Social Management, Bachelor of Arts

Distance learning program @ Fresenius University of Applied Sciences 

👉 The distance learning programme in Social Management (B.A.) at Hochschule Fresenius is aimed at professionals who wish to take on management roles in the social sector. The course imparts knowledge in social policy, social law, project management, personnel management, financing, and social marketing. Students learn to combine social services with business administration aspects and can specialise in areas such as organisational management, personnel psychology, or health. The programme is designed to be flexible; entry is possible without a school-leaving certificate (Abitur), provided that relevant professional experience and, if applicable, an aptitude test are completed. The Bachelor of Arts degree is state-recognised. Additionally, students gain access to international certificates from Arizona State University.

At a Glance

🏫 University Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, UAS based in Idstein (Germany)
Fresenius University of Applied Sciences is one of Germany's largest private universities with campuses in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Idstein, Cologne, Munich and Wiesbaden. It offers practice-oriented bachelor's and master's degree programs in the fields of chemistry & biology, business & media, health & social affairs and design, as well as training and continuing education. Studies are possible on a full-time, part-time and distance learning basis.
🎓 Field of Study Social SciencesSocial Management
📜 Degree Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
⏳ Duration 6 Semesters
🎯 ECTS 180 Credit Points
🌍 Language of Instruction German
📖 Course contents Administrative framework conditions and legal framework conditions of the social economy (including social administration, social policy, civil law, social law), interdisciplinary qualifications (including project management, intercultural competences, descriptive and inductive statistics), conception of social work (including child and youth welfare, elderly and/or disabled people, healthcare, action and method competences in dealing with clients), management fundamentals for social institutions (including business administration, personnel management, social marketing and fundraising, public relations), focus on quantitative control in social institutions, focus on organisational management in social institutions, focus on personnel psychology, focus on health and social affairs
📚 Electives Quantitative Control in Social Institutions, Organizational Management in Social Institutions, Personnel Psychology, Health and Social Care
📍 Location online
📅 Enrollment Anytime
💶 Fees
from 235 € monthly
from 13500 € total
🔗 More Info https://www.hs-fresenius.de

Who is the Social Management Distance Learning Programme (B.A.) suitable for?

The Social Management distance learning programme is aimed at individuals who hold or aspire to hold leadership or management positions in social institutions. The target group primarily includes professionals from the social sector, administration, or health and social care who wish to qualify in business management, organisational development, and human resource management. Career changers with administrative, social, or commercial training, as well as individuals looking to expand their professional prospects in welfare organisations, NGOs, or public organisations, are also addressed.

What formal admission requirements apply?

To be admitted to the Social Management Distance Learning Programme (B.A.) at Hochschule Fresenius, you need one of the following degrees or qualifications:

  • General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur), advanced technical college entrance qualification (Fachhochschulreife), or subject-specific higher education entrance qualification (fachgebundene Hochschulreife): Direct access to the course.
  • Professional qualification: You can also study without the Abitur if you have completed at least a two-year vocational training and have subsequently worked full-time for at least two years in a related professional field. In addition, a subject-specific university entrance examination is required.
  • Advanced training: With a passed master craftsman’s examination or comparable advanced training (e.g. specialist business administrator, business economist, or technician) with at least 400 hours of instruction, admission is possible with a subject-specific university entrance examination.
  • Individual assessment in special cases: With a secondary school leaving certificate and at least three years of vocational training with a final grade of 2.5 or better, a study agreement can be made. Proof of 18 CP in the first semester or 30 CP in the first year of study is then required. If the final grade is worse than 2.5, an aptitude test must be taken additionally.

You should have an interest in social issues and business management contexts. Independent working, communication skills, and organisational talent are important personal prerequisites. Experience in the social, health, or administrative sectors is helpful but not essential. Analytical thinking, empathy, as well as the willingness to take on leadership responsibilities and work interdisciplinarily, are advantageous during the course and in later professional fields. Basic IT skills and the ability to learn independently facilitate the successful completion of the distance learning programme.

