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Master’s in Counselling and Intervention
Become a counselling professional
Life is full of changes. As society evolves and professional and private challenges arise, psychosocial counselling and support are increasingly in demand.
Counselling provides professional help that activates people's own potential for development in dealing with uncertainty, decision-making and ambivalence. Such counselling services are aimed at individuals, groups, teams and institutions - not only in times of crisis, but also for ongoing support.
Counselling is regarded as one of the core competences of social work. In the degree program Counselling and Intervention, students acquire an understanding of counselling, develop their own counselling skills and develop their own professional identity as counsellors.
Components of the degree program
The degree program consists of four module areas and two specializations (compulsory electives):
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Approaches to Counselling Studies, Counselling Research and Counselling in Systems
Academic Principles of Counselling (1st semester of study)
- Academic Principles of Counselling and Counselling Research (2 semester hours per week)
- Paradigms of Salutogenesis and Pathogenesis (2 semester hours per week)
Counselling in Systems (2nd semester of study)
- Counselling in Organizations (2 semester hours per week)
- Family and Parent Counselling within Contextual Constraints (2 semester hours per week)
Multi-Perspective Approaches to Case Management (4th semester of study)
- Multi-Perspective Approaches to Case Management (1 semester hour per week)
- Peer Case Consultation for Professional Perspectives (2 semester hours per week)
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In training sessions with small groups, the students acquire the necessary social and methodological skills required for counselling.
Specific Counselling Methods I (1st semester of study)
- Specific Counselling Methods (1.5 semester hours per week in small groups)
- Biography Work (1.5 semester hours per week in small groups)
- Moderation and Group Leadership (1 semester hour per week)
Specific Counselling Methods II (2nd semester of study)
- Systemic Counselling and Supervision (2 semester hours per week in small groups)
- Conflict and Mediation (1 semester hour per week)
- Personnel Development and Management Coaching (2 semester hours per week)
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This module area focuses on the relationships between methodological frameworks, legal parameters for counselling, and ethics.
Methodology, Ethics and Law in Counselling (3rd semester of study)
- Methodological Principles of Counselling (2 semester hours per week)
- Legal Bases for Specific Contexts (2 semester hours per week)
- Counselling and Research Ethics (1 semester hour per week)
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Here, the students use research-based learning approaches and apply them to their own projects.
Reflective Practice I (2nd semester of study)
- Research in Practical Studies (1 semester hour per week)
- Research-Based Learning (2 semester hours per week)
- Professional Self-Concept
Reflective Practice II (3rd semester of study)
- Empirical Research Workshop (1 semester hour per week in small groups)
- Professional Self-Concept (2 semester hours per week in small groups)
- Practical Studies
Practical Research Project (3rd semester of study)
- Case-Based Practice-Oriented Research (3 semester hours per week)
Reflective Practice III (4th semester of study)
- Empirical Research Workshop (1 semester hour per week in small groups)
- Symposium (1 semester hour per week)
- Professional Self-Concept (2 semester hours per week)
Master’s Thesis
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Psychosocial counselling in social work (1st semester of study))
- Challenges of Psychosocial Counselling in Social Work (2 semester hours per week)
- Specific Diagnostics and Psychosocial Counselling (2 semester hours per week)
Counselling in Social Work Settings (2nd semester of study)
- Recipient-Specific Counselling in Different Settings (2 semester hours per week)
- Psychosocial Counselling in Community Settings and Organizations (2 semester hours per week)
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Counselling in Educational Settings (1st semester of study)
- Pedagogical Counselling and Self-Concept of Counsellors in Early Childhood Education (2 semester hours per week)
- Specific Diagnostics and Pedagogical Counselling (2 semester hours per week)
Counselling in Early Childhood Education Practice (2nd semester of study)
- Working with Different Recipients of Pedagogical Counselling (2 semester hours per week)
- Organizational Counselling in Nursery Schools and Child Day Care Centres (2 semester hours per week)
State Certification
Graduating with a Master's degree in Counselling and Intervention does not confer on you the professional qualification of "State-Certified Social Pedagogue" or "State-Certified Social Worker".
