The IPU master's program offers practical clinical learning and allows students the opportunity to develop their own socially reflective and solution-oriented perspectives about their future careers. The focus of this program is to build and develop psychotherapeutic abilities. Courses are also offered in a varieties of ways: In addition to lectures and seminars, students will also participate in workshops, in which they will have space to gather first-hand experience that will be essential for future research or practice.
This study course follows the legal requirements as set out by the approbation ordinance, which was revised in March 2020, and will prepare students for psychotherapist licensing examinations. All requirements for university teaching and practical work detailed in the approbation ordinance are met by this program.
Teaching within this course is highly oriented towards clinical and psychological applications and research, which covers all scientifically recognized psychotherapy practices. As part of the in-depth curriculum, courses are taught on subjects such as the scientific history of psychoanalysis and epistemology, as well as psychoanalytic and psychodynamic approaches to psychological and philosophical knowledge. Based on a transdisciplinary understanding of psychoanalysis, lectures and discussions incorporate aspects of psychology, social sciences, humanities, cultural studies, and philosophy.
This program's priority is to implement the new approbation study course in a highly innovative way, which involves hard sciences, social sciences, and humanities, and also offers a transdisciplinary perspective on subjectivity and mental disorders. The variety of perspectives and the localization of the subject between the natural sciences and humanities are shown through courses in epistemology, qualitative and quantitative research methods, as well as the program's reflective approach and the concluding degree of Master of Arts.
The State Office for Health and Social Affairs (LaGeSo) has affirmed the rules of professional conduct for the MA Psychology focusing on Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy.
Questions about study course
Kathrin Lüning-Brunken
Stromstr. 3b, Room 0.41
Tel.: +49 30 300 117-546
Office Hours:
In-person
Tue. 11:30 – 12:30
Telephone
Fr. 11:00 – 12:30
Questions about application
Marius Digel
Tel.: +49 30 300 117-543
Victoria Shefer
Tel.: +49 30 300 117-547
Stromstr. 3b - Room 0.40/0.39
Head | Prof. Dr. Simone Salzer |
Degree | Master of Arts |
Types | Full-time |
Credits | 120 credit points |
Duration | 4 semesters (full-time) or 8 semesters (part-time) |
Number of students | approx. 60 per academic year (full-time) |
Teaching formats | Lecture, seminar, research workshop, e-learning |
Teaching language | German |
Prerequisite | General higher education entrance qualification or subject-related university entrance qualification according to § 11 Berlin Higher Education Act (BerlHg), Bachelor's degree according to Psychotherapist Law |
Cost | payment per semester € 5,950, monthly € 1,030 or in advance € 22,700 |
Start of studies | winter semester |
This program is a consecutive, full-time master's program. It is comprised of 120 credits, which can be accomplished over the course of four semesters. In three modules (research methods, research-oriented practicum, and master's thesis), students will be exposed to the full methodological repertoire of the social sciences and humanities, as well as the natural sciences, in order to be able to identify appropriate research methods according to the research topic and question.
During the research-oriented practicum, small groups of students will work together under supervision through the entire experimental process, from developing a research question through the interpretation of results. In other modules, fields of research will be identified, whose questions can also play a part in the research practicum. This program is also highly oriented towards practical applications. Courses focused on practical experience will work in close cooperation with the IPU outpatient clinic as well as other psychotherapeutic institutions in and around Berlin.
This study course requires a bachelor of psychology from a program that is oriented towards a career in a clinical field with possible subsequent psychotherapist training after the approbation. The completed Bachelor's degree must consist of at least 180 ECTS credits and meet the requirements according to Section 9 of the Psychotherapists Act (PsychThG) and Section 13 to 15 as well as Appendix 1 to the Psychotherapists Approbation Regulations (PsychThApprO). Based on the current state of knowledge, these requirements are met exclusively by German universities that offer a bachelor's degree program designed in accordance with the amended Psychotherapists Act. Bachelor's degrees from psychology programs without the adaptation to the new legal framework as well as foreign degrees do not meet these requirements.
The IPU strives for a personal selection procedure via interviews with all applicants. The relevant factors are the overall impression of your application: your career choice motivation and interests, your previous experience and your social commitment. The majority of applicants will be invited for an interview. This interview leads to a recommendation to university management, which decides on admission or rejection.
Current application deadlines can be found here.
This study program will enable you to work independently as a clinical psychologist with a psychoanalytic orientation. You can then apply for training as a psychotherapist according to the Psychotherapeutengesetz (PsychThG). You are free to choose one of the psychotherapeutic orientations recognised by the PsychThG (behavioural therapy, psychodynamic psychology, psychoanalysis).
As a graduate of the programme, you also have the best prerequisites for interdisciplinary research and further scientific qualification. It is to be expected that as a graduate you will be particularly well prepared for the contents and goals of a psychoanalytically and/or psychodynamic training due to your experience in the application-related courses (initial interview seminars, case presentations, casuistic seminars).
You can choose between three different payment methods for tuition fees:
Additionally, a semester fee is charged for all full-time students, which allows them to utilize the services provided by the Studierendenwerk (Student Union). Please refer to the current fee schedule here under „General“ for the exact amount and the fees included.
The IPU participates in the Deutschlandstipendium programme, a scholarship programme funded by the German government and open to applications from all students. The most important criteria for receiving this scholarship of € 300 per month are previous performance, social commitment and a possible financial need.
IPU Berlin is pleased to announce its partnership with Brain Capital. The agreement enables students to conclude reverse generation contracts to finance their studies. Find out more on the IPU and Brain Capital website.
Since 2019 the IPU has been a member of the Studentische Darlehenskasse Berlin e.V. (DAKA). This means, that as an IPU student you get a loan with some of the best conditions in Berlin.
You can find current financing options here.
Through the International Office, the IPU is networked with numerous universities in Europe and around the world. All registered students are invited to complete an internship or a whole semester at one of our partner universities abroad. The recognition of credit points achieved in the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) has already been contractually regulated.
Commented Course Catalogue
Admission Regulations from 1st Oct. 2021
Study Regulations from 1st Oct. 2021
Study Plan from 1st Oct. 2021
Course Plan MA Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy 1st semester, winter term 2024/25
Course Plan MA Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy 3rd semester, winter term 2024/25
Examinations MA Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, winter term 2024/25
Registration of Internship/BQT III
Documentation BQT III
Application for Registration of the MA Thesis