Legal Psychology, Master of Science

Who is the Master's Degree in Legal Psychology at PHB Suitable For?

The consecutive Master's programme "M.Sc. Psychology: Legal Psychology" is aimed at graduates of a Bachelor's degree in Psychology who want to specialise early in the field of legal psychology. The target group includes individuals interested in psychological issues at the interface with the legal system – for example, in criminal, family law or testimonial psychological assessment, crime prevention, research, or psychological counselling in a legal context. The programme is particularly suitable for those planning to work later as an expert witness, in the penal system, in the fields of counselling and prevention, with the police and justice system, or in scientific research.

What Admission Requirements Are There?

• Completed Bachelor's degree in Psychology (at a university or university of applied sciences). This qualification must meet the legal requirements according to the psychotherapist training reform.
• Allocation of study places independent of the Numerus Clausus: A selection procedure with a personal interview will take place.
• Start of studies is possible at the beginning of the winter semester.
• For later licensing training under the old curriculum, applicants should have started their Bachelor's degree before 1 September 2020.

Further details on formal requirements, such as the needed ECTS credits in certain core psychology subjects, are recommended to be clarified individually by PHB.

In order to be successful during your studies and later professional field, the following personal prerequisites are helpful in addition to the formal criteria:

• Interest in Psychology and Law: Curiosity and a profound understanding of psychological issues related to legal, forensic or criminal psychological contexts.
• Analytical thinking and diligence: Working with expert reports, diagnostics and scientific methods requires a structured and reflective approach.
• Communication and counselling skills: In direct contact with clients, institutions or in research, communication skills and empathy are expected.
• Sense of responsibility: Decisions in the field of legal psychology often have far-reaching consequences for those affected – responsibility and ethical sensitivity are necessary.
• Commitment to interdisciplinary issues: Those who enjoy working at the interface of psychology, law and social sciences will find an appropriate specialisation in the Master's programme in Legal Psychology.

Focus Areas and Content of the Master’s Degree in Legal Psychology

In the Master’s programme Psychology: Legal Psychology at the Psychological University Berlin, you engage with key questions at the intersection of psychology and the legal system. The course combines legal psychological and clinical psychological content. The focus lies on various forms of legal psychological assessment, working with offenders, as well as the preparation of family law reports.

• Legal Psychological Application Fields: statement psychology assessments, offender-related assessments, family law reports
• Forensic Diagnostics: diagnostics in legal contexts with particular consideration of ethical issues
• Criminal Psychology / Criminology: risk factors and warning signs for criminal behaviour, prevention and intervention
• Clinical Psychology: disorder patterns, differential diagnostics, forensically relevant treatment approaches
• Research Methods and Empirical Foundations: methodological expertise, evaluation research, academic work
• Practical Components: case seminars and project work, practical activities in relevant professional fields
• Individual Focus Areas: within the framework of applied specialisations and case seminars, you choose at least two focus areas.

Study Organisation and Course of Study

The Master’s programme spans four semesters and is designed for full-time study. A total of 120 ECTS credits are acquired, including the Master’s thesis. The curriculum is divided into compulsory modules covering legal psychological, clinical, and methodological topics, as well as practical work and the final Master’s project.

• Standard period of study: 4 semesters
• Start of studies: each winter semester
• Study format: on-site study at the Berlin location
• Combination options: simultaneous study with the Master’s Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy possible – 2 degrees in 6 semesters

Throughout the programme, you are gradually introduced to the fields of activity in legal psychology through lectures, case seminars and practical work. The practice-oriented training is complemented by empirical-scientific foundations and methodological skills.

Career Prospects after the Master’s in Legal Psychology

With the M.Sc. Psychology: Legal Psychology degree, you qualify for a variety of roles in legal psychological professional fields. Your skills open up areas of deployment such as:

• Expert witness activities: reports for courts in criminal, civil and family law proceedings
• Forensic institutions: working with offenders in penal and forensic treatment facilities
• Police and investigative authorities: advice, participation in crime prevention
• Research and teaching: empirical research on legal psychological issues
• Consulting and prevention: supporting institutions, developing prevention concepts
• Self-employment: as an expert witness or in consulting

After completing the Master’s degree, there is also the possibility to qualify further alongside your career, for example in the advanced Master’s programme “Legal Psychology: Assessment and Intervention” at the PHB.

Studying at the Berlin Location

The programme takes place at the Psychological University Berlin (PHB). The PHB is a privately run, specialised university focusing on psychological disciplines. The university is characterised by a close connection between scientific teaching and practice and offers you study conditions in small groups as well as individual support.

• Location: Berlin
• Study environment: modern teaching with a practice-oriented approach, networking with forensic and clinical institutions on site

Costs and Financing Options

The following tuition fees apply for the Master’s degree programme Psychology: Legal Psychology at the PHB:

• Monthly tuition fee: 490 €
• Total cost of the programme: 11,930 €

There are various options for financing your studies, such as BAföG, scholarships or student loans. Details on financing options can be found in the information offered by the Psychological University Berlin.