Who is the distance learning course in Curative Education (B.A.) suitable for?

The distance learning course in Curative Education is aimed at everyone who works with people with special support needs or sees their professional future in curative educational, social pedagogical, or inclusive fields. It is particularly suitable for nursery nurses, curative education nurses, as well as professionals from social, health-related, or educational occupations who hold a state-recognised qualification and are now aiming for a scientific, practice-oriented bachelor's degree. Career changers from related fields such as social work, care, or therapy also benefit from this degree course if they already have professional experience in the social pedagogical environment and are aiming for a leadership or management position.

What formal criteria must you meet for admission?

The following formal requirements apply for admission to the Bachelor’s degree course in Curative Education at AKAD University:

• General or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification, advanced technical college entrance qualification or an equivalent foreign university entrance qualification
• Alternatively: recognised professional advancement qualification, for example as a technician, master craftsman, business economist or specialist
• Direct access also with a state-recognised qualification as nursery nurse, curative educator (possibly crediting of prior achievements)
• With a completed vocational training (at least two years) and subsequent three years of professional experience, admission is possible via a university aptitude test or a trial study period
• For applicants of foreign origin: proof of German language skills, e.g. DSH-2, TestDaF level 4, or C1 according to the CEFR

Recommended personal prerequisites are an interest in educational, social, and psychological issues, prior experience in relevant practical fields, and basic English skills (B2 level). You should be communicative, empathetic, able to work well in a team, and open to digital learning methods. Resilience, organisational skills, as well as a willingness to develop independently in dealing with heterogeneous target groups are advantageous.

Which subject focuses can you expect in the Bachelor of Special Education?

In the Bachelor’s degree programme in Special Education at AKAD University, you will acquire comprehensive skills that prepare you for professional work with people with special support needs. The content covers key areas:

• Foundations of Special Education: History, theories and current concepts of special education, inclusion, social policy and social law form the foundation.
• Development and Support: You will learn essential aspects of language development, diagnostics, support areas and therapeutic interventions.
• Action and Method Competence: Action concepts, empirical research methods, counselling and care, communication as well as teamwork are at the centre.
• Transcultural and Ethical Dimensions: Transcultural competence, disability studies and ethics prepare you for diverse practical fields.
• Practical Orientation: In the fourth semester, you complete a practical project phase (30 ECTS) to apply your theoretically acquired knowledge.
• Advanced Elective Areas: You can specialise, for example, in child, youth and family assistance, social work in healthcare, personnel development, care and health from a transcultural perspective or digital technologies and learning methods.

A particular focus lies on relationship-oriented work, individual support and the ability to reflect on and professionally accompany special education processes. After graduation, you will be able to develop individual support plans, work interdisciplinarily in teams and support people with different needs in a resource-oriented way.

How is the structure of the distance learning programme in Special Education?

The programme is completely organised digitally and relies on maximum temporal flexibility. Three time models are available:

• Sprint (36 months): The fastest model for a swift graduation with high learning intensity.
• Standard (48 months): The typical path alongside employment with regular learning phases.
• Stretch (72 months): For particularly flexible study design with a low weekly time budget.

You determine your learning pace individually. All learning materials – interactive scripts, teaching videos, webinars, podcasts and digital exercises – are available online. On the virtual campus, you organise exam dates, participate in online seminars and network with fellow students. You take exams either as online tests (24/7) or as term papers. No attendance phases are scheduled, communication with lecturers and tutors is digital and personally supported.

During your studies, you deepen practical skills especially in the comprehensive practical project phase. The final semester includes writing the bachelor thesis as well as specialising in an additional advanced module.

Which professional fields and career opportunities does the Bachelor of Special Education offer?

With a Bachelor’s degree in Special Education, you open up diverse fields of work in social and healthcare sectors. Typical areas of employment are:

• Special Education Institutions: Support and accompaniment of children, adolescents or adults with special needs in institutions, care homes and residential groups.
• School Assistance and Early Support: Support for school pupils or pre-school children in acquiring social, emotional and motor skills.
• Counselling, Supervision and Further Training: Activities in counselling centres, training institutions or as a multiplier for other professionals in social careers.
• Educational Assistance and Psychiatric Institutions: Professional work in child and youth welfare, clinics or psychosocial counselling centres.
• Leadership Positions: The academic degree qualifies you for management and leadership roles in social organisations or education-oriented projects.

Moreover, the degree provides access to advanced master’s programmes, for example in social work, psychology or education. Many graduates take on greater responsibility with their bachelor’s degree and open up new career paths in the diverse special education practice.

Tuition Fees and Financial Support Options

The tuition fees for the Bachelor of Special Education at AKAD University depend on the chosen study duration:

• Sprint (36 months): €337 per month, total costs €12,132
• Standard (48 months): €285 per month, total costs €13,680
• Stretch (72 months): €219 per month, total costs €15,768

An additional one-time examination fee of €960 applies, which can be waived during ongoing discount campaigns. You can start the programme at any time. A free trial period of four weeks is included. If you have relevant prior achievements recognised (for example as an educator or special education teacher), you can further reduce study duration and costs.

Possible financing options include tax deductibility as work-related expenses or special expenses, employer sponsorship and regular discount campaigns by the university. Extension semesters are free of charge within limits. For students with limited financial capacity, the Stretch model offers a particularly low monthly burden.