What is it about?
Social changes have a direct impact on the fields of action of social work for and with young people. Changes in the world of work, unemployment, poverty, disintegrating socialization milieus, pluralized life situations, individualized lifestyles and migration pose new challenges for social work. This is where the course comes in and opens up new career opportunities for social work at Master's level.
Profile of the study program
Social Work: Youth in Theory and Practice deals with questions such as
- What current changes, problems and challenges characterize the youth phase of life?
- How do social inequalities affect development processes, life chances and gender identities?
- What answers can social work, in particular child and youth welfare, find to these changes, challenges and problems?
The Master's study program Social Work: Youth in Theory and Practice offers an in-depth and specialized education with a focus on youth and paves the way for qualified professional and management activities in a diverse job market.
Research-oriented part-time study program with own project
The part-time study program teaches the content of four semesters over a period of six semesters. Courses take place on a fixed study day, always on Mondays. Courses may also be held on one other day of the week. During the lecture period, there are a maximum of two to three block courses at weekends. As a rule, part-time study requires so much time and attention that it is not compatible with a full-time job.
In the research and practice-oriented course, you will focus on the following areas: Social work science content, developmental psychology and youth welfare-specific content, management concepts, impact orientation and methods as well as practical research and projects.
In the first two semesters, you will deepen your knowledge of the living environments of children and young people. You will deal with diversity and intersectionality. You will deal with legal and youth criminology issues, clinical disorders in childhood and adolescence and health promotion. The third semester focuses on management and organizational issues.
In the fourth and fifth semesters, you will devote yourself to your own project, which can already serve as preparation for the Master's thesis.
Finally, you will write your own Master's thesis, which will also be the subject of a colloquium.
Master of Arts
After successfully completing the course, you will be awarded a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree, which can lead to a career in child and youth welfare or a doctorate, for example.
Specializations in the study program
Social Work: Youth in Theory and Practice offers specializations in the following areas:
- Social work content
- Developmental psychology and youth welfare-specific content
- Concepts and methods
- Practical research and projects
Course of study
This is a thematic overview of the course content. Detailed information on the exact names of the courses, information on ECTS or semester hours per week can be found in the appendix to the Master's examination regulations or in the module handbook.
| 1st semester | Lifeworlds of children and adolescents | Diversity and intersectionality | Children and youth in law |
| 2nd semester | Health and development | Child and youth welfare | |
| 3rd semester | Management and Organization | Research methods | |
| 4th semester | Practical research | ||
| 5th semester | Practical research | Accompanying seminar | |
| 6th semester | Thesis & colloquium |
Why study at Fachhochschule Dortmund?
What makes Fachhochschule Dortmund special? What should you know about the city and the region? How is Fachhochschule Dortmund positioned in terms of internationality and what advice and support do we offer you? Find out more about Fachhochschule Dortmund.
Who is it for?
Desirable subject-specific and interdisciplinary knowledge
If you enjoy working with young people, like to think analytically, carry out practical research and work in a team, you will find an exciting course of study here. The study program may suit you if you are willing to
reconcile professional requirements and part-time studies.
Initial professional experience in social work can make it easier for you to start your studies. Certain personal skills such as social and communication skills as well as self-competence and methodological skills are also an advantage.
Prospects after graduation
Career prospects
Those who have a degree in this study program often work
- in child and youth welfare,
- in socio-educational family support,
- in youth residential communities,
- in migration and integration or
- in juvenile court assistance
- in probation services
- in drug counseling
- in adventure and leisure education
- in inpatient and semi-stationary educational support
- in educational counseling and guardianship
- in socio-educational family support/family counseling/family work
- in youth counseling, vocational assistance, court assistance, assistance planning, international youth work, school social work, child and youth psychiatry, youth leisure center work, youth cultural work, youth policy advocacy and youth politics.
Cooperative doctorate
The Master's degree is the basis for a doctorate. Graduates who wish to gain further academic qualifications have the opportunity to study for a doctorate at a university. This is possible via a cooperative doctorate, in which the university of applied sciences is a cooperation partner of a university.
What do I need?
1. required degree
The prerequisite for admission to the Master's degree program is the completion of a Diplom or Bachelor's degree program in social work or a related study program at a university of applied sciences or a university or the completion of a corresponding accredited Bachelor's degree program at a university of cooperative education with an overall grade of at least "good" (2.5).
2. apply now!
The study program starts each year in the winter semester and admission is restricted, so there is a numerus clausus (NC). This means that Fachhochschule Dortmund allocates places according to the grade of the examination certificate for the first professionally qualifying degree. A limited number of 25 study places are available each year.
Who can help me?
We will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the study program and Fachhochschule Dortmund.
Central Student Advisory Services (ZSB)
Student advisory service
Admissions Office for Student Affairs
Registration office team
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