Lateral entry to training as psychotherapist

Neuruppin, 05.09.2017

In a landmark ruling dated 17 August 2017, the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig decided that lateral entrants can be admitted to training as psychological psychotherapists. Successful completion of a Master programme in psychology at a German university, so the court, is sufficient qualification for entry and meets admission requirements. A previous Bachelor degree specifically in psychology is no longer obligatory.

With the ruling that the Psychotherapy Act does not imply an obligation to complete a Bachelor in Psychology the court revised its previous interpretation. Legislators have so far not taken the transition to Bachelor and Master as a consequence of the Bologna process as grounds for amending or revising the Act. Accordingly, diploma and Master degrees must be formally considered as equivalent.

Prof. Dr. Gerhard Danzer, MHB Vice Dean for Curricular and Student Affairs and spokesperson for the psychology curricula, welcomes this new interpretation of the Psychology Act which corresponds to the MHB understanding: “This means a legally reliable option for lateral entrants to use our Master programme in Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy as a springboard to training as psychological psychotherapists.”

Danzer points out that a Bachelor in social science, humanities, education or even economic psychology may basically be accepted, subject to content-related proximity. MHB will check in each case whether basic requirements are met and academic achievements can be recognized. Gap courses may be offered to make up for any missing requirements. Graduates from neighbouring Bachelor programmes will thus have access to the Master course in Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, and subsequently to training as psychological psychotherapists.
Applications for the Master programme „Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy“ (M.Sc.) for the coming winter semester are still possible up to 30 September 2017. Here is more information.