Social Work B.A.

The Bachelor’s degree in Social Work prepares you for independent, professional practice across a broad spectrum ofsocial work fields. The programme combines hands-on, practice-oriented learning with the theoretical andmethodological tools needed for critical and reflective thinking.

You will gain a solid foundation in social work theory, ethics and law, enabling you to structure, justify and reflect on yourprofessional actions. While the programme follows a generalist approach, it also offers room for specialisation anddeeper exploration through a wide range of elective seminars and thematic focus areas.

A unique feature of the degree is the four-semester project, developed in collaboration with students. It placesparticular emphasis on topics such as diversity (including gender and queer studies, racism and migration) and culturaleducation.

The programme also offers exciting opportunities for international learning. You will study alongside exchange studentsfrom around the world, benefit from courses offered in the International Curriculum, and have the option to spend a semester abroad.

Most courses in the BA Social Work are taught in German, with selected seminars offered in English. For details onlanguage requirements, please refer to the “Application” section.

Social work is both a profession and an academic discipline that aims to improve individual life circumstances andbroader social conditions. The field addresses a wide range of issues, including social exclusion, poverty, discrimination, violence, educational inequality, health and illness, disability, migration and forced displacement, addiction, andhomelessness.

At its core, social work focuses on the relationship between larger social and political structures and the specificchallenges people face in their everyday lives. It seeks not only to support individuals, but also to contribute to structuralchange.

The International Definition of Social Workdescribes the profession as follows:

“Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Principles of social justice, human rights, collectiveresponsibility and respect for diversities are central to social work. Underpinned by theories of social work, socialsciences, humanities and indigenous knowledge, social work engages people and structures to address life challengesand enhance wellbeing.”

The BA in Social Work follows a generalist structure while offering ample opportunity to shape your own academic andprofessional profile. You can pursue areas of special interest through project seminars, your final thesis, advancedtheoretical and practical modules, and a variety of elective seminars.

In the early semesters, the focus is on building a solid foundation in the key areas of social work. You will study legal, sociological, psychological, political and educational frameworks. Further components include the history and theory ofsocial work, introductory modules on fields of practice and methods of intervention, research methods, diversity studies, and cultural education.

As you progress through the programme, you will have increasing freedom to specialise. A broad range of seminarsintroduces specific fields of practice, target groups, and organisational settings in social work. A distinctive feature of theprogramme is the project seminars, which build on the knowledge and practice skills gained in earlier semesters andtake a research-based learning approach. In these seminars, students work intensively on a chosen topic or researchquestion under the guidance of a team of lecturers.

Elective specialisation seminars allow for deeper exploration of key areas such as child and youth welfare, poverty, unemployment and homelessness, or gender and queer studies.

For detailed information about the structure and content of the programme, please consult the study plan(available in English) and the module handbook (available in German only).

The BA in Social Work is a full-time, campus-based degree programme with a standard duration of seven semesters.

It follows a modular structure and comprises a total of 210 ECTS credits.

The Social Work degree programme is built on a strong integration of theory and practice. Theoretical frameworksoffer essential guidance for professional practice — helping you to understand it from different perspectives, to questionit critically, and to contribute to its further development.

Two practical phases are embedded within the programme structure:
At the start of your studies, you will complete a four-week field study phase, giving you an initial insight into theprofessional world of social work.
In the fifth semester, you will undertake a longer, supervised practical placement, allowing you to apply youracademic knowledge in real-world settings and to deepen your practical skills.

A BA in Social Work not only prepares you for direct entry into professional practice but also provides a strongfoundation for further academic study. With this state-recognised qualification, you will be eligible to work as a socialworker in a wide range of settings – in the public sector, with independent organisations, in private companies, or evenon a self-employed basis.

The professional field of social work is remarkably diverse, with opportunities to support a variety of target groups acrossdifferent institutional and organisational contexts. You might work in areas such as school-based social work, disabilitysupport, child and youth welfare, community work, health promotion and rehabilitation, addiction support, offenderrehabilitation, or crisis intervention. Social work also extends into sectors like legal and financial counselling, socialmanagement, and experiential or leisure education.

Employers are just as varied. Graduates find positions in counselling centres, schools, youth welfare offices, health andsocial services, clinics, anti-discrimination organisations, psychiatric facilities, services for people with disabilities, carehomes for the elderly, and correctional institutions, among others.

Alongside these career opportunities, the degree also opens up pathways for further academic development. You maychoose to pursue a consecutive Master’s degree, which in turn can lead to doctoral study. There are also numerousoptions for continuing professional development and specialist training, depending on your chosen field of interest.

Upon successful completion of the programme, graduates are awarded the academic and professionally qualifyingdegree Bachelor of Arts (B.A.).

The state-recognised professional title of Social Worker/Educator is granted upon application to the Senate Department for Education, Youth and Science, subject to approval by the relevant committees and institutions.

At ASH Berlin, no tuition fees are charged for the BA in Social Work. Students are only required to pay semester feesand contributions, which amount to approximately €300 per semester. This includes the semester ticket for publictransport in Berlin.

Further information is available on the Enrolment Office webpages.

International Mobility
Many ASH Berlin students choose to study abroad or complete their practical phase in another country. At the sametime, the university welcomes numerous international students who come to ASH Berlin to study, complete an internship, or undertake a practicum. The International Office provides support to incoming Erasmus+, exchange, and free moverstudents, as well as to ASH Berlin students planning a study or internship semester abroad.

• International Curriculum
  ASH Berlin offers seminars taught in English, Spanish, and Turkish, and integrates international perspectives andcontent throughout the degree programme.

• Language Centre
  The Language Centre provides a wide range of language courses, including Arabic, Kurdish, and German SignLanguage, supporting students in developing their multilingual and intercultural skills.

• International Certificate
  Students who spend a semester abroad, engage in international activities, and/or take part in the international curriculummay be awarded the International Certificate, recognising their global engagement and intercultural competence.