Social Work as a Human Rights Profession (english)

In recognition of the importance of the global and transnational dimension of social work increasingly discussed with normative references to human rights, the MA-SWHR offers the qualification to cope with the issues and problems linked to the triple mandate of social work – on the local, national and international level.

This international program is taught in English. It brings students together from various backgrounds and cultures to facilitate a cross-cultural learning experience. It is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize issues relevant to human rights in social policies, theory, problem areas and spheres of activity of social work, and promote a professional practice based on human rights.

The MA-SWHR is offered once a year, starting each winter semester. It is a study program based on classroom teaching and seminars which also include periods of self-depended learning and e-facilitated study time as well as written assignments. It requires a full-time commitment from students. The standard period of study is 24 months to be completed over four semesters.

During the first three semesters students will attend classes and seminars as well as dedicate themselves to the completion of project elaboration and essay writing. The final semester is dedicated to the research and writing of the MA thesis (25 weeks).

The MA-SWHR is an inter-disciplinary, research based study program, combining international human rights instruments and standards with selected social sciences and the transfer of conceptual knowledge to professional practice.

The program’s principal focus is the study of theories and empirical knowledge fundamental for a professional self-conception based on the triple mandate of social work: world society and social development, social problems and human rights violation, international law in a social work perspective; critical social science research.

A secondary focus is on the development of human rights based methods of intervention for different fields of social work. Particular elements of the curriculum will comprise units on health and human rights; migration an racism; poverty and social exclusion; gender, diversity and human rights; children’s rights; human rights education; management of change.

The Alice Salomon University of Applied Sciences has a commitment to offer its students high quality courses at a fair price. The tuition fee for full-time degree students is 7920 €. For the first three semesters, the fourth and last semester is dedicated to the master thesis and costs 500 €.

There is an administrative fee of 300 € which covers admission and registration. Further fees depend on the services you wish. For instance, the ticket of Berlin's public transport system (valid for 6 months) currently costs 195 € for MA-SWHR students.

The costs of living – including rent, food, clothing, laundry, personal hygiene, travel, obligatory health insurance, telephone, leisure activities and other expenses – generally average between 600 € and 800 € per month.

You must have an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline, e.g. social work, social sciences, law, humanities or cultural sciences, and a minimum of one year of professional or voluntary work experience in a related field. Furthermore, you are expected to demonstrate adequate training in research skills as well as proficiency in English.

The Alice Salomon Hochschule - University of Applied Sciences - in Berlin, Germany, offers the post graduate program Master of Arts in Social Work as a Human Rights Profession (MA-SWHR). The program is realized in cooperation with:

• Centrum for Post gradual Studies of Social Work, Berlin
• Coburg University of Applied Sciences and Arts
• Malmö University, Department of Social Work
• University of Gothenburg, Department of Social Work
• University of Ljubljana, Department for Social Justice and Inclusion
• University of Strathclyde, School of Applied Social Sciences

We would like to take the opportunity to introduce the program to you.

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