During studies

Here you will find short interviews with various people on the subject of "Vocational Education in Health". The perspectives of health teachers, prospective students from the Bachelor's degree course and the course management are presented. In this way, you can gather impressions and information about the course.

Who is the course for?

The Master's degree course is aimed at graduates of the Bachelor's degree course in Vocational Education in Health, or graduates of an equivalent course, who would like to deepen their professional and pedagogical skills and aim to teach the subject of health at vocational schools or aspire to teach at schools in the healthcare sector or in further and continuing education.

What will I learn on this course?

The Master's degree course builds on the Bachelor's degree course at Fulda University of Applied Sciences. Central to this are the principles of professional pedagogical action, as well as vocational pedagogical research and action skills. In addition, students expand and deepen their academic knowledge in the subject of health and the second subject. Compared to the Bachelor's degree, the research aspect in particular is intensified, as students work independently on a research question in their thesis. The degree also offers the possibility of an academic career and an associated doctorate.

What can I expect from the course?

The course takes place at two locations: At Fulda University of Applied Sciences and the University of Kassel. While in Fulda you study the subject-specific parts, i.e. the subject of health, in Kassel the topics of (vocational) education and (subject) didactics are central. A special feature of this degree course is that you can choose between two options: In the first option, you study a general education second subject and graduate with a Master of Education, in the second option you study nursing as a second subject in Fulda. In this variant, you will graduate with a Master of Arts.

What prospects and opportunities does this give me?

The Master of Education enables you to enter the second phase of teacher training, the teacher training service. Once this phase has been completed, you can enter the teaching profession at vocational schools. Possible schools of this type are vocational schools, vocational grammar schools or technical colleges. The Master of Arts offers, for example, the opportunity to take on a teaching position at schools in the healthcare sector, in particular at nursing schools, as well as to work in the further and continuing education sector. In addition, both degrees enable entry into an academic career with a doctorate. While the M.Ed. specifically prepares students for the teaching profession, the M.A. offers a broader range of options, although it does not easily allow students to enter the teacher training service.

Can I work alongside my studies? How much?

In principle, you can plan your studies yourself and organize them in such a way that you can also work in addition to your studies, for example with a 50% job. However, you must bear in mind that this will extend your studies accordingly. If you work half-time alongside your studies, you will probably have to study twice as long as if you were studying full-time, i.e. 8 semesters instead of 4. An example of a possible study plan with a 50% job would be as follows:

Is the MBG part-time?

The degree program is a full-time course. Nevertheless, you have the option of planning your studies so that you can also work (see previous question). However, this will extend your studies accordingly.

I have a Bachelor's degree in Health Science, Nursing or Physiotherapy. Can I still study this Master's degree course?

In principle, lateral entry is possible on the basis of a purely specialist Bachelor's degree (e.g. nursing or physiotherapy). You can find the exact requirements under "Application and admission". However, in this case, modules from the Bachelor's degree must be made up, which can comprise up to 60 credits. The study time is then extended accordingly. If you are studying full-time, you will have to complete around 30 credits per semester, so you will have to plan for two additional semesters. If you are working alongside your studies, you would have to plan more time accordingly.

How often do I have to come to Kassel or Fulda?

This depends on the study option you choose and also on which modules you take and when. For a full-time course with the M. Ed. (general education second subject), you have one module in Fulda in each of the first three semesters, which means you have to go to Fulda once a week. Depending on the semester and the seminars you attend, you will also spend two to three days in Kassel. For a Master of Arts, you will also take the second subject of nursing in Fulda, i.e. in this case you will have two modules per semester there.

How can I combine my career, family or other commitments with my studies?

First of all, there is nothing to stop you combining your career, family or other commitments with your studies. You can stretch your studies over a longer period of time by taking fewer modules per semester (see example above). In addition, there are various offers for students with children to enable them to study successfully with their family. These include a preferential enrollment procedure and compensation for disadvantages when it comes to deadlines. You can find out more here: https://www.uni-kassel.de/hochschulverwaltung/themen/gleichstellung-familie-und-diversity/family-welcome-und-dual-career-service/studieren-mit-familie/organisation-des-studiums-mit-familie.

What costs will I incur?

The main fixed costs are your semester fees, which are made up of contributions to various institutions. The semester fees are due at the beginning of each new semester, as well as upon enrollment. More information here: https://www.uni-kassel.de/uni/studium/im-studium/semesterbeitrag
In addition to the semester fees, you also need to take into account that you will need work materials and books, although these are tax-deductible. With the semester ticket, you can travel certain routes by regional train free of charge, which may save on travel costs. Find out more here: https://asta.studierende-kassel.de/service/mobilitaet/semesterticket/

What compensation for disadvantages is available in the event of a physical impairment?

There is a right to compensation for disadvantages
- in the event of serious or chronic illness or a disability as defined in Section 2 (1) SGB IX,
- in the event of illness of children in need of care and relatives in need of care,
- during maternity leave and parental leave.
Compensation for disadvantages relates to adapted examination conditions. For example, students who meet the relevant requirements are given more time to complete examinations. You can find more information here: https://www.uni-kassel.de/themen/fileadmin/datas/themen/studium_behinderung/Formulare/hinweise_nachteilsausgleich.pdf

When and where are internships planned in the degree program?

You will normally complete two internships (practical school studies = SPS) in your second subject, as you have already completed the SPS in your first subject of Health in your Bachelor's degree. However, different rules apply for lateral entrants; you must complete the SPS in your first subject in addition to other modules if you do not have a comparable qualification. The two internships each comprise 120 hours. Based on full-time study, they must be completed during the semester breaks between the second and third and the third and fourth semesters. These internships are completed at vocational schools.

Can I apply even if my Bachelor's certificate has not yet been issued?

At the time of application, at least 70% (pandemic-related reduction from 80% to 70% for winter semester 2021/22 ) of the credits required for a degree must already have been completed and passed. This corresponds to 126 out of 180 or 147 out of 210 credits). Proof of the preliminary average grade is also required. Proof of admission to the Bachelor's thesis must be submitted upon enrollment at the latest.