Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy - Master of Science (MSc)

The procedure for accreditation of the master's programme is currently underway and is expected to be completed in the summer semester 24.

Psychology at Ulm University is characterised by its strong research and application orientation. For example, students are involved in research projects and have the opportunity to work with renowned scientists. Innovative teaching concepts, courses in small groups and good personal supervision by the lecturers make the degree programme special. Building on the scientific tradition of Ulm University, students are equipped with thorough subject knowledge as well as good methodological and application-oriented skills. At the same time, the programme is very practice-oriented in compliance with the requirements of the licensing regulations for psychotherapists. Graduates learn to think and work scientifically as well as acquire practical professional knowledge.

The integration of the various locations of Ulm University Hospital (e.g. BKH Günzburg, Ulm Clinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy) as well as to the University's own psychotherapeutic outpatient clinic (PHSA) offers opportunities for teaching and research that are both practical and nearby. Furthermore, the cooperation with the University’s Medical Faculty creates the prerequisite for an interdisciplinary range of courses and facilitates the flexible design of practical activities that prepare students for their careers.

In addition to the master's programme in Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, the general master's programme in Psychology has been offered since winter semester 12/13 and was modified during the introduction of the new M.Sc. in Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy.

Study objectives

After completing their studies, students are able to diagnose, analyse and classify mental disorders both in theory and practice and to compose clinical-psychological and psychotherapeutic reports. They also have competencies in the field of psychotherapeutic work with patients across the entire age range in outpatient and inpatient care, with due regard for professional ethical principles. In doing so, the students demonstrate competencies in the area of testing, safeguarding and further improving the quality of care as well as the documentation and evaluation of applied measures of psychotherapeutic care. They also possess skills in communicating scientific and psychotherapeutic findings, treatment options and consequences resulting from treatment in a target group-oriented manner. They are familiar with basic as well as advanced methodological approaches and their respective advantages and disadvantages as well as their design and evaluation - especially from their own experience in the context of empirical project seminars.

Study contents

The contents are deepened and consolidated through practical components. Through role plays, practice simulations, work in small groups, lectures, discussion rounds and clinical placements as part of the Professionally qualifying activity III (outpatient and inpatient), students gain an insight into psychotherapeutic work. In-depth seminars and events for supervision and self-reflection complement these practical experiences. Cooperation with psychotherapeutic institutions in the inpatient or day-care sector as well as in the outpatient sector ensures quality and access to suitable internship places.

Upon completion of their studies, graduates are able to work independently on the basis of methodological knowledge combined with insight into clinical psychology and psychotherapy according to scientifically sound principles. Upon graduation, students will be entitled to apply for admission to the licensing examination as a psychotherapist at the competent State Examination Office. This requires professional recognition by the Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart, which is currently being planned (for further information see Accreditation). Likewise, they also qualify for doctoral studies in the field of psychology and for independent further and continuing education as well as for activities in diagnostics and intervention in counselling, rehabilitation and prevention facilities as well as in psychotherapy research and neuropsychology.

Study focus

The master's programme focuses on the following five subject areas:

• Applied psychotherapy
• Research methods and diagnostics
• Psychotherapy research
• Special disorders and procedures
• scientific specialization

The Institute, the Faculty and the University offer excellent points of contact for all subject areas.

The cooperation with the Medical Faculty with its psychiatric clinics, neurology, epidemiology and psychosomatic medicine broadens the range of courses, especially for the applied subjects of clinical psychology and psychotherapy as well as clinical neuropsychology. The connection with psychotherapeutic institutions in the inpatient or day-care sector as well as in the outpatient sector ensures quality and access to suitable internship places for the Professionally qualifying activity III.

Programme structure

As a rule, the programme comprises four semesters, in which students must acquire a total of 120 credit points (CP or ECTS). The programme modules are assigned to the following study areas:

1 Research methods and diagnostics (12+10 CP)

In the modules of research methods and diagnostics, practice-related knowledge of methods of empirical research as well as diagnostic procedures is acquired. The focus here is primarily on advanced methods (e.g. multivariate methods, methods for evaluating psychological interventions) as well as the application of advanced psychodiagnostic methods and the preparation of expert reports on clinical-psychological or psychotherapeutic questions.

2 Scientific specialization (6 CP)

In the module of scientific specialisation, specialised areas of psychological knowledge are studied in depth and an understanding of the scientifically systematised and controlled recording of human behaviour and experience in health and illness is acquired.

3 Applied psychotherapy (8 CP)

In the courses in the field of applied psychotherapy, the students' knowledge is deepened in the areas of designations of the care system, outpatient and clinical care of patients, quality assurance and quality management as well as methods of testing, safeguarding and further improving psychotherapeutic care. 

4 Special disorders and procedures (12 CP)

The modules on disorders and procedures impart knowledge of the basics of psychotherapeutic treatment (e.g. special features of the setting, target groups) as well as case conception and treatment planning. The focus is on psychological and neuropsychological disorders and their special features in treatment.

5 Advanced practice of psychotherapy - BQT II (15 CP)

The courses of the module advanced practice of psychotherapy impart competencies in the field of psychotherapeutic work. The focus is on therapeutic dialogue, basic techniques, psychoeducational measures, emergency and crisis situations as well as scientifically based new developments in psychotherapy, covering the entire age range. Students work in small groups to apply and deepen their knowledge in practice, and simulated patients are integrated into the courses for realistic practice.

6 Research-oriented practical course II (5 CP)

In research-oriented project seminars, students are required to work independently on a question relevant to psychotherapy research and to implement it within the framework of an empirical study. For this purpose, after a seminar-like theoretical introduction, the operationalisation, experimental design, data collection and data reduction and analysis take place under guidance in small groups.

7 Professionally qualifying activity III (22 CP)

The Professionally qualifying activity III - applied practice of psychotherapy (BQT III) comprises compulsory extensive pre-professional activities according to §18 of the licensing regulations for psychotherapists (“Approbationsordnung”). These are completed within the framework of an application-oriented course in (partially) inpatient care for 450 hours and in outpatient care for 150 hours. The exact scheduling is currently being planned; more information will follow shortly.

8 Master’s thesis (30 CP) 

In the module master's thesis, a master's thesis in the form of an empirical study on psychological and/or psychotherapeutic questions is written and presented in scientific discourse and orally in the departmental and Institute colloquia.

As yet, no agreements have been made with other universities for possible stays abroad.

The Regierungspräsidium Stuttgart (regional administrative authority) examined whether the master's programme in Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy complies with the requirements of professional law in accordance with the psychotherapists act and the licensing regulations for psychotherapists. The degree programme received a corresponding confirmation from the Ministry in summer semester 2023 , subject to final confirmation after the degree programme's accreditation has been completed in the course of summer semester 2024. With the determination of the professional recognition of the clinical master's degree of Ulm University, this degree programme is considered to conform to the licensing regulations and allows you admission to the licensing examination.

Accommodation
Study financing
Studying with family responsibilities
Studying with a disability

• Fachschaft Psychology (subject-related student representatives)
• Academic Affairs Committee (Dean of Studies etc.)
• Course advisors
• Subject examination board (ERASMUS subject coordinator for Psychology etc.)

Please also use the online address book of the University