Therapeutic Social Work (M.A.)

Immerse yourself in the world of therapy and counselling!

What is therapeutic social work?

Therapeutic social work involves the application of specific social therapeutic methods and interventions to support people in difficult life situations. It is based on an interdisciplinary approach that integrates psychological, social and health-related approaches in order to provide comprehensive help for people in psychosocial crises.

Fields of work

Graduates of the degree programme work in various fields such as psychosocial counselling, child and youth welfare, addiction therapy and health promotion. They are able to work in outpatient, day-care and inpatient facilities, where their specialised knowledge and skills are in high demand.

TSA at a glance

Study programmeInfo
Short description:TSA
Academic degree:Master of Arts (M.A.)
Standard period of study / scope of services:3 semesters / 90 ECTS credits i
Teaching language:German
Study format:Part-time, full-time
Study start:Winter semester and summer semester
Pre-internship:not required
Application period:by 31.03.2025 for the summer semester 2025 | by 01.07. for the winter semester
Admission restriction:no
Admission requirements:Bachelor's degree in Social Work, final grade "good"
Tuition fees:none

Working in the field of social health and rehabilitation requires a deep understanding of the complex life situations of people who are dependent on support. The Master's degree programme in Therapeutic Social Work at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences offers you a comprehensive education based on both scientific principles and practical applications.

In this degree programme, you will deepen your knowledge and skills in psychosocial counselling, child and youth welfare, addiction therapy and health promotion. We place particular emphasis on combining theory and practice in order to optimally prepare you for the challenges in these sensitive and important fields of work.

Through intensive course content and practical projects, you will develop the expertise to professionally accompany and support people in difficult life situations. This Master's degree programme prepares you to take on responsibility in managerial positions and significantly improve the quality of social work.

The Master's degree programme in Therapeutic Social Work is designed to offer you a well-founded and practice-oriented education based on the latest findings in social work. The programme is divided into 15 modules, which are spread over three semesters and will allow you to explore the relevant subject areas in depth.

First and second semester:

  • Clinical social work and diagnostics: These modules deepen your knowledge of the basics of social work, especially in a clinical context. You will learn diagnostic methods that you can apply in your future professional practice.
  • Interdisciplinary case management: You will acquire comprehensive knowledge in dealing with complex case studies and learn how to coordinate and lead interdisciplinary teams.
  • Social therapeutic intervention methods: In these modules, you will deal with various approaches and techniques of intervention that are important in working with specific target groups, such as in child and youth welfare or addiction therapy.
  • Qualitative and quantitative research methods: These modules prepare you to carry out independent empirical research projects and make scientifically sound decisions.
Third semester:
  • Master's thesis: In the final semester of the degree programme, you will concentrate on writing your Master's thesis. You will apply the knowledge you have learnt in an independent research project, which is supported by an accompanying seminar.

In addition to the compulsory modules, you have the opportunity to choose from a wide range of elective modules that allow you to customise your studies and focus on specific topics that are particularly relevant to your future career.

The Master's degree programme in Therapeutic Social Work is aimed at committed professionals who already have a Bachelor's degree in social work or a related field and would like to deepen their skills in therapeutic work with people in difficult life situations. The course is particularly suitable for those who have already gained initial professional experience and now want to qualify for specialised tasks in psychosocial counselling, addiction therapy or child and youth welfare. They strive to take on a leading role in these areas and to sustainably improve the quality of life of those affected through innovative concepts and sound methods. This target group consists of professionals who value an in-depth theoretical grounding and wish to combine this with practical experience in order to take their professional career to the next level.

After completing the Master's degree programme in Therapeutic Social Work, you will have numerous career opportunities in various fields of social work. You will be excellently prepared to work in outpatient, day-care and inpatient rehabilitation facilities, psychiatry, addiction counselling and child and youth welfare. The increasing social importance of therapeutic interventions, particularly in the context of psychosocial crises and health challenges, opens up a wide range of professional opportunities.

In addition, you can qualify for further qualifications after graduation, such as training as an addiction or social therapist in accordance with Section 37a SGB V. Your in-depth knowledge and skills will make you a sought-after specialist who is able to develop innovative approaches and take on responsibility in management positions. The Master's degree also provides you with the basis for a further academic career, for example as part of a doctorate.

  • Bachelor certificate
  • Detailed list of completed modules including grades and ECTS credits

The degree programme concludes with a Master of Arts (M.A.) in Therapeutic Social Work. The degree programme is accredited by the Accreditation, Certification and Quality Assurance Institute (ACQUIN) until 30 September 2025.

The regulations for your degree programme, published in the Official announcements of the HSN:

02/2023

  • Second amendment to the study regulations for the Master's degree programme in Therapeutic Social Work at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences

28/2021

  • First amendment to the examination regulations and the study regulations for the Master's degree programme in Therapeutic Social Work
  • Appendix 1: Curriculum and module structure

10/2018

  • Study regulations for the Master's degree programme in Transdisciplinary Early Intervention 
  • Examination regulations for the Master's degree programme in Transdisciplinary Early Intervention

09/2018

  • Study regulations for the Master's degree programme in Therapeutic Social Work 
  • Examination regulations for the Master's degree programme in Therapeutic Social Work 

01/2015

Summer term 2015

  • Second amendment to the study regulations for the Master's degree programme in Therapeutic Social Work at Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences

Winter term 2013/14

  • Study regulations for the Master's degree programme in Therapeutic Social Work
  • Examination regulations for the Master's degree programme in Therapeutic Social Work

Note:
Semester details apply to first-time enrolments from this date (e.g. valid for first-time enrolment from winter semester 2020/2021)

Why you should study Therapeutic social work at HSN:

  • Practical training: The degree programme combines theoretical principles with practical applications. Numerous projects and co-operations with social institutions offer you the opportunity to apply the knowledge you have learnt directly in practice.
  • Individualised support: Small seminar groups and close supervision by experienced professors guarantee a personal and intensive learning atmosphere.
  • Strong networking: Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences maintains close contacts with social organisations and health institutions, which will not only be of benefit to you during your studies, but also when you start your career.
  • Excellent reputation and many years of experience: The degree programme has an excellent reputation in the professional world and can point to numerous successful graduates who are already working in management positions.

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Unlike at a university, you will receive more support in your learning process at our university. We provide learning objective control questions, enable you to deepen your knowledge through exercises and also facilitate a great deal of interaction in lectures and seminars. These are big differences to courses with >300 students.

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