The part-time master's program at the IPU Berlin combines theory and practice and supports you in developing an independent, socially reflective, and solution-oriented perspective on your future professional or research field. The program focuses on clinical and psychotherapeutic skills. The teaching is designed to be diverse: in addition to lectures and seminars, there are practical exercises that provide space for reflecting on one's own experiences and contribute to the further development of personal learning and research practice.
This study program meets the legal requirements as set out by the approbation ordinance amended 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.
The teaching is characterized by a strong clinical-psychological practice and research orientation that encompasses all scientifically recognized psychotherapeutic methods. As part of the scientific specialisation, the scientific and historical-ideological classification of psychoanalytic depth psychology concepts in psychological and philosophical knowledge is also undertaken. From a transdisciplinary understanding of psychoanalysis, interfaces to psychological, social, humanities, cultural studies and philosophical fields are reflected and worked on.
The content of the study program represents an innovative implementation of the new approbation program. In addition to natural sciences, it also integrates social science and humanities approaches and enables an interdisciplinary perspective on subjectivity and mental illness. This complexity is reflected not only in the epistemological and scientific-theoretical reflection, but also in the range of research methods taught – both quantitative and qualitative – the promotion of a reflective attitude and the Master of Arts degree.
The professional recognition of the part-time course “MA Psychology with a focus on Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy” has been confirmed by the State Office for Health and Social Affairs (LaGeSo).
Questions about study course
Almuth Jung
Stromstr. 3b
Tel.: +49 30 300 117-542
- Examination Office M.A. Psychology (part-time, German track)
- questions about studies, course of studies
- lecturer support
- prospective student consultation
Office Hours:
Tue. 10:00 – 12:00
During block weeks or weekends:
Fr. 11:00 – 14:00
Also by appointment.
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
| Director of Studies | Prof. Tamara Fischmann |
| Degree | Master of Arts |
| Type | Part-time course |
| Credits | 120 credit points |
| Duration | 6 semesters (part-time) |
| Number of students | approx. 30 per academic year |
| Teaching/learning formats | 4 block weekends and 1 block week in person per semester |
| Teaching language | German |
| Prerequisites | General or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification in accordance with § 11 of the Berlin Higher Education Act (BerlHg),Bachelor's degree in psychology in accordance with the PsychThG (German Psychological Therapy Act) |
| Start of Studies | Summer semester |
This program is a consecutive, part-time master's program. It is comprised of 120 credits, which can be accomplished over the course of six 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 internship, 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 internship.
The study program places particular emphasis on an application-oriented approach. Practical courses take place in close cooperation with the university outpatient clinic of the IPU and other psychotherapeutic institutions in and around Berlin, ensuring a direct link to practical work in psychotherapy.
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 this study program, you will be highly qualified for interdisciplinary research and further scientific qualification. Through the practice-oriented courses – including initial interview seminars, case presentations and casuistic seminars – you will acquire valuable experience that will prepare you specifically for the content and requirements of a psychoanalytically and/or psychodynamically based training.
You can choose between three different payment methods for tuition fees:
- € 800 per month,
- € 4,600 per semester or
- full payment of € 25,500 in advance.
The IPU participates in the Deutschlandstipendium program, a scholarship program 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.
The IPU is a member of the Student Loan Society Berlin e.V. (DAKA). As a student at the IPU, you can get a loan from them at the most favorable conditions in all of Berlin.
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.
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.