For many years, the Bachelor's degree program in Social Work at the Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society (HWG LU) has been one of the most sought-after degree programs in Ludwigshafen. Now, at the request of many cooperation partners and with the support of the Ministry of Science and Health (MWG) RLP, the dual, practice-integrated variant will start in the winter semester 2026/2027 in addition to the regular Bachelor's degree course in Social Work (B.A.).
The dual Bachelor's degree course in Social Work was presented to the public on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, in the presence of the Rhineland-Palatinate Minister of Science Clemens Hoch, the Mayor of Ludwigshafen Prof. Dr. Klaus Blettner and numerous practice partners.
"The introduction of dual degree programs in social work is a central contribution to securing skilled workers in the social professions. We are therefore very grateful to HWG LU for establishing this degree program. The close integration of theory with continuous practical work ensures a successful link between higher education and practical work experience. What has been learned can be deepened and applied directly in the workplace. The state government is supporting the introduction of the degree programs financially with 172,000 euros," says Science Minister Clemens Hoch. In this way, urgently needed highly qualified specialists can be trained for the region. In Rhineland-Palatinate, degree programs in "Social Work" are offered at HWG Ludwigshafen and Koblenz University of Applied Sciences. Demand at both locations is very high. The dual Bachelor's degree course in "Social Work" at the HWG LU would now expand the range of courses on offer.
"The study of social work with its critical and reflective orientation has a tradition of over 75 years in Ludwigshafen and the Bachelor's degree program in Social Work is currently one of the most sought-after degree programs at the HWG LU," explains Vice Dean and future head of the dual degree program, Prof. Dr. Lena Loge, and adds: "The dual degree program is necessary and sensible for several reasons. It meets the changing lifestyles of students, in which gainful employment is often a necessity. The dual study program combines financial security with a high-quality combination of study and practical work. And for the practice partners and for us, this creates a common place at the interface between theory and practice. We are very excited about this." She is therefore delighted that the dual degree programs are now actually starting in the winter semester.
The dual Bachelor's degree course in Social Work enables students to obtain a state degree as a social worker/social pedagogue (Bachelor of Arts) in seven semesters and combines the two learning locations of university and practice in a special way: Throughout their studies, students work in a practice placement in the so-called "weekly model", i.e. from Monday to Wednesday they study at the university, and on Thursdays and Fridays they do practical work. During the lecture-free period, practical work is more flexible. The practical work is remunerated with at least €1,250 per month for the entire duration of the dual study program. There are no tuition fees, only the semester fee of currently around € 160 per semester.
In addition to the weekly practical assignments, an external internship is planned in the third semester to provide an insight into another field of social work. In the fourth semester, students also complete a pure internship semester in which they work full-time at their regular place of work.
The dual degree programs in Social Work are aimed at prospective students who want to deal with social issues and social problems and closely combine theory and practice. Among other things, the course addresses social inequality and exclusion and how society deals with them; students reflect on how people in difficult life situations can be supported in a self-determined way through social work.
Prospective students with an Abitur or Fachhochschulreife as well as a completed vocational training (average grade of at least 2.5) or a completed professional qualification (master craftsman's examination or comparable examination) can apply. The application period will begin in February and is based on the advertisements of the cooperating practice partners, to whom prospective students apply directly. After acceptance by the practice partner, enrolment at the university takes place. The course always starts in the winter semester, in September.
The practice partners currently include Diakonie Mainz, Förderverein für die Nachsorge und Rehabilitation psychisch Kranker Frankenthal, Landesverband der Paritätischen Rhineland-Palatinate, Landkreis Bad Dürkheim, Sozialpsychiatrische Dienst Rhein-Pfalz-Kreis, Stadt Ludwigshafen (Dezernat für Kultur, Schule, Jugend und Familie), Stadt Worms einschließlich dem Kinder- und Jugendbüro, Therapieverbund Ludwigsmühle Landau sowie die Ökumenische Fördergemeinschaft Ludwigshafen.
Prospective students and students are supported by a practice coordinator, Maximilian Schütz, with all questions about the course, the start of the course and the interface between the university and practice partners.
Further information can be found at: www.hwg-lu.de/studium/bachelor/soziale-arbeit-dual-ba
Contact:
Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society
Department of Social and Health Care
Professor Dr. Lena Loge
Professorship of Social Work and Diversity
Tel. 0152 0295 0857
lena.loge@hwg-lu.de
Maximilian Schütz
Practice Coordination Social Work Dual
Tel. 0621/5203-164
maximilian.schuetz@ 8< SPAM protection, please remove >8 hwg-lu.de
