Research-based Practice Development in Social Work
Advancing Social Work—Research-Based and Practice-Oriented!
Are you interested in further developing your qualifications in the field of social work—and do you want to explore how academic thinking and practice-oriented action can be effectively integrated? Then this master program is just right for you! It combines in-depth theoretical study with research- and practice-oriented perspectives and equips you to analyze, evaluate, and professionally shape complex social processes.
Course Content
What does the program entail?
The goal is to analyze current social conditions and developments, to reflect on the professional fields of social work, and to use these insights to generate ideas for practical processes that contribute to the achievement of social justice and the protection of human rights.
The master program’s curriculum focuses on the creation and refinement of practical approaches and concepts in the field, in organizational development, and in the leadership of social service organizations. Students are equipped with analytical thinking skills, systematic work methods, and the ability to engage in critical, ethics-based reflection, enabling them to respond competently to societal challenges and to develop research-based solutions in collaboration with practitioners.
To this end, the program deepens students’ (research) methodological skills and practice-oriented knowledge, with a particular emphasis on the ability to develop research-based solutions for complex practical problems. The program specifically fosters the ability to work independently and to engage in reflective thinking within international comparative contexts.
In addition, the program recognizes the importance of leadership skills, teamwork, and project development in social organizations.
Downloads
Study Plan for the Full-Time Option
| Semester \ Modules + CP | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | Total CP1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introductory Workshop – Discourse Arenas in Social Work (5 CP) | Methodology (5 CP) | Research-Based Practice Development 1 (10 CP) | Social Context (10 CP) | 30 CP | ||
| 2 | Topic and Project Development (5 CP) | Methods Workshop (5 CP) | Research-Based Practice Development 2 (10 CP) | Social Organizations and Social Management (10 CP) | 30 CP | ||
| 3 | Master’s Seminar (5 CP) | Master’s Thesis (15 CP) | Colloquium (10 CP) | 30 CP | |||
| 90 CP | |||||||
1 CP = Credit Point
Study Plan: Part-Time Option
| Semester \ Modules + CP | 5 | 10 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 30 | Total CP1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introductory Workshop – Discourse Arenas in Social Work (5 CP) | Research-Based Practice Development 1 (10 CP) | 15 CP | ||||
| 2 | Topic and Project Development (5 CP) | Social Organizations and Social Management (10 CP) | 15 CP | ||||
| 3 | Methodology (5 CP) | Social Context (10 CP) | 15 CP | ||||
| 4 | Methods Workshop (5 CP) | Research-Based Practice Development 2 (10 CP) | 15 CP | ||||
| 5/6 | Master’s Seminar (5 CP) | Colloquium (10 CP) | Master’s Thesis (15 CP) | 30 CP | |||
| 90 CP | |||||||
1 CP = Credit Point
Your perspective afterward
The master program “Research-based Practice Development in Social Work (M.A.)” opens doors to leadership roles in the field of social work. Typical responsibilities include professional leadership, conceptual development, the application of research findings, and project and organizational development. Graduates are professionals specializing in innovation, quality assurance, and leadership within social service agencies and institutions. The program prepares students for management and staff positions whose responsibilities are particularly focused on the scientific analysis of empirical findings and their application to practical processes.
In addition, the master’s degree opens the door to further academic qualifications (doctoral studies).
Application and Admission
The master program in Research-based Practice Development in Social Work always begins in the summer semester.
Applications for the summer semester of 2027 will be accepted starting December 1, 2026.
Applications for the master program are submitted through the THA application portal.
The FAQs on the application process provide additional helpful information.
Here’s a brief summary for you:
- Bachelor’s degree in social work or a comparable field of study (≥ 210 ECTS, grade ≤ 2.5)
- Justified exceptions based on exceptional academic achievements or relevant professional experience (see point 5!)
- Proof of relevant coursework (10 ECTS) for degrees in related fields
- Good proficiency in German (C1) and English (B2)
- Letter of motivation (2,500–3,000 characters)
- Resume
1. Application Requirements
To participate in the eligibility assessment process, you must have:
- A first university degree in social work or a comparable field of study
- At least 210 ECTS credits (CP) under the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS)
- An overall grade point average of 2.5 or higher
2. Letter of Motivation
Please include a statement of purpose with your application, clearly explaining your personal motivation for pursuing this master's program. (Length: 2,500–3,000 characters, including spaces)
3. Language Skills
A good command of German (C1) and English (B2), both spoken and written, is required for the master’s program.
Applicants who hold a degree awarded in German (or a German-language Abitur or FOS/BOS diploma) do not need to provide additional proof of German language proficiency; applicants who hold an Abitur or FOS/BOS diploma also do not need to provide separate proof of English language proficiency. In all other cases, language proficiency certificates must be uploaded during the application process.
4. Academic Prerequisites for Comparable Degree Programs
If you have completed a comparable degree program, we will review your qualifications on a case-by-case basis to determine whether they can be recognized as equivalent. In any case, you must demonstrate that you have earned at least 10 ECTS credits in relevant social work courses:
- At least 5 CP in the area of “Historical and (Professional) Theoretical Foundations of Social Work”—for example: Foundations of the historical development of social work as a discipline and profession; Fundamental theories of social work, such as life-world orientation, coping with life, the human rights profession, and critical social work; fundamental characteristics of the profession, such as the dual or triple mandate and the technology deficit
- At least 5 CP in the area of “Methodological Foundations of Social Work”—for example: individual casework, social group work, community work, case management, counseling, and communication
5. Suitability in justified exceptional cases
Even if your cumulative grade point average is lower than 2.5, you may still be admitted if you can demonstrate exceptional academic achievements or additional professional qualifications. The Admissions Committee decides on admission on a case-by-case basis.
If you wish to demonstrate your professional aptitude or compensate for your grade point average through professional experience, the following requirements apply:
- Employment in a relevant field of social work,
- at least three years of professional experience,
- with at least a 50% work load
The decision regarding your admission to the aptitude assessment process is made by the university’s Admissions Committee in accordance with Section 9 of the Admissions Bylaws.
If any documents cannot be submitted by the application deadline, they must be submitted as soon as possible—but no later than May 31—to begin studies in the summer semester.
