Bachelor Master Doctorate

Sociology, Social Policy, Social Work

Abstract

This study programme has an international and interdisciplinary orientation. It provides specialised, in-depth knowledge of social phenomena, institutions, structures, processes, practices and their change. The main focus lies on social inequalities, poverty, work, welfare- and care-regimes, education, conflicts and social cohesion, and gender. These issues are being examined from the disciplinary perspectives of sociology, social policy and social work. Emphasis is placed on theory-driven comparative research and teaching, as well as on the ability to think critically and call things into question. The methodological training includes qualitative and quantitative empirical methods of social research.
Students may combine modules according to their interests and may complement the major study programme by means of specialisation programmes. The study programme is offered in German (a number of courses may be offered in English). Bilingual studies (German/French; German/Englisch) are possible.

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    Profile of the study programme

    The goal of this master programme is to convey specialised, in-depth knowledge of social phenomena, institutions, structures, processes, practices and their change. It focuses both on the actions of people, groups, organisations and states and the relationships between them. Further matters of interest are the way in which people live and shape their relationships and how they give meaning to their actions and the world they live in.
    The programme is international and interdisciplinary. It emphasises theory-driven comparative research and teaching, as well as the ability to think critically and make evidence-based contributions to public debate. The methodological training encompasses both qualitative and quantitative empirical methods of social research. Students completing the programme analyse complex social problems of today's world. This programme paves the way to a large variety of professions and fields of activity.

    Fribourg Profile
    The language of tuition is German, a number of courses may be offered in English. Bilingual studies (German/French or German/English) are possible.

    The master programme «Sociology, Social Policy, Social Work» consists of four modules. By combining content-related optional modules, students have the opportunity to specify the orientation of the programme, for example: Sociology of social problems with Soziale Lebenslagen und Differenzen and Soziale Probleme und Wohlfahrt; international and comparative social policy with Comparative Social Policy and Society and Global Development; or an orientation towards management with Nonprofitorganisationen und Management; or toward Gender with Gender und soziale Wohlfahrt. Students may obtain the diploma with the distinction «Bilingual curriculum, French/German» if they combine the two modules Inclusion sociale et nouvelles normalisations and Santé publique et enjeux sociaux.

    The specialisation programmes worth 30 ECTS credits « «International and Comparative Social Policy» (EN), «Soziologie sozialer Probleme» (DE), «Problèmes sociaux, politiques sociales et préventions des risques» (FR) and «Gender, Gesellschaft, Sozialpolitik» (DE) are smaller units which allow students to complement this master programme within the department.

    Learning outcomes and career openings
    Learning outcomes
    The curriculum transmits knowledge and skills related to various social and societal issues in a changing world. Sensitised to global developments in this respect, students are able to provide critical and solution-oriented analysis of complex social problems by applying their acquired scientific knowledge and concepts, as well as quantitative and qualitative methods.

    Career openings
    This master programme provides the theoretical and analytical tools required for (executive) positions in public and private organisations, in research and teaching, as well as in the media. It prepares students for a professional activity in a wide variety of fields, such as analysis, planning, development, leadership, implementation and evaluation of projects in the social services sector, market research and opinion polling, teaching and training, and work within associations, international organisations, development cooperation organisations, relief agencies or communal, cantonal or federal administrations.

Studies organisation

Structure of studies

90 ECTS credits + 30 ECTS credits as an option in a minor study programme freely chosen, 3 to 4 semesters

Curriculum

http://studies.unifr.ch/go/qsdGc (German)

Comments

The master programmes «Gender, Gesellschaft, Sozialpolitik» (DE), «Soziologie sozialer Probleme» (DE) and «International and Comparative Social Policy» (EN) are offered as minor study programmes and as specialisation programmes (30 ECTS credits).

Admission

Master's degree programmes are built on the knowledge and abilities that were acquired when obtaining a bachelor's degree.

Holders of a bachelor's degree awarded by a Swiss university are admitted to a master's degree programme without any preconditions if they have earned 60 or 90 ECTS credits – depending on the chosen master's degree programme – within the corresponding discipline. However, additional requirements can be required. The same applies to holders of a bachelor's degree awarded by a foreign university, provided that the bachelor's degree is recognised and considered equivalent by the University of Fribourg.

Holders of a bachelor's degree awarded by a Swiss or a foreign university, provided that the bachelor's degree is recognised and considered equivalent by the University of Fribourg, who do not fulfil this condition can be admitted to a master's degree programme with preconditions (which must be successfully completed before starting the master's degree programme) and/or additional requirements (which can be completed during the master's degree programme). The preconditions and/or additional requirements may not exceed 60 ECTS credits in total. The same applies to holders of a bachelor's degree awarded by a Swiss university of applied sciences, according to existing agreements.

The respective conditions of admission for each master's degree programme are reserved.

Minor study programmes to be chosen

Key points

Degree conferred

Master of Arts in Social Sciences: Sociology, Social Policy, Social Work

Languages of study

Study in German, in German and French or in German and Englisch.

Options

For information on the optional award of the distinction «Bilingual curriculum, French/German», please contact the relevant Department (see Contact).

Commencement of studies

Commencement of studies in the Autumn Semester (September) or in the Spring Semester (February)

Access to further studies

This master programme qualifies students also for the doctoral programme Social Policy.

Contact

Faculty of Humanities
Department of Social Work, Social Policy and Global Development
Dr Maurizia Masia
maurizia.masia@unifr.ch
http://studies.unifr.ch/go/de-sociology-socialwork

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