Soziale Arbeit (M.A.)
Evangelische Hochschule für Soziale Arbeit und Diakonie · Hamburg, Germany
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
The Master’s programme Soziale Arbeit (Vollzeit) at Evangelische Hochschule für Soziale Arbeit und Diakonie is designed to help you develop the ability to shape professional social work in social and diaconal fields using scientific knowledge and methods while considering democratic value orientations. The programme supports advanced reflection on theory and current debates, and it builds a research-oriented approach for practice.
The degree is structured in 7 modules and a master thesis, with a standard study duration of two years (four semesters) and a total of 120 credits. According to the university’s examination and study regulations, you can apply for admission to the master thesis after completing all assessment requirements of the first two semesters.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Vertiefung der Grundlagen professionellen Handelns in der Sozialen Arbeit (20 Credits)
- Soziale Arbeit planen und entwickeln (20 Credits)
- Forschungs- und Entwicklungswerkstatt, Teil 1 (18 Credits)
- Building a research-oriented, evidence-based approach for professional social work
- Teilhabe und Ausschluss in intersektionaler Perspektive (14 Credits)
- Soziale Arbeit leiten und steuern (14 Credits)
- Forschungs- und Entwicklungswerkstatt, Teil 2 (6 Credits)
- Applying leadership, planning, and research methods to social and diaconal settings
- Masterthesis (23 Credits)
- Completion of the final academic thesis after passing the required examinations in the first two semesters
- Synthesis of professional, ethical, and research-oriented competencies into a thesis focused on social work
Curriculum
Masterstudiengang Vollzeit „Soziale Arbeit“ (120 ECTS) with 4-semester study plan across 7 modules, including a Master thesis.
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | ECTS | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Modules 1, 2, 3 | Modul 1: Vertiefung der Grundlagen professionellen Handelns in der Sozialen Arbeit | 10 | 29 |
| Modul 2: Soziale Arbeit planen und entwickeln | 10 | |||
| Modul 3: Forschungs- und Entwicklungswerkstatt, Teil 1 | 9 | |||
| Semester 2 | Modules 1, 2, 3 | Modul 1: Vertiefung der Grundlagen professionellen Handelns in der Sozialen Arbeit | 10 | 29.5 |
| Modul 2: Soziale Arbeit planen und entwickeln | 10.5 | |||
| Modul 3: Forschungs- und Entwicklungswerkstatt, Teil 1 | 9 | |||
| Semester 3 | Modules 4, 5, 6 | Modul 4: Teilhabe und Ausschluss in intersektionaler Perspektive | 3.5 | 14 |
| Modul 5: Soziale Arbeit leiten und steuern | 4.5 | |||
| Modul 6: Forschungs- und Entwicklungswerkstätten, Teil 2 | 6 | |||
| Semester 4 | Modules 4, 5, 7 | Modul 4: Teilhabe und Ausschluss in intersektionaler Perspektive | 10.5 | 43 |
| Modul 5: Soziale Arbeit leiten und steuern | 9.5 | |||
| Modul 7: Master-Thesis | 23 | |||
| Total | Core modules (1–5), research and development workshops (3 and 6), and Master thesis (7) in the 4-semester plan | 120 ECTS | ||
Career outcomes
- You graduate with advanced, practice-ready skills for professional and diaconal roles across all main fields of social work, including operational, coordinating, planning, and leadership responsibility.
- You gain a research-oriented, evidence-based approach through the Forschungs- und Entwicklungswerkstatt parts, helping you contribute to program and concept development, evaluation, and practice research.
- Your training in Soziale Arbeit leiten und steuern prepares you for roles in quality development and professional management in social and welfare organizations.
- You develop stronger competencies in inclusion and participation through Teilhabe und Ausschluss in intersektionaler Perspektive, supporting work in diverse, rights-based social environments.
- The program is designed to strengthen your professional identity and ethical, reflective practice, which helps you stand out when applying for roles in public, non-profit, and community services.
- With the master’s qualification, you can progress toward specialized and supervisory career steps and take on responsibilities that require a scientifically grounded approach to social work.
Employability rate
Social work graduates in Germany typically see an employability rate of around 88% and an unemployment rate of about 12%, reflecting steady demand for qualified staff in public, welfare, and non-profit organizations.
Together, these figures point to a stable career outlook with reliable opportunities for graduates who are prepared for professional, research-informed and leadership-oriented social work roles.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | International applicants need a completed Bachelor or Diplom degree in Social Work / Social Pedagogy. In justified exceptions, admission is also possible with a Bachelor or Diplom degree in a related field, or with a Bachelor/Diplom degree in another field plus at least two years of relevant professional practice in a field of Social Work. |
| Commitment to the university’s orientation | Applicants must declare that they will respect the Evangelical orientation of the university and engage with interreligious and ethical fundamental questions in the context of Christian teachings and the Christian church. |
Module matching by study area
| Study area | Match possible? | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| Social Work / Social Pedagogy | Direct match | Admission is based on having a Bachelor or Diplom degree in Social Work / Social Pedagogy, or (in justified exceptions) a related field, as described in the university’s admission requirements. |
Language requirements
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
MOI waiver details are not published for this programme. See the English test requirements above.
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Semester fee | EUR 500 / per semester | 500 € Semesterbeitrag pro Semester. |
| Study fee (approx.) | EUR 200 / per year | ca. 200,00 € Studiengebühr (HVV-SemesterTicket, Härtefonds und AStA-Beitrag). |
| Administrative fee (one-time) | EUR 150 / one time | Einmalig 150 € Verwaltungsbeitrag bei der Ersteinschreibung zum Studium. |
Proof of financial resources
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | May - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| Application portal opens | May 01, 2026 |
| Application deadline (final submit) | May 31, 2026 |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A |
| Semester begins | October 01, 2026 |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | May - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | May - Winter intake |
|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Apply during the published window
Submit the application documents only in the period stated by the university for this master’s programme. The university states that it considers only complete applications. If your documents are missing, the university indicates they are not requested later, so you should prepare your full file before sending.
Send your application documents by the required method
The university requires applicants to send the documents by email during the application period. Include the documents listed by the programme for the application file. The university also provides a specific email subject format that you should follow when sending your documents.
Prepare your supporting materials for selection
Along with your degree proof and transcripts, the programme requires a written justification for studying at this university. If your first degree is not in Social Work / Social Pedagogy (or a related degree), you must include evidence of at least two years of relevant professional activity in a field of Social Work.