Social Work in Health Care

Students on the “Social Work in Health Care” programme earn a Bachelor’s degree and state accreditation as social workers. The programme focuses on all aspects relating to health profiles, providing a route into employment in both the health and social care sectors.

We aim to investigate together why the health of the population is an indicator of social problems and what preventive measures can improve health. We look in detail at:

• the basic principles of health science
• and the social aspects of health and illness

Above all, we aim to improve research into – and improve understanding of – the role of social work, and promote greater health equity.

Potential fields of activity for state-accredited social workers include:

• advisory functions within clinical social work at university hospitals or rehabilitation centres
• health-related social work with children’s and youth welfare services, social work within schools or with services for the disabled
• development of preventative strategies at regional or federal level

The Bachelor’s–level qualification also allows students to progress to further academic work and thus study for a Master’s degree, and potentially a PhD.

Partnerships

The Health Campus Göttingen is a joint initiative between the University Medical Center Göttingen and HAWK. During your studies, you will benefit from close involvement with university medicine.
You will develop expertise in communication, advice and methodology – and also work in our state-of-the-art skills labs, which simulate realistic situations and allow you to train in a safe environment. Practical and theoretical modules will help you to understand the complexity of the health sector and bring you into contact with professionals for the first time.

Knowledge transfer

We are currently running 7 health-related study programmes at our advanced health campus in Göttingen’s Sartorius Quarter. The diversity of these programmes offers you the opportunity to exchange ideas with students on other professional programmes through shared lectures and research projects.
For the first time in Lower Saxony, we are integrating a work placement semester into the 5th semester of your studies, so that you can apply for state accreditation as a social worker immediately after the prescribed 7 semesters of study.

Progression to Master’s degree

With effect from the summer semester 2024, we will be expanding our range of courses to include the new, linked Master’s programme in Health and Innovation in Social Work. This will prepare you to shape the social and health care system of the future.

Personal experience

Do you do voluntary work or care for relatives? This type of experience is deemed particularly relevant to the evaluation of professional aptitude when study places are being awarded. We look forward to receiving your application!