Psychology and psychotherapy: Witten/Herdecke University paves the way for a licence to practise

If psychology graduates wanted to become psychotherapists, under the old legal situation they had to complete a state-recognised and fee-based training course after receiving their academic degree. Upon passing the training, graduates receive their full licence to practice, i.e. permission to work as a psychotherapist. The new Psychotherapist Training Reform Act (PsychThG) stipulates that the state licence is to be issued with the state examination after graduation. The direct study programme leading to a full licence to practice is now structured into a three-year Bachelor's degree followed by a two-year Master's degree, at the end of which a state psychotherapeutic examination follows.

Legal certainty for all psychology freshers

The UW/H received the positive decision from the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs (MAGS) of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia on 30 November to establish the professional legal requirements in accordance with the new law for the Bachelor's degree programme in Psychology. The reform will not only ensure better provision of psychotherapy in future, but also better and standardised training. "We are delighted that our faculty will continue to enable students to make appointments as psychotherapists in the future. With the Ministry's decision, our graduates now have the legal certainty that they can continue to pursue their professional goal with their Bachelor's degree, even under the new legal situation," confirms the Head of the School of Psychology and Psychotherapy, Prof Dr Thomas Ostermann.

Adjustments to the psychology bachelor's programme were initiated immediately

The fact that Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H) quickly received a positive decision from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia to adapt the Bachelor's degree programme in Psychology is thanks to the swift adjustments made to the degree programme. "As we wanted to implement the adjustments brought about by the new law, we quickly restructured the degree programme in accordance with the new licensing regulations and submitted the application to the state without delay. The Faculty Office and the University are delighted with the good news, as the new Bachelor's degree programme has already started this winter semester," explains Prof. Dr. Martin Butzlaff, President of Witten/Herdecke University. In addition to meeting the criteria of the licensing regulations for psychotherapists, the degree programme at UW/H also continues to fulfil the criteria of the quality seal of the German Society for Psychology.

While only minor changes to the module manual and the study and examination regulations were necessary for the Bachelor's degree programme in Psychology, the Master's degree programme is currently being redesigned. The new Master's degree programme in Psychology with a focus on clinical psychology and psychotherapy should also be accredited and offered in accordance with the new licensing regulations by the winter semester 2023/24 at the latest.