13 May 2025

With the final module at the end of April, the students of what is now the sixth year of the continuing education Master's programme in Systemic Counselling reached an important milestone. After five intensive semesters, the participants bid farewell to their time spent learning together - with a wealth of new knowledge, personal development and clear career prospects.

Looking to the future with pride: graduates of the Master's programme in Systemic Counselling celebrate the successful completion of their training together. (Photo: Dennis Haase)

The part-time degree programme at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences teaches systemic ways of thinking and principles at the highest level - and places particular emphasis on applying what you have learnt in practice. The focus is not only on teaching sound theoretical principles, but above all on developing a professional counselling personality.

A special highlight of the final module was the ceremonial presentation of the Systemic Counsellor certificates by the renowned Institut für Family Therapy Weinheim (IFW). The collaboration with the IFW has been in place for twelve years and forms the core of the degree programme. Students benefit in particular from the close integration of academic teaching and practical training - a unique selling point that is reflected in the high quality of the graduates.

"Developing an authentic counselling personality takes time, reflection and the courage to change - all of which our students have mastered with great commitment. I am impressed by their personal and professional maturation over the past five semesters," emphasises Prof Dr Andreas Bergknapp, programme director and head of the Institute for Academic Continuing Education (IAW) at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences.

Also Cornelia Hennecke and Dennis Haase from the IFW are convinced by the cooperation model: "For us, the collaboration with Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences is a successful example of how theory and practice can work together productively in the systemic field. We are delighted with the development of these strong counsellors, who are now continuing on their professional path."

Even though an intensive learning phase is now coming to an end for many, the next big goal is already on the horizon: the Master's thesis. Plans are already being made for the next start of the programme - a revised version of the Master's in Systemic Counselling will be relaunched in October 2026.

Interested parties can already obtain non-binding information on content, admission requirements and application modalities.