Psychology, specialization: Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy – Master of Science

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The master's programme Psychology, specialization: Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy is a prerequisite for the state examination for the license to practice as a psychotherapist in accordance with the German psychotherapists' act "Psychotherapeutengesetz" (PsychThG), which was amended in 2020, and the associated licensure regulations (PsychThApprO). The programme is based on our guiding principle of "teaching based on research" combining academic excellence and practical relevance.

Numerous practical and theoretical elements prepare you optimally for your postgraduate career. In accordance with the generally recognized state of knowledge in psychotherapy, psychology, pedagogics, medicine and further scientific findings, you will learn the fundamental skills (personal, professional and methodological, social and implementation-oriented) you need to provide responsible and comprehensive psychotherapeutic care to patients of all ages, also taking into consideration the needs of people with disabilities, by means of scientifically recognized psychotherapeutic procedures and methods. You gain the skills to participate in the further development of psychotherapeutic procedures and methods. Based on knowledge of psychotherapeutic care as well as health and other socially relevant areas, you will also develop organizational and leadership competencies.

The master's programme Psychology, specialization: Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy offers you excellent career opportunities and the option of continuing training in clinical-psychotherapeutic fields (psychological psychotherapy for all age groups, clinical neuropsychology, health and rehabilitation psychology etc.), as well as in research and teaching within or outside of universities.

In the Department of Psychology, we provide extensive information and advisory services to guide our students to their individual goals. We grant times for study abroad stays, voluntary internships and other measures to promote our students' individual continuing education.

Overview

Degree Master of Science
Programme start Winter semester
Period of study 4 semesters
Application period 23.5. - 15.6.
Admission restrictions yes
ECTS 120

Why study Psychology, specialization: Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy in the University of Konstanz?

  • Methodical in-depth studies relevant for practical work
  • Application-oriented teaching of competencies
  • Prerequisite for the license to practice as a psychotherapist

Content

Prospects and opportunities

Career prospects

Our MSc Psychology, specialization: Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy is your path to outstanding career opportunities and advanced training in clinical psychotherapeutic fields. This includes, for example, working in clinics and counselling centres or setting up your own practice as a psychological psychotherapist. Given the high demand for professional psychological support as well as the long waiting times for appointments, you can expect excellent career prospects over the long term. You also have great perspectives for a career in clinical psychotherapy research and teaching at universities or other institutions. At the Department of Psychology, you can complete either individual doctoral research or the doctoral study programme "Clinical Psychology, Neuropsychology and Psychotherapy". Potential occupational fields are:

Psychotherapist

    Psychological psychotherapy
  • Child and adolescent psychotherapy
  • Clinical neuropsychology
  • Health and rehabilitation psychology

Science, research and teaching

    Universities
  • Research institutions

Health psychology

    Promotion and maintenance of good health
  • Prevention and treatment of illness
  • Rehabilitation
  • Identification of psychological factors that contribute to the emergence of illness
  • Identification of determinants of the processes for coping with and recovering from illness
  • Influence of the interaction between patients and the health care system on individual health behaviours

Public service, society and administration

    Educational psychology
  • School psychology (psychological services at state or local level, adult education institutions, schools and pre-school institutions)
  • Legal psychology/ police psychology (judicial bodies, police administrations)
  • Environmental psychology
  • Policy consulting
  • Traffic psychology
  • Sports psychology

Check out our interview series #dreamjob – starting your career, where university alumni share their personal experiences with starting their professional career (in German).

Programme structure

Programme start

Winter semester

Academic structure


Advanced modules (semesters 1-2)

  • Module 1: Scientific methodology (8 ECTS)
  • Module 2: Diagnostic methods in clinical psychology (8 ECTS)
  • Module 3: Advanced application 1 (9 ECTS)
  • Module 4: Advanced application 2 (12 ECTS)
  • Module 5: Intervention practice (16 ECTS)
  • Module 6: Scientific in-depth studies (8 ECTS)

Internships (3rd or 4th semester)

  • Module 7: Research-oriented internship – psychotherapy research (9 ECTS)
  • Module 8: Professional qualification 3 – practical application of psychotherapy (20 ECTS)

Master’s thesis (4th or 3rd semester)

  • Module 9: Master’s thesis (30 ECTS)

total: 120 ECTS


Please check the Exam regulations (partly in German) for more information about the programme structure.

Internship and study abroad

Internships

In the research-oriented internship II (psychotherapy research) as per § 17 PsychThApprO, you gain in-depth practical experience in the research of mental, psychosomatic and neuropsychological disorders as well as their psychotherapeutic treatment. You complete this internship in university research facilities or outpatient clinics alongside your studies. In addition to the requirements listed in §17 PsychThApprO, you have to write an internship report.

