Masters in Social Work Research

• Degree awarded: Master of Science (M.Sc.)
• Application deadline: EU degrees 1 June / Non-EU degrees: 1 May
• Highlights: Science as an active pursuit already during studies, early focus on a career in a pro­mising scientific field, high socio-political im­pact, practice-oriented science
• Is aimed at: Graduates of a Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Social Peda­gogy, Edu­cational Science, Child­hood Edu­cation, Political Science, Psycho­logy or Socio­logy from Ger­many and abroad.
• Type of programme: con­secutive, restricted ad­mission
• Study places: 15
• Start date: 1 October
• Extent: 120 CP according to ECTS
• Duration: 4 semesters
• Language: English
• Semester contribution: approx. 450 EUR

During the Master's programme, you will gradually become familiar with the field of social work research through a sys­tematic approach. 

In the first semester, you will begin with the Master's Forum, where you will learn to write reviews on the current state of re­search. You will also be intro­duced to qualitative and quan­titative methods of empi­rical social re­search, as well as a colla­bo­rative project study on a relevant re­search topic in social work. This in­volves con­ducting real re­search in colla­bo­ration with partners from the field, pro­ducing results that are rele­vant to the field and have a social impact. 

In the second semester, you will begin an aca­demic intern­ship at a uni­versity. There is also a module on re­search ethics and reflec­tion on aca­demic work at uni­versities. 

In the third semester, you will be intro­duced to uni­versity teaching in social work. You will also dis­cuss and con­duct re­search based on your acquired methodo­logical know­ledge of dis­courses, prac­tices, and con­tem­porary diagnoses in social work studies. Finally, you will take a module on science commu­nication to enable you to commu­nicate the social rele­vance of scientific results.

The fourth semester is devo­ted to planning and writing your Master's thesis.

The following link provides access to documents which set out the general conditions for examinations, an overview of the curriculum, as well as detailed and legally binding regulations.

General Assessment Regulations and the Subject-Specific Schedules

Students of this Master's programme have the opportunity to spend a semester of their studies abroad. For that, we recommend the third semester.

For any questions or to apply, please contact the Inter­national Center. The Inter­national Center will provide all further information on Erasmus+ funding, and on preparing for and organising your semester abroad.

Research and university teaching for a career in aca­demia in social work, social peda­gogy and child­hood edu­cation, both natio­nally and inter­nationally. 

Even graduates who do not wish to pursue a career in aca­demia after com­pleting their studies will find that their degree qualifies them for employ­ment at non-uni­versity re­search insti­tutes for social work in Ger­many and abroad, as well as in inte­gra­ted re­search and planning depart­ments of social wel­fare autho­rities and wel­fare organi­sations at all fede­ral levels.

As a student in our programme, you have the opportunity to start your doctorate early via the Doctoral Track.

Thus, you to become part of the scientific community of our doctoral research groups at an early stage, giving you the unique opportunity to combine your Master's and doctoral studies and, with your doctorate in sight, to obtain your Master's degree en-route.

You can find all information about the ad­mission and require­ments, the appli­cation and the selec­tion pro­cedure shortly on our "Ad­mission and Require­ments" page.

The study programme matches your interests? Then you will find further information for prospective inter­national students on residence and social matters, such as visa, residence permit, health in­surance or finding accommo­dation, on the following pages.

Please note that the information for incoming exchange students and inter­national degree-seeking students differs slightly.

Information for in­coming ex­change students

Information for inter­national degree-seeking students