Who benefits from the Master's in Prevention and Health Psychology?

The Master's degree programme in Applied Psychology with a focus on Health Psychology at SRH Fernhochschule – The Mobile University is aimed at professionals and academics who are interested in prevention, health promotion, and mental health. It especially addresses specialists and managers in healthcare, psychosocial or educational professions, as well as graduates from unrelated disciplines who wish to develop basic knowledge in health psychology and qualify for preventive tasks. For those already working in the health sector – for example in nursing, therapy, medicine, social work, or management – the programme offers the opportunity to deliberately expand their own profile and open up new career perspectives (e.g. leading health psychology projects or advisory activities).

Admission Requirements at a Glance

Which prerequisites must be met depends on which Master's model (60, 90 or 120 ECTS) you wish to enrol in. The following applies as a basic rule:

• University Degree: You need a completed degree (Bachelor or equivalent) in any subject area. A Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or specific psychological prior knowledge is not mandatory; graduates from Medicine, Nursing Science, Social Sciences, Education, Natural Sciences or Business Administration can also be admitted.
• Work Experience:
  • For the 120 ECTS and 90 ECTS models: at least 1 year of work experience in any (not necessarily psychological) professional context.
  • For the 60 ECTS model: at least 2 years of work experience in any professional context.
• Basic understanding of prevention or health psychology: Applicants are expected to have a fundamental understanding and motivation regarding health psychological and preventive issues. This is reviewed during a motivational interview with the programme director, and partly through an aptitude test (especially for the 60 ECTS model).

Enrolment is possible monthly and independent of a Numerus Clausus (without NC).

Personal Requirements for Successful Studies

In addition to the formal admission criteria, personal qualities are relevant for successful completion and later professional activity:

• Interest in psychological and health science issues as well as preventive approaches
• Willingness to work scientifically, learn empirical methods and reflect critically
• Communication skills, empathy and analytical thinking, for example in the context of health psychological counselling or project management
• Self-motivation and self-organisation to successfully complete the distance learning alongside work or other commitments
• Affinity for interdisciplinary work, especially at the interfaces between psychology, medicine, social sciences and management

Target groups specifically addressed are women and men who want to promote mental health, implement prevention strategies, take on leadership roles or become self-employed – for example in counselling centres, health management, clinics or companies.

Course Content: What Does the Master’s in Prevention and Health Psychology Teach?

The master’s programme “Prevention and Health Psychology” at SRH Fernhochschule – The Mobile University combines applied expertise from psychology and health sciences. The focus is on practical competences for implementing psychological strategies, promoting health, and developing professional counselling and intervention processes.

• Psychological Focus: Personality and social psychology, biopsychology as well as medical basics form the role understanding and theoretical foundation.
• Health Psychology: Health psychological diagnostics, theory-based behavioural analyses, prevention and intervention methods as well as counselling and health communication are taught.
• Prevention Competences: You will learn prevention methods in different life stages, for example approaches in workplace health management or health coaching.
• Research and Methodology: The programme places emphasis on empirical social research, quantitative and qualitative data analysis as well as the implementation of research projects.
• Elective Modules: Depending on the study model, various elective modules are available from the fields of psychology, prevention, health psychology or management – for example project management, neurorehabilitation, clinical psychology or change management.

Graduates acquire in-depth knowledge of the structures and processes of human behaviour, are trained competently in communication skills, and receive ready-made action concepts for counselling both individuals and groups.

Course Structure: How Is the Master’s Distance Learning Programme Organised?

The programme “Applied Psychology with a Focus on Health Psychology” is offered as a flexible distance learning course and is available in several variants: 60 ECTS (2 semesters), 90 ECTS (3 semesters) or 120 ECTS (4 semesters). The target group comprises employed academics as well as beginners in the health sector.

• Course Start: Entry is possible every month.
• Standard Period of Study: Depending on the variant, 2, 3 or 4 semesters. A free extension up to twice the standard period is possible.
• Learning Format: All study materials are provided digitally. The organisation of the distance learning course allows flexible self-study with full online support.
• Curriculum (120 ECTS, 4 semesters):
  • Semester 1: Empirical social research, general psychology, personality and social psychology, horizontal and vertical behavioural analyses, biopsychology and medical basics
  • Semester 2: Quantitative & qualitative data analysis, rehabilitation psychology, applied prevention (resilience & stress management), elective module 1
  • Semester 3: Introduction and diagnostics in health psychology, health coaching, prevention: exercise and nutrition, elective module 2
  • Semester 4: Master’s thesis (30 ECTS)
• Integrated Practical Phases: The application in the professional field is paramount; what is learned is implemented directly in real counselling processes and projects.
• Degree: After successful completion of the programme, the degree Master of Science (M.Sc.) is awarded.

All variants include elective modules to enable individual specialisations – for example in management, educational or clinical psychology. The programme is state-approved, accredited and approved for distance learning by the ZFU.

Career Opportunities and Professional Prospects

With the master’s in prevention and health psychology, you prepare for leading and specialised positions in the health and social sectors. The course qualifies you to take on specialist and managerial roles in diverse professional contexts.

• Health counselling and coaching
• School and workplace health promotion
• Design and implementation of prevention projects
• Health training in companies and educational institutions
• Clinics, rehabilitation centres and spa facilities
• Health psychological practices and research projects
• (Online) counselling, e.g. for insurance companies or health insurers
• Teaching at universities and further education institutions
• Diagnostics and implementation in workplace health management
• Public relations and awareness-raising on mental health

Thanks to the recognition of the degree (especially 120 ECTS & 90 ECTS) by the Berufsverband Deutscher Psychologinnen und Psychologen (BDP), full membership and the professional title Psychologist are also possible, provided a recognised undergraduate degree exists.

Costs and Financing: What Does the Course Cost and What Models Are Available?

SRH Fernhochschule offers a flexible fee model for the Master’s in Prevention and Health Psychology, which can be individually adapted to your life situation.

• Flex 1: €673.44 per month for 18 months, total cost: €12,122 (instead of €13,122)
• Flex 2: €539.00 per month for 25 months, total cost: €13,475 (instead of €14,475)
• Included is a Superpower bonus of €1,000.
• Both models offer identical course content and services. The duration of studies can be arranged flexibly.
• Support is available for up to 36 months (double the standard period) – without additional fees.

The price includes all digital study materials, support and examination services. The university is state-approved and accredited.