In 2014, the Executive Board of the DGPs decided to award the DGPs Seal of Quality to those psychology degree programmes which adhere to the DGPs’ recommendations in terms of structure and content, and which meet certain minimum standards with regard to their academic rigour and research focus.
The German Psychological Society (DGPs) has set itself the aim
- to achieve the greatest possible comparability between the relevant degree programmes in psychology,
- to ensure excellent academic quality and thus the high standing of psychology degree programmes, and
- thereby to preserve the unity of the discipline.
To ensure these objectives are met, the DGPs is introducing a DGPs Seal of Quality. The DGPs Seal of Quality is awarded to psychology degree programmes that adhere to the DGPs’ recommendations in terms of structure and content and that meet certain minimum standards of academic rigour and research orientation.
The quality mark is intended, amongst other things, to fulfil the following functions:
- It is intended to ensure the long-term quality of psychology degree programmes.
- It is intended to set normative standards regarding the structure and content of a psychology degree programme, as well as the institutional resources and infrastructure required for this.
- It is intended to increase transparency for students and prospective students.
- It is intended to facilitate the work of accreditation agencies and Committees.
The DGPs Seal of Quality can only be awarded and is protected by copyright as a trade mark.
Applications may be made for the following quality seals:
Psychology is a popular subject, as demonstrated not least by the steady rise in student numbers over the years. Psychology degree programmes are now offered not only by universities, but also by universities of applied sciences, distance learning universities and private universities. This diversity makes it increasingly difficult for prospective students, but also for contractors and employers, to find their way around. For example, a number of degree programmes have the term "psychology" in their title, but it is not clear whether or to what extent they comply with the recommendations of the DGPs and how much psychology they actually contain. The German Society for Psychology (DGPs) has therefore introduced a quality seal for Bachelor's degree programmes in psychology (Quality Seal B.Sc. Psychology DGPs).
The "Quality Seal for Psychology Bachelor's Degree Programmes at German-speaking Universities" is awarded to those psychology degree programmes that follow the recommendations of the DGPs in terms of structure and content and that adhere to certain minimum standards of scientific rigour and research orientation.
The DGPs has drawn up a catalogue of criteria for awarding the "Quality Seal for Psychology Bachelor's Programmes at German-speaking Universities". All information can be found on the website of the TransMIT Centre for Scientific-Psychological Services.
Any university that offers a Bachelor's programme leading to the degree "Psychology, B.Sc." can apply for the seal and thus set an example for quality assurance. The quality seal is awarded for a period of five years. After that, it must be applied for again.
The application is made via the Centre for Psychological Services (DGPs). The B.Sc. Psychology DGPs quality seal can only be awarded by the DGPs and is protected by copyright as a trademark.
Certified institutes (as of December 2024)
The B.Sc. Psychology DGPs quality seal has already been awarded to the following institutes
- University of Bamberg
- Humboldt University of Berlin
- University of Bielefeld
- Braunschweig University of Technology
- University of Bremen
- Darmstadt University of Technology
- Dresden University of Technology
- University of Duisburg-Essen
- Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg
- Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg
- Goethe University Frankfurt
- Georg-August-University Göttingen
- PFH Göttingen
- University of Hamburg
- Helmut Schmidt University / University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg
- Distance Learning University Hagen
- Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg
- Ruprecht-Karls-University Heidelberg
- University of Hildesheim Foundation
- Friedrich Schiller University Jena
- University of Kassel
- Rhineland-Palatinate University of Kaiserslautern-Landau
- University of Cologne
- Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel
- Leuphana University of Lüneburg
- Philipps University Marburg
- Medical School Berlin MSB
- Medical School Hamburg MSH
- University of Lübeck
- University of Leipzig
- University of Luxembourg
- Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (QS expired, not yet recertified)
- University of Mannheim
- Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich
- University of Münster
- University of Osnabrück (QS expired, not yet recertified)
- University of Potsdam (QS expired, not yet recertified))
- Saarland University
- University of Siegen
- University of Trier
- University of Ulm
- University of Witten/Herdecke (QS expired, not yet recertified)
- Julias-Maximilians-University of Würzburg
The seal of quality can be applied for by any German-speaking university (or faculty, department, institute) that offers a degree programme accredited under German law.
The seal of quality is awarded by the DGPs. The TransMIT Centre for Scientific-Psychological Services (DGPs) organises the application and assessment process.
Applications are submitted via the Centre for Psychological Services (DGPs).
Certified institutes (as of December 2024)
The M.Sc. Psychology DGPs quality seal has already been awarded to the following institutes