Psychology, Forensic Psychology Specialization – Master of Science

Continuing education master's programme for working professionals. You will develop your expertise in diagnosing forensically relevant psychiatric disorders and acquire a basic knowledge of prison psychiatry and psychopharmacology.

You will gain a thorough knowledge of forensic-psychological methods for making risk assessments, with a focus on current research and development. This includes assessing the risk of relapses amongst violent offenders and sex offenders, assessing the danger of actually committing a threatened violent offence, plus developing a subsequent threat management strategy. You will also gain practice-oriented basic skills in preparing criminal responsibility and plausibility expertises. Individual and group therapy skills for offence-oriented interventions are developed in outpatient and in stationary settings.

Our continuing education master's programme Psychology, Forensic Psychology Specialization" is organised by the Akademie für Wissenschaftliche Weiterbildung, the University of Konstanz's continuing education institution.

Degree
  • Master of Science
Start of study
  • Winter semester | Summer semester
Standard period of study
  • 4 Semester
Application period
  • 07.05. - 15.09. | 29.11. - 15.03.
Admission restriction
  • No
Mandatory minor
  • No
ECTS Credits
  • 60

Why study Psychology, Forensic Psychology Specialization in Konstanz?

The Department of Psychology has become one of the most research intensive and successful psychology departments in Germany’s university landscape. You can easily complete our continuing education master's programme alongside your daily work. The courses take place in the form of block seminars from Friday to Sunday. Attendance is required at 2 block seminars per semester during the standard study period of 4 semesters.

Study content

Prospects

Career prospects

The Swiss Society of Psychology and Law recognises the programme modules within the framework of the further training rules of the FSP – Federation of Swiss Psychologists to gain the specialist title.

You can find out more about career entry in the interview series #dreamjob - Starting a career. Alumni of the University of Konstanz report on their very personal career entry.

Study structure

Start of study

Winter semester | Summer semester

Study structure

Students need to acquire in-course academic performance assessment in 4 modules (each 8 ECTS-credits) and write a masters’ thesis (28 ECTS-credits). The programme is structured in such a way that it is possible to write the masters’ thesis parallel to attending courses and continuing professional commitments. All of the teaching takes place in block seminars (Friday through Sunday), so that you can complete your studies alongside your professional work. You will find more information about the contents of the individual modules on the websites of the department.

You can find an exemplary structure of the study programme in this table.

These documents will support you in planning your studies:

Opportunities for additional training

At the University of Konstanz, you have a broad range of opportunities and training options that complement your study programme, for example orientation programmes to support new students, learning guidance, language courses, a data and information literacy programme as well as options promoting career-oriented skills and social commitment.

Skills for successful studies Career-oriented skills and social commitment Get ready for your career start

Internships and stays abroad

Internship

An internship is not scheduled in this programme.

Stay abroad

A study abroad stay is not scheduled in this programme.

Impressions from students and lecturers

Hear from students and lecturers
In our interview series, students talk about their subject, teachers explain the department's research and tell you what topics they cover in seminars and lectures.

Get an impression
Discover online lectures and websites with more information about your prospective subject.

Study requirements

Admission requirements for studying

To be admitted to this programme you need:

  • a degree from a four-year bachelor's programme in psychology or
  • a completed master’s programme in psychology or
  • a completed 'Facharztausbildung' (specialist doctor training) or equivalent training abroad or
  • a completed 'erstes Juristisches Staatsexamen' (state examination in law) with a study concentration in criminology or
  • an equivalent degree, also from abroad
  • at least one year of professional activity in the area of clinical or forensic psychology or in the field of medicine, jurisprudence or comparable scientific disciplines qualifying for the postgraduate study programme

Tuition fees
Tuition fees are € 2,500 per semester. Since the standard period of study is four semesters, the total programme costs amount to € 10,000.

Further information can be found in the admission regulations.

Fees

Semester fee
All students enrolled at the University of Konstanz are charged a semester fee each semester, similar to all other German universities. Here you can find the current semester fee and its individual components.

Tuition fees for first degree studies for certain international students
Since winter semester 2017/18, the state of Baden-Württemberg has required some international students to pay tuition fees for their first degree studies. The following students are not required to pay tuition fees: citizens of a country within the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), doctoral students and certain “Bildungsinländer” (e.g. non-EU citizens with a German “Abitur”). More detailed information can be found here.

Each year, the University of Konstanz grants exemptions to a limited number of particularly gifted international degree-seeking students in accordance with the university’s “Begabtenbefreiungssatzung” (statutes governing the exemption of gifted students). More detailed information can be found here.

Tuition fees for second degree studies for all students
All students are required to pay tuition fees for their second degree studies. More detailed information can be found here.

Required language skills

Foreign language skills
You do not have to proof any foreign language skills for this master's programme.

German language skills
International applicants need documentation of their German language skills, level DSH-2 or TestDaF 4. Alternatively, other language tests or school certificates recognized as equivalent can be used as proof of the required German language skills. The University of Konstanz does not offer preparatory German language courses or approved German language exams.

Teaching and examination language

The language used in class is German.

Interests and skills

  • An interest in, or experience with threat management
  • An interest in, or experience with risk reducing intervention in the case of violent offenders and sex offenders
  • The ability to work independently on scientific texts (in the sense of preparing for and following up on seminars)

Application

Application and application documents

Application documents

  • documentation of your academic degree
  • documentation of work experience

Important note: Please note the information provided under the tab "Admission requirements"

International applicants:

  • If your documents are not available in German or English, you will need to have them translated. Please submit a German or English translation of your documents along with the original versions.
  • Documentation of German language skills, level DSH-2 or TestDaF 4, or a language test recognised as equivalent;
  • Applicants from China, India and Vietnam: APS certificate (original) issued by the German Embassy of your home country

An application is possible during the following period: 07.05. - 15.09. | 29.11. - 15.03.
There may be other deadlines if you are applying for admission to a higher semester (for instance, if you are changing subjects or universities). For more information please consult the university website .

Contact

Contact person

The Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB) can help you with general questions about finding the right study programme as well as when you are concerned or unsure about your studies. We will be happy to advise you and support you with a wide range of services .

Central Student Advisory Service (ZSB)
Room: D 409 – 412a
Make an appointment: termin.zsb@uni-konstanz.de

Questions related to the content or organization of the study programme:
Departmental student advisory service
Dr. María Isabel Fontao
E-Mail: maria.fontao@uni-konstanz.de

Studying at the University of Excellence Konstanz

With your university entrance qualification in your pocket, the sky is the limit. Get a top education at the University of Konstanz, benefit from outstanding teaching and interdisciplinary exchange on our international campus. Situated on a hilltop overlooking Konstanz with a great view of Lake Constance and the Alps, our nationally and internationally renowned research university has been recognized as a University of Excellence since 2007.

Top ratings in the CHE University Ranking regularly confirm the quality of our study programmes. Take your pick from more than 100 programmes! Our courses are close to research and will perfectly equip you for the future, especially in combination with practice-oriented, socially relevant transfer projects, opportunities for going abroad and qualification programmes that you can complete alongside your studies.

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