Admission requirements

For enrolment, you need an officially certified copy of your degree certificate for a completed course of study with a standard period of study of at least six semesters at a university within the scope of the Framework Act for Higher Education, with a good final grade (overall grade or grade of the thesis 2.5 or better)

• in bachelor’s degree programmes where sociology is the main subject or a central subsidiary subject,
• in magister or diploma degree programmes where sociology is a main or minor subject.

You may also be admitted with a university degree in other bachelor’s, magister or diploma degree programmes (overall grade or grade of the thesis 2.5 or better) on the condition that you submit evidence of academic achievements or examination credits in sociology amounting to four semester hours per week each in the following three areas:
1. basic sociological concepts and sociological thinking,
2. theories and history of sociological theory,
3. quantitative and qualitative methods of empirical social research
.

Details

The consecutive Master's degree programme "Sociology – Approaches to Contemporary Society" is offered at the Faculty of Cultural and Social Sciences of the FernUniversität in Hagen. In this part-time programme, participants can obtain the Master of Arts degree within four semesters. The curriculum emphasises qualitative approaches and modern practice theories of sociology. It includes topics such as the flexibilisation and globalisation of the economy, social movements, forms of protest, and gender politics.

The target group for this degree programme are graduates of the Bachelor's programme "Political Science, Administrative Science, Sociology" at the FernUniversität or similar degree programmes with at least 60 credit points in sociological subject areas. Furthermore, the course is aimed at professionals working in journalism, health and social services, as well as at teachers and managers who wish to engage in analytical reflection of their professional fields. The degree programme has a very heterogeneous student body, of whom 80% are employed.

The programme aims to enable graduates to conduct professional sociological research and theoretical work, as well as to perform analytical, advisory and managerial tasks in politics, business, culture, civil society, continuing education, and administration. Students acquire qualifications at Master’s level in accordance with the "Qualifications Framework for German Higher Education Qualifications". The teaching content includes subject-specific, interdisciplinary and key competencies, with a focus on qualitative methods.

The accreditation of the Master’s degree programme "Sociology – Approaches to Contemporary Society" by the Accreditation Council is valid until 30 September 2029. The reviewers praise the attractive study offer with a high level of student identification, the commitment of the teaching staff, as well as the comprehensive provision of professional and self-competencies. The blended learning concept of the FernUniversität in Hagen enables flexible part-time or employment-accompanying studies, with measures such as face-to-face or online seminars contributing to interaction between students and lecturers. The implementation of inclusivity aspects is rated as exemplary.