Bachelor's degree
Social work (dual)

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.

Facts

Students are offered the opportunity to acquire a professional qualification in social fields of action alongside their university studies. The practical components are interlinked with the studies. Upon successful completion of their studies, graduates receive state recognition as social pedagogues/social workers. "Social Management (M.A.)" and "Psychosocial Counselling (M.A.)" are offered as subsequent consecutive Master's degree programmes.

► Degree // Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
► Type of degree programme // Dual (practice-integrated)
► Standard time to degree // 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

International
► Applicants with a foreign higher education entrance qualification require German language skills at level C1 CEF.
Recognised certificates and further information

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

Special enrolment requirements
► Employment or internship contract with a cooperating institution

Procedure
1. Application for a practical placement directly with the cooperation partner
2. Degree of the practical contract with the cooperation partner
3. Application for a study place via the online portal of The Hochschule Niederrhein (with a valid cooperation practice contract, the allocation of the study place is secured)

Please note that only the listed cooperation partners are permitted as practice partners and that no other practice partners can currently be accepted. Please also note that the co-operation partners may impose admission requirements. Please enquire at the respective institution.
The pre-study internship, which is required for full-time studies, is not required.

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 period
Winter semester 01 May - 15 September
This deadline also applies to applicants from non-EU countries. An application via uni-assist is not required!

Allocation procedure
admission-free / without nc

Admission to studies
winter semester only

Start of lectures
mid-September

Information on the start of studies

Information here

► Examination regulations
► Dual examination regulations
► DUAL module manual

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