Who is the Bachelor Distance Learning Course in Social Management Suitable For?

The distance learning course in Social Management is aimed at individuals who take on or wish to develop into leadership and management roles in the social sector. It is suitable for professionals in social work, employees from nursing, education, healthcare, as well as career changers with a commercial background who want to enter the social field. Even without a traditional (specialised) university entrance qualification, applicants with completed vocational training and professional experience have access. The course combines social skills with business management knowledge and specifically prepares students for leadership positions in social organisations, non-profit companies, foundations, or institutions such as kindergartens and nursing homes.

What Requirements Do You Need to Meet for the Social Management Course?

Formal admission requirements:

• General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur), subject-specific higher education entrance qualification, or advanced technical college entrance qualification
• Equivalent foreign university entrance qualification
• Or: State-recognised professional advancement qualification (e.g. technician, master craftsman, business administrator, specialist, educator)
• Or: Completed vocational training plus at least two years of professional experience with passing a university aptitude test or via trial study
• Foreign applicants: Proof of German language skills (e.g. DSH-2, TestDaF level 4, C1 GER)

Personal requirements:

• Willingness to organise your learning in the distance learning course (approx. 15–22 hours per week recommended)
• Interest in social issues and business management contexts
• Ability to work in a team, communication skills, and initiative
• Determination and perseverance for a multi-year course alongside work or family commitments
• Prior knowledge in the social or commercial field is helpful but not mandatory

What content does the Social Management (B.A.) distance learning course at AKAD University cover?

In the Bachelor's programme in Social Management, you acquire a broad foundation of expertise from social work, business administration and management. The curriculum includes key topics from both fields to specifically prepare you for leadership roles in the social sector. The core content includes:

• Basics of Social Work: Introduction to methods, ethics and profession of social work as well as social law, social policy and the particularities of non-profit organisations.
• Business Administration and Management: Fundamentals of business administration, cost and performance accounting, investment and financing, marketing management, personnel management and development, project management and organisation.
• Human Sciences and Psychology: Teaching of psychological and human sciences fundamentals, communication, counselling skills as well as applied psychology for executives.
• Leadership Skills and Change Management: Development of competencies in teamwork, collaboration, personnel management, change and process management as well as quality assurance.
• Specialisation Modules (Elective Area): Opportunity to specialise, e.g. in digitalisation and digital media, child, family and youth welfare, management of complex case configurations, research in social management, occupational health management, leadership in the health, care and social sector or social work in healthcare.
• Practical Relevance: In the fifth semester, you complete a practical project. Throughout the course, current challenges in the social economy are addressed.

After graduating, you will possess methodological, social and economic competencies to efficiently and sustainably manage social organisations. You will be able to make well-founded management decisions, shape change processes and responsibly lead teams in a social context.

How is the Bachelor’s degree programme in Social Management at AKAD University organised?

The programme is designed entirely as an online distance learning course and lasts between 36 and 72 months, depending on the study model. You can flexibly choose between three variants:

• Sprint Model: 36 months standard period of study
• Standard Model: 48 months standard period of study
• Stretch Model: 72 months standard period of study

You can start your studies at any time. The learning concept is based on digital study materials (scripts, e-books, teaching videos, interactive exercises) and is supported by AKAD University’s online campus. Exams can be taken flexibly as online exams (open book) or on campus. Written assignments, project work and oral exams are digitally integrated.

Per semester, you complete modules totalling 30 ECTS credits. There are no fixed on-site attendance times, except for a compulsory one-day event at the Stuttgart location. Additional optional attendance phases are offered if needed.

• Practical Phases: The programme includes an independent practical project which you document and evaluate on your own responsibility.
• Specialisations: From the fifth semester onwards, you select individual focus modules to specialise professionally.
• Completion: The programme concludes with the bachelor’s thesis and a final colloquium.

Throughout your studies, you have access to a personal subject mentor as well as the student support team. Interaction with other students is possible online via forums, virtual groups and events. The flexible structure enables you to integrate the studies optimally into your professional and private life – a free extension of the standard period of study is also provided depending on the model.

What career opportunities arise with the Bachelor’s degree in Social Management?

With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Management, you open up a variety of career paths related to the organisation, management and further development of social institutions. Typical fields of work include:

• Leadership positions in social organisations: You can take responsibility for personnel, budget, quality management and strategic orientation in social institutions (e.g., as head of a residential facility, institution manager, department head).
• Social manager in non-profit organisations, foundations and welfare associations: Planning and management of projects, fundraising, management of funding, and development of new service offerings.
• Specialist and project management: Management of teams or complex projects in child, youth and family welfare, senior citizen care, health or disability support.
• Organisation and administration: Taking on tasks in management of public or charitable providers, municipalities, but also in healthcare and educational institutions.
• Specialisation through elective modules: The chosen focus areas enable targeted career paths, e.g. in occupational health management or digitalisation of social services.

The course is equally suitable for beginners in the social or economic field as well as for professionals who want to deepen their management skills. It also opens up new access to the social sector for career changers from commercial sectors.

What costs can you expect for the Bachelor’s distance learning course in Social Management – and how can the studies be financed?

The tuition fees for the Social Management distance learning course vary depending on the chosen study model:

• Sprint Model (36 months): €369 per month (total €13,284), plus a one-time examination fee of €960
• Standard Model (48 months): €309 per month (total €14,832), plus examination fee
• Stretch Model (72 months): €219 per month (total €15,768), plus examination fee

During active discount promotions, e.g. €2,111 reduction and waiver of the examination fee, the total costs are reduced accordingly. The price includes all study materials, access to the online campus, digital exams and personal support.

• Free extension: Depending on the model, you can extend the standard period of study free of charge if needed.
• Additional costs: Optional expenses may arise from attendance workshops, travel or accommodation.

Financing options:

• The tuition fees are usually tax-deductible as business expenses or special expenses.
• Employers often support further education through subsidies.
• Regular AKAD discount promotions facilitate entry.
• The course can be tested for 4 weeks without obligation – no fees are charged during this period.

AKAD University offers flexible payment models and individual advice on financing questions. By crediting previously acquired achievements, time and costs can be further reduced.