Course Content in Detail

In the Bachelor's degree programme in Social Management, you acquire a combination of social science, business administration and legal knowledge. The most important content includes:

  • Legal and Administrative Frameworks: Social administration, social policy, civil law, social law
  • Interdisciplinary Qualifications: Project management, intercultural competences, descriptive and inductive statistics
  • Concept of Social Work: Child and youth welfare, work with elderly and/or disabled people, healthcare, methodological and practical skills for direct interaction with clients
  • Management Basics for Social Institutions: Business administration, personnel management, social marketing and fundraising, public relations
  • Elective Focus Areas (you choose two out of four):
    • Quantitative controlling in social institutions
    • Organisational management in social institutions
    • Personnel psychology
    • Health and social affairs

You learn how to manage social institutions effectively, independently design projects and professionally represent the interests of different social target groups. Intercultural competences, statistics and a sound understanding of legal frameworks complement your profile.

How does the distance learning Social Management course work?

The programme is designed entirely as a distance learning course, so you can study independently of time and place. The standard duration is six semesters, but you can extend your studies flexibly up to twelve semesters. You decide your individual starting point; the course can be started at any time on the 1st of a month.

  • You study using digital scripts, videos, case studies and interactive tasks.
  • Examinations are offered flexibly; many modules conclude with term papers, online presentations or practical components.
  • Study coaches and lecturers are available to advise you via the learning platform.
  • The choice of specialisation areas is based on your interests, so you can tailor your study profile individually.
  • Through the cooperation with Arizona State University® (ASU), you have access to international certificates and practical masterclasses.

The course structure allows you to combine work and studies. You can apply what you learn directly to your professional everyday life.

Career Opportunities & Professional Prospects for Social Managers

With the Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Management, numerous career paths open up for you in the social sector and social economy. Typical fields of work include:

  • Leadership and management positions in social organisations and institutions (e.g. in child and youth welfare, elderly care, disability support, healthcare)
  • Controlling, quality management and project management in the social and healthcare sectors
  • Personnel management and organisational development in social enterprises
  • Social marketing, fundraising and public relations
  • Work with human rights organisations, associations, authorities or in refugee assistance
  • Consulting, advisory services and in-company training in the social field

The practical orientation and the focus areas allow you to specialise early on. This facilitates advancement into management positions or a switch to adjacent professional fields within the social economy.

Distance Learning Location: How you are organised

The programme is conducted via the online learning platform of Hochschule Fresenius. You study completely independently of location and flexibly, anywhere with Internet access.

  • All teaching materials as well as exchange with lecturers and fellow students take place online.
  • Examinations are mostly completed online; for some exams or practical elements, attendance days at selected locations may be required.
  • Hochschule Fresenius offers a network of study centres throughout Germany (e.g. Berlin, Hamburg, Idstein, Cologne, Munich, Wiesbaden). These premises are available for counselling sessions or optional events.
  • Enrolled students receive a student ID card and access to the online library.

Your entire studies are designed to adapt flexibly to your life and work situation.

Costs and Financing: What to expect

The tuition fees for the Social Management distance learning programme at Hochschule Fresenius depend on the chosen study model and current discount promotions:

  • An overview of the fee models:
    • 36 months: €375 per month, total: approx. €13,500
    • 48 months: €325 per month, total: approx. €15,600
    • 72 months: €235 per month, total: approx. €16,920
  • The price includes teaching materials, examination fees, support and access to the e-learning platform.
  • Discounts are possible and reduce the monthly cost.

Possible financing options include:

  • BAföG for students (depending on personal circumstances)
  • KfW student loan
  • Scholarships (such as the Deutschlandstipendium)
  • Funding by employers

There are no hidden additional costs. You receive full access to digital libraries, support, study coaches and international certificates from Arizona State University®.

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