Admission requirements

For admission, a first professional university degree (at least six semesters) is required. In addition, applicants must have at least three years of professional experience as well as proof of 300 teaching units in advanced and further training with a consulting-relevant focus (person, role, team, organisation). Furthermore, passive participation in work-related consulting processes (e.g. coaching, supervision) amounting to at least 50 teaching units must be proven, of which at least 10 TU must be under DGSv-certified consulting.

The programme starts annually in the winter semester (October). Applications are possible until 30 August at the latest. After online registration, the following documents must be submitted: CV, letter of motivation, copy of the identity card, proof of university entrance qualification, certificates of the first degree, exmatriculation or study progress certificate(s), proof of professional experience, advanced and further training, as well as consulting experience. For foreign degrees, the application must additionally be submitted via uni-assist. After reviewing the documents, applicants will receive feedback by e-mail and further information about the enrolment process. Upon enrolment, access to the UNIKIMS eCampus is granted, through which the programme is organisationally accompanied.

Details

The curriculum is divided into seven consecutive modules that systematically convey core competences for counselling practice. The first module, "Fundamentals of Counselling," focuses on the introduction to the course as well as getting to know fellow students and lecturers. The students acquire basic theoretical and scientific knowledge of counselling, reflect on their own role, and develop an understanding of the structure and learning culture of the programme.

The second module is dedicated to individual supervision and coaching. Here, the students learn theories and methods of individual counselling, engage intensively with their role as counsellors, and practice practical settings of individual counselling. The development of diagnostic and evaluation competences, communication skills, and the reflection of their own effectiveness are central.

The third module focuses on group and team counselling. Topics include team development, group dynamics, as well as specific counselling formats such as team supervision and group coaching. The students explore decision-making and leadership processes, learn to handle group dynamics consciously, and reflect on their own behaviour as well as their role in the team context.

The fourth module deals with organisational counselling. The participants acquire knowledge about organisational structures, leadership, diagnostics, and management of counselling processes and deepen their understanding of organisational culture. They learn to plan, implement, and methodically analyse counselling projects. The development of action, management, and research competences in the organisational context is the main focus.

The fifth module addresses special challenges in counselling. The topics range from complexity and conflict management to diversity and client acquisition. The students deepen their skills in dealing with conflicts and different cultures, expand their repertoire of methods, and sharpen their self-reflection as well as their intercultural and field-specific competence.

The sixth module is dedicated to practical application: the students acquire and design their own counselling projects in the areas of supervision, coaching, and organisational counselling. Accompanied by teaching supervisors, they document and reflect on their practical experiences and further develop their method, process, and management competences.

Finally, the master module follows, in which the students independently develop a scientific research question, design a suitable research approach, and present their results in a master’s thesis as well as in a colloquium. This module consolidates research competences, the ability to work scientifically, and prepares for independent professional practice as well as for a possible doctoral degree.