Psychotherapeutic Propaedeutic Course (Propädeutikum)

The admission requirements are defined by the provisions of § 10 (1) of the Austrian Psychotherapy Act (PthG) as follows:

• a secondary school leaving certificate (Matura) or
• a university admission equivalency test (Studienberechtigungsprüfung) or
• a nostrified degree equivalent to the Matura, or
• a nursing service diploma or
• a diploma of the medical-technical service or
• a special permit by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Health, Family and Youth (BMGFJ)

+ two admission interviews (online or in person)

The psychotherapeutic propaedeutic course consists of a theoretical (765 hours) and a practical part (550 hours).

Theory:
A. Fundamentals and border areas of psychotherapy
1. introduction to the history of problems and development of psychotherapeutic schools
> 1. depth psychological concepts (30 hours)
> 2. humanistic concepts (30 hours)
> 3. systemic concepts (30 hours)
> 4. learning theory concepts (30 hours)
2. personality theories (30 hours)
3.1 General Psychology (30 hours)
3.2 Developmental Psychology (30 hours)
4. rehabilitation and special and remedial education (30 hours)
5. psychological diagnostics and assessment (60 hours)
6. psychosocial forms of intervention (60 hours)

B. Fundamentals of somatology and medicine
1. introduction to medical terminology (30 hours)
2. psychiatry, psychopathology, psychosomatics (120 hours)
> 1. child and adolescent psychiatry (30 hours)
> 2. psychiatry, psychopathology (60 hours)
> 3. psychosomatics (15 hours)
> 4. gerontopsychiatry (15 hours)
3. pharmacology (45 hours)
4. first aid in psychotherapeutic practice (15 hours)

C. Research and scientific methodology
1. statistics (15 hours)
2. qualitative research (15 hours)
3. philosophy of science (15 hours)
4. psychotherapy research (30 hours)

D. Ethics
Ethics (30 hours)

E. Framework conditions for the practice of psychotherapy
1. social framework conditions (45 hours)
2. legal framework (45 hours)

F. Practice:
1. individual or group self-experience (50 hours)
2. internship (480 hours)
3. internship supervision (20 hours)

Curriculum from WS 2013.pdf

To earn the final certificate, proof of the successful completion of all subjects of the psychotherapeutic propaedeutic course (theory and practice), a written final thesis and a final interview are required.

SFU’s Psychotherapeutic Outpatient Clinic is a placement centre recognised by the Austrian Ministry of Health for both the psychotherapeutic propaedeutic course and the specialised course. The required practical placements / internships can therefore be completed at the Clinic.

Entry to the propaedeutic training programme at SFU is possible in the winter semester.

Costs (as of winter semester 2026/27):

Programme fee per semester: € 6,489
Admission fee: € 550

This includes:
a) Participation in all seminars
b) Seminar documents
c) Self-awareness costs
d) Supervision costs

Contact Finance and Controlling:
Email: ptw-accounting@sfu.ac.at
Tel: +43 1 798 40 98 304
Opening and telephone hours: Mon-Thu: 10:00 – 15:00 / Fri: 10:00 – 15:00 only available by telephone
Address: Freudplatz 1, 3rd floor, room 3002

• Continue to the payment modalities

All courses of the psychotherapeutic propaedeuticum at SFU can be credited towards the Bachelor’s degree programme in Psychotherapy Science.

On the website of the Federal Ministry (under “Psychotherapist”) you will find detailed information for potential licence applicants.