This Master's degree programme is far more than a specialisation - it is a commitment: to sustainable practice, for children's rights and child protection, and social work that consistently focuses on justice, participation and inclusion. It is for all those who want to act as global citizens and shape a better future for children and families.
English or German study track - the choice is yours! Be part of an international community that brings together local and global aspects of social work.
4 semesters (full-time)
8 semesters (part-time)
15.05. - 22.06. (admission restricted)
Note: Studies begin in the winter semester 2026/27
120 ECTS credit points
This consecutive on-campus/online Master's Programme - with a choice of German or English Study Track - prepares you to understand the challenges facing families and children in a globalised world. Drawing on international and local social work concepts and approaches, you will develop and apply sustainable strategies to promote social justice, cohesion, and improved living conditions for children and families. Global sustainability goals and social inequalities must be interpreted and implemented locally from a child- and family-centred perspective, requiring innovative responses and strategies.
An interdisciplinary perspective, relevant global knowledge sources, and multilingual student groups foster an awareness of international standards, diverse social, cultural, and political contexts, and their complex interrelationships. Only in this way, children and families can be actively involved, a stable foundation for long-term engagement and self-responsibility established, and sustainable interventions and equitable solutions developed.
The Master's programme has been accredited since 2007 (currently undergoing reaccreditation) and grants you access to the higher-level civil service positions. Further information can be found under Career prospects, Programme content and Application & contact.
Are you passionate about creating sustainable opportunities for children and families? Do you want to understand how social justice and sustainability interact and explore innovative approaches in social work?
In this degree programme, it is not only your knowledge and experience that count, but also your openness to other perspectives, your curiosity for research, and your willingness to take on responsibility. You enjoy working in a team, think creatively, and reflect on your own actions in order to help yourself and others develop. Whether in the digital space, in self-directed learning processes or in direct dialogue - you are ready to engage with new content, methods and group processes. Here you will find the space to be inspired, develop your ideas and actively help shape the future of social work with children and families.
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The colleagues at the Student Counselling Services provide information for prospective students, first-year students, parents, teachers and students on all general questions relating to the degree programme. If you have specific questions or concerns about the Master's degree programme in Sustainable Social Work: Child/hood and Family (MA), please contact the programme-specific student advisory or the degree programme coordinator.
| Department | Degree programme | Teaching language | Start of study | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| |
Early Childhood Studies (MA) | German | Winter semester | 15/06 – 15/10 (free of admission) |
| |
MA Social Work with a Focus on the Family | German | Winter semester | 15.05. – 22.06. (NC degree program) |
| |
Sustainable Social Work: Child/hood and Family (MA)* | German, English | Winter semester | 15.05. - 22.06. (admission restricted) Note: Studies begin in the winter semester 2026/27 |
* Subject to approval, the degree programme will begin in the winter semester of 2026/27.
This degree programme enables students to independently carry out managerial, research, planning, coordinating, evaluating and educational activities in the following highly sought-after areas:
You can also prepare for an academic career via the Teaching & Coaching Experience teaching format.
| Department | Degree programme | Teaching language | Start of study | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| |
Early Childhood Studies (MA) | German | Winter semester | 15/06 – 15/10 (free of admission) |
| |
MA Social Work with a Focus on the Family | German | Winter semester | 15.05. – 22.06. (NC degree program) |
| |
Sustainable Social Work: Child/hood and Family (MA)* | German, English | Winter semester | 15.05. - 22.06. (admission restricted) Note: Studies begin in the winter semester 2026/27 |
In the currently valid module handbooks and study and examination regulations of the Department of Social and Educational Sciences you will find the module overview, a detailed description of the modules and course content as well as the study plan for the Sustainable Social Work: Childhood and Family (M.A.) degree programme.
Use the semester models under semester overview for initial orientation. The modules in the German and English study tracks differ only in terms of language; however, courses may vary in terms of subject matter.
A wide variety of teaching and learning formats enrich your study time in both the German and English study tracks:
Abroad module
In the third semester, you have the opportunity to study abroad. Information on partner universities and funding can be found on the website of the International Office. Voluntary internships abroad can be completed during the semester break.
Teaching and Coaching Experience
As a first entry/insight into an academic career, you can be actively involved in teaching and learning processes for the Bachelor's degree programmes in the Department with continuous mentoring if you can demonstrate appropriate expertise in a subject area.
The Sustainable Social Work: Child/hood and Family (MA) degree programme is a combined attendance-online degree programme with weekly attendance days (probably Thursdays and Fridays) during the lecture period or with one block week per academic year at the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences.
The digital elements take place asynchronously (digital course) or synchronously (online seminar). Online seminars replace individual attendance days. You can spend a semester abroad in the third semester. Optional internships abroad are particularly suitable during the lecture-free period.
The aim of the certificate programme is to provide scientific, conceptual, strategic and action-oriented skills for managerial, planning, coordinating and evaluating activities in the field of fan and spectator management.
Extended reality and AI-supported counselling for parents in understanding and dealing constructively with their children's emotions
App prototyping as an inclusive teaching-learning arrangement for the integrative development of digital skills at upper secondary level.
The most important deadlines, dates and admission requirements for the Master's degree programme in Sustainable Social Work: Childhood and Family are summarised here. You can find out which steps you need to follow for a successful application in the next section.
In the following, we explain which aspects you should consider from the online application to enrolment.
The following links will provide you and especially international applicants with further information on the topics of application and enrolment at the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences.
Would you like to apply for a degree programme from the first or a higher semester and have obtained your school-leaving certificate and/or university degree abroad? Then you can have your qualifications and achievements from abroad recognised and study with us.
The Application and Study Service provides information and advice on general questions about the application process, admission and enrolment at the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam, application for a higher semester, but also on topics such as compensation for disadvantages, part-time study, waiting semesters and hardship applications.
The Central Student Advisory Service provides information and advice on general questions about studying and on topics such as choosing a degree programme, application, enrolment and study organisation.
The Student Advisory Service is the right place to go for subject-specific questions about module content, credit transfer, examinations or study specialisations in the Social Work, Family specialisation degree programme.
Study Info Service
studien-info-service@fh-potsdam.de
bewerbungs-service@fh-potsdam.de
campuskarte@fh-potsdam.de
Study Service
studien-service@fh-potsdam.de
Exam Service
pruefungs-service@fh-potsdam.de
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Tue and Thu 9.30 am – 1.30 pm
Office hours
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