After completing the programme, you will have an in-depth knowledge of the health system and related areas. You will be aware of the latest health and social policy debates and their impact on target groups and stakeholders. We will teach you the tools for diagnosis and methods of intervention in the case of health-related issues. Depending on your field of activity, you will apply these directly, or will stand by as a competent partner for other disciplines. All modules are derived from the most up-to-date research in social work, and encourage the same perspective from students. This will enable you to take on a ‘pilot’ function in a complex area.

In accordance with the current regulatory framework, this Master’s programme will give you access to train for a licence in child and adolescent psychotherapy, paving the way for you to undertake highly qualified freelance work. Other graduates work in the health system as experts, core staff, or managers, or they work with disabled people and in neighbouring fields. Germany’s only university qualification in evidence-based autism therapy will also mean that you will have a head start for work in therapy centres in this field. Yet another field of work that will be open to you is ‘inclusive schools’. Finally, your Master’s degree will enable you to pursue further academic qualification, possibly continuing with a doctorate.

Our degree programme will enable you to study, work and have a family life simultaneously. Most of the periods of mandatory attendance take place on Friday and Saturdays during the semester. In addition, one- to two-week block courses are held each semester. Some of the content will also be offered in the future as online modules and in correspondence units.

In the first two semesters, you will attend basic modules such as Social Work in the Health System, Physical and Mental Illnesses and Disabilities, and Methods and Tools of Diagnosis and Intervention. Building on the knowledge gained, you will then develop your skill set by choosing two specialisation modules, such as in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Promotion of Children with Development and Learning Difficulties, Social Work with Senior Citizens, Case Management and Evidence-Based Autism Therapy. In the final semester, you will have sufficient time to prepare your Master’s thesis and the final colloquium. In our ‘Studium generale’, we also offer external events and courses in which overarching aspects are addressed.

• An international perspective: Visiting lecturers from abroad are a key part of our study programme. In addition, we conduct practical and research projects with other universities.
• Evidence-based autism therapy: Our degree programme offers Germany’s only university training in this area.
• Practical relevance: We always involve partners from practice. Depending on your specialisation, work placements and field trips will be a standard aspect of the programme.
• Support: We will provide support during the study programme, e.g. in the form of advisory seminars on Master’s theses.
• Responsiveness: Legal and administrative changes, such as the forthcoming amendment of the Psychotherapy Act (PsychThG), the trend towards greater scientific rigour and evidence basing in integration assistance, and changes in guardianship law are promptly taken into account in the curriculum.
• Acceptance of external equivalent academic qualifications in the specialisation modules: If you already have external qualifications, such as courses in the IFA/DGVT curriculum for autism therapy or the DGCC certification in case management, these can be credited towards your academic achievements in your specialisation.