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The Central State Office for Distance Learning (ZFU) has approved the course Vocational Education for Nursing and Social Professions under the number 1130521c. Who benefits from the Bachelor in Vocational Education for Nursing and Social Professions?
The degree programme is aimed at professionals from nursing and social professions who wish to expand their practical experience with pedagogical skills. Typical target groups are health and nursing professionals, elderly care nurses, childcare workers, curative education nurses as well as educators. The distance learning course is particularly suitable for practitioners who want to qualify for teaching, training or coordination tasks at vocational schools, in practical guidance or in company-based further training. It is also an entry option for those interested in later specialising through a subsequent master’s degree.
What formal criteria do you have to meet for admission?
In order to be admitted to the Bachelor in Vocational Education for Nursing and Social Professions, you need:
- a general higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification
alternatively: advanced technical college entrance qualification, a master craftsman’s certificate, a comparable advanced training qualification or an equivalent higher education entrance qualification according to § 33 of the Bremen Higher Education Act - a completed, usually three-year vocational training in a state-recognised health or social profession (e.g. elderly care, nursing, childcare, curative education, education)
or a corresponding primary qualifying degree
Proof of relevant vocational training is mandatory and must be provided upon enrolment. A directly matching bachelor’s degree also entitles you to admission.
You should have an interest in pedagogical and didactic topics as well as enjoyment in actively supporting learning processes and conveying knowledge in an understandable way. Reflective ability, empathy and communication skills are just as important when dealing with trainees and teams as the willingness to systematically pass on your own practical experience. For distance learning, you need self-organisation, motivation for independent work and basic digital skills as many learning contents are delivered in a multimedia and online format. Teamwork skills and willingness to participate in face-to-face and online seminars support the learning success.
What content can you expect in the Bachelor's degree in Vocational Education for Nursing and Social Professions?
In the Bachelor's degree programme in Vocational Education for Nursing and Social Professions at APOLLON University, you will acquire practice-oriented pedagogical knowledge and specialised skills for teaching, counselling and support tasks in training and further education. The programme provides you with fundamentals in pedagogy and didactics, psychological and communication skills as well as a strong practical focus through two integrated practical phases.
- Pedagogical and didactic fundamentals: sound knowledge in teaching and learning, academic working methods, competence-oriented teaching
- Psychology, sociology and public health: insight into individual and societal influencing factors on learning and educational processes
- Methodical-practical skills: communication, conflict management, presentation and visualisation techniques
- Field-specific and vocational education-related content: differentiation between the specialisations Nursing and Social Work, including current vocational policy developments and legal frameworks
- Professional practice: completion of two practical phases including teaching demonstrations, project work and practical guidance
- Advanced knowledge: choice of either Nursing specialisation (e.g. nursing ethics, nursing science, nursing didactics, gerontology, case management, palliative care) or Social Work specialisation (e.g. social work science, ethics in social work, social work methods, child, youth and family support, social law, social work in schools)
- Final thesis: independent handling of a vocational or workplace pedagogical issue in the Bachelor thesis
You will learn to design professional learning processes, support trainees and teams, provide professional advice and present content clearly in lessons. By choosing a professional specialisation, you can tailor the degree specifically to your field of activity.
How is the course structure of the Vocational Education distance learning programme organised?
The programme is designed as a part-time distance learning course with a standard period of study of 36 months (full-time) or 48 months (part-time). Flexible enrolment is possible at any time. The content is predominantly provided digitally via the APOLLON Online Campus: e-books, study booklets, web-based trainings, learning videos and audio-based materials are available.
- Dispatch of study materials: every three months in the full-time model, every four months in the part-time model
- 16 mandatory face-to-face or online seminars: practical sessions and exchange with lecturers, optionally at the Bremen campus or online
- Practical components: two practical phases during the course – including observation and teaching demonstration elements
- Individual learning pace: flexibility in completing modules, free extension of the study period by up to 50% possible
- Examinations: varied exam formats such as written exams, case studies, term papers, project work, group projects and teaching demonstrations, many of which are available online or at exam centres worldwide
The entire curriculum comprises 180 ECTS credits in 34 modules, of which 26 must be completed. Thanks to the online structure and flexible study concept, the programme can easily be combined with work and family.
Which career paths open up after completing the Vocational Education degree for Nursing and Social Professions?
With the Bachelor's degree, you are qualified to actively shape training and further education in the fields of nursing and social work. Particularly in the area of practical guidance and support of trainees as well as in practical supervision, projects in personnel and organisational development or as a coordinator in practice facilities, there are numerous opportunities.
- Teaching at vocational schools and health schools (practical part of the training, especially in the nursing sector)
- Training coordination and practical supervision in social and nursing institutions
- Company training and further education measures – for example as the person responsible for the qualification of new employees
- Expert advice, leadership and management tasks in the context of professional qualification
- With the Bachelor's degree you can start a subsequent Master's degree in Vocational Education or Adult Education, which provides access to teaching responsibilities in the theoretical part or in public school service
Please note that for teaching in the theoretical instruction at public vocational schools, a Master's degree is usually required. The Bachelor's programme forms the first stage for later advancement to these positions.
Where is the Vocational Education distance learning course organisationally located?
The distance learning course is conducted 100% online. All study materials and communication channels are available via the APOLLON Online Campus. The mandatory face-to-face seminars (a total of 16) can be completed either at the university location in Bremen or online. Examinations are also mostly offered online or at international examination centres. This means you are not tied to a specific study location and can study from anywhere.
How are the tuition fees for the Bachelor's degree in Vocational Education composed and what financing options are available?
The total cost of the distance learning programme amounts to €12,780, payable in monthly instalments of €288 (for a 36-month duration). If you choose the part-time model, the number of instalments increases, but the monthly instalment remains the same. The price includes all study materials, seminars and examination fees. There are no additional costs for online use.
- Instalment payment: fixed monthly rate, regardless of learning pace
- Free extension of the study period by up to 50% of the standard study duration possible
- Discounts and reductions: occasional promotional discounts (e.g. for specific start dates)
- Funding opportunities: entitlement to BAföG (for full-time variant), tax deductibility as business expenses/special expenses, support from employers in the form of education benefits, funding programmes for further education (e.g. education vouchers, scholarships)
- Trial period: you can test the distance learning programme for 4 weeks free of charge – no fees will be incurred during this time if you decide not to continue
Depending on your professional background and federal state, additional funding programmes may be available for certain target groups.
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