Master's Program in Psychology: Cognitive and Clinical Psychology

In the master’s program in Cognitive and Clinical Psychology (M.Sc.), students will take a closer look at the fields of clinical psychology, psychopathology, and psychotherapy, and build on the research skills in cognitive psychology they have already acquired. During the program, they will gain advanced knowledge of how to plan, carry out, and analyze the results of psychological studies. The in-depth study of classical test theory and modern item response theory will be a valuable addition to their skill set. 

With a curriculum that includes practical courses on clinical interviewing and intervention techniques, a new area of study dealing with intervention methods and psychotherapy, and a module in health psychology, the program is clearly geared towards applied clinical psychotherapy. If you want to go on to complete additional, state-regulated training to become a psychotherapist (Psychologischer Psychotherapeut) in accordance with the German legislation on psychotherapy (Psychotherapeutengesetz), this master’s program is the perfect choice. A range of services in this field is offered by the Otto Selz Institute for Applied Psychology (OSI), the University of Mannheim’s research and training center.

To prepare for your master's thesis, you will contribute to ongoing research projects, which is an important component of your studies. Among others, you can choose from the following areas: Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapy Research, Cognitive Psychology, Neuropsychology, Clinical Assessment, or Health Psychology.

With its focus on the research areas Cognitive Psychology and Clinical Psychology, the Department of Psychology of the University of Mannheim is one of Germany's leading higher education and research institutions.

Our master’s students benefit from good study conditions: Our subject-specific academic advising team helps you plan your studies, and our modern infrastructure boasts renovated seminar rooms with good computer equipment and a library with long opening hours.

The master’s degree enables graduates to use scientifically validated psychotherapeutic procedures to diagnose, cure, and alleviate the symptoms of mental disorders, thereby acquiring the required qualification to begin additional training as a psychotherapist (Psychologischer Psychotherapeut). 

In addition, they are well prepared for an academic career in research and teaching, and can also carry out research projects independently in pursuit of a doctoral degree or habilitation.

Read more about your career prospects

Students of Cognitive and Clinical Psychology should:

Module catalog
The module catalog, which is only available in German, gives you an overview of the courses and their content.

Applicants need to have a bachelor’s degree in Psychology to be admitted to the master’s program in Psychology: Cognitive and Clinical Psychology (M.Sc.). A degree in a different field is sufficient if students obtain at least 50% of the credits in psychology-related subjects. The following requirements must be met:

• a total of 180 ECTS credits and a standard period of study of at least six semesters.

Furthermore, you must have taken the following modules:

• Quantitative, Mathematical, or Statistical Methods (10 ECTS credits),
• Empirical or Experimental Research Methods (10 ECTS credits),
• Test Theory or Psychological Assessment (10 ECTS credits),
• General Psychology 1, General Psychology 2, or Cognitive Psychology (10 ECTS credits),
• Social Psychology (6 ECTS credits),
• Biological Psychology or Physiology (6 ECTS credits),
• Clinical Psychology (8 ECTS credits).

Selection
We take a variety of criteria into account in our selection process:

• grade average achieved in your higher education entrance qualification,
• final grade or current grade average achieved in your bachelor’s degree,
• results achieved in an (optional) admission test, if applicable,
• any relevant outstanding additional qualifications such as vocational training, at least three-months of practical experience, stays abroad, or awards in your field of study.

Conditional admission
If you have not yet completed your bachelor’s program by the application deadline, you may still be admitted to the master’s program as long as you provide proof that you have obtained at least 120 ECTS credits. In this case, your admission to the program is subject to receipt of your degree certificate before you register for your first examination in the master's program (refer to selection statutes).

Selection statutes
You can find the exact requirements for the program in the selection statutes, which are only available in German.