The general aim of the Bachelor’s degree program in Social Work is to provide students with academic knowledge and methodological skills for a career in social work and social pedagogy. They gain academic insights and practical skills that enable them to describe, analyze and explain social problems, develop and implement action plans, and reflect upon and justify their professional work on the basis of academic theory. The guiding principle of the entire program is the focus on people, which is what social work is all about.

Contents

The program (7 semesters) is divided into six semesters of study at the University and one semester of study in a practical context (practical semester with support from the University).

The main areas of study at our Faculty are:

• Youth Work / Youth Social Work / Extracurricular Youth Education
• Caring for People at Risk
• Health / Old Age / Rehabilitation
• Intercultural / International Social Work and
• Parenting Advice / Family Counseling.

In addition to the specialization in a major field of study, there is a further possibility for individual differentiation in the field of communication, in community informatics, in foreign languages or in Catholic social teaching. The background for the possibility of specialization is the idea that social work provides opportunities for the development of specific interests and talents in many ways. They can also serve as preparation for individual plans to pursue a certain specialization in a Master’s degree program.

Students receive intensive support from the very beginning. Right at the start of the study program, an orientation and introductory event lasting several days is held, which gives students an overview of the study structure, study organization, services and requirements of the University, as well as information about the University and its facilities in general, but also about the study location Eichstätt.

In the third semester, students are introduced to selected practical fields. In the third to sixth semester, the practical experience is deepened and expanded through an exemplary focus, which can be understood as a progressive scientific reflection and analysis of practice. The support is provided by the representatives of the respective areas of specialization and also includes the practical stay as well as the offers "Selected Fields of Work". In the seventh semester, students write their BA theses and are supported in the process by the respective supervisor in the corresponding in-depth modules (arranged according to subject areas).

The practical semester is usually held in the 5th semester. The internships can be completed in Germany or abroad. Existing collaborations with foreign universities and internship institutions support the mobility.

Internationality is of great importance at the Faculty of Social Work. This includes the field of specialization in Intercultural/International Social Work, study semesters abroad as well as international internships and, of course, also staff mobility or incoming students from abroad.

The Faculty of Social Work has a good international network with numerous partner universities, organizations and institutions, organizes or supports international conferences and participates in international (research) projects.

The practical relevance is ensured by various elements within the degree program. Students usually complete a practical semester in the 5^th semester. In doing so, students are intensively supervised before, during and after the practical phase. In addition, numerous modules of the degree program focus on the transfer between theory and practice during the course of the program.

Practical semester

The internship semester serves the general study objective of achieving a high level of professional qualification for a constantly flexible job market. Students acquire practical knowledge in their internship institution. They are familiarized with the professional culture of social work and are given the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the practices and routines of the organization in which they are completing their internship. They are asked to relate the acquired scientific knowledge to the practical knowledge they are confronted with in the institution.

Practical work exchange

Information on career opportunities in social work and childhood education, as well as insights into the working methods of the various institutions in these professional fields, is also provided by the practical work exchange, which takes place annually in the winter semester. More than 40 institutions of social work and childhood education from the region and from Bavaria introduce themselves. Exhibitors at the practical work exchange include drug and addiction counseling facilities, clinics, juvenile court assistance, nursing services, training centers and many more. In addition, interested parties can inform themselves about the Faculty's undergraduate degree programs as well as the continuing Master's degree programs in Social Work and Community Informatics.

This event is organized by students of the Faculty of Social Work on their own initiative and is aimed both at a broad audience who want to learn about the work of the institutions and at students who want to get to know possible employers and practical positions.

Under the guiding principle "vital practice", students from all parts of Germany who are interested in studying social work and childhood education have the opportunity to talk to professionals from the field as well as students of the Bachelor's and Master's degree programs of the Faculty of Social Work.

If you have any questions, please contact the practical work exchange management team by e-mailing praxisboerse-sozialearbeit(at)ku.de.

Career prospects

The Faculty of Social Work trains professionals who organize personalized services in social economy enterprises and social administrations, thus helping to solve social problems in society and the Church.

These professionals are active in various functions as

• Social education workers
• Social workers in youth centers, welfare institutions, and health care facilities
• Family support workers
• Hospital social workers
• Educational workers and housemasters
• School social workers
• Counselors in educational and youth work or family work and work with the elderly
• Consultants in youth and adult education
• Youth welfare workers in the town or region, or company social workers
• Juvenile court assistants, probation officers
• Prison social workers
• Development aid workers
• Teachers at professional schools
• Social researchers