About the Department of Applied Human Sciences
The Department of Applied Human Sciences offers full-time study programmes with a standard study duration of 6 semesters (Bachelor of Science [B.Sc.] and Bachelor of Arts [B.A.] or 4 semesters (Master of Science [M.Sc.] and Master of Arts [M.A.]) that are targeted at holders of secondary school diplomas or secondary vocational diplomas and at qualified working people:
- Psychology of Rehabilitation (B.Sc. and M.Sc.),
- Applied Childhood Studies (B.A.) and Children’s Rights (M.A.)
- Early Childhood Education & Care – Practice, Management, Research (B.A.)
A further study programme of 6 semesters’ standard study duration is targeted at educators with professional experience who are seeking to pursue an academic course of study whilst continuing to work:
- Managing Child Day Care Centres - Early Childhood Education & Care (B.A.).
These programmes cover three important areas of social competence:
1. The preservation and recovery of mental health (Psychology of Rehabilitation).
The study programmes in Psychology of Rehabilitation (Bachelor’s and Master’s) prepare students to work as psychologists in the rehabilitation field of healthcare. Graduates support people through rehabilitation processes as well as individuals with mental and physical impairments. They are part of the treatment team in out-patient and in-patient rehabilitation facilities, devise treatment plans, carry out psychological assessments and advise and support patients in individual and group settings. Over and above this, they may develop education, training and counselling programmes for people with mental and physical impairments, work in practice-oriented research and teaching, or in public administration or social insurance funds.
2. Understanding and shaping institutional and social conditions from the perspective of young people (up to 27 years of age)
The innovative Childhood Studies programmes address the national and international implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The emphasis lies on conveying interdisciplinary knowledge about childhood and youth and enabling students to shape institutional and social conditions based on the rights of the child for and with young people. Graduates work in educational, social and healthcare institutions, on planning committees at municipal, regional or federal level, in national and international (children's rights) organisations (NGOs), as multipliers for/experts in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and its implementation, and in research and teaching.
3. Evidence-based development of spheres of activity in early childhood education and care for the supervision of early childhood learning and educational processes
Graduates in the childhood education and care study programmes obtain a scientifically substantiated initial academic qualification, with which they are able, to a significant degree, to help shape the development of child day care centres as early childhood educational establishments. They participate in the development of empirically substantiated basic knowledge on early learning and educational processes, upon which the professional development of the quality of institutional education, schooling and support of children can be based. Students are prepared for direct pedagogic work with children from when they enter a child day care centre until the end of nursery and are qualified for working with families, for advisory activities as well as for promoting connections with their social environment.
The scientific teaching programme and links with the region are backed up by temporary research projects and permanently implemented facilities (e.g. Early Childhood Education Centre of Excellence (KFB)). This is being further accelerated with the planned development of other institutes and centres in the field of inclusive education and promotion of democracy.
