IES-Vienna: Psychology and Social Sciences

Program Details

Program Location Vienna, Austria
Sponsor IES
Program Type Co-sponsored
Course # SA 33020
Duration Semester or
2 Semesters
Upcoming Program Dates
Spring 2025 01/19/25 to 05/10/25
Current Program Dates
Fall 2024 08/25/24 to 12/14/24
Page Links
Click here to apply for this program!
Please Note: Programs may be altered or adapted with little notice

Overview

IES-Vienna: Psychology and Social Sciences

Vienna is teeming with people from around the world who have made this city their home.

Situated at the center of Europe and rich in culture, this is a place where people from all walks of life thrive. Perhaps not surprisingly, it is also a city where the study of society has a long history and where modern psychology claims its birthplace. Many prominent thinkers made Vienna their home—Alfred Adler, Max Wertheimer, Helene Deutsch, Erwin Ringel, Viktor Frankl (who taught at IES Abroad), and, of course, Sigmund Freud.

Experience life in Vienna as a student of Psychology and Social Sciences. Our courses give you the opportunity to explore youth cultures, childhood development, virtual identity on the web, the immigrant experience, and the social and psychological dimensions of discrimination. Deepen your learning experience with a program-related trip to destinations throughout Austria, Hungary, and Germany to explore these issues in a broader cultural and geographical context.  

You can also enroll in an internship or field experience in public service organizations, NGOs, or teaching English to kindergarten, primary, or secondary students. This hands-on experience includes time spent at your placement and an academic seminar that helps you contextualize what you’re learning.

Taking German is required, but no background in the language is necessary. If you have sufficient German language skills, you can also enroll in courses at the prestigious Universität Wien. There, you will experience the Austrian education system, be able to participate in University student activities, and make Austrian friends. 

For more program information, please visit the program website. This program is sponsored by:IES.

Eligibility

IES-Vienna: Psychology and Social Sciences

Previous German language study is not required for students who wish to take IES courses exclusively. For students who wish to enroll in German-taught and/or University courses, a minimum of four semesters of German is required for the fall and full year program and five semesters for the spring option.

 

GPA Requirement: 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
Language Requirement: none


Purdue Credit

Direct Credit available from the following: [College of Agriculture] [College of Liberal Arts] [Daniels School of Business] [College of Health and Human Sciences]
Specifically from: PSY (HHS)

Students interested in completing courses while abroad from Purdue colleges or departments that are not listed above should discuss this with their study abroad advisor before applying to the program.


Academic Program

You take 15–19 credits per semester and all courses are worth 3 credits unless otherwise specified. Language courses are taught in German, and all other courses are taught in English unless otherwise noted. Academic programming is scheduled five days a week.

If you have taken fewer than 4 semesters of college-level German or the equivalent, you enroll in IES Abroad courses in English. If you have advanced German language proficiency, you may enroll in IES Abroad courses in German and English. Students with advanced language skills can also enroll in partner university courses.

You create your academic experience by selecting from the following required and optional program components:

  • IES Abroad German language course (required, 4 credits)
  • IES Abroad area studies courses* (3-4 credits) are offered at the IES Abroad Center in English and German in a wide range of disciplines.
  • German-taught courses at local university  (advanced German required, credits vary)
  • IES Abroad Internship (includes internship and seminar, 3 credits)
For more information, please see the IES website.

Excursions

As an enhancement to your coursework, you will spend four days studying Psychology and Sociology in Austria, as well as Leipzig and Dresden, Germany. Examine the impact of the Iron Curtain along the Austrian border, the collective trauma of Nazism and Communism, and the early development of Psychology in Germany.

In addition, IES also offers several program trips such as a skiing trip to the Alps, or visits to Wachau or Styria, as well as course-related field trips to places of interest in Vienna.


Housing

Housing is arranged by IES and will be in apartments. Shared or single studio options are available, though some options may carry an additional fee.

Estimated Program Costs

Students pursuing program participation accept financial responsibility. Purdue will take measures to mitigate financial risks, although will not be liable for loss.
 
Students should carefully note what costs need to be paid to Purdue University or to a co-sponsor or agency, and what costs need to be paid at the overseas study location.  This will vary by program.

Program Fee includes tuition, field trips, local transportation pass, and on-site orientation.

Housing Fee includes the standard housing option. Some housing options will carry additional fees.

Costs for this program are estimated and subject to change. The cost figures listed below are for: Spring 2025

Costs per semester to be billed by Purdue and Co-sponsor
Program Fee $19,220.00
Study Abroad Fee $914.10
Housing $4,525.00
Insurance $245.00
Program Discount for Purdue Students - $1,000.00

Approximate additional costs per semester
To be paid by the student.
Round-trip Airfare $1,300.00
Local Transportation $220.00
Visa $164.00
Books and Supplies $225.00
Meals $3,900.00
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses $0.00 - $2,600.00
Travel Documents (passport, photos) $175.00

Financial Aid

Purdue University financial aid may be applied to the costs of studying abroad. Students interested in receiving financial aid should

NOTE:  Recipients of certain tuition remission and scholarship programs should pay careful attention to the regulations for using those benefits for study abroad.  Ask your financial aid advisor about any limitations.

Click here for a list of scholarships and grants available to assist with the costs of studying overseas.


Application Deadlines

For full consideration, students must submit all supporting documents (typically an essay, transcripts, 1-2 recommendations, and copy of passport) before or by the application deadline.  Popular programs fill quickly, often before the deadline. To ensure a place in a program, apply early.

As soon as a student submits an online application, a My Study Abroad account is created. Applicants should consult this page often to check on the status of the application.

Program Application Deadline
Fall Semester Programs Mar 1
Spring Semester Programs Sep 15



Returnees Information

IES-Vienna: Psychology and Social Sciences

Click below to search for Purdue students who have participated in this program and are willing to be contacted.  If you get no results, you can use the search form to find people who studied in the country you are interested in.


Resources

The websites listed below contain information about this program. The accuracy of information at external sites cannot be guaranteed.


For more information on this program, please contact the Study Abroad Office by phone (765) 494-2383 or email studyabroad@purdue.edu.