Legal Psychology, Master of Science

Detailed Course Content

In the Master’s degree programme in Legal Psychology (M.Sc.) at Hochschule Fresenius, you will deepen your knowledge and skills particularly at the interface of psychology and law. Central topics include psychological diagnostics, expert assessments in the legal context, as well as forensic methods and evaluations.

• Multivariate analysis methods as well as an introduction to probabilistic test theory for analysing complex data and decision-making processes
• Legal foundations for legal-psychological activities, especially regarding criminal, juvenile and family law
• Advanced methodological competence: testing and decision-making, empirical research and its application in evaluations
• Methods of conducting conversations and communicative interaction in the forensic context
• Exercises in data collection, evaluation and modelling, practical preparation of psychological expert reports
• Special topics in clinical practice: anamnesis, clinical diagnostics and the assessment of children and adolescents
• Medical and human-biological basics: pathoneurochemistry, pathophysiology, medical knowledge for psychologists
• Practical exercises in forensic exploration, credibility assessment and psychopathological diagnostics
• Reception of current research findings as well as a mandatory eight-week internship
• Elective area: diagnostics and diagnostic procedures
• Degree completion: preparation of the master’s thesis and disputation

You will develop the ability to independently and methodically process psychological issues in the legal context. You will learn how to prepare psychological expert reports in writing and orally in a comprehensible manner and to assess conditions of criminal responsibility, credibility and prognosis.

Course Structure

The programme is organised as a full-time course over four semesters (equivalent to 120 ECTS). The courses take place on campus in person. The schedule combines seminars, lectures and practice-oriented exercises. Fixed components include:

• Regular face-to-face teaching with lecturers from academia and forensic practice
• Advanced seminars and workshops, partly with excursions, for example to courts
• An eight-week supervised internship for applying the skills learned in practice
• Ongoing exercises in psychological assessment, conducting interviews and data analysis
• Preparation of a master’s thesis and its disputation in the final semester

The programme starts each winter semester, and applications can be submitted throughout the year. A flexible study structure enables individual focus areas to be set and practical phases to be integrated sensibly.

Career Prospects & Professional Opportunities

With a master’s degree in legal psychology, you qualify for specialist and managerial positions at the interface of psychology, justice and forensics. Typical fields of work include:

• Preparation of psychological expert reports for courts, public prosecutors and lawyers
• Work as a forensic psychologist in prisons, clinics and forensic commitment facilities
• Employment in counselling centres, victim support facilities and youth and family court services
• Research and scientific work focusing on criminal behaviour, assessment methods and prevention
• Self-employment in your own expert office

Expert reports on credibility, criminal responsibility and prognosis are central tasks in daily professional life. Also in demand is participation in therapy concepts, rehabilitation programmes and advisory functions within the justice system.

Study Location

The programme is offered on campus at the Cologne and Munich locations. The Hochschule Fresenius campus in Cologne is located in the MediaPark with modern infrastructure and a central location. You benefit from an urban environment with diverse leisure, cultural and networking opportunities. Exchange with students from other faculties is easily possible.

At the Munich location, you will find excellently equipped rooms, a large network of practical partners and a broad cultural environment. Both locations offer access to libraries, counselling centres and additional services such as language courses and career services.

Costs and Financing

The monthly tuition fees amount to 850 euros, so you can expect total costs of 20,400 euros for the standard period of study. A one-off registration fee between 595 and 695 euros is payable additionally. The fees include courses, individual support as well as elective courses and StudyPLUS offers.

Several options are available for financing:

• BAföG, provided the legal requirements are met
• Scholarships for particularly high-achieving or committed students
• Student loans, for example from KfW
• Part-time jobs and student assistant positions are compatible with the timetable

The student advisory service at Hochschule Fresenius provides individual support for all questions regarding funding opportunities and financing your studies.