Internships in Social Work & Childhood Education (Starting in Winter Semester 2026/27)

We can be heroes. Just for one day.
^{David Bowie "Heroes"}
With us, you start where Social Work and Childhood Education work from the very beginning of your studies: in direct contact with children, young people, adults, families and as part of a team. In the practical study phases, you will experience powerful moments of resistance against adversity, overcoming boundaries and heroism in everyday life, looking, listening, understanding, acting and changing - not just for one day - continuously accompanied in the casuistry labs, with experienced mentors and supervision - the best preparation for your future. Nobody is a superhero, but everyone can make a difference. Find out everything you need to know about the process and organisation of your mandatory internship on this page.

Practical degree programme - how it works

Right in the thick of it from the start: From your 1st semester onwards, you will get to know practical workplaces and will be out and about in a real working context - with people, situations and questions that you will encounter later in your professional life.
3 practical phases that build on each other: understanding, observing and perceiving (1), experiencing, participating and doing (2) as well as assessing and changing (3).
Support: Casuistry labs and supervision offer a safe space for reflecting on practical experiences at the university.
High quality: Certified practice centres, trained mentors, clear training plans and continuous support.

How the internship works

Exploratory and work placement (semester 1 & 2)

Explore - Observe - Understand

Get to know different fields of work and find out what suits you best.
Observe institutions, target groups and professional relationships.
Reflect on your different roles as a team-oriented, collegial team member at the placement provider and also as a student.
Contribute your impressions to the casuistry labs.
Social Work hours: 120 hours as a practical day/block (15 weeks or 3 weeks in semester 2)
Hours of Childhood Education: 100 hours as a practical day/block (1st semester) and 100 hours as a practical day (semester 2).
Academic/professional guidance: Casuistry lab in semester 1 & 2, mentoring at the placement provider
Module examination: Lab work, not graded

During the internship (semester 3 & 4)

Participate - apply methods - find your own role

Act in the spirit of co-operative and co-creative assistance.
Take on a clearly defined area of responsibility and at the same time see yourself as a team with your colleagues.
Try out methods and apply them actively.
Reflect on your self-concept and develop your professional attitude.
Social Work hours: 320 hours as a block (8 weeks, lecture-free period semester 3 & 4), alternatives may be possible after consultation with the placement provider
Childhood Education hours: 100 hours as a practical day (semester 3) and 160 hours as a practical block (end of semester 3 or 4)
Academic/professional guidance: casuistry lab in semester 3 or 4, training supervision, mentoring at the placement provider
Module examination: Lab work, not graded

During the transfer internship (semester 5 & 6)

Implement project - Co-design - Evaluate

Identify a field of development or evaluation at your placement and compare the needs in the team.
Plan your own project, implement it and evaluate it in cooperation with relevant stakeholders at the placement provider.
Develop a comprehensive understanding of your field of work and see yourself as a member of a diverse, interdisciplinary team.
Develop standards for quality development and take professional ethical principles into account.
Social Work hours: Semester-long internship (3 days per week, 15 weeks in semester 5) or practical block (9 weeks, end of semester 5), alternatives may be possible after consultation with the placement provider
Childhood Education hours: 100 hours as a practical day (semester 5) and 240 hours as a practical block (end of semester 5 or 6)
Academic/professional guidance: casuistry lab in semester 5, supervision, mentoring at the placement provider
Module examination: Lab work, not graded
Internship abroad: The practical block is particularly suitable for gaining practical experience abroad.

No internship without planning

All important information at a glance. Please also note the guidelines under Documents.

Internship contract

The internship contract (see documents) must be finalised and uploaded to Moodle no later than two weeks before the start of the internship. The contract is only valid once it has been confirmed by the University of Applied Sciences Potsdam.

Educational plans

Together with the internship contract, the corresponding educational plan (see documents) must also be uploaded to Moodle without a completed evaluation before the start of the internship. The complete educational plan, which is also part of the portfolio, follows at the end of the internship.

Posting

Internships are confirmed annually after the respective phase via MyCampus, please register accordingly.

Documents

Contact us

If you have any general questions about internships in the bachelor's degree programmes in Social Work and Childhood Education or about documentation and booking, please email: praktikum-transferlabor@fh-potsdam.de.