MA Social Work as a Human Rights Profession (MA-SWHR) ASH Berlin

The Master of Arts in Social Work as a Human Rights Profession (MA-SWHR) is a research-oriented, partially internet-based programme, combining the field of social work with human rights issues. Social work and human rights are frequently encountered when working with vulnerable groups such as children or migrants, or when working on issues relating to the right to health, the social problem of poverty, social exclusion, gender discrimination, or the problem of racism. The main aim of the MA-SWHR is the translation of the often very abstract and appellative human rights discourse into the theory and practice of social work. This objective is strongly linked to the development of a general professional self-conception based on the "triple mandate of social work", meaning that the universally known "double mandate of social work" on behalf of the addressees and the society/providers is complemented by a third mandate on behalf of the profession: this consists of science-based theories of action and intervention as well as the principles of the profession's code of ethics.

The MA-SWHR comprises the following five modules:

A Module: BASIC KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE DISCIPLINE AND PROFESSION OF SOCIAL WORK AND HUMAN RIGHTS
(These modules are compulsory for all students.)

• Social Work and Human Rights (15 ECTS)
• International Law: A Social Work Perspective (15 ECTS)
• Global Social Work (15 ECTS)
• Critical Social Science Research (15 ECTS)

B Modules: SOCIAL PROBLEMS/VULNERABLE GROUPS
(Students select a minimum of two from five modules on offer.)

• Health and Human Rights in Social Work (7.5 ECTS)
• Migration and Racism (7.5 ECTS)
• Economic Justice, Empowerment and Resilience (7.5 ECTS)
• Gender and Human Rights (7.5 ECTS)
• Children's Rights (7.5 ECTS)

C Modules: SOCIAL ACTION FIELDS/SOCIAL MOVEMENTS
(Students select a minimum of two from four modules on offer.)

• Human Rights Education (7.5 ECTS)
• Critical Approaches to Human Rights Practice in Social Work (7.5 ECTS)
• Human Rights in the Context of Organisational Development/Innovation (7.5 ECTS)
• Advocacy for Human Rights: Lobby and Communication Strategies (7.5 ECTS)

D Module: HUMAN RIGHTS PRAXIS PROJECT
(This module is compulsory for all students.)

• The Human Rights Praxis Project is dedicated to the realisation of a specific project developed by the student with the support of academic experts and/or experts in the practical field.

E MODULE: MASTER'S THESIS
(This module is compulsory for all students.)

• Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Germany
• Linnaeus University, Växjo-Kalmar, Sweden
• University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
• University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland

You must have an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline, e.g. social work, social sciences, law, humanities or cultural sciences, and a minimum of one year of qualified full-time work experience in a related field after your first university degree. Furthermore, you are expected to demonstrate adequate training in research skills as well as proficiency in English.

A complete application comprises the following documents in English:

• Letter of Motivation (in English, two pages, 12 pt font size, 1.5 line spacing, stating reasons for the motivation to study, the expectations, and the professional and/or academic visions for the future of the applicant)
• Curriculum Vitae (Please state your experience in a month/year format in your CV and the number of hours per week worked [or, in the case of training, state the exact time frame, e.g., if it was a two-day course or a full-time month] in English.)
• Copies of certificates and academic records are required (to be validated after admission!). If you have multiple university degrees, please submit all transcripts and certificates.
• Two recommendation letters from past or current employers / academic references (not older than one year on the day of application, signed and stamped)
• Attestation of at least 12 months of full-time qualified work experience in a field relevant to social work and human rights after your first degree (One year of full-time work experience after your first university degree is the minimum requirement, but only the attested experience can count for the overall ranking.)
• Reflection Paper of Work Experience (A written reflection (one to two pages) on relevant professional practice experience has to be submitted.)
• Proof of English language proficiency 

You can find further information on the programme's website.

It is currently around 150 EUR per semester. It is not included in the tuition fees.

Our university has a unique profile that results in part from its intriguing history and long tradition. This is a place where diversity and gender mainstreaming, health promotion, and a pro-family environment receive priority, as do cultural activities and international exchange.
The university is also firmly anchored in national and international networks in the areas of academia, research, and the professional world.