Have you already completed educational training and would like to enhance your qualifications by studying social work? This professional part-time bachelor’s degree programme prepares you exceptionally well specifically for child and youth work, but also more broadly for many other areas in the sector. The demand for specially qualified child and youth support workers and experts in adult educational work continues to grow, providing a particularly wide and diverse range of career options.
This degree programme is directed primarily at full-time educational experts in child and youth work, such as state-certified educators. The core subjects in social work – relating to its history, theories, methods and organisation – are combined with the central fundamental principles of the related sciences, i.e. educational science, psychology, philosophy, sociology and social policy. In addition, we also encompass key aspects of law and business administration. This degree programme is run in collaboration with Bayerischer Jugendring (BJR) (“Bavarian Youth Ring”) and Gauting Youth Work Institute.
As admissions to the bachelor’s degree programme in Social Work majoring in Youth Work (professional part-time) are restricted, you also need to apply via the Hochschulstart system.
At a glance
Award
Bachelor of Arts (B. A.)
Study mode
part-time professional
Standard duration
7 Semester
ECTS credits
210
Starts
winter semester
Restricted admission
yes
Taught in
German
Faculty
Social and Health Studies
Study abroad
optional
Maximum number of participants
30
Accreditation
AQAS
Details about this course
Building upon your previous experience, you will spend the first semesters learning about the basic professional and scientific principles of social work. Besides the core subjects of history, theories, methods and organisation of social work, importance is also placed on interlinking these with their related sciences.
Instead of spending one entire semester completing an internship, you will work on three practically focused projects in total between the first and sixth semester, each lasting two semesters and supervised by a formally qualified expert in social work (state-certified social educationalist). Two of these projects should, if possible, focus on your working environment and enable you to form profound links between theory and practice, while another must address a different field of work than your own. Academic supervision for the three practically focused study projects will be provided in the form of blended learning, using the Moodle learning platform implemented by Kempten University of Applied Sciences.
Other areas of study focus on methodical and thematic aspects such as “Project and conceptual development in social organisations” and “Discussion and advice in social work”. Semester 7 covers more advanced academic work and subject matter.
Upon successfully completing the programme, the university of applied sciences will award you the academic degree of Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and the right to use the professional title “state-certified social educationalist” in accordance with BaySozKiPädG.
Besides equipping you with a higher qualification in the field of child and youth work, this degree programme also prepares you to potentially switch to other areas of social work, particularly for support work with children and adolescents in general and for adult education. Experts in these fields are anticipated to be in high demand in the years ahead, which means you can expect a wide range of diverse job opportunities to match your level of qualification.
Fields of activity:
- Adult education
- Youth social work
- Youth careers advice
- Social work in schools
- Youth aid planning
- Socio-educational family support
- Street work
- Educational and family advice centres
- Addiction counselling
- Educational support
- Juvenile court assistance
- Managing a children’s daycare facility
- General social services
- Integrational assistance and inclusion
- Social work with the elderly
- Women’s housing
- Intercultural social work with refugees and/or migrants
- Social work with the homeless
- Debt counselling
- Managing a social facility or unit
Application process:
This degree programme is aimed particularly at full-time educational experts in child or youth work (in accordance with § 11 SGB VIII), such as state-certified educators and other workers with an equivalent qualification.
Candidates must fulfil the following admission criteria:
- Fully trained state-certified educator, or equivalent training certificates; you can apply for recognition of these on an individual basis.
- Eligibility for university; alternatively, successfully completed apprenticeship (lasting at least two years) followed by at least three years’ full-time professional experience in a related area of work, or a master of crafts certificate.
- As study projects with a practical basis in the field of child and youth work are to be conducted from the first through to the sixth semester, students fundamentally need to be employed in these similar fields of social work at the time.
We have pooled all the information and details you might need about applying and the admission requirements .
About you:
Are you experienced in either professional or voluntary child and youth work? Do you enjoy engaging with scientific correlations, learning independently and working as part of a team? Then you meet the criteria for this bachelor’s degree programme to a tee!
