Teacher training for special educational needs
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) &
Master of Education (M.Ed.)
At the University of Siegen, it is possible to acquire two fully-fledged (i.e. double-qualifying) Master's degrees:
- Teaching degree for elementary school or teaching degree for lower secondary, intermediate secondary, secondary and comprehensive schools
- Teaching degree for special educational support
Your future begins in Siegen
Building on a 10-semester course of study "Teaching Qualification for Primary Schools with Integrated Special Needs Education" or "Hauptschule, Realschule, Sekundarschule and Gesamtschule with Integrated Special Needs Education" (6 semesters Bachelor's and 4 semesters Master's), in which courses with content related to the special needs areas of "Emotional and Social Development" and "Learning" are already studied on a pro rata basis, the subsequent 2-semester Master's degree "Teaching Qualification for Special Needs Education" enables students to additionally acquire a teaching qualification for special needs education with a focus on "Learning" and "Emotional and Social Development". An important goal of this degree course is the intensive preparation of prospective teachers for dealing with pupils with behavioral problems and learning disabilities in inclusive learning groups and at special schools.
The special curricular feature of this degree course is the combination of previously separate perspectives on inclusion - general/school education and special education - and opens up attractive opportunities on the teaching job market.
Everything at a glance Bachelor
-
Start of studies
Winter semester -
Standard period of study
6 semesters -
Admission restricted
No / Yes (subject teaching) -
Language of instruction
German possibly foreign language subject: English
Master:
Transfer and application procedure:
The Master's teaching degree programs are admission-free. Information and deadlines for the transfer procedure (internal applicants) and the application procedure (external applicants) can be found here!
Everything at a glance Master
-
Start of studies
Winter semester and summer semester -
Standard period of study
4 semesters -
Language of instruction
German possibly foreign language subject: English
Steps to (SoPäFö)
Teaching degree for special educational support (SoPäFö) with a focus on "Emotional and social development" and "Learning"
The 2-semester Master's degree builds on course content with a special educational needs profile from the previous Ba and Ma degree course, so that further coursework and examinations in the two special educational needs areas must be completed to qualify as a teacher for special educational needs.
- Learning" specialization
- "Emotional and social development" specialization
After studying educational sciences with integrated special needs education up to the first Master's degree and passing the associated examinations (usually after 10 semesters), you will be awarded a degree for primary school or lower secondary, intermediate, secondary and comprehensive school teaching with a special needs education profile. After a subsequent preparatory service at a Center for Practical Teacher Training with a teaching degree in primary or secondary schools, you can apply for advertised positions for primary or secondary school teachers. This special educational profile makes you attractive for the job market, as there will be more and more inclusive schools in the future.
With the subsequent two-semester course of the "Second Master's degree course in special needs education with a focus on learning and emotional and social development", you will also obtain the teaching qualification for special needs education with a focus on learning and emotional and social development. You then have the choice of which area you complete your preparatory service in: You can apply for the preparatory service at a Center for Practical Teacher Training (ZfsL) for special educational support or at a ZfsL for the teaching profession at elementary school or for the teaching profession at Hauptschulen, Realschulen, secondary schools and comprehensive schools.
Regardless of which preparatory service you choose, after completing your training you can apply for positions at elementary school or Hauptschulen, Realschulen, Sekundarschulen and Gesamtschulen as well as for positions for special needs teachers. (Note for positions for special needs teachers: These positions can be advertised at inclusive schools and special schools at primary and secondary level. With the double qualification, you can therefore work at primary and secondary schools (regardless of whether you have studied to become a primary or secondary school teacher), at general schools or special schools as a special needs teacher).
Career prospects
The teacher training course in Siegen teaches practical pedagogical and technical skills that are required for the demanding and responsible task of preparing children and young people professionally for social participation and the world of work. From advisory and subject management functions to tasks in school supervision and school management, there are opportunities to gain further qualifications in the professional field of teaching. There is also the option of further academic qualification.
Students studying to become teachers
You feel that you are in good hands at all times.
My motivation to accompany children and young people on their path through life and education quickly led me to study to become a teacher after graduating from high school. I spent a long time looking for the right combination of my teaching subjects and special needs education until I noticed the special degree course "Teaching with integrated special needs education" at the University of Siegen. After the regular degree course in "Educational Sciences with Integrated Special Needs Education" and the two teaching subjects, you receive the teaching qualification for the chosen type of school with a special needs education profile, as the content is already related to the special needs areas. Building on this, it is possible to complete a second Master's degree in two further semesters, which additionally qualifies you for the "Teaching qualification for special educational support with a focus on learning and emotional and social development". After completing the second Master's degree, you can choose between positions at elementary school, secondary schools, secondary modern schools and comprehensive schools as well as for special needs teachers. This was the decisive reason for me to choose the University of Siegen as my place of study, where I quickly settled in and felt at home. The size of the city, the university and the courses allow you to quickly find your way around and create a familiar atmosphere among the fellow students and with the lecturers. The many university programs offered by the Lernwerkstatt and the Oase give you the opportunity to network with other students, get advice and acquire the LehramtPLUS certificate by participating in workshops and excursions. This makes you feel well looked after at all times and makes it easier to start university life.
I would always choose the University of Siegen again and would be delighted if you also chose Siegen as your place of study.
- General higher education entrance qualification
- or, under certain conditions, a subject-specific higher education entrance qualification
(Please check with us in advance whether your qualification will be recognized.) - or, under certain conditions, a professional qualification
(Please contact us in advance to find out whether your professional qualification will be recognized). - A corresponding aptitude test must be taken for the subjects of music, art and sport.
Good reasons for studying to become a teacher at the University of Siegen
- Individual support through advisory and support services
- Double qualification possible! + remedial education
- Wide range of subjects
- Study better in learning workshops
- Few NC hurdles
Study structure
The teaching degree course for Hauptschule, Realschule, Sekundarschule and Gesamtschule consists of a 6-semester Bachelor's degree course and a 4-semester Master's degree course.
The teaching degree course for Hauptschule, Realschule, Sekundarschule and Gesamtschule consists of the following elements:
- Educational sciences
- German for migrant pupils (DSSZ)
- Subject 1
- Subject 2 (both subjects to the same extent)
- Aptitude and orientation internship in the Bachelor's degree program
- Professional internship in the Bachelor's program
- Practical semester in the Master's program
- Bachelor's thesis
- Master's thesis
*Postgraduate Master's degree in Special Needs Education (optional)
At the University of Siegen it is possible to acquire two fully-fledged (i.e. double-qualifying) Master's degrees:
- Teaching degree for Hauptschulen, Realschulen, secondary schools and comprehensive schools
- Teaching degree for special educational support
Building on a 10-semester teacher training course at Hauptschule, Realschule, Sekundarschule and Gesamtschule with integrated special needs education (6 semesters Bachelor's and 4 semesters Master's), in which a proportion of courses are already studied with a focus on "Emotional and social development" and "Learning", the subsequent 2-semester Master's degree "Teaching Qualification for Special Educational Needs" enables students to additionally acquire a teaching qualification for special education with a focus on "Learning" and "Emotional and Social Development". An important goal of this degree course is the intensive preparation of prospective teachers for dealing with pupils with behavioral problems and learning disabilities in inclusive learning groups and at special schools.
