Is the Distance Learning Course in Social Management Suitable for You?

The distance learning course in Social Management (B.A.) is aimed at individuals who want to take on management tasks in the social sector or deliberately develop their careers in social institutions, NGOs, or public organisations. The course is suitable for professionals working in the social field, career changers interested in leadership and organisation, as well as anyone who wants to combine practical social responsibility. It is also an option for individuals with professional experience but without an advanced school-leaving certificate (Abitur).

Admission Requirements: What Do You Need to Qualify?

Hochschule Fresenius offers various paths to admission:

• If you have a general university entrance qualification (Abitur), you can begin immediately.
• If you have a technical college entrance qualification or subject-specific university entrance qualification, you are also entitled to start the programme.
• If you have completed at least a 2-year vocational training followed by at least 2 years of relevant professional experience, admission is possible via a subject-specific university entrance examination.
• If you have passed a master craftsman examination, technical college degree, or similar advanced training (minimum 400 hours) and have passed the subject-specific university entrance examination, you can start the course.
• If you have an intermediate school leaving certificate and a three-year vocational training (grade 2.5 or better), you can start after a suitability assessment and achieving minimum performance in the course (alternatively: an additional subject-specific university entrance examination if the grade is lower).

Additionally, proof of a counselling interview at the university is required if you enter via the professional or alternative route. Previous achievements can be recognised after individual assessment.

Personally, you should have an interest in social issues, organisational talent, communication skills, and a sense of responsibility. Experience in social, educational, or business-related activities is helpful but not mandatory. For distance learning, self-discipline, time management, and the willingness to learn independently are also important prerequisites.

What content and skills does the distance learning course in Social Management teach?

The Bachelor's degree in Social Management (B.A.) at Hochschule Fresenius combines subject knowledge from social sciences and business administration with practice-oriented skills for the social sector. The study programme includes the following learning content and skills:

• Legal and organisational framework conditions: Introduction to social administration, social policy, civil law and social law; understanding the legal fundamentals in the social sector.
• Fundamentals of social-economic management: Business administration basics (BWL), personnel management, social marketing, fundraising and public relations.
• Cross-disciplinary competencies: Project management, communication skills, intercultural competencies, descriptive and inductive statistics.
• Concepts of social work: Knowledge in child and youth welfare, work with elderly and/or disabled people, healthcare as well as methodological and practical skills in dealing with different target groups.
• Action competence and methods: Teaching methodological competence for planning, controlling and evaluating social projects and institutions.
• Specialisation options through focal areas: Selection and specialisation in two of four focal areas:
  • Quantitative controlling in social institutions
  • Organisational management in social institutions
  • Personnel psychology
  • Health and social affairs

The distance learning course strengthens analytical abilities, teaches the integration of economic considerations into social work fields and systematically prepares for leadership and management tasks in the social sector. A connection between theory and practice is conceptually firmly anchored: case studies, project work and specialisation opportunities ensure the practical application of the acquired knowledge.

How is the course structure and schedule organised?

The Social Management (B.A.) programme at the onlineplus department of Hochschule Fresenius is designed as a flexible distance learning course. The main organisational aspects at a glance:

• Duration and scope: The programme comprises 180 ECTS credits and can be completed in 36, 48 or 72 months depending on personal circumstances and the chosen model. Switching between time models is possible during the course.
• Start of studies: Entry is possible at any time on the 1st of the month without fixed semester dates.
• Course progression:
  • Initial study phases: basics of social administration, social policy, social law, business administration and interdisciplinary skills.
  • Advanced phases: social and human science fundamentals, methods and techniques of social work, management tools.
  • Choice of specialisation: from the further course of studies, you select two of four possible focal areas to specialise in.
• Learning formats: Digital studymags (also available as printed booklets), video lectures, interactive learning platform (studynet), online seminars and webinars.
• Examination formats: The programme is characterised by largely dispensing with classic written exams. Instead, alternative examination formats are used:
  • Term papers
  • Project work and case studies
  • Online presentations and oral presentations
  • Open-book exams and 24/7 online assessments
  This enables maximum flexibility and suits the everyday life of working students.
• Support: Personal study coach, individual support from lecturers as well as access to the student service.
• Technical requirements: An internet-enabled device is necessary for the digital course.
• Optional offers: International certificates and masterclasses with ASU®, voluntary on-site workshops on Saturdays (“SaturdayOnly” format), additional access to digital libraries and e-books.

The entire organisation is tailored to the needs of working professionals and students with family commitments. All essential content and exams can be completed independently of location and time.

What career prospects does the Social Management degree offer?

The degree prepares for responsible roles in the social sector and qualifies for numerous positions in the social economy and public sector. Typical career paths after graduation:

• Leadership and management roles in social institutions:
  • Daycare centres
  • Facilities for elderly or disabled persons
  • Health and nursing institutions
  • Welfare associations and non-profit organisations
• Functions in administration and organisation:
  • Controlling and quality assurance
  • Personnel management
  • Project management in social economy companies or public authorities
  • Social marketing and fundraising
• Positions in social policy, at human rights organisations, in work with refugees or in advising non-profit organisations.
• Activities in further education and in-house training within social institutions.
• Consulting, organisational development and strategic management in the non-governmental sector or social enterprises.

Thanks to the combination of business administration expertise and social science competence, you are capable of meeting the challenges of modern social enterprises and assuming strategic leadership roles. The degree is state-recognised and highly regarded across the sector.

What costs and financing options should you expect?

For the distance learning programme in Social Management (B.A.) at Hochschule Fresenius, monthly fees apply which vary depending on the chosen time model:

• 36 months: 375 Euro (with discount 333.75 Euro per month)
• 48 months: 325 Euro (with discount 289.25 Euro per month)
• 72 months: 235 Euro (with discount 209.15 Euro per month)

The total cost is approximately 12,420 Euro depending on the model (based on 72 months at 215 Euro from the course data).

• Included in the price are access to the learning platform, all digital learning materials, video lectures, e-books, studymags, support from study coaches and all regular examination fees as well as graduation documents.
• Additional costs to consider:
  • Travel expenses for rarely required on-site exams
  • Optional printed learning materials (for an extra charge)
  • Personal technical equipment (PC, internet, etc.)

Financing options:

• Study loans such as the KfW student loan
• BAföG for eligible students
• Scholarships (e.g. Deutschlandstipendium)
• Support from the employer (for part-time study)

The costs can be tax-deductible as work-related expenses. The university offers various payment plans and regular discount promotions (e.g. “START11”). A personal consultation can help in choosing the appropriate financing.