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FAQ topic area D) Questions about previous examination regulations and switching to the new Master's degree program

It is expected that students who have enrolled in the BiSo Master's degree program by winter semester 2023/24 will be able to complete their Master's degree under the old regulations until 31 March 2028. After that, the new regulations will apply.

  • Changes in the Master's degree program in Social Work concern the name (Social Work instead of Education and Social Work) on the one hand, and the structuring and accentuation of the content focus on the other.
  • The previous name ("Education and Social Work") was actually intended to emphasize the educational-social pedagogical perspective of social work at a university, but was often misunderstood (education is confused with school). After a controversial discussion, the Institute of Social Pedagogy recommended changing the name of the course to "Master's in Social Work".
  • In order to allow students to develop a profile, the number of interdisciplinary focus areas (ISB) to be chosen was reduced from two to one. At the same time, the scope of an ISB was doubled from 18 to 36 credit points. Three different ISBs are offered (Challenges in Child and Youth Welfare, Participation of People with Disabilities and Social Work and Crime), one of which is studied. The aim is to enable students to acquire extensive skills in a specific field and to be able to demonstrate these in their certificate.
  • Another important innovation is the introduction of a compulsory module "Organization of Social Work". Master's graduates learn about approaches and methods of social management, management concepts and instruments of quality and personnel development, are able to discuss these critically and assess them from a socio-pedagogical perspective. The compulsory module replaces a compulsory elective module in "Fundamental Questions of Social Work". Students now choose two elective modules instead of the previous three.
  • The compulsory elective modules in psychology and law are no longer included in the new Master's in Social Work.

As a rule, credits earned in the old study model can be credited. It is possible to switch to the new Master of Social Work study model upon individual application to the Examination Office.

  • It is possible to change to the new Master's degree program in Social Work upon application.
  • If you wish to change to the Master's in Social Work according to the currently valid examination regulations, please submit an application for credit transfer (the corresponding form is currently being prepared; please submit an informal application until completion).
  • Please send the completed application to the Examinations Office. You can apply for the actual transfer to the new study model at the Registrar's Office. Please note the University of Siegen's transfer deadlines.

Module 1 did not exist under the 2011/13 Master's examination regulations. To acquire the three credit points in Module 1, please proceed as follows:

  1. Have 1 LP (introduction to studies) certified by the lecturer of the introductory seminar in your Master's program (usually: Michael Mayerle) in which you participated;
  2. If you have attended internal or external conferences during your Master's degree program, you can enter these on the form "Proof of attendance of individual events". You must make up for missing conference days by attending further conferences (see section C in these FAQs).
  3. You will receive two credit points by writing two conference reflections of 3 A4 pages each on two different conferences with a lecturer from the Master's degree program (see section C in these FAQs).

No. At the former University of Siegen, the degrees Diplom I (Diplom-Sozialarbeiter/-in or Diplom-Sozialpädagoge/-in) and Diplom II (Diplom-Pädagoge/-in) were awarded in the study program "Extracurricular Education and Social Work (AES)" and later "Integrated Study Program Social Pedagogy and Social Work (ISPA)" - each in a consecutive (staged) study model. Diploma I corresponds to the university degree in a short-term academic course (today: Bachelor), Diploma II corresponds to today's Master (Education and) Social Work. According to the Examination Regulations for the Master's degree course in Education and Social Work (FPO-M), Diploma I or a corresponding diploma from a university of applied sciences is regarded as a qualification entitling you to access the Master's degree course, i.e. you can start the Master's degree course in Education and Social Work with a Dipl.-Soz.Arb. or Dipl.-Soz.Päd. and the required overall grade.

The full-time lecturers are responsible for academic advising in the Master's degree program in (Education and) Social Work together with the research assistant in the degree program coordination. Office hours Michael Mayerle