Provide optimal advice and support to families in challenging life situations

Social Work (B.A.) at MSB Medical School Berlin prepares you to support people in challenging life situations and to promote social participation, human rights and social justice. Social work as a human rights profession strengthens self‑determination and self‑efficacy, protects the health of disadvantaged people, supports social cohesion and takes a stand against poverty and social exclusion. Well‑qualified social workers are needed to respond to current social challenges with up‑to‑date expertise, strong methodological skills and a reflective, respectful and strength‑oriented attitude.

Why study Social Work (B.A.) at MSB?

• English‑taught Social Work Bachelor’s programme in Berlin
• Modern, international campus with practice‑oriented and interdisciplinary focus
• Teaching by experienced academics and practitioners
• Strong focus on social justice, human rights and inclusion
• Development of analytical, counselling and prevention skills for diverse fields of practice

You learn to analyse problems, conflicts and crises in a reflective way and to develop viable solutions together with your clients. You acquire knowledge of support methods, preventive approaches and health‑promoting interventions in the social and health care system and grow both professionally and personally throughout your studies. Optional German courses (A1–C1, CEFR) offered by the Career Center support you in building the required language level alongside your studies.

Start of program
Summer- and wintersemester

Type / duration of program
Full time: 7 semester 

Tuition fees
450 Euro/month
Registration fee: 100 Euro

Degree
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

Study structure and blended learning

• Duration: 3 years (full‑time), degree: Bachelor of Arts, state‑recognised social worker/social pedagogue (B.A.) in accordance with SozBAG
• Requirement for state recognition: German language skills at C1 level (CEFR) by graduation

Flexible studying is a core feature of MSB:

• Blended learning with a mix of on‑campus teaching, virtual teaching and structured self‑study
• Campus phases for close supervision, group work, self‑awareness and direct interaction
• Didactically integrated online formats with clear learning objectives
• Usually three days a week on campus plus one attendance week per month
• Remaining weeks with virtual study from your preferred learning location

This structure makes it easier to combine studies with work in a social institution and to directly apply theory in practice.

Study contents: interdisciplinary and practice‑oriented

You benefit from an interdisciplinary curriculum with content from:

• Education and developmental psychology
• Social sciences, sociology and social policy
• Medicine, health sciences and mental health
• Philosophy, ethics, human rights and cultural studies
• Law (e.g. child and youth welfare law, social law)

Examples of topics and fields:

• Socialisation and learning theories
• Mental illness, suicidal tendencies, trauma and their consequences
• Early intervention, child protection, risk assessment and violence intervention
• Health promotion, prevention concepts and inclusive educational and support processes
• History of social work and professional ethics

You also gain an overview of:

• Fields and methods of social work (case work, group work, community work)
• Qualitative and quantitative research methods using digital tools
• Gender studies, intersectionality and diversity‑sensitive practice

Because social work is based on communication, language and conversation skills are central:

• Basics of communication and relevant therapeutic schools
• Techniques from systemic and solution‑focused counselling and psychodynamic pedagogy
• Skills for difficult conversations, team moderation and case conferences
• Mindfulness‑based methods for maintaining your own mental and emotional health

The degree programme follows a clear sequence of compulsory modules. In addition, a wide range of interdisciplinary electives and compulsory electives allows you to set individual focus areas. A study‑integrated practical semester (20 weeks, usually at the end of the programme) is compulsory and is accompanied by university supervision and regular supervision groups.

Career prospects and Master’s options

With the Social Work (B.A.) degree you can:

• Enter professional practice directly in all fields of social work with independent, church‑based or public providers
• Work with children, young people and families, older people or people with disabilities
• Support people with mental illness, addiction problems or delinquent behaviour

You can also continue your studies and qualify for leadership and management roles or an academic career with the option of doctoral studies. After graduation you may choose, for example:

• Master’s degree in Social Work (M.A.)
• Master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology (M.Sc.)

Both programmes offer the possibility of integrated, certified further training in systemic counselling or systemic coaching (DGSF/SG), expanding your professional and career opportunities.

Admission requirements

• Higher education entrance qualification in accordance with § 10 BerlHG (general or subject‑specific higher education entrance qualification, entrance qualification for universities of applied sciences or comparable qualification), or
• Higher education entrance qualification for professionally qualified applicants in accordance with § 11 BerlHG
• For international applicants: admission option according to § 11 BerlHG
• Pre‑study internship of at least one month in a recognised social or health care institution

The programme is NC‑free. After your application, MSB assesses your motivation and suitability in an individual admission interview.