Bachelor of Arts in International Social Work

The Bachelor International Social Work (B.A. ISW) program responds to the increasing recognition of the intersecting global and local dimensions of social problems and the measures needed to improve the well-being of people everywhere. This impact-oriented program emphasis questions around globalisation, social development, Human Rights, environment and sustainability. It draws on multiple disciplines, such as sociology, anthropology, psychology, political science, economics, ethics and development studies, and their relevant contributions to the field of Social Work.

The study program qualifies for positions that require a professional understanding of social problems and the skills and abilities to manage social processes that support individuals, groups, or communities. We work with our students toward their personal development (communication and presentation skills, critical self-reflection, values, and ethics), to develop professional competent (ability to analyse social problems and knowledge and skills to apply practice methods), and build academic and research skills for furthering their academic interest (competencies in social research methods, academic writing, and critical analysis of theory and practice).

Is This Program for You?

You believe in social justice, you are compassionate, you are adventurous, you enjoy problem solving, are interested in new cultures, you see yourself at some point working outside your home country… then this program is for you!

Why Study This Program?

International Social Work at Friedensau Adventist University (FAU) gives you the knowledge skills and tools to work as a social worker anywhere in the World. Our program anticipates future needs in the field and prepares you to remain relevant professionally. You get international exposure, hands on practice and social research experience; develop innovative problem solving, project design and management skills.

Why Study at FAU

Multiple Career Perspectives

• Our program considers current and emerging needs in the field of Social Work.
• You prepare for a career in a field of growing relevance.
• You obtain the knowledge, skills and tools to do social work anywhere in the world.
• You get international exposure, hands-on practice and social research experience; develop innovative problem-solving and project management skills.
• You have access to our global network of international partners for a semester abroad.

International Learning and Living Community

• Students and lecturers from over 30 different countries
• Small classes
• Lecturers that offer personal coaching and mentoring
• International, green and eco-friendly campus
• Various religious and spiritual activities offered on campus

Friedensau Adventist University (FAU) is a state-accredited university run by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It was founded in 1899 and can look back on a long tradition and a great deal of experience in studying and teaching. 200 students from more than 30 nations are currently enrolled.

The next ten years saw the construction of an ensemble of large teaching and residential buildings which still define the look of the campus today. A sanatorium, workshops, and a food factory were also built, in line with the school’s holistic pedagogical model, providing both practical teaching and opportunities to earn money. Before World War I, up to 250 people per year made use of the training opportunities offered.

During World War I the War Ministry set up a military hospital in the buildings. It was not until 1919 that training could be resumed, and expanded in subsequent years with new courses (home economics school, a preparatory school for nursing, secondary-level courses in science and technology, business and childcare courses). In 1923 the name of the institution was changed to the “Friedensau Mission Seminary”. In 1930 the seminary received state accreditation from the administrative district officer of Magdeburg for its home economics and business courses.

The Nazi period brought many restrictions, culminating in the closing of the seminary in the Second World War. Again the teaching buildings were used for the care of sick and injured soldiers, first from the Wehrmacht, and from 1945 from the Soviet army.

Through the intercession of the Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt, Erhard Hübener, the Soviet military administration allowed the school to reopen in 1947. This made the Friedensau Seminary the first and only church training facility to be allowed to resume its teaching operations in the Soviet occupation zone.

During the GDR period, the SED (communist party) government allowed the training of church employees only. As well as the training for pastors, there were one-year courses for deacons. In 1981 the high standards and quality of the training led to the new name, “Friedensau Theological Seminary”. Two years later the General Conference of the Seventh-Day Adventists accredited the seminary as a Senior College. From the 1980s students from other socialist states of Eastern Europe and Africa could be trained as pastors in Friedensau.

On 15 September 1990, the Theological Seminary became a state-accredited university following a decision by the Council of Ministers of the GDR. Later a School of Social Sciences was established alongside the School of Theology, which had offered Diplom and Master’s courses in theology since 1992.

Today the Friedensau Adventist University, as an academically oriented, church-run university, awards university qualifications. Friedensau is an established place of scholarship and has research collaborations linking it with institutions on several continents.

Students can choose between eight bachelor's and master's programs in the School of Social Sciences and the School of Theology. Some programs can also be studied part-time. FAU also offers the program "German as a Foreign Language"

Mission statement

The mission of our university is to make a contribution in the areas of education and scholarship, for the church and society. As a free-church, Adventist institution we are aligned with reformatory tradition and innovative thinking. Our research and teaching are thus based on scientific methods, a fundamental openness towards unforeseen results, and responsibility towards God and humanity.

Profile

As a university with a special profile, we concentrate on those disciplines which are concerned with service towards people. Our areas of focus are theology, social sciences, development cooperation, and health sciences. We see ourselves as an international university, committed to interculturalism and equal opportunities, and carrying on a history of long-lasting relationships with countries in every continent.

Community

We are a campus university. This means that our teachers, employees, and students form a trusting, tolerant, multicultural, and cooperative community. We wish to give holistic support to all members of this community. Here equality between men and women is a basic fact, as is respect for other religions, worldviews, and cultures. As a family-friendly university, we wish to create conditions that make it easier to reconcile study, profession, and family. The spacious layout of the campus with its natural setting also contributes to this.

We undertake to teach students the fundamentals of the relevant field of scholarship, as well as dealing with current contributions to research. The objective of our teaching is to combine skills in research and in the application, ensuring that our graduates always work to high standards and satisfy the demands of their areas of responsibility. We also offer further education and professional development, following the principle of lifelong learning. University teachers and students contribute to the scholarly discourse with publications. Our teaching and research, which form a single unit, are based on Christian ethics and have a holistic, interdisciplinary focus.

Society and spirituality

We are convinced that faith, education, and lifestyle are inseparable. We strive to reflect, in our actions, a spirituality based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We, therefore, foster the personal development of identity by encouraging and enabling self-reflection. Our aim is also to provide a constructive and critical commentary on the development of the Church and society. This is our comprehensive understanding of our mission and the way we as a university community seek to fulfill it.