Bachelor
Social work

The foundation of scientific knowledge and ways of thinking required for social work is laid in numerous specialised disciplines:

• psychology
• social medicine
• pedagogy
• Difference-sensitive education and inclusion
• Media education
• Sociology
• Politics / Social Policy
• Philosophy / Ethics
• law
• Administration / Organisation
• Business administration / management / IT

The complex problem structures of social work require holistic and interdisciplinary thinking that goes beyond pure factual knowledge. For this reason, social problem areas are approached from the perspective of different scientific approaches to thought and action.

During the studies, the conditions of human developments, undesirable developments and conflicts are presented. The social interdependence in the emergence of social emergencies is shown. The pedagogical guiding principles and the legal and socio-economic framework conditions for helping interventions are developed. In order to analyse and resolve the tension between theory and practice, several theory-practice courses are compulsory in the Faculty of Applied Social Sciences.

• The "project course"
  A full-time lecturer and a contract lecturer from professional practice introduce students to a specific field of action in social work. They address the theory-practice problems in a challenging process of reflection. Students are given a task to complete in the respective field of practice.

• The "university-accompanied practical phase"
  In the fourth semester, students spend four days a week in a practical placement and are accompanied by courses in the faculties one day a week.

Professionalism in social work requires continuous reflection on the goals, values and consequences of professional behaviour. Three areas are analysed in this context:

• History of social work
  as an orientation framework for understanding social and political conditions
• Ethical reflection
  in order to work out and discuss the basic normative assumptions that are often tacitly assumed in the practice of social work
• Identity and professionalism of social work
  in order to develop points of reference for the development of a professional self-image and for the justification of appropriate professional action

Social competence & personal development

• Study skills
• Personnel and social key competencies (communication skills, conflict resolution skills, self-confidence and self-assurance, self-reflection skills, etc.)

Science-based competences

• Conditional, explanatory and analytical skills from the subjects of psychology, education and difference-sensitive education, sociology, philosophy/ethics, politics/social policy, medicine, law, business administration, management/administration/organisation and their application in social work

Professional competences

• Psychosocial application skills (communication, support, counselling, intervention, conflict resolution, empowerment)
• Economic and management skills in social fields of activity (planning, organising, controlling, economics, financing)

Empirical (research) skills

• Survey, analysis and evaluation skills (identifying, analysing and evaluating problems and situations based on specific questions)

Successful graduates of the Faculty of Applied Social Sciences are offered favourable career prospects with social work providers. The spectrum ranges from pre-school to geriatric work, from social administration to social therapy, from drug work to adult education.

• At the beginning of the studies, there are seminars for an introduction to the professional self-image, learning techniques for independent work and basic subjects.
  
• The middle study section is characterised by courses that combine theory and practice and a university-accompanied practical phase (formerly "internship semester").
  
• The final part of the course focuses on acquiring methodological and organisational knowledge and skills.
  
• In the part-time degree programme , the sections are spread over 10 semesters, in the dual degree programme over 8 semesters.

• 1st semester
  // Introductions to studies and subject area
  // Psychology and social medicine
  // Education, training, sensitivity to differences
  // Communication, counselling, support I
  
• 2nd semester
  // Media education
  // Communication, counselling, guidance II
  // Sociology
  // Politics
  // Legal foundation courses
  // Theory-practice project - part 1
  
• 3rd semester
  // History, theory of social work
  // Ethics and philosophy
  // Social policy and social administration
  // Empirical social research
  // Family, youth welfare and social law
  // Communication, counselling, support III
  // Theory-practice project - part 2
  
• 4th semester
  // University-accompanied practical phase
  // Self- and external experience
  
• 5th semester
  // Practice research
  // Legal advanced courses
  // Management, business administration
  // Concepts of action in social work
  // Methodological advanced courses
  // Social advanced courses
  
• 6th semester
  // Concepts of action in social work
  // Methodological advanced courses
  // Social advanced courses
  // Thesis
  
• Please refer to the module manual and the examination regulations for the exact distribution of the modules over the 10 semesters of the part-time degree programme and the 8 semesters of the dual degree programme.

Facts
► Degree // Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
► Type of degree programme // Full-time (or part-time or dual)
► Standard time to degree (in semesters) // 6 semesters (or part-time: 10 semesters or dual: 8 semesters)
► Scope of study // 180 ECTS
► Place of study // Mönchengladbach campus
► Costs per semester // approx. €360.00 incl. NRW Ticket (as of 04/24)
► Language of instruction // German

Admission requirements
► Entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences (school and practical part)
► General higher education qualification (Abitur)
► Higher education entrance qualification acquired abroad
► Other previous education recognised as equivalent

International
Applicants with a foreign higher education entrance qualification require German language skills at level C1 CEF.

Recognised certificates and further information

Central Student AdviceCentre (ZSB)
The Central Student Advice Centre is the general advice centre and source of information for prospective students at The Hochschule Niederrhein. Here you will receive personal advice on deciding which degree programme might be right for you, as well as on organisational questions regarding admission requirements, the application process or similar issues

Link
► Central Student Advice Centre (ZSB)

Personal counselling from the ZSB in Mönchengladbach
Richard-Wagner-Str. 97
41065 Mönchengladbach
Room ZE 39
Phone: +49 (0)2161 186-2712
studienberatung@hs-niederrhein.de

Appointments for a personal consultation in Mönchengladbach
Mon 9 - 12 and 13 - 18
Thu 9 - 12 and 13 - 15
and by appointment

Application deadlines
1 May to 15 July each year

Application
The application for a study place is made via the university's central student service.

Link
► Central Student Service

Commencement of studies
Usually: end of September each year

Timetable for winter semester 2023/24

Induction week for first-year students
25 to 29 Sept. 2023

Block course for first-year students
02 to 06 Oct. 2023

Campus week
09 to 13 Oct. 2023

Start of regular courses
16 Oct. 2023

►Examination regulations
► Module manual
► Module manual DUAL

► Central Student Advice Centre (ZSB)
Central Student Services (application, registration, etc.)