M.A. Caritas Science and Values-based Management

Degree awarded	Master of Arts (M.A.)
Duration and credits	4 semesters; 120 ECTS credits
Starts in	October (winter semester)
Language of instruction	German

About the programme

Caritas Science and Values-based Management is concerned with the practice of charity in the spirit of Christian altruism. Do you want to gain a level of socio-political competence that allows you to be an effective advocate for the Disadvantaged? Do you volunteer for charitable causes? Do you want to ensure that the decisions and actions you take in a social, pedagogical, pastoral or administrative role are ethically sound? Studying Caritas Science will enable you to supplement your first degree with a social-theological specialisation. Depending on your final mark, this Master's degree also permits access to doctoral studies.

Features

The University of Passau is the only university in Bavaria to teach the Master of Arts degree programme in Caritas Science and Values-based Management.
The degree programme can be studied part-time.
Excellent staff/student ratio; personal contact with lecturers.

This degree programme prepares students for executive roles in non-profit organisations and enables them to undertake qualified roles in charitable and social organisations, Caritas and Diakonie, as well as private-sector businesses and civil service organisations. This degree is also relevant for occupations in adult education, counselling and coaching.

The degree programme is divided into six module groups:

A) Caritas Theological Thought

Christian Concept of Humanity and Christian Practices in Post-Modern Times
Guiding Principles of Charity
The Therapeutic Side of Theology

B) Ethical Actions and Decisions

Advocacy of a Just Society Characterised by Solidarity
Criteria and Paths to Life Ethics
Decision-Making Tools in Borderline Situations
Ethics in Business

C) Guiding Others and Developing Organisations

Psychology and Theology of Managing Staff and Organisations
Values-based Management
Diagnosis and Intervention in Social Systems
Legal Principles of Charity in Practice (labour law, social law and law of associations)

D) Giving Qualified Advice and Developing Personality

Managing Staff Interviews Competently
Communication and Counselling in Personal Crises
Psychological Hygiene and Spiritual Resources

E) Reflecting on Real Practices

Basic Psychological Skills for Daily Life and at Work
Resilience and Salutogenesis

F) Caritas-Scientific Research

Empirical Social Research
Practical and Theological Research Methods
Master's thesis

In addition to lectures, your training will comprise practice sessions, field trips, essays and voluntary internships, for which you will receive extensive guidance and support. You will write your Master's thesis in the second half of the degree programme.

Academic requirements

Applicants should have a first degree in Business Studies, Christian Religious Education, Economics, Law, Education, Medicine, Philosophy, Psychology, Religious Education, Social Work, Theology or a related discipline, with a final result equivalent to 3.5 or better according to the German grading scale.

German language requirements

You will need German language skills at level B2 CEFR or higher to study this degree programme. If German was the language of instruction for your secondary school education or prior tertiary education, your academic certificates suffice as proof of your language skills. Otherwise, you will have to provide a recognised German language certificate along with your application for a place of study.

Application periods and deadlines

Application period for the winter semester:

1 April - 30 June (applications via uni-assist e.V.)
15 April - 30 September (direct applications)

Please use the interactive application guide to find out which application method you can use.

Application period for the summer semester:

This programme does not accept an intake for a summer semester start.

Apply now!