Hello there,

I would like to begin a Masters in Clinical Psychology at ZH University and have a few questions.

My level of German is B1-I am hoping to start by the Winter semester (Middle September 2013) once I'm able to get to the C1 level- which is about a year from now-so I think I can make it.

I have applied to start this coming up Spring semester as a Visiting Student (no language requirement)-so that I can get a feel of what the lectures are like and catch up.

I have a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from the US and hold a 6 year B Visa (I'm married to a German) so residence and previous education is not a problem.

My problem with all this is the following:

Since I'm not currently enrolled in Master program ZHU does not allow me to enroll as a Visiting Student in a Master Program, but instead a Bachelors. I'm not so comfortable with this but it will probably help since my German still needs work, and well I don't want to spend this whole semester without knowing what I'm getting myself into. Does any one have any idea of Visiting Student experiences or how a BA works in ZHU?

My next issues is of course the language once I actually begin as a regular student in the winter semester. I have heard that some courses are taught in English as well as the books. Is this true? Are the courses taught in high German or Swiss German?

I think that in a year I can get my self passed the C1 level (I'm trying to keep my self as involved as I can with German that's why I thought the Visiting Student would also be a good idea) but I'm not sure if this is enough to be involved in a Master's program. I know that in Psychology language is a must because the reading and theories can get a bit tricky and lectures tend to get carried away. Does any one have any experience going through a Psych program in a C1 level?

Finally, is it even worth it going for this Masters at ZHU or ZHAW? I've gone over the requirements and it seems that's a bit hard to get in or to stay in at the ZHAW? Does any one have any experience with this?
I know this is kind of a personal decision.
I have a lot of experience in Clinical Social Work and research as in the states it's pretty much all you can get with a Bachelors in Psychology. I have heard that jobs in the social service area or HR can be found easy with a Bachelors and even better with a masters in the social/psych fields....is this true?
I am thinking that because my German is not so good right now-I cannot find a job in either field-but once I get to a C1 level I'd have better chances...does any one have any experience with this?

I'd appreciate some feed back. Thanks!

I cannot speak to all the intricacies of your situation, but I can speak to the part I bolded above. In my experience, that part is untrue. I have a masters degree in social work with a clinical specialization, from a canadian university. I have experience in family therapy, group therapy and individual counselling, and have not been able to practice at all. After much reflection I think it comes down to two things:

1) having foreign credentials. Maybe you would have better luck with a swiss education though I've heard especially in psychology that is difficult for even swiss citizens to find work. My experience has been that people do not understand my degree as social work is different here, and it's not from a university, and it's typically more like financial aid (than the full range of roles you would find in North America.

2) language. I've come to accept that I need to be fluent to do my job. I can't do a suicide risk assessment or discuss trama and understand 80 or even 90%, I need to understand 100%. I also need to be delicate with my words, which requires me to be fluent.

I thought I would have the skills to do HR positions, but whenever I approached recruitment agencies they basically didn't understand how my skills could transfer. Finally a recruiter kindly explained to me that even though I would be capable of the job, the problem would be competing with others who have trained specifically for, and already have experience in HR.

So in summary, in my experience it has been very difficult. Maybe some others found it different.

Anyhow, those are my thoughts. If you have any more questions you can send me a PM.

Kristanez, thank you for your reply!

I agree with you that it's important to understand the language completely in order to be able to assist patients properly- As you might already know there is a big Hispanic and English speaking population here in Zurich.
I am fluent in both English and Spanish and was hoping that I can enter the market of counseling or social work through this part once I finish my Masters.
I have met a few women that work with these populations and they struggle because Spanish is needed but they are at least fluent in German and have some English-When I have tried to get into it-they question my German because a lot of translations and third person situations come with the jobs-so German is a must-on top my credentials are not recognized-this is why I thought that the Masters will fill that part of the work.
Eventually, I will be fluent in German (in a few years) but until then I was hoping that my Spanish-English, Masters, and my increased German skills by the time I finish my Masters will help me get into the market-in other words in the next two years.
Hopefully my plan works...

I hope my response didn't come across too negatively. As you point it, I think it varies in location too. It makes sense that you have a bigger variety of languages in Zurich than in Neuchatel, and hopefully more possibilities of work.

I also think if you are willing to wait (and work hard) to do what you want to, and get swiss credentials, then your chances will increase a lot. I think part of my problem has been that I finished my schooling before coming and I am not willing to re-do them, nor am I willing to wait too long (as long as it would take me to become fluent) to practice again. Which brings up another important piece - how long you plan to stay in Switzerland...

Good luck with your decision making.

Kristanez,

Your reply didn't come across in a negative way at all! I really appreciate your input and you have true points that I can consider for my situation.

The thought of waiting so long till I practice/work on my field again makes me for sure really uncomfortable, but I think that it will take me anyways a year or two to get to a somewhat fluent level so I might as well go for the Masters during this time-if possible of course.

We'll be here in Zurich for a long while for sure!

I honestly stopped worrying about finding a job in my field now or in the next year because I know that it just won't happen. I have the hope that maybe in a year my German improves to a point that I'm lucky if I can be considered in the social service field even not having finished my masters...but this is of course if my German improves dramatically!!!

For now I'm concerned about making it through the master's program how it is in general for a person in my situation.

Thanks again for your advice!

Hi,
Could you give us an update about studying with a c1 at zurich uni?
Also, do you know something about part time studies?