Goal and needs
The need for new teachers at schools for health professions is very high. The Master's degree program "Vocational Pedagogy" contributes to reducing the shortage of vocational teachers and to improving the quality of teaching in vocational schools, further education institutions, the fields of activity that focus on health, midwifery and the nursing sciences as well as in science, research and teaching in general.
Graduates of the specialisation in vocational education are experts for:
- theoretical learning (focus),
- practical learning,
- practical supervision,
- planning training courses,
- cooperation and collaboration at different learning locations,
- further education and in-company training.
They are active in the following fields:
- vocational education and training,
- education in the health sector,
- in-company education and human resources management,
- continuing vocational education as well as training in both the public and private sectors,
- fields of activity in health and nursing sciences,
- science in general,
- education administration,
- education management and education policy,
- if applicable, authorities for health professions.
Teaching in the degree program
Teaching in the degree program takes place within the framework of a weekly block system going from Monday to Saturday normally in the 1st week of each month.
Contents and processes
The study program includes modules in the educational sciences and in the professional field of didactics as well as the health and nursing sciences, including the designated related and interconnected sciences.
Modules in the educational sciences / the professional field of didactics
- Science and research within the focus of health in the sub-discipline of vocational and business education
- Occupation-related teaching-learning arrangements as the integration of didactic, methodological and media-related decisions taken
- Practical school study (interdisciplinary): theory-based observation, design and reflection of occupation-related teaching as well as learning arrangements
- Profile-defining in-depth studies and current challenges of today
- Master's thesis and accompanying course (interdisciplinary)
Health and nursing science modules
- Theories and methods of community health development
- Evidence-based health care
- Palliative care and death education I
- Ageing society for professional education
- Palliative care and death education II
- Ethical thinking and actions
- Professional law
- Practical school study (interdisciplinary): theory-based observation, design and reflection of teaching and learning arrangements related to the profession
- Technology and digitalisation
- Transculturality for vocational education
- Family-oriented communication and counselling skills
Internship
In the module "Practical School Studies", students complete a 15-week school study in which findings and experiences that are significant for the profession are collected, evaluated and assessed. These are then pursued for further study with regard to one’s own competence (to act in a professional manner) and supplementary learning needs that one may have or, in addition, further research interests. The school study module is a study section integrated into the study program and accompanied by the university in terms of content, which is carried out in an educational institution of the health care system. It is designed to be interdisciplinary, involving the educational sciences, the professional field of didactics as well as the health and nursing sciences. The students are qualified to prepare, conduct and evaluate lessons based on the school curricula for trainees within the health and nursing professions.
Possibilities for further qualification
With the Master's degree, there is the possibility of going on to complete one’s doctorate.
