Applied Psychology

Relevance of the study program

One focus of the Applied Psychology program is Clinical Psychology and Health Psychology, based on the social objectives (BRK, BTHG, SDGs, etc.) of participation/inclusion and diversity: Mental disorders, such as depression, are constantly on the rise and are already the second most common cause of incapacity to work and can also lead to a disability and thus a restriction of participation. At the same time, the waiting time for a therapy or rehabilitation place is unacceptably long, especially in rural areas. To prevent a mental disorder from developing in the first place, prevention and health promotion with regard to the mental health of the population is of particular importance.
Theoretical (theories) and practical (intervention options/therapies) psychological competencies, i.e. knowledge and approaches to explaining and changing human experience and behavior, are not only important in relation to health and illness, but also play a role in almost every field of activity or area of life: students in the Applied Psychology program, for example, acquire equally profound knowledge and competencies in the application fields of industrial psychology, business psychology, educational psychology, traffic psychology, ecological psychology, intercultural psychology, engineering psychology, etc.

Profession and prospects

The Professional Association of German Psychologists (bdp) provides detailed information about job opportunities in its brochure "Berufsbild Psychologie"(www.bdp-verband.de). Quote from the president of the bdp, Prof. Krämer: "The professional landscape is constantly changing. Even though in public psychologists are still often equated with psychological psychotherapists, these form only a part of the psychological profession. The psychological profession is multifaceted and increasingly differentiated. It is safe to predict that society's need for psychological services will continue to grow and that we can speak of a profession/professions with a future."
The bachelor's degree in psychology represents a general professional qualification and already enables graduates to work in psychology in the various professional fields of psychology.
In the field of clinical psychology, graduates can work under the responsibility of a licensed psychologist in the area of diagnostics and therapy in psychiatric acute and rehabilitation facilities. In the field of health psychology, job opportunities in the prevention of mental disorders are available in the public health sector, with companies in the context of workplace health promotion, in management consultancies or in educational institutions. Knowledge in ecological psychology (climate change) as well as intercultural psychology (integration experts) is increasingly in demand, for example, by political foundations or NGOs, district and municipal offices as well as internationally operating companies. In order to "take people along" in the digital transformation of society, the need for psychological expertise is also increasing in the area of digital technology and development (e.g. user experience).

Master's program

After the bachelor's degree, a relevant master's program can be taken up at a university of applied sciences or at a university. A so-called equivalency examination is required for transfer. The degree program in Applied Psychology at RWU is formally equivalent to the Bachelor's degree program in Psychology at all colleges or universities in Germany that have aligned their degree programs as of WiSe 20/21 according to the new Approbationsordnung für Psychologische Psychotherapeutinnen und Psychotherapeuten (to be inquired directly at the colleges/universities).
Only after completion of a master's degree program in psychology (Association of German Psychologists) can the protected professional title of "psychologist" be used.

Study contents

The Bachelor's program in Applied Psychology leads to a Bachelor of Science degree. The program comprises 7 semesters (210 ECTS), with the 5th semester including practical study components at a practical institution recognized by the university, as well as a research internship. Basic subjects and methods (e.g. General Psychology, Quantitative Methods, etc.) are taught from the beginning in parallel with the application subjects of psychology (e.g. Clinical Psychology, Business Psychology, Educational Psychology, etc.) in order to accentuate the application reference. However, while in study part I (basic courses), which covers the 1st to 3rd semesters, the focus is on teaching professional competence (knowledge/understanding), in study part II instrumental, systemic and communicative competencies are taught in particular.

Change environmental behavior with the help of psychology

Part 1

Change environmental behavior with the help of psychology

Part 2