the latest digital skills while developing essential leadership, communication and critical-thinking skills.

You'll develop your professional business skills as you work in diverse teams, present business strategies and use the software that's essential in modern business.

You'll graduate with the perfect blend of business fundamentals and technical expertise so you can change the business world.

Agribusiness

Agribusiness has historically been a part of Australia’s social fabric and a major driver of economic growth. The Australian agribusiness sector is well positioned to capitalise on the diverse opportunities presented by global population growth and subsequent demand for food and fibre, particularly in Asia. This creates a future in which the agribusiness sector has the enormous potential to once again be a major driver of economic growth and development in Australia and its regions.

The Agribusiness Major provides you with broad-based understanding of the sector and considers the particular factors influencing its relative success. It provides an introduction to animal and agricultural sciences and factors influencing decisions regarding land and water management. It also considers the key role of the agribusiness manager in driving the success of agribusinesses, as influenced by effective financial and risk management, as well as the effectiveness and efficiency of market relationships and supply chains that deliver customer-focussed outcomes.

A feature of this Major is the opportunity to develop new networks with students and industry partners from across Victoria’s regional footprint as you meet and learn from local agribusiness and community leaders. A highlight of the Agribusiness Major is its career focus, providing students with the skills and knowledge demanded by industry to manage the diverse issues impacting agribusinesses and regional economies.

The career focus of the Agribusiness Major is enhanced through the opportunity for you to apply and demonstrate the skills you have acquired in industry as part of its  work integrated learning subject, where you will have the opportunity to complete an industry placement in which you will be part of a workplace team responsible for the development of options to address a ‘real life’ business problem in that organisation.

The Agribusiness Major prepares graduates for careers in the agribusiness sector from the farm business through to the delivery of consumer-focussed food and fibre outcomes. Importantly, the skills gained in the Major, are readily transferable to a broad range of industry applications in fields such as management, marketing and logistics.

What are the human stories behind crime? And how can we use legal power to create a more just world? We need progressive legal professionals who understand the deeper causes of inequality in our neighbourhoods, our nation and beyond – and who are equipped with the skills and knowledge to make a lasting positive impact.

When you study La Trobe's Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Criminology, you'll be ready to build a meaningful career and fight for justice.

In your law study, you can personalise your course to your career goals with electives and opportunities for professional experience. Our outstanding legal training and progressive approach to law means you'll be ready for employment – including by building skills like advocacy, negotiation and dispute resolution, which are highly valued in any workplace.

By adding criminology expertise, you'll build a broader view of how crime affects – and is affected by – our society. Explore the complex causes of crime and learn how to craft innovative responses to real-world criminal justice problems.

The program includes all the compulsory law subjects required by the Victorian Legal Admissions Board for admission to the legal profession in Victoria, as well as a wide range of law and criminology electives.

Learn from legal experts in our Law School and put your knowledge into practice with opportunities for real-world placement experiences – from working in environments including community legal centres, law firms and government agencies to building mentor relationships with judges, magistrates and coroners.

Understand the human mind and how it drives behaviour.

La Trobe's Bachelor of Psychological Science will prepare you for a career as a professional psychologist, or in a psychology-related field across industries from clinical psychology to human services and marketing.

Elective subjects with a choice of minor sequences in Human Relationships and Neuroscience gives you the flexibility to work towards the career you want.

You'll learn:

• Analytical, research and communication skills
  • Learn skills that are essential to your future career in psychology.
• Clinical and health psychology
  • Gain an understanding of how to help people cope with mental and physical disorders.
• Developmental and social psychology
  • Understand how environmental factors contribute to peoples' psychological makeup.
• Psychological assessment, intervention and research
  • Become familiar with methods to understand and measure people's psychological state.
  • Learn when and how to intervene and how to conduct research.

Build tomorrow’s world.

The world's population is set to grow by more than 40 per cent between now and the end of the century.* With an extra 3 billion more humans to feed, shelter and nurture, there's an urgent need for experienced planning professionals who can create sustainable and liveable communities for all. With the Australian Government forecasting strong future job growth for urban and regional planners, there's never been a better time to advance your career in this important field.**

If you've always wanted to help shape the world around you – or you're already working in planning and would like to advance your career – La Trobe's accredited Master of Planning offers a unique opportunity to excel in this high-demand field. Develop advanced knowledge of complex planning processes and learn how to create sustainable towns, cities and regions.

Explore the big issues in planning. How do we ensure communities have equitable access to housing, food, transport, education and healthcare? Can we make our communities safer and more resilient? And how can we ensure communities are meaningfully consulted about changes that affect them?

In this comprehensive planning degree, you'll examine the latest social, economic and environmental trends and explore the latest research on planning best practice. You'll learn how to design innovative solutions to existing and emerging problems, and understand how to transform key policies for urban, regional and rural communities in Australia and overseas.

