Who is the Master’s Degree in Applied Psychology for Leaders Suitable For?

The master’s programme is aimed at professionals who want to take on leadership responsibilities or who already have leadership experience. The course is particularly suitable for those with a first higher education degree who wish to deepen their skills in the fields of psychology and leadership – regardless of whether you come from psychology, business, social sciences or another discipline. Even without a degree, if you have relevant professional experience, you may qualify under certain conditions.

Admission Requirements in Detail

Depending on your prior education, you will need one of the following qualifications to be admitted to the Master’s programme in Applied Psychology for Leaders:

• Consecutive admission: Completed undergraduate degree (Bachelor, Diplom, Magister) with at least 180 ECTS – regardless of the subject area. If you have an initial degree in psychology, you will take business modules during your studies; if you do not have an initial degree in psychology, psychological fundamentals will be supplemented in the master’s programme.
• Admission via further education: Bachelor’s degree or equivalent higher education qualification plus at least 1 year of qualified professional experience in a relevant field (e.g. leadership, management, HR, consulting).
• Admission with vocational training and professional experience: Completed, subject-relevant vocational training, at least 4 years of professional experience and passing an aptitude test (e.g. term paper). Additionally, a letter of motivation and a training certificate are required.

Further individual proof requirements (for example credit points in certain subject areas or English skills at B2 level) may be required depending on your background. Admission is granted without a numerus clausus (NC). Flexible entry is possible on a monthly basis.

Personally, you should have an interest in psychological questions relating to leadership, change processes and communication. Important are self-organised learning, self-motivation and the willingness to engage actively with current leadership issues in complex organisational structures. Initial practical leadership experience, methodical thinking and the ability to reflect on your own leadership behaviour are advantageous.

What content does the Master’s degree in Applied Psychology for Executives convey?

In the Master’s programme Applied Psychology for Executives, you acquire extensive competencies in psychology, leadership, and organisational development. The central study contents include:

• Introduction to Psychology – psychological theories, scientific foundations and models of thinking
• Cognitive Foundations of Behaviour & Experience – human information processing, learning, perception and decision-making
• Resource Psychology – recognising and promoting inter- and intrapersonal resources
• Applied Psychology in Everyday Leadership – application of psychological insights to management processes
• Leadership Psychology and Leadership Tools – leadership theories, motivation, self-leadership, decision-making
• Psychological Conversation Techniques and Communication – techniques of conducting conversations, counselling competence, coaching approaches
• Consulting Methods and Collegial Consulting – mixed methods from supervision, feedback and reflection

By selecting individual focal points, you can tailor your studies specifically to your career goals. Modules available include:

• Management of Complex Leadership Situations
• Organisational Consulting and Change Management
• Leadership and Organisation in the Digital Age
• Recruitment and Personnel Development
• Physical and Mental Health in the Workplace
• Decision Making
• Special Leadership and Practical Modules (for the continuing Master’s)

The programme places emphasis on self-reflection, social skills and practice-oriented consulting. Through block seminars and specialised papers, you additionally develop methodological competence in dealing with teams, change processes and conflicts.