Allocation of places:
Places on the professional part-time bachelor’s degree programme in Social Work majoring in Youth Work are allocated via the points-based “Supplementary Higher Education Selection Process”, which awards points towards the average grade of candidates’ eligibility for university. Additional points can be earned for activities, previous experience and/or awards outside school that are relevant to the chosen degree programme that improve your ranking in the priority list for a place on a course.
You can access the documentation for evidence of equivalent training certificates and of your experience in youth work under “Downloads”. Please follow the instructions provided for completing these documents.
We ascribe to the values of openness, tolerance and acceptance. Our aim is to teach everyone involved at Kempten University of Applied Sciences about education in an international context. As part of this, we support university-wide, inter-faculty measures to promote international projects and cross-cultural interaction.
Would you like to learn more about our international focus and the options we offer to study abroad? Then please take a closer look at our portal.
We compile all study programme and examination regulations centrally for you. There you will find all versions and changes. continue
Master's degree programmes
Graduates from this bachelor’s degree programme can go on to study on the following master’s degree programme at Kempten University of Applied Sciences:
Further details about the degree programme
Contacts
We know how exciting it can be to embark upon your degree programme, so we have arranged a special contact in case you have any questions about studying with us.
Contact for prospective students
- University Student Advisory Service
If you have any questions about studying or applying, please get in touch with the University Student Advisory Service.
- Advisor for this degree programme
If you are interested in this degree programme and would like to ask any questions, please contact our programme advisor.
Our collaborative partner “Gauting Institute for Youth Work” can also advise on this degree programme. Please contact its Director:
Martin Holzner (Institut für Jugendarbeit Gauting)
Email holzner(at)institutgauting.de
Contacts for existing students
If you have any questions about your degree programme, please contact your academic advisor.
Fees
The degree programme in itself is free of charge. A semester fee is payable, and certain costs are associated with any overnight accommodation and catering required for attending special seminars, together with travel expenses for journeys to regional days and examinations. Face-to-face classes held at Gauting Institute for Youth Work incur fees ranging from 250 to 445 euros per semester (according to your choice between: catering only, catering plus overnight accommodation, or catering with overnight accommodation in a single room).
Collaborative partners
Kempten University of Applied Sciences is solely responsible for the degree programme, although the Bavarian Youth Ring and Gauting Institute for Youth Work act as collaborative partners. If you have any questions about the degree programme, you are also welcome to contact Martin Holzner directly, the Director of Gauting Institute for Youth Work.
FAQ
Who is this degree programme for?
This degree programme is directed primarily at full-time educational experts in child and youth work (§§ 11, 12 of Social Security Statute Book VIII). The aim is to make it possible for you to acquire a bachelor’s degree in social work alongside your work commitments. You must have completed vocational training as a state-registered educator or equivalent to be admitted to this programme, and your previous training will count towards the degree.
What are the typical fields of activity for working with children and young people?
Not every aspect of educating children and young people counts as “child and youth work”, which is legally defined and regulated in the Social Security Statute Book VIII (§§ 11, 12 SGB VIII) / and the Child and Youth Welfare Act (KJHG). Essentially, youth work provides the opportunities offered to all children and young people that they can participate in voluntarily.
Typical fields of work
Educational experts in working with children and young people might be employed in the following segments:
• Open child and youth work
• Youth centres
• Mobile youth work, active playgrounds
• Community youth care, local youth work
• Young people’s associations and youth councils
• In fields directly adjacent to youth work in elective or compulsory full-day schools
Fields of broader child and youth support that don’t directly fall under child and youth work, such as:
• Nurturing children in daycare centres (nurseries, kindergartens, after-school care, etc.)
• Educational aid (mobile one-to-one aid, education in homes, …)
• Helping families to bring up children (family advice, family education, etc.)
• Youth social work
• Integration aid, custodial care or juvenile court assistance
What are the admission requirements for this degree programme?
Click here for further information about the general admission requirements.
In addition, employment or previous experience in child or youth work, child or youth support or other fields of social work will be taken into account favourably in the university selection process. (See: “How can I gain recognition of the skills I have already acquired?”).
Click here for details of the specific admission requirements for this degree programme.
What does a “professional part-time” programme mean?
