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The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Social Work under the number 1120221. Who is the Master’s Distance Learning Programme in Social Work Suitable For?
The Master’s degree programme in Social Work is aimed at graduates with a first degree in Social Work, Social Pedagogy, or comparable subjects. You are the right target group if you want to expand your academic and practical skills, take on leadership responsibilities in social organisations, or specialise specifically in topics such as counselling, social management, or adult education. Working professionals in social occupations particularly benefit from this programme if they want to further qualify themselves and prepare for current challenges such as digitalisation, diversity, and international perspectives.
What Formal Requirements Must You Meet?
To qualify for the Master’s programme, you need:
- A completed university degree in Social Work, Social Pedagogy, or an equivalent qualification (e.g. state-recognised early childhood educators, special needs educators) with at least 180 ECTS credits.
For the optional application for State Recognition as a Social Worker, the following are additionally required:
- Completed Bachelor’s degree in Social Work
- A successfully completed module on the supervised practical study phase or professional identity
- Successful Master’s degree in Social Work
- An extended police clearance certificate (no older than 3 months, according to § 72a SGB VIII)
Personally, you should have strong social and communication skills, the ability to reflect, and resilience. Experience in the social sector, an interest in academic work, and a willingness for self-organised, interdisciplinary learning are advantageous. Since the programme is aimed at working professionals, self-responsible time management and motivation for self-development are crucial.
Which topics and skills does the Master's degree in Social Work cover?
In the distance learning Social Work (M.A.) programme at SRH Fernhochschule, you acquire a broad, scientifically based understanding of the challenges and developments in the social sector. The curriculum covers key focus areas such as empirical social research, human rights in social work, digitalisation and internationalisation, as well as leadership and management in social institutions. Due to the breadth of content, you systematically develop your skills in diversity management, anti-discrimination work and concept development for social projects.
A particular highlight is the individual specialisation: During the course of your studies, you select two specialisations from these six options:
- Preventive social work
- Transitions and coping strategies – coping strategies and co-productive design
- Case analysis, case work and expert reports
- Counselling, coaching and resilience promotion
- Social management
- Adult education
Each specialisation comprises two modules that link practical and theoretical focuses. Later in the course, you have the opportunity to take further elective modules according to your interests – including more than 20 different subject areas. In addition, special certificates such as “Specialist in expert opinions”, “Specialist in adult education” or “Specialist in management in social institutions” can be obtained after module selection and completion.
The key skills acquired include:
- Analysis and management of complex social processes
- Conceptualisation, management and evaluation of social projects
- Professional and methodological leadership competence in the social sector
- Knowledge of applied scientific research and data analysis
- Development of modern social work oriented towards societal changes
How is the course of study and organisation of the Distance Learning Social Work (M.A.) structured?
The Master's degree is designed for a standard period of study of 4 semesters (equivalent to 24 months) with a workload of a total of 120 ECTS. You start flexibly at the beginning of any month. The study model is fully tailored to distance learning. You work through the study content independently online and can adapt the individual learning pace to your professional and private situation. You should plan about 29 hours of study time per week.
The modular structure provides thematic blocks each semester:
- 1st semester: Empirical social research, human rights discourse, international perspectives, digitalisation in social work, leadership and management
- 2nd semester: Data analysis, two chosen specialisations (two modules each)
- 3rd semester: Concept development, evaluation and impact orientation, three individual elective modules from over 20 offerings
- 4th semester: Final thesis (Master's thesis, 30 ECTS)
The clear semester structure guarantees focused thematic engagement. Exams are taken online or at study centres. For working professionals, free extensions of up to 24 months are available. Students without previous State Recognition as social workers can obtain this additionally within the distance learning programme.
In which areas do career opportunities open up after successfully completing the Master's degree?
Graduates of the Master's degree qualify specifically for leadership and managerial positions in social work. You can work in various fields of action, including:
- Management of social institutions (e.g. youth, disability, addiction or family support)
- Professional advice and multiprofessional case management
- Project management and development in social organisations
- Specialist and leadership careers in social management or adult education
- Preparation of expert reports and scientific activity
With the integrated option for “State Recognition”, you can take on all specialist and leadership roles of social workers nationwide. Furthermore, the programme offers options for specialisation, for example as a specialist in counselling offenders or for the accompaniment of transition processes. Due to the accredited qualifications, a later change to academic teaching or research is also possible. Under certain conditions, you can begin training in child and adolescent psychotherapy after this Master's degree (for Bachelor's students starting their studies before 01.09.2020).
How are the tuition fees composed and what financing options do you have?
The tuition fees depend on the chosen payment model:
- Flex 1: 24 months x €587.33 per month = €14,095.92 total (including €1,000 bonus already applied)
- Flex 2: 36 months x €421.22 per month = €15,163.92 total
In both models, a free extension of the study period by up to 24 months is possible. All online learning materials and examination fees are included. Some first-time students receive a Ready-Bonus of €1,000. The study costs can be claimed for tax purposes. Additionally, various funding and financing aids through education loans or possible employer subsidies are available.
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