Germany
Germany, situated in the heart of Europe, is known for its diverse landscapes, from the hills of Bavaria and the Black Forest in the south, industrial regions in the center, scenic lakes surrounding Berlin in the east, to the North and Baltic Seas in the north.
Professional recognition in Germany
In Germany, two professional figures with distinct roles and training contribute to the field of Psychomotricity:
Motopäde:in and Motologe:in
A Motopäde:in works…
The professional title is
Staatlich anerkannte:r Motopäde:in
The profession is
recognized
The profession is recognized as such by state health and educational authorities, as well as private institutions and insurance companies.
protected
The title of Staatlich anerkannte:r Motopäde:in is protected and reserved for holders of recognized diplomas.
state-regulated*
State-regulated means that the education in that country is organized and supervised by the state.
A Motologe:in specializes in…
The professional title is
Motologe:in
The profession is
recognized
The profession is recognized as such by state health and educational authorities, as well as private institutions and insurance companies.
protected
The title of Motologe:in is protected and reserved for holders of recognized diplomas.
state-regulated*
State-regulated means that the education in that country is organized and supervised by the state.
*Since Germany is a federal system, there is no nationwide regulation for this field. Instead, regulations and protections are established at the state (Länder) level.
Educationin Germany
In Germany, there are three professional levels of training (professional college, Bachelor, and Master), and it is possible to work as a psychomotrician after completing one of those levels.
Motopäde:in
Professionals seeking to become a Motopäde:in are generally required to hold an undergraduate degree, such as in gymnastics teaching, physical education, social studies, or health-related fields. Additionally, at least one year of professional work experience is required. The training is completed after four years, followed by one year of specialized training at a professional college.
PROFESSIONAL COLLEGE (FACHSCHULE)
Staatlich anerkannte:r Motopäde:in
80 ECTS
German
Cologne – Köln Berufskolleg Michaelshoven Fachschule für Motopädie
Staatlich anerkannte:r Motopäde:in
80 ECTS
German
Düsseldorf – Präha Gesundheitsschulen
Staatlich anerkannte:r Motopäde:in
80 ECTS
German
Hamm – WL Berufskolleg Hamm Fachschule für Motopädie
Staatlich anerkannte:r Motopäde:in
80 ECTS
German
Herford – Anna-Siemsen-Berufskolleg Fachschule des Sozialwesens Fachrichtung Motopädie
Staatlich anerkannte:r Motopäde:in
80 ECTS
German
Unna – Märkisches Berufskolleg Unna Fachschule für Motopädie
Motologe:in BA
Upon completing the specialized training at the professional college, Motopädie students earn 80 ECTS (equivalent to 1800 hours of workload). During this time, they also have the opportunity to collaborate with the University of Emden and gain an additional 10 ECTS.
Once students have accumulated these 90 ECTS, they can obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Motology in just three more semesters, bringing the total to 180 ECTS.
UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Arts Interdisziplinäre Physiotherapie-Motologie-Ergotherapie
180 ECTS
German
Emden – University of applied science of Emden (Hochschule Emden/Leer)
Motologe:in MA
To be eligible for the Master in Mologie program, applicants must hold an undergraduate degree with a major in education or behavioral science from an accredited educational institution.
UNIVERSITY
Master of Arts in Motologie und Psychomotorik
120 ECTS
German
Marburg – University of Marburg, Institute of Sport Science and Motologie
In Germany, different institutes offer nationwide further education courses of additional psychomotor qualifications for teachers, kindergarten teachers or physiotherapists.
Course in Psychomotorik
200 hours
German
Lemgo – Deutsche Akademie – Aktionskreis Psychomotorik e.V. (DAKP)
Course in Psychomotorik
200 hours
German
Working
in Germany
Get your diploma recognition
In Germany, you can address a request for recognition at the Ministry of the Interior (MSW) or the District Council (Bezirksregierung) is automatically forwarded to the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB), which handles the recognition of foreign diplomas in the field of education.
In order to obtain the German diploma in “Motopädie.”, you can attend a German professional college (Fachschule) and complete one additional year of study.
Get to know the professional association
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Psychomotorik (DGfPM)
is the German National Association of Psychomotricity.
It is an “umbrella organisation” as it regroups the following associations:
Psychomotricity
in Germany
Led by Kiphard, the history of German psychomotricity in Europe dates back to the 1950s, when the first psychomotor interventions began.
Turning points
1950's
Pioneer figure
Ernst J. (“Jonny”) Kiphard, a pioneer of Psychomotricity in Germany, works in the 1950s at the Psychiatry for Children and Youth in Hamm.
There, he integrates circus pedagogy, using activities like juggling and acrobatics, into therapy to enhance children’s physical and psychological development, laying the groundwork for modern Psychomotricity.
1975
Association Aktionskreis Psychomotorik
The association Aktionskreis Psychomotorik (AKP) is created.
1983
First University education
A degree (diploma) in Psychomotricity is created at University of Marburg.
A few years earlier, in 1977, the School for Gymnastics-Movement Therapy in Dortmund trained the first state-certified psychomotor pedagogues.
1996
European Forum of Psychomotricity
The European Forum of Psychomotricity (EFP) is created,
with Germany as a founding member, represented by Tilo Irmischer.
2006
National Professional Association
The national association Deutsche Gesellschaft für Psychomotorik (DGfPM) is founded.
Since 2013
More and more recognition
2013 – A Bachelor’s degree in Psychomotorik was introduced at Hochschule Emden-Leer.
2019 – Motology is recognized as part of the “Small Subjects Initiative” by the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
FAQ
Here are few answers to frequently asked questions
in order to understand better Psychomotricity in Germany.
Get to know more about Psychomotricity in Germany