According to § 1 of the Thuringian Social Work Professions Recognition Act, state certification is conditional on a variety of requirements, including proof of at least 100 days of integrated practical experience in the field of social work. According to the "Qualifications Framework for Social Work", a Bachelor's degree in Social Work is also required.
Our Master's program does not meet either of these requirements.
Skills and specializations in the Master’s in Counselling and Intervention
The program Counselling and Intervention comprises four standard semesters and leads to the Master of Arts degree, which enables the graduate to pursue doctoral studies.
This practical and research-oriented degree program will enhance your skills in theory, reflection, methodical action and research-based learning. Studying salutogenic and epidemiological approaches in addition to case-related psychosocial, pedagogical and clinical diagnostics enables students to develop expertise in a wide variety of multi-professional work contexts and a sound understanding of professional conduct.
E-portfolio work is central to the degree program and serves to combine reflective work with practice-based sessions and academic studies.
The Master's program Counselling and Intervention offers two areas of specialization:
- Psychosocial Counselling and Intervention
- Counselling in the Context of Early Childhood Education
Overview
- Title Master Counselling and Intervention
- Qualification/degree Master (Master of Arts)
- Duration 4 semesters
- Mode of study full-time
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Flexibility
Open to affiliate students
Open for occasional students
Part-time studies possible
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Beginning
Winter semester
- Costs -
- Period for enrolment 01.05. - 31.05.
- General Requirements Yes Show
- Special Requirements No
- International application Show
Master’s in Counselling and Intervention: Stages of Study
During the first two semesters, there are courses on the academic principles of counselling. You will learn specific counselling methods and practice their implementation in small group training sessions. In addition, you will take specific seminars in your compulsory elective subject (Counselling in the Context of Early Childhood Education and/or Psychosocial Counselling).
In the third semester, you will benefit from the accumulation of theoretical knowledge and practical methods during your work placement. The aim of the practical module is to become familiar with the intervention and counselling processes in institutions within the social sector, as well as to be able to analyse them and become actively involved in these processes. The practical module therefore consists of two parts: after a block of purely practical work, the work placement is then complemented by courses at the university. In these seminars, the students reflect on the intensive learning processes in their chosen host organizations from an academic viewpoint.
You will complete an e-portfolio as part of the seminars that accompany your practical training. Here, you will examine and reflect upon key scenarios in counselling settings, develop opportunities for action and apply quality standards drawn from the professional literature. Portfolio work is carried out individually, in small groups and - towards the end of the degree program - with the seminar group as a whole.
The last semester is mainly dedicated to working on your Master’s thesis. It should be practice-oriented and related to your chosen research project. These research projects deal with core issues that arise from your practical placements. You will then present your research projects to other students, academics and practitioners at our annual Master's symposium.
Important Documents
- Academic Regulations
- Module Catalogue Enrolments from Winter 20/21
- Module Catalogue Enrolments from Summer 20
Master’s in Counselling and Intervention: Your Background
Find out here what you need to bear in mind when applying for the Master's in Counselling and Intervention!
Please note: This degree program is taught in German and therefore requires all students to have at least C1 level German skills. More information on applying to FH Erfurt as an international student can be found here.
Entry requirements
As a general admission requirement for the Master's program, students must hold an undergraduate degree from a university or cooperative education institution with a minimum of 180 credit points and an overall grade of at least 2.5 in one of the following subjects:
- Social Work
- Early Childhood Education
Graduates of related degree programs can also be admitted.
If you do not have a state-approved degree in the above subjects, you must demonstrate that you possess knowledge and skills in the following fields at the time of application:
- fundamentals of early childhood education or psychosocial counselling,
- training in communication and counselling (at least 30 hours),
- legal foundations relevant to the field of early childhood education or the basics of social law, and
- at least 700 hours of practical experience (student placements and/or work experience in the field of early childhood education or social work).
For this purpose, please use our profile sheet.
This degree program is taught in German, meaning that applicants must be proficient in German (C1 level or higher) upon starting the course.
