Study programmes

In professional circles in German speaking countries, “Soziale Arbeit” is the umbrella term commonly used for the fields of Social Work and Social Education / Social Pedagogy. A large variety of working areas are opened up to those studying with us: school social work; supporting the homeless, people with disabilities or addiction problems; helping migrants and asylum seekers; caring for the elderly or dementia patients and their relatives; social work with offenders – to name but a few. A new addition to our courses that students can opt for as part of the Social Work programme is “International Social Work”, which conveys insights into social work and its conditions in other countries as well as discussing international and transnational perspectives. Students will also gain intercultural competencies.

Studying for only three more semesters gives you the option to complete a Bachelor degree in Religious Education as well. Those wishing to expand upon selected competencies can opt for additional qualifications: Experiential and Environmental Education, SPOSA – Sport and Social Work, RECOS – Social Work in Germany / France / Switzerland, and Art Education.

The Bachelor degree can be followed by the research-oriented Master’s programme in Social Work.

• Dual qualification possible: the Bachelor programmes Social Work and Religious Education and Diaconia are structured in the same way and also show many similarities in terms of content. Within the course of three additional semesters, a degree in the other programme of study can be obtained as well.

The Bachelor degree can be followed by the research-oriented Masters programme in Social Work. This is aimed at all those wishing to develop and extend their working areas within the social work sector and to qualify for leadership positions. Alongside investigating social change and developing scientific social work theories as well as looking at the development of social work in the context of European social policy, the programme teaches students about research methods and their implementation in evaluation and social planning to enable them to carry out research independently.

The close cooperation with FIVE – Forschungs- und Innovationsverbund an der Evangelischen Hochschule e.V. (Research and Innovation Group at the Freiburg Protestant University) in conducting this programme guarantees the high quality, topicality and relevance to practical application of the research and planning competencies conveyed.

The Master’s programme can be followed by a doctorate, made possible at the EH Freiburg due to our cooperation with other universities.

The Bachelor’s programme Religious Education and Diaconia provides a qualification for a very diverse career revolving around the human being and around generating meaning. The degree opens up great opportunities for working in German regional protestant and in free churches: as a deacon, you can work in a church, diaconate or school with people of different age groups as well as varying personal circumstances and living environments, for example. Or you can teach religious studies at schools up to and including lower secondary education (ISCED 2).

By adding a period of study shortened to only three semesters you can obtain a dual qualification with a second Bachelor degree in Social Work. The practical work placement offers the option to concentrate on the international perspective of ecclesiastical work.

Only at the EH Freiburg: unique throughout Germany, we have initiated the project “Intergenerational Living and Learning”, as part of which Religious Education students have the chance to live in a retirement home – in affordable modern apartments, combined with social learning.

With our additional qualifications, you will gain competencies in selected areas: Healthcare and Preventive Care, Experiential and Environmental Education, Art Education, Sport Education (SPOSA).

• Dual qualification possible: the Bachelor’s Programmes Social Work and Religious Education and Diaconia are structured in the same way and also show many similarities in terms of content. Within the course of three additional semesters, a degree in the other study programmes can be obtained as well.

Whether originating in political conflict, racism, antisemitism, discrimination, or violence, global threats to peace impact social cohesion at all levels – from interpersonal relations to international diplomacy. How can democracy be strengthened so that ideologies of inequality no longer have a chance? How can overt and covert forms of violence be best overcome? How can peace be conceived, be brought about, and be promoted?

Drawing on the conceptual foundations and methodologies of peace-related scientific research, Peace Education seeks to support the capacity of individuals, groups, and societies to bring about peace.

As an interdisciplinary field, Peace Education encompasses the German academic terms: “Peace and Human Rights Education” and “Democracy Education”. As a field of study, Peace Education aims to strengthen democracy, promote diversity, prevent violence, and establish models for transforming conflict situations across all social groups and levels – both formal and informal. Within the course, an additional emphasis is placed on analysing structural and cultural violence. International expertise reflecting a range of both practical and academic areas is also central to the course curriculum and is supported through both visiting lecturers and international co-operations with partner universities.

The new Master of Arts in Peace Education (in accreditation) has been developed by the Protestant University of Applied Sciences Freiburg in conjunction with its own Peace Institute. The program is conceived as a consecutive, practice-oriented, 3-semester, full-time program (90 credit points) and will commence in the summer semester of 2022.

The Master’s programme Religious Education and Diaconia provides qualifications for a career in a (individual) congregation, diaconate or school in German regional protestant and in free churches.

The Master’s programme sets two priorities: diaconia (key aspects: gerontology, administration, management and extracurricular education) and religious education (key aspects: theology, psychology, education/pedagogics and educational sience).

The Master degree opens the opportunity to teach religious studies at secondary schools e.g. vocational schools (incl. gymnasiums) and qualifies for leadership tasks in church and religious congregation.

An extraordinary Master degree opens up the possibility of a doctorate (Ph. D.).

The Bachelor’s programme “Early Childhood Education” prepares students for out-of-school work with children from birth to age 12 and with their families: such as in nurseries and day-care centres, in early intervention centres, in consulting services, in social-pedagogical family assistance, in family education, in outpatient youth work. Students are trained to take on leadership and management roles, social services provider positions, as well as positions and tasks in the field of counselling and further education. The programme offers innovative ways of working: video analysis, simulation, biographical work, simulation & strategy games, study tours in the national and international professional world. A shortened term of study can be arranged through the accreditation of previous professional experiences. Our additional qualifications are geared towards your needs: Play Therapy, Art Education or RECOS – Social Work in Germany/France/Switzerland.

Bachelor and Master students have the opportunity to work at our in-house research institute ZfKJ – Zentrum für Kinder- und Jugendforschung (Centre for Child and Youth Research).

We support networking to move from theory to practice: e.g. with “Frühpädagogik Netzwerk QuiKK – für mehr Qualität in Kinderkrippen und in der Kindertagespflege“ (Network Quality in Childcare and Family Day Care).

The research-oriented Master’s programme “Child Development and Education“ focuses on practice research and evaluation. Students are enabled to extend their competencies in research methodology and to independently conduct research projects. Career fields include: scientific field (research projects), supervision and counselling expert services, quality development and supervision, social services providers (e.g. educational management), training of education professionals (teaching responsibilities at colleges and in further education) or project management (e.g. through providers owned by churches and diaconia, in foundations/institutes, in management positions of service providers and non-statutory welfare organisations).

Bachelor and Master students have the opportunity to work at our in-house research institute ZfKJ – Zentrum für Kinder- und Jugendforschung (Centre for Child and Youth Research).

We support networking to move from theory to practice: e.g. with “Frühpädagogik Netzwerk QuiKK – für mehr Qualität in Kinderkrippen und in der Kindertagespflege“ (Network Quality in Childcare and Family Day Care).

Our innovative qualifications for people in leading and management positions are based on a Christian worldview and understanding of humanity, as well as considering ethical issues.