Civic Education. Democracy in digitized societies (M.A.)
What makes this degree programme special?
- Theoretical and practical networking: interdisciplinary curriculum and close integration with professional practice
- Focus on digitalisation: emphasis on democratic processes in the digital age
- Developed with practitioners – the nationwide research institute Gesellschaftlicher Zusammenhalt (Social Cohesion) and the Institute for Democracy and Civil Society, sponsored by the Amadeu Antonio Foundation
What is the structure of the programme?
The Master's programme has a modular structure and in a total of nine modules not only provides a research-based overview of the basics of democracy work. Through the close interlinking with professional practice, the study contents can be directly applied and contacts made in the professional world. Against the background of increasing digitalisation in all areas of society, there is a special focus on the importance of digitalisation for democratic processes. Networking with other degree programmes is also to be promoted, which is why some modules are attended with the students of the Master's in Social Work. Here, interdisciplinary and intensive exchange becomes possible.
Module overview
What are the entry requirements?
The prerequisite for the degree programme is
- a Bachelor's, Magister or Diplom degree in a relevant undergraduate degree programme at a higher education institution. In addition to the BA Social Work or Social Sciences, other courses of study are considered relevant, e.g. Education, Educational Sciences, Social Sciences, Cultural Sciences, Humanities, Economics, Law or Behavioural Sciences.
- The submission of a letter expressing the motivation for the degree programme.
- Submission of the complete application documents (see "Documents checklist").
- Once you have submitted the required documents, you will take part in the aptitude test. If you achieve a total of at least 45 out of a maximum of 100 points to be awarded, you have proven your suitability for successful study.
You will receive points in the aptitude test
- for the final grade of your first academic degree,
- for the presentation of your motivation to study and furthermore
- for practical and subject-related qualifications acquired (outside) of higher education.
You can find out how many points are awarded for which final grade and for the other qualifications related to the degree programme and the letter of motivation in the points catalogue in the Regulations on the Qualification Procedure (Annex 1 to the Programme-Specific Regulations, see download area).
Please submit your practical and subject-related qualifications acquired (outside of) higher education with your application documents for consideration in the aptitude test. Practical professional or civil society skills and expertise in dealing with democracy work that have been acquired since the beginning of vocational training/previous studies will be recognised. Activities within the framework of relevant professional activity or through professional internships, relevant civil society commitment and (extra)university (research) internships, as well as corresponding further and advanced training are taken into account. Corresponding proof is required. Credit is awarded on the basis of the criteria stated in the Regulations on the Qualification Procedure § 4, Para. 3, 2.
The Master's programme Civic Education. Democracy Work in a Digitalised Society is successfully completed with 90 ECTS.
As a rule, applicants with a Bachelor's degree of 180 ECTS receive a special study plan to make up 30 ECTS points. This can be waived by mutual agreement. If this is the case, you will complete your Master's degree with 270 ECTS points.
What career prospects do I have after completing my studies?
Would you like to support companies in developing their potential and anchoring diversity and democratic competence as an important component in organisations?
The consecutive Master's programme Civic Education. Democracy Work in a Digitalised Society qualifies you as a multiplier for democracy competence. We do not understand democratic competence as an additional qualification, but as a comprehensive basis for social professions, democratic work and social interaction.
The programme is interdisciplinary in order to shed light on processes that promote and hinder democracy from different disciplines and to be able to develop approaches to action at different levels. Graduates are qualified to work in one of the various fields of democracy work. Due to the diversity of the concrete fields of work, a key qualification is the transfer of what has been learned to other areas and levels. The connection of theoretical knowledge with cases of application, the consideration of facts from an interdisciplinary perspective and the development of approaches to action are fundamental for the acquisition of competences in the study programme Civic Education. Democracy work in the digitalised society.
A core competence of graduates is self-reflection and evaluation of their own actions in their respective contexts. This is a prerequisite for the implementation and new development of theories and concepts in practice, as well as their adaptation & optimisation.
In combination with the ability to independently acquire and develop knowledge acquired in the degree programme, as a graduate you will be in a position to adequately continue your education throughout your entire professional career.
Examples of possible fields of work:
- Counselling centres
- Memorial work
- Prevention of extremism
- Political education work
- Day-care centre and school development
- Civil society associations
- State and federal authorities
- Projects in democracy promotion programmes
Who should I contact if I have any questions?
What other degree programmes might also interest me?
