MHB offers hybrid variant of degree course in psychology

Neuruppin, 31 July 2023

The Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane (MHB) is about to introduce a new hybrid variant of its Bachelor program in psychology with the start of the winter term 2023/24, in accordance with revised licensing regulations. MHB president Prof. Hans-Uwe Simon points to the positive experience with online instruction during the Corona pandemic and increasing numbers of inquiries from potential students who have family and/or work commitments: “Once again we take the lead among German universities with this addition to our well-established psychology program. The hybrid variant targets applicants who dream of psychotherapy studies according to revised licensing regulations despite local and time-related restrictions.”    

Johannes Lindenmeyer, professor of clinical psychology with focus on rehabilitation psychology, initiated the new format which he describes as “a combination of the best of two worlds. It is an attractive option for those who wish to enjoy great flexibility in time and location. Moreover, they can complete the practical section of the course in training blocks at one of our cooperating hospitals.”      
As to course content and curriculum, the variant is fully identical with the well-established and successful Bachelor program in psychology in accordance with revised licensing regulations; all teaching content, modules, exam formats and allocation of credits remain unchanged. The advantage for students is that they may decide on a case-by-case basis which modules to attend on site and which to follow online – this is maximum flexibility, so Prof. Lindenmeyer.
Thanks to innovative forms of digital instruction and the tried and tested MHB learning platform, students can pursue their studies when and where they want, and can still enjoy the advantages of on-site instruction. Prof. Lindenmeyer promises a comprehensive mentoring schedule with continuous supervision and support from instructors who – despite the physical distance - will be at close quarters and always open to students’ questions.    

Hybrid format will permit conveyance of psychotherapeutic skills and competences

The hybrid variant of the Bachelor course also encompasses the obligatory personal encounters with patients and on-site training in psychotherapeutic skills and competences. According to Prof. Lindenmeyer, there is ample opportunity for personal contact with instructors, fellow students and specifically with patients in the context of modules to school therapeutic competences and during vocational training periods; these parts of instruction are always organized as on-site events. What this means in practice is that physical presence is required for a manageable period of only twelve weeks over six semesters in total. In this way the conceptual focus remains on the conveyance of psychotherapeutic skills, in part with the help of simulation patients, on vocational training periods in cooperating hospitals equipped for that purpose, and on targeted preparation for exams in the form of a circuit with various assignments and tasks to be mastered. The MHB provides logistical and financial assistance for accommodation on site.    
Tuition fees are the same as for the regular Bachelor course: € 830 per month for a standard study period of six semesters. The new program starts with the upcoming winter semester 2023/24. Deadline for applications is 15 August 2023 at: www.mhb-fontane.de/de/bewerbung-psych-hybrid