Social Work in Health Care (B.A.)

Social Work and Health – Social Work in Health Care

Social work in healthcare is always required when it comes to providing support in coping with a physical or mental illness or a need for care. Assistance for relatives also plays an important role. This requires broad knowledge and, at the same time, the ability to understand individual life situations and problems as well as the social situation of those affected in their respective contexts and to realize or identify possible forms of support. Students learn to carry out complex case analyses, develop individualized assistance, and critically reflect on their professional actions – always based on a social-ethical attitude that takes a holistic view of people.

Core content

General fundamentals of social work (including professional and methodological practice, fields of activity, theories, history)
Fundamental scientific principles of social work (including pedagogy, psychology, sociology, health sciences, law)
Basic skills (including professional attitude, reflective thinking, work organization, self-organization)
Program-specific knowledge (including health/illness, mental illness, health care system, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, nursing, case reflection)

Schedule

12Weeks of Theorie

14Weeks of Praxis

3Years of Studies

210ECTS Points

Bachelor of Arts

Contents of the study programme in brief

The Social Work in Healthcare degree program teaches both theoretical knowledge and practical skills that are important for the field of work. Developing a professional attitude is also central to the program. The scientific and methodological knowledge and other skills focus on:

Basic knowledge (e.g., health/illness, mental illness, healthcare system, age(ing), prevention, cure, rehabilitation, care)
Systematic analysis of the institutions and organizations in which social work in healthcare is offered
Methods and concepts
Case work
Life situations, living environments & health
Legal basis and financing of services
Reflection on the professional role and professional ethics issues
Health and social policy framework conditions
Quality development

By engaging with these areas of focus, students acquire differentiated knowledge and skills with regard to the legal, structural, and methodological requirements of social work in the healthcare sector.
The three-year program concludes with an assessment of 210 ECTS credits and the academic degree of Bachelor of Arts.

Career following studies

As a state-certified social worker/social pedagogue, you will find career opportunities in social services that offer and provide assistance to people with illnesses, those in need of care, relatives, and self-help groups in dealing with illness, old age, and disability. These are primarily: statutory health insurance companies, acute care hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, psychiatric clinics, and the public health service.

Teaching staff

In addition to professors of the DHBW Villingen-Schwenningen, lecturers from other universities as well as specially qualified experts from companies and social institutions also provide content from their area of specialization to our students. This ensures that practice-relevant know-how will be taught.

Lecturers