Selection procedure
To be admitted to the Master's program, you need a total score of 75 out of a possible 100 points. The following criteria are taken into account:
Scale:
- 1.0 - 1.1 = 60 points
- 1.2 - 1.3 = 55 points
- 1.4 - 1.5 = 50 points
- 1.6 - 1.7 = 45 points
- 1.8 - 2.2 = 40 points
- 2.3 - 2.5 = 35 points
If you do not have your undergraduate degree by the end of the application period but can prove that you have earned at least 150 credits, your points will be awarded on the basis of the average grade of the weighted mean value of the module grades received. In this case, your admission is subject to proof that you have successfully graduated with your university degree.
40 percent of the points (maximum of 40 points) are awarded on the basis of an entrance examination for the Master's program.
In a 60-minute written exam, you are expected to demonstrate that you have the professional credentials and skills required for the Master's program. You will be sent an invitation to sit the exam two weeks in advance. If you do not attend, you will be given 0 points.The exam is designed to determine whether you have the prior knowledge required for the Master's program. Content-wise, the exam focuses on the following areas:
- counselling and intervention in the respective field of work
- current political and academic challenges related to the discipline
Attention is given to your knowledge of the field and reflective skills.
FAQs
All Bachelor’s degrees that conclude with state certification as a Social Worker, Social Pedagogue or Early Childhood Pedagogue will generally be accepted.
Apart from the semester fee, no other fees are charged. For information on the semester fee, please visit the Centre for Student and Academic Affairs website.
No, it doesn't.
The applications deadline is 31 May every year. All candidates who fulfil the entry requirements are forwarded to the selection procedure. The aptitude test takes the form of a written examination. The date will be announced on the website of the degree program under the heading “Apply”. In addition, the Centre for Student and Academic Affairs will send you an invitation to attend the exam.
The Master's program Counselling and Intervention can be studied part-time if you meet the corresponding requirements (e.g. employment, caring for relatives, childcare, chronic illness). Studying part-time involves a workload of 450 hours per semester for classroom and self-study during the lecture period and lecture-free periods. As a result, the duration of your studies doubles accordingly. Applicants must assess whether they can manage this workload in addition to their regular jobs.
Yes, it does.
You can apply for the Master’s in Counselling and Intervention in the year in which you are due to graduate with your Bachelor’s degree. If you do not have your degree certificate at the time of application, please submit your current grade transcript. The important thing is that you have successfully earned at least 150 ECTS by the time you apply.
You will receive provisional notification of admission which will only become binding once you have submitted your final Bachelor’s certificate.
Multiple career opportunities after graduation
The Master's degree in Counselling and Intervention qualifies you to work in a variety of fields as listed below, depending on your specialization and chosen profession.
With a Master’s degree, you can also pursue doctoral studies.
Counselling in the Context of Early Childhood Education:
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- freelance or institutional pedagogical counselling for day care centres and childcare services
- counsellor and coach for pedagogical professionals and childhood educators (supervision, further education, in-house training, quality development projects, ongoing pedagogical support)
- project-related academic counselling and supervision of practical work
- advice and support for and in certification schemes for early childhood education institutions
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- consulting for public and independent providers of day care for children and childcare services
- consulting for day-care centres, kindergartens, crèches, family centres, funding agencies, funding associations, corporate childcare centres or private institutions
- advising authorities and political decision-makers
- consulting on improving the professionalism of early education and childcare
- independent or public childcare counselling centres (advice for parents on choosing and arranging their child day care)
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- management of educational and childcare facilities
Psychosocial Counselling and Intervention:
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- public health departments, youth welfare offices
- social services in hospitals and rehabilitation facilities
- social services of health insurance companies
- social psychiatric services
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- general social counselling
- addiction counselling
- parenting support services
- psychosocial counselling centres
- debt counselling
- counselling for migrants
- counselling for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses
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- outpatient and inpatient facilities, especially in the fields of psychiatry and addiction support
- assisted residential facilities for young people, mental health care, geriatric care
- outpatient services, parenting support: social pedagogical or therapeutic family assistance
- support for offenders
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- in the context of family law (guardian ad litem in matters relating to parental rights)
- in the context of guardianship law (professional guardians)
