Profile
The consecutive Master's degree program in Social Work has a generalist focus and opens up access to all fields of social work. The program is aimed at graduates of social work and related degree programs with relevant practical experience who wish to deepen and further develop their analytical and methodological knowledge.
Social work in the context of societal changes and social challenges as well as their significance for professional practice are the focus of the Master's degree program. Areas of tension and contradictions in social work and the welfare state framework are also addressed. The aim is to strengthen analytical and reflective skills as well as the ability to make a committed and sustainable contribution to the further development of professional practice.
The central element of the course is an intensively supervised teaching research project that extends over two semesters. This enables the combination of theory and practice and expands the qualification profile with regard to independent academic work. Supplementary modules offer space for well-founded critical and reflective discussions of social work as a social institution and the socio-political conditions in which it is embedded. The resulting implications of professionalization theory, subject-oriented perspectives and corresponding theories and concepts of agency are also addressed.
Education takes place predominantly in small groups and is characterized by intensive teaching-learning cooperation. The degree programs are characterized by discursive openness and constructive cooperation between students and lecturers. The Research College Pro.Sozial at the Department offers an interface for students interested in a doctorate and opens up attractive prospects for further academic qualification. For special teaching formats, there is also the Social Innovation Lab in the heart of Ludwigshafen's pedestrian zone.
Overall, the study structure offers various options for a flexible course of study. Although it is designed as a full-time, on-campus course, it can be adapted to individual life situations - for example with regard to paid work and care work. The student advisory service will be happy to help you create your individual study plan.
Contents & Procedure
Content and structure
The degree programs has a modular structure and comprises seven compulsory modules:
Module 1: Science and theory formation in social work
Module 2: Research in social work
Module 3: Subject-oriented perspectives and social work
Module 4: Social work - criticism and practice
Module 5: Social and institutional aspects in social work
Module 6: Reflection, transfer and presentations of scientific results
Module 7: Master's thesis
Upon successful completion of the degree program, graduates are awarded the academic degree "Master of Arts (M.A.)".
Qualifications
The degree programs strengthens and combines practical and research skills as well as project development and implementation skills. Advanced analysis and transfer skills qualify students for work in institutions and associations of social work and non-profit organizations or social administration as well as in universities and in the business sector. Graduates work there, for example, as specialist consultants or research assistants or occupy management positions in public administration (higher service). Degrees from the Master's degree program also open up the possibility of a doctorate.
Application & Admission
The "Apply" button will take you to a brief guide on how to register and apply.
If you are not sure which documents you need to upload to the portal, you will find an overview here:
General application forms:
Important for all those who have not yet completed their Bachelor's degree:
You must complete your Bachelor's degree within one semester of enrolling on the Master's degree program. Proof of this must be provided in the form of suitable documents (overview of successfully completed and outstanding credits) by the end of the application deadline.
- The amount of outstanding work must not exceed 30 credit points.
- Proof must be provided at the time of application that they have already registered the final thesis for the undergraduate degree programs.
Admisson requirements
The consecutive Master's degree program in Social Work requires a 210 ECTS first professionally qualifying university degree (Bachelor's degree; Diplom) in a degree program in Social Work or a related degree program. Related degree programs can be, for example, degree programs in social pedagogy or educational science.
Applicants with such a degree with less than 210 ECTS can be admitted to the degree program if missing competencies can be compensated by academic or non-academic achievements at Bachelor's level. At the same time, it must be ensured that applicants have 300 ECTS credits upon graduation from the Master's degree program.
Missing competencies can be compensated for by academic or non-academic achievements amounting to a maximum of 30 ECTS. Proof can be provided by
passed modules from the Bachelor's degree program in Social Work at HWG, provided they were not already part of the content of the first university degree or
a qualified work certificate for at least one year of uninterrupted full-time professional practice in the field of social work after obtaining the first university degree as well as a detailed typewritten letter* accompanying the qualified work certificate submitted by the applicant; (in the case of part-time employment, the required duration of professional activity is extended according to the scope of employment) or
a successfully completed further training course of at least 900 hours in the field of social work after obtaining the first university degree, e.g. proof of state recognition as a social pedagogue/social worker, which was obtained outside the Bachelor's degree program or proof of completed further training (at least at B.A. level) or
Combinations of 1., 2. and 3.
*Information on the cover letter:
- The cover letter should firstly present the additional qualifications, knowledge and skills acquired in the professional field at Bachelor's level as clearly and comprehensibly as possible.
- Secondly, it should document that the applicant is able to reflexively evaluate the above-mentioned experience in a professional context and classify it from a social science perspective.
- It should comprise approx. 6000 characters and, if required for admission, must be submitted to the university together with the other required application documents.
The application procedures for the Master's degree program in Social Work (M.A.) were administratively simplified in the summer semester 2020. By lifting the admission restriction, it is possible for applicants who meet the admisson requirements and submit all application documents in full and on time to be enrolled directly onto the degree programs.
We look forward to seeing you!
The team at the Student Service Center (SSC) will support you with all questions relating to application and admission.
Whether you need help with the application process or are unsure which documents are required - you will receive competent support here.
By phone and email (all day)
Email: ssc-bewerbung@ 8< SPAM protection, please remove >8 hwg-lu.de
Phone: +49 621 5203-0
On-site appointments
Mon and Tue: 09:30 - 12:00
Thu: 09:30 - 12:00 and 14:00 - 16:30
Wed and Fri: closed
If you have any questions about the content or focus of a particular degree program, the respective program manager of your desired degree program will be happy to help you. You can find them in the contacts below.
