Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy M.Sc - Become a Psychotherapist 🎓

🏫 University	Charlotte Fresenius University, University based in Idstein (Germany) The Charlotte Fresenius Hochschule is a private, state-recognized university-equivalent. The sponsoring company of CFH is Hochschule Fresenius gemeinnützige GmbH, one of the largest private presence universities in Germany. With its foundation in 2021, the university offers an NC-free Bachelor of Science in Psychology, which takes into account all the requirements of the Law on the Reform of Psychotherapist Training and the Approbation Regulations for Psychotherapists. Show all
🎓 Field of Study	Social SciencesPsychotherapy
📜 Degree	Master of Science (M.Sc.)
⏳ Duration	4 Semesters
🎯 ECTS	120 Credit Points
🌍 Language of Instruction	German
📖 Course contents	Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy, Scientific Specialisation, Research Methodology, Specific Disorders and Procedures, Applied Psychotherapy, Documentation, Evaluation, Organisation of Psychotherapeutic Treatments, Psychological Assessment, Expert Evaluation, Self-Reflection, Psychotherapeutic Methods for Children and Adolescents, Psychotherapeutic Methods for Adults and Older Adults, Evidence-Based Methods, Research-Oriented Internship, Professionally Qualifying Activity, Supervision Show all
📚 Electives	Psychotherapy for Adults, Psychotherapy for Children and Adolescents, Neuropsychological Psychotherapy
📍 Location	Wiesbaden or Munich
📅 Enrollment	Winter or summer semester
💶 Fees	from 1175 € monthly from 28950 € total
🔗 More Info	https://www.charlotte-fresenius-uni.de

Who is the Master’s in Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy suitable for?

The master’s programme is specifically aimed at graduates of a polyvalent bachelor’s degree in psychology who are seeking admission to the psychotherapeutic licensing examination. Typical applicants are individuals with a solid scientific interest in clinical psychology and the goal of working independently as psychotherapists – both in outpatient, inpatient and partial inpatient treatment facilities. Those interested in an academic career in teaching and research in the psychotherapeutic field will also find a suitable path with this master’s.

Admission: Which degree is required for the master’s?

In order to apply for the Master’s in Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy (M.Sc.) at Charlotte Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, you must meet the following formal requirements:

Completion of a university-level or university-equivalent polyvalent bachelor’s degree in psychology (B.Sc.) with at least 180 ECTS credits.
Your bachelor’s degree must comply with the requirements of the licensing regulations for psychotherapists (PsychThApprO) and be professionally recognised by the responsible state authority.
The final grade of your bachelor’s degree must be at least 2.5 or better.
If the studies began before 01.09.2020: supplementary modules are only recognised if they are professionally approved.
You will undergo a selection procedure including an interview and a professional aptitude test.

In addition, personal competencies are expected. Strong social and communication skills, self-reflection, emotional stability and an interest in scientific methodology are advantageous. Self-motivation, a structured way of working and empathy for patients support you during your studies and in your later work as a psychotherapist.

What content is conveyed by the Master’s in Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy?

The Master’s degree programme in Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy (M.Sc.) places a clear focus on the scientific and practical competences of clinical psychology and psychotherapy. As part of the curriculum, you will acquire the following skills and knowledge:

Specialisation in clinical psychology: This includes scientific research approaches, research methods, and a critical engagement with current disorders.
Specific disorder and procedural knowledge of psychotherapy: You will learn methods and approaches for treating various mental disorders in children, adolescents, adults, and older people.
Applied psychotherapy: You will link theory and practice, get to know evidence-based psychotherapeutic methods, and apply these role-based on concrete patient cases.
Psychological diagnostics and assessment: You will be comprehensively trained in modern diagnostics, documentation, and evaluation of psychotherapeutic treatments.
Self-reflection and personal experience: Curricular units promote your personal developmental reflection, accompanied by experienced self-experience facilitators.
Practical treatment competence: Practical exercises in the university outpatient clinic (HSA), under supervision, prepare you intensively for patient interaction.
Research-oriented practice: In the third semester, you will take part in research projects and acquire advanced methodological competences under professional guidance in research institutions.

How is the structure of the Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy designed?

The programme follows the Psychotherapist Training Reform Act (PsychThGAusbRefG) as well as the Licensing Regulations (PsychTh-ApprO). It consists of three semesters and is organised as follows:

Semesters 1 and 2:
- Theoretical specialisation in clinical psychology and psychotherapy
- Advanced diagnostics, disorder theory, and psychotherapy procedures
- Practical application in small groups (including in the university outpatient clinic)
- Self-reflection units with experienced self-experience facilitators
- Completion of the practical components through a parcours examination, identical to elements of the later psychotherapeutic examination
Semester 3:
- Research internship (active involvement in projects researching mental disorders and their treatment)
- Professional qualifying activity III (a total of 600 hours, including 450 hours in inpatient/partial inpatient and 150 hours in outpatient facilities; regular supervision in various care institutions)

All practical sections during the course are supervised by experienced lecturers. The combination of theory, practice, reflection, and scientific work prepares you specifically for the final state psychotherapeutic examination.

What career opportunities does the Master’s in Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy open up?

With the Master of Science in Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy, combined with a recognised polyvalent Psychology bachelor’s degree, you meet the requirements for the psychotherapeutic examination and licensing. From this arise the following prospects:

Work as a licensed psychotherapist in outpatient, partial inpatient, and inpatient sectors
Subsequent training to become a specialised psychotherapist in one of the following fields:
- Psychotherapy for adults
- Psychotherapy for children and adolescents
- Neuropsychological psychotherapy
On successful completion of this training, setting up a practice with statutory health insurance accreditation is possible.
Positions in teaching and research at universities or scientific institutions
Career options in clinical psychological and psychotherapeutic research

What costs and financing options should be expected?

The Master’s degree programme incurs tuition fees of 1175 euros as well as a registration fee of 725 euros.

The following financing options can be considered:

Funding opportunities through BAföG (depending on individual eligibility)
Education loan programmes such as the KfW study loan
Support through scholarships from relevant funding organisations
Tax deductibility of tuition fees as income-related expenses or special expenses

Regular information events regarding study financing are offered to support you in choosing the suitable financing solution.

Advisory Service

Have questions about Academic Programs Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy? Ask your question here, even anonymously. An employee of the institution Charlotte Fresenius University or the editorial team will answer you.