Master's degree programme Social Work (M.A.)
Facts and figures
Degree programme:
Social Work
Degree:
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Admission:
No admission restrictions
THWS location:
Würzburg,
Faculty:
Applied Social Sciences
Study mode:
Full-time degree programme
Duration:
3 semesters standard time to degree
Language:
German
Semester fees:
None (student services fee only (Studierendenwerksbeitrag); approx. EUR 150)
Start of studies:
Summer Semester
(15 March)
Application period:
Annually,
15. November
till
15. January
Contact
Contact person
Prof. Dr. Ulrich Gartzke
ulrich.gartzke@thws.de
Academic Advisory Service
studienberatung@thws.de
Degree programme website
Degree programme Social Work
Apply now
Information for internationals
Master's degree programme Social Work (M.A.)
Improve your skills: shape social work and drive societal change
Have you completed your bachelor's and are now looking to actively shape societal change? The master's programme in Social Work at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS) provides the ideal framework to further develop their practical skills, theoretical knowledge, and leadership competences - and to take the next step towards a successful career.
The master's in Social Work at THWS combines academic excellence and practice-oriented qualifications. You will learn to analyse social issues scientifically, to find practical solutions, and to spark change - using modern behavioural methods and focussing on leadership, management, and social innovation. This will optimally prepare you for challenging tasks posed by the changing society.
The new graduate school "Changing living environments" offers master's graduates the possibility of obtaining a doctorate at THWS. It thus opens up academic careers in the future-oriented field of social work. At the same time, you benefit from a lively digitally assisted on-campus degree programme: Student life in the vibrant heart of Würzburg is characterised by personal exchange, lively discussions, and sustainable networks.
combined with practice-oriented qualifications
Reasons to study the master's in Social Work at THWS
Taking a master's degree programme at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt offers you the opportunity to deepen your knowledge and prepare for demanding tasks in our dynamic world. Our degree programmes combine advanced theoretical knowledge with practice-oriented application and specialised research. We promote interdisciplinary thinking and offer you comprehensive education strengthening your analytical skills and innovative spirit. Thanks to the access to state-of-the-art technologies and the close cooperation with practice partners, you will be optimally prepared for leadership positions and specialist roles.
Advantages of the degree programme:
- Combine research, practice and management in an interdisciplinary way
- Develop scientifically sound, behavioural competence
- Strong practice-orientation through project-orientation
- Specialisation projects allow for individual specialisation
- Become eligible for management positions in social organisations
- Gain access to doctorates and higher public service
- Opportunity for international exchange during your studies
- Small groups and direct contact with the lecturers
- Modern study environment in the heart of Würzburg
Three good reasons
Combination of state-of-the-art knowledge and practice-oriented project work
Hone your profile according to your interests, either to match a managerial or an academic profile
Opportunity to continue with a doctorate opens up even brighter perspectives
Study contents
In the modular master's programme Social Work, you will build in-depth scientific, methodological, and practice-related competences. The three-semesters degree programme awards 90 ECTS credits and concludes with the master's thesis.
Programme structure
1st semester
The first semester focuses on the academic basis and deepening of your theoretical knowledge of social work. You will be concerned with theory of science and recent theoretical discourses and will gain in-depth knowledge of selected behavioural concepts, in particular to handle complex issues and conduct interventions. Additional focus areas include the fields of social politics and social innovations, social change and transformation (e.g. sustainability, diversity, and inclusion) as well as quantitative and qualitative research methods.
2nd semester
The second semester serves to deepen your knowledge and develop your profile. You will be concerned with science and action in an international comparison as well as social work as a human rights profession. In addition, you will develop legal skills in the areas of administrative action, labour law, and organisational law. Content relating to the leadership and management of social institutions, in particular strategy, financial management, and human resources management, will prepare you for responsible management tasks. Another focus is on digitalisation in social work, including the fundamentals of social information. Methodological deepening takes place in empirical research projects (quantitative and qualitative). In addition, you will select a specialisation project from a wide range of topics.
3rd semester (master's thesis)
In the third semester, you will work on another specialisation project and write your master's thesis. For your master's thesis, you will work on a question from the field of social work in a scientifically sound manner and apply your competences independently.
The time to degree may be extended to up to five semesters. For this, individual modules may be completed one year later. The programme directors will be happy to advise you.
Specialisation projects
The degree programme enables you to hone your profile. Potential specialisation projects include:
- Behavioural methods
- Meeting societal challenges
- Leadership and management
How are studies at THWS particularly practice-oriented?
- Exercises and practice-related projects in central fields of action of social work
- Getting to know and applying new technologies and digital solutions in social organisations
- Professors with proven experience in social organisations, administration, research, and management
- Close cooperation with social organisations, associations, municipalities, and other practice partners, also in international contexts
- Possibility of writing the master's thesis in cooperation with social organisations or practice partners
to complete a doctorate at THWS
Career and perspectives
Upon successful graduation, students will be awarded the academic degree Master of Arts (M.A.) by a German higher education institution.
The degree programme opens up broad professional opportunities, in particular in the following fields:
- Leadership and management positions in social organisations and associations
- Research, evaluation, and social planning
- Professional consulting and intervention in challenging contexts of action
- Academic career with the possibility of obtaining a doctorate
The new graduate school "Changing living environments" offers master's graduates the possibility of obtaining a doctorate at THWS. It thus opens up academic careers in the future field of social work.
Gain international experience
Going abroad offers you the chance to deepen your language skills, develop your intercultural competence further, and to broaden your perspectives. At the same time, you will gain insights into new social, cultural, and technical contexts. The degree programme offers you the ideal frame to integrate your international experiences and link them with the programme contents.
Semester abroad
The master's programme Social Work offers you different opportunities for going abroad. You could spend a semester abroad at one of THWS’ partner universities to gain international perspectives on focus areas. Courses completed abroad can usually be recognised.
5 reasons for going abroad as a student
- Improving language knowledge and intercultural competence
- Getting to know new teaching and studying methods
- Establishing an international network
- Enhancing your independence and flexibility
- Increasing of career perspectives on the global working market
Is Social Work the right master's degree programme for you?
The master's programme Social Work is aimed at graduates who want to deepen their technical and scientific knowledge and who want to prepare for responsible tasks in social work. You will develop competences to analyse social problems, develop practice-oriented solutions, and actively shape societal change processes. Our programme will open up perspectives for professional development and new fields of action of social work.
Admission requirements
In order to be admitted to the programme, you must hold a bachelor's degree (210 ECTS credits) in Social Work, Social Management, or comparable (e.g. Psychology or Pedagogics) with a final grade of 2.5 or better.
For detailed information on the admission requirements, please see the website of the degree programme and the study and examination regulations of the master's degree programme. There you can also find the form required for application
Please also consider the language requirements for admission.
Your interests and abilities
- Interest in societal and social questions
- Motivation to carry out academic analysis and research
- Strong communication skills and ability to work in a team
- Willingness to participate in group work and roles plays
- Analytical thinking and structured approach
- Ability to reflect and organise yourself
- Interest in taking on managerial and design tasks
- Commitment to social justice and social participation
- Interest in combining theory and practice
Application
Apply from 15 November to 15 January via our application portal to start your studies in the upcoming summer semester.
You have already completed study achievements and thus want to apply for a higher semester? Contact our Department of Student Affairs.
Do you have unanswered questions?
You can contact the programme advisor, i.e. a professor of the field of study you are interested in and can ask them your questions.
During the THWS Taster Sessions, you can attend a variety of lectures in the degree programme of your choice and get valuable first impressions of life on campus.
Get informed
Looking for more information? For the most important information on studying at THWS, check out the overview.