Official Study Guide for Germany
Social services
Social services are concerned with how people in difficult life situations can be helped and how social emergencies can be prevented.
Overview of the academic discipline
Students learn methods such as individual case help, street work and supervision. The management of social institutions is also taught during the programme. The theoretical foundations come from the fields of education, psychology, social sciences, business studies, law and administration.
Which topics are included in the curriculum?
Studying social work will teach you how to analyse and solve social problems.
- Modules such as social work and methods introduce you to techniques such as individual case help and group work.
- In psychology, you will learn how human behaviour is influenced, and in education, how educational processes can be shaped.
- In social law, you will learn about the legal foundations of social assistance.
- A special focus is usually placed on internships in which you can apply your theoretical knowledge in real social institutions.
Specialisations are possible in the specialisation course, for example in the areas of elementary education, educational support, family support, youth work, rehabilitation and health, work with the elderly, intercultural social work, adult education, occupational social work, leisure education, drug support, resocialisation, district work or social management.
What are the requirements?
Empathy, communication skills and an interest in social commitment are important. The ability to work in a team and under pressure will help you to cope with challenging situations. A good knowledge of the school subjects politics/social studies is also helpful.
What study programmes are there to choose from?
The degree programmes in the field of social work are mainly offered at universities of applied sciences. These include ‘Social Work’, ‘Social Education and Management’ and ‘Social Management’.
What job opportunities are there after graduation?
Employment opportunities for social workers exist with organisations, associations, self-help groups and public bodies, e.g. municipalities and a large number of independent bodies such as churches, charities and foundations.
Social workers and social pedagogues work primarily in youth, family, health, elderly and social welfare, in criminal justice, in homes, residential and self-help groups, in counselling centres, in clinics and rehabilitation centres, in social psychiatric services in youth and adult education centres and in refugee aid.