The combination of blocks of classes, regional days, eLearning units and independent study make it possible for you to work (ideally) part-time alongside studying. The programme is divided into modules worth 20 Credit Points each semester, which equates to 500 hours of work (per semester). This sum includes face-to-face teaching (blocks of classes & regional days), preparation and writing up, three practice-based study projects lasting two semesters each, eLearning units, independent study and examination days.
If you are employed in child and youth work, be looked upon favourably in the local university selection process (See Downloads: “Evidence of practical experience in youth work / youth support / social work”).
How can I apply for recognition of my existing skills?
Existing skills can be recognised either universally or on an individual basis:
1) Universal recognition of training as an educator earns 70 Credit Points
State certification as an educator is universally recognised. In this case, your certificate for successfully completing this training is all you need to submit as evidence of your skills.
2) Individual recognition of comparable official training earns 70 Credit Points
Other skills acquired elsewhere (through similar vocational training, but also through professional development courses, professional experience or previous higher education) will be recognised if they are of equivalent value.
You must provide evidence of your acquired skills that you wish to get recognised individually. The Examinations Board of the Faculty of Social and Health Studies will decide on a case-by-case basis the extent to which they can be counted towards this degree programme. See Downloads: “Assistance with providing evidence of comparable training content” and “Module Handbook for the Degree Programme in Social Work majoring in Youth Work (professional part-time). Module 0: Modules that can be counted”
3) Further recognition of experience in youth work
Previous experience and performance outside school, including in child and youth work, or current employment in this field of work will be looked upon positively in the local university selection process and boost your chances of securing a place on the programme. See Downloads: “Evidence of experience in youth work”.
To seek recognition of your previously acquired skills, you must attach the above-cited university forms and the appropriate evidence to your application.
How much time do I need to anticipate studying?
The programme is divided into modules worth 20 Credit Points each semester, which equates to 500 hours of work (per semester). This sum includes face-to-face teaching (blocks of classes & regional days), preparation and writing up, three practically focused study projects lasting two semesters each, eLearning units, independent study and examination days.
Time required each semester:
20 Credit Points (500 hours of work):
- 12 days (9 days in Gauting + 3 days in Kempten)
- 6 regional days (in smaller groups close to where you live)
- ½ day formal assessment (writing examinations)
- 1.5 hrs per week eLearning units
- Practice-based study project (33.5 x 8-hr working days)
- Independent study (own preparation and write-up for classes, revision for examinations and completing study papers)
You can find a sample semester plan here.
What examinations must I take?
You can find out what examinations you need to take, and when, in the appendix of the current Programme and examination regulations.
I am about to start a new job. Can I apply nonetheless?
If you have a potential job lined up in child and youth work, or have agreed with your future employer (in child and youth work, as stipulated in §§ 11, 12 SGB VIII) that studying on a professional part-time programme would be beneficial or even required, then it makes sense to apply. An existing job in child and youth work is looked upon favourably in the local university selection process, but is not an admission requirement.
How can I secure recognition of academic qualifications or training that is similar to that as an educator to fulfil the admission requirements for studying?
Skills acquired previously (through similar vocational training, but also through professional development courses, professional experience or previous achievements in higher education) can basically only be recognised if they are of equivalent value.
Evidence of such skills must be presented during the application process. The Examinations Board of the Faculty of Social and Health Studies is responsible for making expert decisions on whether and to what extent skills can be recognised in individual cases.
Guidance on the application process is offered in “Assistance with providing evidence of comparable training content” and in “Module 0: Modules that can be counted” in the Module Handbook for the Degree Programme in Social Work majoring in Youth Work (professional part-time). You can find both these documents under in the Downloads section.
What are the parameters for practice-based study projects?
Throughout the degree programme, students undertake three practice-based study projects lasting 100 days in total (20 weeks spent working five eight-hour days). Each practice-based study project runs throughout two semesters. Ideally, these projects should take place during your working hours at your place of employment. Your supervisor must be a state-certified social educationalist. One of the three practice-based study projects must address a different field of work than your own.
Will I be entitled to classify myself professionally as a “state-certified social educationalist” after successfully completing this degree programme?
Yes. The university awards students who successfully complete the programme the academic title Bachelor of Arts (B. A.). and the right to use the professional title “state-certified social educationalist” in accordance with BaySozKiPädG.
