If you would like to work as a psychotherapist (Psychologischer Psychotherapeut) in the future, the German-taught master’s program in Cognitive and Clinical Psychology is the perfect choice for you. Throughout your studies, you will acquire specialized knowledge that is highly relevant for your subsequent training in psychotherapy. As the program strongly focuses on research, you will also be trained to a high standard in advanced methods of cognitive psychology and learn about the connection between clinical research and cognitive theory, preparing you for a career in research and teaching.
I was waitlisted at first, but when I was eventually admitted to the bachelor’s program and came to Mannheim head over heals, I immediately fell in love with the place. I liked the Schloss, my amazing fellow students, the intriguing curriculum and intense hours of studying, our active departmental student committee, and the multicultural and lively city. As the quality of the courses was superb and the program extraordinarily well organized, I decided to stay in Mannheim for my master’s degree. Currently, I’m writing my doctoral thesis while working at the Chair of Education Psychology as an academic staff member.
After completing my bachelor’s program at the University of Mannheim, I knew I wanted to stay. I had always been an active member of one of the many student organizations and often attended activities offered by the university’s extensive sports program. I completed my mandatory internship in a hospital that specialized in psychosomatic medicine, and I liked it so much that I decided to focus on clinical psychology. The master's program also fulfilled my expectations: While my bachelor's program was more theoretical and methodical in nature, I gained hands-on experience as a master’s student, for example by attending practical courses on clinical interviewing and intervention techniques. One of the junior professors at the school introduced me to the fascinating field of child and adolescent psychology, which is why I am about to begin additional training to become a psychotherapist.
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Have you already completed your bachelor's program and would like to continue with your master’s? Would you like to pursue a career in clinical psychology or look deeper into cognitive psychology? Do you strive for a position in research and teaching?
The master’s program, with a standard period of study of four semesters, not only focuses on the fields of cognitive and clinical psychology, but also trains you to a high standard in conventional and advanced research and evaluation methods and in making assessment-based decisions.
By integrating practical courses on clinical interviewing and intervention techniques as well as modules on psychotherapeutic intervention and health psychology into the curriculum, we haven given the program a strong practical orientation with respect to clinical psychology and psychotherapy. The program has been aligned with current plans on reforming psychotherapist training put forward by occupational interest groups.
We encourage you to go abroad during your studies, for example by spending a semester at one of our numerous partner universities or by completing your eight-week mandatory internship in another country. Go to the International Office’s website to find comprehensive information on what you need to do when planning a period of study abroad. The Internship Office will be happy to support you in finding a suitable internship.
During your studies, you can choose between taking an elective course from the areas of work, economy, and society or studying a minor. The most popular subject is Psychiatry, which is offered in cooperation with the Central Institute of Mental Health (ZI). Apart from that, there is a variety of other minors you can choose from, such as Sociology, Political Science, Philosophy, and Informatics.
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A program can only be recognized as equivalent if it includes the following modules:
Additionally, applicants are required to have completed the following modules:
You can read more about this topic in the selection statute (only available in German). The latest version of the selection statute can be found on the central website of the University of Mannheim under Psychology.
By taking the optional admission test, students can prove that their qualification is sufficient for the master’s degree they are applying to. The results can be taken into account in addition to the other selection requirements. To be able to complete the test, students will require knowledge that corresponds to the contents taught in a bachelor’s program in Psychology or an equivalent program.
The University of Mannheim accepts applications every year between March 15 and May 31. You must apply online. After that, you need to print the application form and send it by post to the Admissions Office of the University of Mannheim. Your letter must include any other documents required for your application and arrive at the university by May 31 at the latest. If you have any questions on the application process, please contact the Admissions Office.
For comprehensive information on the application process, please see the guide to applying for admission to a master’s program.
The Federal Council passed the law reforming the training in psychotherapy (Gesetz zur Reform der Psychotherapieausbildung (PsychThGAusbRefG)) on November 8, 2019. In the wake of this, we plan to launch the new master's program in “Psychotherapy” in fall semester 2021/22. The new master's program will meet the requirements of the new study regulations.
For the application year 2020, it is still possible to enroll in the currently available “master's program in Cognitive and Clinical Psychology”. A degree in Cognitive and Clinical Psychology allows you to complete the training in psychological psychotherapy according to the current model.
The German Psychological Association (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Psychologie) answers FAQs concerning the legal reform.
If you have any questions on your degree program (course contents, program structure, stays abroad), don’t hesitate to contact our program managers. For questions relating to the application process, please contact the Admissions Office.