Pursue your area of interest and gain high-level skills when you choose a specialisation, such as community planning, and urban and regional planning. You'll graduate with your specialisation on your academic transcript, so future employers can recognise your expertise.

In this multidisciplinary degree, you'll also choose from a wide range of electives so you can explore the subjects that interest you most. Passionate about politics, advocacy, public health or transport? Explore complementary subjects from La Trobe's international relations, civil engineering and public health departments, and develop the expertise you need for your dream career.

Develop your professional portfolio, expand your networks and build your experience while you study. In this highly practical degree, you'll have the opportunity to work on live projects for local councils and government agencies, and directly shape policies that affect real-life decisions. You'll complete a research thesis as part of your studies, which means you could study a PhD once you've successfully completed your Master's.

Learn from award-winning professional planners who have extensive industry experience and up-to-date knowledge of best practice. The Master of Planning is accredited by the Planning Institute of Australia (PIA), making it easier for employers to recognise your advanced skills and knowledge.

If you're keen to graduate faster, it may be possible to complete your degree in just 1 to 1.5 years (equivalent full-time study) if you've completed previous study or have experience in a related field.

Graduate ready to shape a better future your community, with a degree recognised by industry.

You'll learn:

    Professional planning practice
        Develop planning skills for working in a diverse range of urban, regional and rural environments.
    Planning policy and law
        Learn how to interpret and apply planning policies and frameworks. Understand how to promote sustainability and social equity.
    Sustainable development principles
        Understand key development principles and learn how to create sustainable towns and cities.
    Spatial planning
        Learn how to create liveable, designed environments. Create innovative solutions that balance economic considerations with cultural aspirations.

Global warming and growing populations continue to impact both natural and urban environments. There’s a growing demand for planners who can design spaces and places that promote community wellbeing and reduce our carbon footprint.*

La Trobe's Bachelor of Planning (Honours) gives you a comprehensive planning and design skillset, ranging from environmental strategies and assessments through to infrastructure and transport planning. Gain the foundations for a successful career developing sustainable and inclusive communities.

Discover ways to improve how humans interact with natural environments through areas like policy planning and urban design. Build the expertise required to navigate complex regulatory frameworks at local, state and federal government levels.

Explore how global warming, urbanisation and land use impact food, water and environmental security. Find out how urban design, community engagement, and public and private sector partnerships work to address these issues and drive the sustainable growth of cities.

Gain a career advantage by developing sought-after industry skills in professional communication, mediation, negotiation and community relations, as well as technical skills in design and social and demographic analysis. Then, boost your industry experience and professional network by completing a work placement in your third year.

You'll also have the opportunity to engage directly with communities through real-world projects and regular field trips. Previous students have participated in a range of field trips, from country towns in rural Victoria to metropolitan cities in Asia and Europe.

Graduate ready to shape the sustainable towns and cities of the future.

More than ever, employers are searching for professionals with advanced STEM skills.* With job growth expected in this area* – including in areas that don’t even exist yet – there’s no better time to build the scientific skills you need to create a successful, interesting and satisfying career.

La Trobe's Bachelor of Science offers you foundational skills in science and the freedom to delve into your passions. Whether it's protecting endangered animals, developing new ways to treat disease or fighting climate change, you'll be ready to pursue your dream journey in science by tailoring your degree with a mix of majors and minors.

As you learn from leading academics and researchers, you'll take a deep dive into science – not only scientific concepts, but also how scientists think, work and share their findings.

Build skills in problem-solving, communication and collaboration – all highly sought after by employers – then use these skills to come up with innovative solutions to real-world problems.

Personalise your learning so you can spend time focusing on the areas that really interest you. Choose from majors in a range of fields, including botany, statistics, microbiology, genetics, data science and more, and learn from academics who are leaders in their fields.

You'll have opportunities to put theory into practice through work placements with our industry partners. Previous students have undertaken placements with CSIRO, Bayer Crop Science and various State and Federal Government departments.

Pharmaceutical Science

Drugs and therapies play an important role in the management and elimination of disease. The major in pharmaceutical science combines a broad range of scientific disciplines critical to the discovery, development and formulation of new medicinal drugs and therapies. Learn how drugs work, how they’re formulated, and why are some are given as tablets while others require injection. Explore why different therapies effect the human body in different ways and how we can provide safer and more effective pharmaceutical products. You’ll study topics directly related to formulation science – including medicinal chemistry and chemical analysis – and put theory into practice with laboratory experiences in formulation, medicinal chemistry and pharmacology. Learn about disease management, pharmaceutical regulation and good manufacturing practice. Bolster your technical know-how with skills in data analysis, critical thinking, problem-solving and scientific communication. Graduate with a flexible skillset – the knowledge and expertise you’ll build in this major are highly valued in the pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, medical and bioscience industries.