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The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Applied Psychology under the number 1115821. Who is the Distance Learning Applied Psychology (M.Sc.) Course Suitable For?
The distance learning course in Applied Psychology is primarily aimed at professionals with leadership responsibilities or a specialist focus in the fields of social affairs, business, management, and consulting. It particularly addresses executives, managers, HR professionals, consultants, and coaches who wish to expand their practical experience through scientifically based psychological knowledge. The programme is attractive to employees and self-employed individuals from various sectors – such as management consulting, personnel development, coaching, social management, health promotion, or communication – who want to strengthen their professional skills specifically with psychological expertise.
Which Formal Admission Routes Enable Participation?
There are two alternative routes for admission to the degree programme:
- First university degree: You hold at least a six-semester Bachelor’s degree or a comparable degree in a relevant or related field.
- Work experience as a substitute for the first degree: You can also be admitted without a Bachelor’s degree if you can demonstrate at least six years of relevant, qualified professional experience in a pertinent subject area. In this case, an entrance examination is part of the selection procedure.
In addition, an individual suitability interview is conducted to assess motivation, self-reflection, and study ability. There is no numerus clausus (NC), and having a school-leaving certificate is not mandatory provided the required professional experience is met.
On a personal level, you should bring the following:
- Relevant professional practice: Ideally in areas such as human resources, consulting, coaching, social management, personnel management, or a corresponding leadership role.
- Self-organisation and self-motivation: You should be willing to learn independently and flexibly within a 100% online study format (weekly workload: 10–25 hours).
- Reflection skills and willingness to learn: Openness to scientific methods, self-reflection, as well as a desire for personal and professional development are crucial.
- Communication and analytical competence: Good expression, teamwork and discussion skills (also in virtual formats), as well as an interest in psychological issues complete your profile.
What content can you expect in the Master’s degree in Applied Psychology?
In the MSc Applied Psychology at AIHE, you will acquire comprehensive subject-specific and methodological knowledge in key areas of applied psychology. The programme not only teaches you psychological fundamentals but places special emphasis on the practical application in professional daily life and leadership situations. The main focus areas include:
- Scientific work in psychology: Basics of scientific work, critical evaluation and introduction to applied psychology
- Moral and interpersonal psychology: Psychology of empathy, morality, dark personality traits as well as the influence of religion on behaviour
- Cognitive development: Development of the self, ADHD and the psychology of lying
- Work and organisational psychology: Organisational psychology, organisational fairness, human resource management
- Criminal and political psychology: Criminal psychology, influence and political psychology
- Media and cyberpsychology: Psychology of (online) media, cyberpsychology, online communication processes
- Research and practice transfer: In-depth study of current research and trends as well as application of knowledge to your own professional questions
In the final module, you will write a scientific master’s thesis and present your results. The aim: You develop the competence to directly transfer psychological insights to tasks in your work environment and use them strategically.
How is the course structure designed at AIHE?
The Master’s degree in Applied Psychology is offered 100 percent online and alongside employment. There is no attendance requirement and you design your studies with maximum flexibility – fitting your professional and private commitments. Access to the learning platform is available immediately after contract signing.
- Duration: 12 to 24 months (depending on individual scheduling), 90 ECTS
- Workload: 10 to 25 hours per week, depending on prior knowledge
- Structure: Seven thematic focus areas plus master’s thesis
- Learning organisation: Guided self-study with clearly structured modules and digital materials (lectures, scripts, literature) available at any time
- Virtual learning platform: Exchange with tutors via forums, email or video conferences, individual support for all questions
- Online seminars & lectures: Regular live events you can attend flexibly or catch up on via recordings
- Examinations and assessments: Flexible submission formats, written assignments, exercises and, finally, the master’s thesis with presentation recording
- No mandatory in-person attendance: Exams and seminars are completed entirely digitally
The learning concept is based on a combination of guided self-study, modern e-learning technology and personal support. You benefit from individually adaptable study organisation and can also study location-independently from abroad.
What career prospects and fields of application does the Master’s degree open up for you?
The MSc Applied Psychology enables you to apply your psychological expertise purposefully in your professional field and qualify for a variety of positions. The international and state-recognised degree from London Metropolitan University offers you good opportunities – also outside Germany. Typical areas of application include:
- Human resource management and personnel development: Personnel management, internal consulting, personnel coaching
- Consulting, coaching and mediation: Business consulting, conflict moderation, freelance consulting activities
- Leadership in business and social services: Department, team and project management, change management
- Health promotion and social counselling: Corporate health coordination, internal social counselling
- Market and communication psychology: Marketing, advertising, media and communications departments
- Research and academic career: Depending on the doctoral regulations, the degree qualifies for admission to a doctoral programme
Freelancers, coaches, trainers and consultants expand their offering with the degree by adding scientific underpinning. The broad practical orientation especially opens up new career and development opportunities for managers, specialists and decision-makers in international companies or organisations.
What are the costs and what financing options are available?
The total cost for the MSc Applied Psychology distance learning programme at AIHE amounts to €9,793.32 (exempt from VAT, as of 2024). You can conveniently pay the amount in instalments over 12 or 24 months.
- Total costs: €9,793.32, no additional examination or material costs
- Instalment payment: Choose between 12 or 24 monthly instalments to ease the financial burden
- Tax deductibility: In general, costs can be claimed as tax-deductible work-related expenses if they serve professional development
- Funding options: Partial or full coverage of costs by the employer is also possible
The programme is exempt from VAT and includes all digital learning materials and examination services. This keeps costs transparent and calculable.
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