Development and accreditation

Organizational structure of teacher training

Development and accreditation

One of the strengths of Siegen's teacher training program is the wide variety of courses on offer and the range of possible subject combinations. In this way, the University of Siegen assumes its responsibility for the educational landscape in South Westphalia and beyond. The University of Siegen offers undergraduate teacher training courses for elementary school (Gs), secondary schools (HRSGe), grammar schools and comprehensive schools (GymGe) and vocational colleges (BK) as well as a postgraduate course for special educational support (SoPäFö).

To coordinate this broad range of courses, the Center for Teacher Training and Educational Research (ZLB) at the University of Siegen pursues a subsidiary approach in which only those processes and tasks are coordinated centrally whose centralization is necessary or more efficient. Other tasks remain in the Schools or the individual teaching units. The aim here is to combine the efficiency of a central administration on the one hand and the knowledge of individual conditions in the teaching units on the other. The central tasks are advising students, administering the practical phases, examinations, evaluation and quality assurance (in particular coordinating the timing of courses for the most common subject combinations) and providing academic support for teacher training in the field of educational research.

According to § 11 Paragraph 2 No. 2 LABG, teacher training courses must be subject to (internal) accreditation at least every eight years. The Siegen teacher training structure model was last accredited in 2017 and is to undergo external assessment and reaccreditation again in 2025.

Teacher training model of the University of Siegen

Preparation for the reaccreditation of teacher training courses in 2025

In preparation for the reaccreditation of the teacher training courses in 2025, we are currently taking stock and inviting you to participate in the reflection on the strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and challenges of the teacher training course at the cross-course level of the model. To this end, the central topics will be discussed in the meetings of the ZLB Council in order to jointly/cooperatively further develop the teaching profession for the accreditation period 2025-2033. All information material on the current status of the discussions and the upcoming topics can be accessed via the Moodle course Accreditation of the Teacher Training Structure Model
(after enrolling in the course).

The University of Siegen offers teacher training programs for five types of schools. The principles of these degree programs are defined by the Teacher Training Act (LABG) and the Teacher Admission Ordinance (LZV) of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Basically, these are combined courses of study consisting of teaching subjects/learning areas/professional subjects, educational science studies, practical elements and German for migrant pupils. Due to the large number of possible combinations, it makes sense to coordinate the sub-courses in terms of organization. The study structure model of the teaching degree determines how the work of the various parts of the teaching degree is distributed over the duration of the course. This ensures that a teacher training course can be completed in the standard period of study of ten semesters in total (six for the Bachelor's, four for the Master's).

Due to quality assurance measures (e.g. annual reviews, evaluation results, report on time coordination), changes in the teaching unit (e.g. due to staff changes) or changes outside the teaching unit (e.g. changes to the relevant "common content requirements for the subject sciences and subject didactics in teacher training" by the KMK, LABG and LZV), there will be a regular need for changes to subject examination regulations (FPO). Revisions to the FPO require close cooperation between the subject, faculty and ZLB as well as the Departments 2 "University Planning" and 3 "Legal and Academic Affairs". An early exchange with the ZLB (preliminary review) in order to bring the desired changes in line with the study model facilitates and accelerates the procedures. All changes must be made on the basis of the official regulations provided by Department 3. Once the internal faculty process has been completed, the amendment regulations are submitted to the ZLB. The ZLB brings about a final resolution by the ZLB Council. Department 3 is then responsible for publishing the amendment regulations. Detailed descriptions of these business processes can be found under Processes for degree program development on the QZS
can be accessed.

The University of Siegen has been system-accredited since 20.12.2020 and accordingly carries out internal procedures for the accreditation of study programs. This also includes the reaccreditation of teacher training courses and their sub-courses. Detailed information can be found on the website of the Quality Center Siegen (QZS): Internal Accreditation of the University of Siegen
If a subject examination regulation is revised in depth, this may constitute a significant change in accordance with § 28 StudAkVO, which may require a subsequent assessment. It is recommended that you consult with Department 3, Quality Management in Teaching and the QZS in advance of any major changes in order to assess the need for a follow-up assessment. The interpretation of § 28 of the Model Law Ordinance (MRVO) by the Accreditation Council Foundation can be used as an initial aid: Information from the Accreditation Council Foundation

QM reports

The ZLB holds an annual discussion on the interdisciplinary aspects of teacher training as a regular opportunity for direct exchange. It traditionally takes place at the end of October/beginning of November. Students are invited by e-mail.

The ZLB participates in the university-wide ideas and complaints management
in cooperation with the Schools and the Siegen Quality Center (QZS).