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It is already a successful model: in September 2024, the Catholic University of Applied Sciences NRW in Aachen (katho) launched the new dual degree course in Social Work B.A. (BASA dual). And with it, the city of Aachen as a cooperation partner. Applications are currently open for the course starting in autumn 2025.

The new form of study at katho lasts three years and concludes with the state accreditation "Social Work B.A.". For three years, the current 21 students are involved in two learning locations: three days a week at the university and two days a week at the practical placement. There is a reciprocal transfer of knowledge between the two learning locations so that the skills learned at the university can be used directly in the practical placements.

City of Aachen as largest cooperation partner
The first round of this dual study program has now been running for five months and all those involved believe that it is already a successful concept. At the City of Aachen, all practical placements have been allocated to ten committed students who have been admitted to the dual study programme in social work by katho.

They are supported by the Training team from the Department of Personnel and Organization for all questions relating to the City of Aachen as an employer and by the BASA dual coordinator from the Department of Children, Youth and Schools for all questions relating to the content of the dual study programme.

"Our unique selling point at the City of Aachen is that we work in various fields of social work," emphasizes Karin Henshen, BASA dual coordinator at the City of Aachen. These include, for example, school social work, street work, youth welfare in criminal proceedings, baby visiting services, assignments in the social space teams, transitional homes and many more.

The students change their place of assignment each semester according to their personal development goals and thus gain a comprehensive insight into the various fields of social work. "This allows us to get to know many different areas and determine which areas we would like to work in after our studies," says Laura Claßen, BASA dual student at the City of Aachen. The students agree that it is just as important to find out which field you would like to work in later as it is to realize which area you can rule out for yourself. According to Karin Henshen, the large network that the students establish through their assignments is also helpful: "This makes it much easier for students to start their careers and later in their everyday lives."

Why dual study?
The new degree course opens up individual opportunities for newcomers to take the step into full-time study. One of the main reasons for this is that the entry qualifications are diverse. "In addition, the monthly salary and the payment of the semester fees provide the necessary financial relief to enable students to concentrate on their studies and not have to pursue any other life-sustaining employment," adds Alina Seeber from the training team. "It is very important to us to support students individually in their professional development and to offer them the ideal learning environment in which their methodological skills and professional role, as well as their personal requirements, can complement and develop in the best possible way," says Karin Henshen.

Thomas Pyls, team leader of the social services of the transitional homes, who will be supervising two students for the second time next semester, clearly sees the benefit of being able to inspire new young people and, as a local authority, show the students prospects: "I also think that the existing employees will at least be confronted with new food for thought by the students, together with the fresh knowledge from their studies, and thus bring in new impulses. So it's a win-win situation."

Head of Training Birgit Krott believes that the launch of the new dual degree course in social work will definitely strengthen the attractiveness of the City of Aachen as a training authority and, in particular, as a future employer.

Apply now!
The application period for the next class of 2025 is currently underway at katho: interested parties have until 31 March to apply to katho and - once they have been accepted onto the course - can apply to the City of Aachen for one of the ten training places for 2025 from April.

If you have any questions about the application formalities: Alina Seeber, phone 0241 432-11235 or email ausbildung@mail.aachen.de.

For further information on BASA dual: Karin Henshen, phone: 0241 432-45322, or email karin.henshen@mail.aachen.de.