MA Psychology Focusing on Organisation – Transformation Processes in Work, Society and Environment

This multidisciplinary MA explores how people, organisations and environments change and interact, with a particular emphasis on organisational, environmental and health psychology. You will study transformation processes in the context of pressing societal challenges such as climate change and digitalisation, and examine new forms of human–machine relations, sustainable business strategies, and the shifting social purpose of organisations. The programme foregrounds a socio-critical, reflective outlook and treats “work, society and environment” as interconnected systems rather than separate topics.

Psychodynamic perspectives play a central role in understanding and guiding these changing contexts. Graduates gain a mix of theoretical knowledge and practical skills to analyse social dynamics, support organisations and individuals through transitions, and contribute to sustainable solutions. The curriculum aims to strengthen systemic competences: reflexive thinking, responsibility-taking, and independent decision-making suited to leadership roles.

Teaching is participatory and practice-oriented: from the first semester students develop independent research skills, present and defend ideas in academic discussion, and practise constructive engagement with critique. The programme emphasises communicative competence, interdisciplinary and international dialogue, and the cultivation of a professional identity with an associated intercultural ethical stance — preparing you for careers in NGOs, government agencies, environmental organisations and other settings where organisational psychology meets societal transformation.

Entry requirements (concise)

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, economics or a related field
• Programme language: English (applicants must be able to study and work in English)
• Interest in organisational psychology and in applying psychodynamic approaches to transformation processes
• Readiness to engage in participatory, research-led and discussion-based learning environments

Curriculum overview and teaching approach

This MA combines research-driven study with hands-on, practice-oriented learning to train graduates who are independent, socially reflective, and solution-focused. Teaching uses a variety of formats — lectures, seminar-style classes and workshop formats — with workshops specifically designed to let students reflect on personal and professional experience and translate those reflections into research and applied practice.

The full programme comprises 120 ECTS to be completed in four full-time semesters. Credits are allocated evenly across the first three semesters; the fourth semester is dedicated to writing the Master’s thesis. The curriculum is organised into five broad study areas and delivered through a total of 12 modules made up of lectures, seminars and workshops.

Key modules and expected learning outcomes

• Reflective and theoretical foundations (Module 1) give a critical, social-science perspective on psychology and build skills in reflective reasoning.
• Work, organisational and business psychology (Modules 2, 3, 5, 6, 9) cover contemporary research in work and organisational psychology, individual–organisation dynamics, workplace health and prevention, consulting practice, and strategic communication — preparing students for roles in organisational development, HR, consultancy and communication.
• Health and environmental psychology (Modules 4, 5, 6) examine interactions between environment, society and health, linking prevention and consulting to wider sustainability and well‑being concerns.
• Social and cultural psychology (Modules 2, 3, 4) explore societal and cultural dimensions of behaviour and organisational life.
• Research methods and project work (Modules 7 and 8) provide methodological competence for empirical research and applied projects, feeding directly into the Master’s thesis.

The programme also includes a compulsory elective (Module 10) to let students specialise in an academic or scientific topic aligned with their interests (for example, a course on social trauma), plus a Master’s thesis (Module 11) and a work experience/internship component (Module 12). For full module descriptions and assessment rules consult the Study and Examination Regulations (PDF).

Requirements and curriculum facts (concise)

• Total workload: 120 ECTS credits
• Duration: 4 full-time semesters (credits distributed evenly across semesters 1–3; semester 4 for the Master’s thesis)
• Structure: 5 overarching areas of study delivered through 12 modules (lectures, seminars, workshops)
• Module 1: Psychology as a Critical Social Science (reflective/theoretical foundations)
• Module 2: Current Research Findings in Work and Organisational Psychology
• Module 3: The Individual and the Organisation
• Module 4: Environment and Society in the Tension Field between Demand and Reality
• Module 5: Work, Health, and Prevention
• Module 6: Consulting
• Module 7: Research Methods
• Module 8: Research and Project Workshop
• Module 9: Strategic Communication
• Module 10: Elective (specialisation, e.g. Social Trauma)
• Module 11: Master’s thesis (written in the fourth semester)
• Module 12: Work experience / internship (practical application)
• Teaching methods: research-based and application-oriented; includes workshop formats to promote reflection and practice-based learning
• More detailed module descriptions and examination rules are available in the Study and Examination Regulations (PDF).

Graduates are prepared for applied roles in organisational development, HR and leadership, consulting, sustainability teams, NGOs, governmental agencies and environmental organisations where understanding transformation processes and systemic dynamics is essential. The programme’s psychodynamic perspective and emphasis on reflective leadership equip alumni to advise organisations undergoing change, design prevention and health initiatives, or lead communication and strategic change projects.

The degree also develops strong research and analytical skills suitable for roles in policy analysis, project management and further academic research. While the programme is practice-oriented, graduates who wish to continue in research can pursue doctoral studies or research-assistant positions, depending on further qualifications and opportunities.