In work experience III (practical application of psychotherapy as per § 18 PsychThApprO), you will advance your practical skills in psychotherapy.

The entire workload of 600 hours is divided into:

  1. 450 hours of internships (minimum 6 weeks) in inpatient or partial inpatient treatment
  2. 150 hours of outpatient care (presence during therapies as well as during diagnostic and expert data collection).

Study abroad

Study abroad stays are generally possible and encouraged. We offer Erasmus+ and numerous other exchange programmes.

Requirements

What interests and skills should I have?

  • Strong interest in clinical psychology and psychotherapy
  • Good social skills
  • Ability to understand the methods of scientific work
  • Ability to apply these methods in a reflected manner
  • Very good skills in mathematics
  • Good English skills

Language skills

Language(s) of instruction


Foreign language skills

You do not have to document any foreign language skills. However, as large parts of the research literature are written in English, good English skills are highly recommended.

German language skills

International applicants need to submit documentation of their German language skills at level DSH-2 / TestDaF 4 or higher. Alternatively, you may submit other recognized language tests or recognized school certificates. The University of Konstanz does not offer preparatory German language courses or approved German language exams. For this reason, you have to submit an accredited proof of your German language skills along with your application.

Language of instruction

The language of instruction and in exams is German. Some seminars are held in English.

Admission requirements

  1. Bachelor's degree with the grade "good" (2.5) or better in a three-year (or more) programme at a university or equivalent institution of higher education in the subject psychology, or an equivalent subject. The study programme has to correspond to the requirements of the bachelor's programme as per § 9 of the psychotherapists' act "Psychotherapeutengesetz" (PsychThG), in connection with the licensure regulations (PsychThApprO); in addition, the programme's compliance with the legal requirements relating to this profession must have been established by the body responsible under state law as per § 9 para. 4 PsychThG.

  2. Minimum of 20 hours of participation as a test subject

Meeting these requirements does not guarantee you admission to this programme, as only a limited number of students can be admitted.

For details, please see the admission regulations.

Fees

Semester fee

All students enrolled at the University of Konstanz are charged a semester fee each semester, similar to all other German universities. Here you can find the current semester fee and its individual components.

Some international students are required to pay tuition fees for their first-degree studies

Since winter semester 2017/18, the state of Baden-Württemberg has required some international students to pay university tuition fees for their first-degree studies. Students who are citizens of a country within the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA) are not required to pay tuition fees. Doctoral students and certain "Bildungsinländer" (e.g. non-EU citizens with a German Abitur) are also exempt from paying tuition fees. We have compiled more detailed information on fees for you.

Each year, the University of Konstanz grants exemptions to a limited number of particularly gifted international degree-seeking students, in accordance with the "Begabtenbefreiungssatzung" (statutes governing the exemption of gifted students). We have compiled more detailed information on fees for you.

Tuition fees for second-degree studies for all students

All students are required to pay tuition fees for their second-degree studies. We have compiled more detailed information on fees for you.

Application and application documents

An application is possible during the following period: 23.5. - 15.6. (winter semester). There may be other deadlines if you are applying for admission to a higher semester (for instance, if you are changing subjects or universities). For more information please consult the university website.

Application documents

This study programme has admission restrictions.

The application periods are: 17.5. - 15.6. (winter semester). There may be other deadlines if you are applying for admission to a higher semester (for instance, if you are changing subjects or universities). Please check the university website for more information.

Required application documents

  • Documentation of your bachelor's degree as per § 3 para. 1 a of the admission regulations. If you have not received your degree certificate yet, please submit records of your academic achievements as per § 3 para. 2 of the admission regulations
  • Documentation of meeting the legal requirements relating to this profession as per § 9 para. 4 PsychThG (note on the examination certificate or transcript of records, or confirmation from the university where the bachelor's degree was completed). If the bachelor's programme has not been completed yet, you have to document that the programme is recognized under the laws relating to this profession.
  • In case of a subsequent qualification within a bachelor's programme in psychology: transcript of records and module guide of the completed undergraduate programme, confirmation from the university showing that the requirements are met (content in accordance with appendix 1, §§ 12-15 PsychThApprO) as well as confirmation from the relevant state authority that the programme fulfils the legal requirements relating to this profession.
  • Documentation of at least 20 test subject hours
  • General application information
  • Apply directly via our ZEuS online application portal
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