Practical presentation
Faculty of Applied Social Sciences

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In the Bachelor's degree programmes in Social Work, Early Childhood Education and Cultural Education, students complete a practical phase integrated into their studies. The aim of this phase is to familiarise students with professional practice under supervision, to take on initial tasks independently and to develop a reflective approach to everyday experiences.

The internship semester is legally anchored in the Social Professions Recognition Act (SobAG), which ensures state recognition of the practical professional skills learnt. This recognition is necessary to ensure that graduates have the legal and professional qualifications to work in sensitive areas such as protecting children, supporting people in difficult situations and working with state authorities. Without state recognition, employment in many areas of social work is not possible.

Institutions that accept students must fulfil the following requirements:

• Deployment only in a relevant field of work in the profession.
• Written training or internship contract required.
• Preparation of apprenticeship and target agreements that are approved by the practice department .
• Professional guidance must be provided by the student's own profession.
• Supervisor: at least 2 years of professional experience, at least 50% of a full-time position.
• Regular reflection meetings.
• Desirable: Preparation of a qualified internship assessment by the supervisor.
• Re-registration to the university if the training objective is jeopardised.
• Co-operation with the university, including reflection and evaluation.
• Release of students for compulsory accompanying events at the university.
• Learning under supervision and independent testing must be guaranteed (max. 50% of the training time for independent work).

The practical phase is a learning phase and not a full-time job. Students learn about the conceptual, methodological, legal and organisational framework of the institution. In consultation with the internship centre, they are integrated into the day-to-day work processes. They may also be assigned tasks or projects that go beyond the regular programme.

The apprenticeship and target agreements are a central element of the internship semester - and much more than just a formal step. They serve as binding proof for the state recognition anchored in the Social Professions Recognition Act (SobAG). Your practical phase can only be recognised as part of your professional qualification if these agreements clearly document the specific tasks students take on and the professional and personal skills they acquire.

The agreements create transparency and clarity: at the beginning of the practical phase, you define together with the students what is to be developed and what is to be learnt. In this way, they form the foundation for a targeted, high-quality apprenticeship in the field of Early Childhood Education.

Definitions of the practical phase:

• Concrete work tasks: What tasks will the student undertake?
• Goals and competences: What goals and competences should be achieved during the practical phase?
• For the superv isor: Guidelines for joint reflection and the visit to the institution by the supervising lecturer.
• For the practice centre: A basis for discussion for interim and final reflections. If required, a basic framework for a qualified certificate.

What should the apprenticeship and target agreements include?

• Discussion of the concept of the institution,
• Observation and learning of methods,
• Knowledge of the institution's legal foundation courses,
• Knowledge of the organisational structures of the institution,
• familiarisation with the administrative tasks involved,
• Participation in everyday practice,
• Project development and realisation,
• Reflection on one's own pedagogical behaviour,
• Developing a professional attitude,
• Participation in team meetings / teamwork,
• Specific naming of the competences learnt

The practice centre concludes a contract with the students for the practical phase, in which the training content and objectives are set out. The university provides a template for the internship contract for each degree programme. If the institution has its own contracts, the following points must be specified in the internship contract:

• Complete data of the student(s)
• Name and address of the institution and the responsible department/work area
• Start and end date of the internship as well as weekly working hours
• Surname and qualification of the internship supervisor

For reasons of study law, the Examinations Board of the Faculty of Applied Social Sciences must review the internship centre, the internship contract and the training and target agreement. Approval will then be sent to the intern.

The practical phase in the Social Work degree programme enables students to gain a realistic insight into everyday working life and the various organisational forms of social services. This learning phase is not a full-time professional activity, but serves to allow students to experience and try out their role in the professional field.

Students are actively involved in the daily processes of the internship centre and can independently carry out projects outside of the regular work processes with the support of their internship supervisor. The specialisation is on working with clients, whereby knowledge of financial and institutional framework conditions should also be imparted.

During the practical phase, supervision is provided by a qualified practical supervisor. This person should have a degree (Bachelor's, Master's or Diploma) in social work or social pedagogy and at least two years of professional experience, ideally in the relevant field of work.

The practical phase comprises a total of 690 hours spread over at least 22 weeks, with a weekly working time of approx. 33 hours on four working days. During the lecture period, accompanying events take place on Wednesdays. The collectively agreed weekly working hours may not be exceeded during working hours, for example at weekends.

An internship contract with the internship centre is mandatory. In addition, an apprenticeship and target agreement is concluded between the placement centre and the student.

The practical phase of the Cultural Education degree programme offers students the opportunity to get to know everyday working life in cultural education and socio-cultural institutions. This practical part is a learning phase in which students can experience and try out their role in the professional field. It is important that the work has a clear specialisation in cultural education; purely socio-educational tasks are not permitted.

Students are actively involved in the day-to-day running of the internship centre and have the opportunity to carry out projects independently, supported by their practice supervisor. The specialisation is on working with clients, whereby knowledge of financial and institutional framework conditions is also imparted.

During the practical phase, students are supervised by a qualified practical mentor. This person should have a degree (Bachelor's, Master's or Diplom) in social pedagogy, cultural studies or a related subject and at least two years of professional experience, ideally in the relevant field of work.

The practical phase comprises a total of 576 hours, which must be completed over at least 18 weeks, with a weekly working time of around 32 hours spread over four working days. During the lecture period, accompanying courses (4 SWS) take place on Thursdays at the university. Working hours, for example at weekends, may not exceed the collectively agreed weekly working hours.

An internship contract with the internship centre is required. In addition, an apprenticeship and target agreement is concluded between the placement centre and the student.

The practical phase in the Early Childhood Education degree programme offers students the opportunity to gain a realistic insight into everyday working life and to understand the organisational forms of social services and their importance for supporting children. This practical study phase is a learning phase and not a full-time job, which is why students can experience and test their role in the professional field in their work. The practical phase must take place in an organisation that cares for children aged 0 to 6 years inclusive.

The students are integrated into the daily processes of the internship centre. In addition, they must carry out independent projects or programmes outside of the regular work processes with the support of their internship supervisor. The specialisation focuses on working with clients and includes knowledge of financial and institutional framework conditions.

During the practical phase, students are supervised by a qualified practice supervisor. This person should have a degree (Bachelor's, Master's or Diploma) in Early Childhood Education, Social Pedagogy or an apprenticeship as a state-recognised educator and have at least two years of professional experience, ideally in the relevant field of work.

The practical phase comprises a total of 480 hours, which are completed over at least 18 weeks, with a weekly working time of 24 hours spread over three working days. During the lecture period, accompanying events take place at the university on Mondays and Tuesdays. The collectively agreed weekly working hours may not be exceeded during working hours, for example at weekends.

An internship contract must be concluded with the internship centre. In addition, an apprenticeship and target agreement is concluded between the placement centre and the student.