Psychosocial Counseling in Social Work, Master of Arts

Admission requirements

In order to be admitted to the distance learning programme Psychosocial Counselling in Social Work (M.A.), one of the following requirements must be met:

• Completed bachelor's degree in Social Work (B.A.), Early / Childhood Education (B.A.), Medical Professions (B.A.)** or Health Management (B.A.)** at DIPLOMA Hochschule with a final grade of at least “satisfactory”
• The bachelor's or diploma examination in the subjects Social Work, Social Services, Social Pedagogy, (Curative) Pedagogy, Sociology, Medical Professions, Health and Social Management, Counselling or Psychology at DIPLOMA Hochschule or another university or university of applied sciences with a minimum of 180 credits and a final grade of “satisfactory”
• A foreign degree equivalent to a bachelor's or diploma examination in the same or a related field with a standard period of study of at least six semesters (corresponding to 180 credits) with a final grade of at least “satisfactory”

Applicants whose final grade of their first professional academic degree is “sufficient” are excluded from the master's programme. Applicants with the grade “satisfactory” must demonstrate in an assessment interview that they are capable of successfully completing a master's degree.

**Admission requirements are bridging courses to be completed at DIPLOMA Hochschule for acquiring social pedagogical skills or expertise.

Details

The Master’s distance learning programme in Psychosocial Counselling in Social Work (M.A.) is aimed at professionals with work experience who, after completing a bachelor’s degree or diploma, seek an advanced academic qualification. The course provides comprehensive knowledge in psychosocial counselling and focuses on systemic social work. It comprises 120 ECTS credits over five semesters of part-time study.

The programme covers relevant aspects of social work with a focus on psychosocial counselling. This includes dealing with emergency situations and social environmental influences as well as shaping counselling situations whilst taking the social environment into account. The content includes, among other things: framework conditions and models of counselling, normative foundations of psychosocial counselling, systemic work in counselling, and biographical work.

The study materials are specifically designed and complemented by attendance-free online seminars and exams. Close collaboration with fellow students on the online campus promotes practical learning and knowledge exchange. In the final semester, students write their master’s thesis, which is then defended in a colloquium.

The master’s degree qualifies graduates for a wide range of career opportunities. These include managerial roles in senior service, positions in research and teaching, or independent counselling practice.