State recognition

In Germany, the profession of social worker and social pedagogue is regulated in such a way that an official qualification is required to practice in certain areas. This qualification is called state recognition.

If you want to work in these fields in Germany, for example, with public authorities, you need this state recognition. It demonstrates that you are well-trained and can carry out the work independently and responsibly. This also includes understanding and observing the methodological, legal, organizational, and financial requirements. State recognition ensures that only well-qualified individuals are permitted to work in certain areas of social work.

The legal framework for obtaining state recognition in the state of Lower Saxony is regulated by the Lower Saxony Ordinance on State Recognition in the Field of Social Work, Special Education, and Childhood Education and Care (SozHeilKindVO).

Anyone who has completed a degree program in the field of social work abroad can apply for state recognition if the qualification acquired abroad can be determined to be equivalent to a university degree in the field of social work completed in Germany.

The equivalence assessment means that the qualification acquired abroad is examined to determine how similar it is to a comparable degree obtained in Germany.

For state recognition, the following professional competencies must be demonstrated:

• Knowledge of relevant German legal and administrative areas
• Knowledge of the profession and professionalism/professional ethical principles
• Proof of supervised practical work experience in the field of social work lasting 6-12 months in full-time employment after successful completion of the degree program
• German language skills at level B2

If there are too many differences for equivalence to be established, these can sometimes be remedied through adaptation measures (see point 3).

State recognition may be dependent on the completion of an adaptation period or the passing of an aptitude test.

If there are differences that can be compensated by an adaptation measure, state recognition can be granted after successful completion of an adaptation measure. This adaptation measure can be either an adaptation period or an aptitude test.

If you have differences that can be compensated by completing an adaptation measure, your application for admission will initially be rejected. You will then receive a formal letter from the university (rejection notice). This letter will explain the reasons for the rejection. If differences can be compensated by adaptation measures, the notice will specifically state an adaptation measure as a condition for granting state recognition.

If the differences are so significant that they cannot be compensated by an adaptation measure, state recognition will be rejected without specifying a compensatory measure.

An adaptation period is a theoretical and practical qualification. It lasts between 12 and 36 months. The scope of the adaptation period depends on the knowledge acquired previously during your studies.

Here is an example of the structure of an adaptation period:

• Theoretical qualification:
  Successful participation in legal modules of the BA Social Work program
  • Module: Introduction to the Legal Foundations of Social Work
  • Module: Family and Juvenile Law for Social Work
  • Module: Social Law for Social Work
     
• Social work skills:
  • Module: Counseling or Multi-perspective Casework
  • Module: Practical Fields of Social Work
  • Module: Science and Profession of Social Work
     
• Practical qualification:
  • At least six months of practical work experience/sit-in in accordance with the provisions of the SozHeilKindVO (Social Health and Child Protection Ordinance). Previously completed practical experience can be credited if necessary.

Those participating in adaptation measures can acquire the theoretical qualification and social work skills through participation in courses at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences. The respective module exam is not taken.

At the end of the adaptation period, an examination in the form of a term paper (approximately 20 pages on a specialized topic, including an oral presentation) or a presentation (approximately 15-30 minutes) will be administered by Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences.

The aptitude test serves to demonstrate that the applicant has already acquired the required technical and practical knowledge and is capable of practicing the profession. The aptitude test consists of a term paper and a presentation combined with a technical discussion.

During the aptitude test, you will be given tasks related to the differences identified.

The aptitude test consists of two parts:

1. A term paper (approximately 20 pages) on a technical topic, including an oral presentation on this topic (approximately 15-30 minutes),
2. a technical discussion to transfer theoretical knowledge into professional practice. The technical discussion takes place directly after the presentation and lasts a maximum of 30 minutes.

If your application for state recognition is rejected but adjustment measures are considered, we will arrange a consultation with you to discuss which adjustment measures are appropriate for you.

If you have completed a degree program abroad in the field of educational science (teacher training), sociology, social sciences, or early childhood education, these programs are not in the field of social work. These degrees do not qualify for state recognition as a social worker or social educator. Sociology and social science programs can only be considered if the course content is equivalent to the German Bachelor's program in Social Work. However, experience has shown that this is rarely the case. For this reason, we advise against applying in these cases.

A tiered fee is charged for the administrative effort required to determine equivalence for a degree completed abroad. The fees are based on the Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences' fee schedule for awarding state recognition in the field of social work.

The following fees must be paid:

• Fee for reviewing the application: €300.00

Optional:

• Fee for participation in an adaptation period:

For participation in courses (guest auditor) for up to 4 semester hours per week: €150.00, for more than 4 semester hours per week: €300.00

• Fee for taking the examination at the end of the adaptation period: €100.00
  
  or alternatively:
  
  Fee for taking an aptitude test: €100.00

Important note: The fee for reviewing the application must be paid in all cases, even if the application is rejected after review/processing. It is due by the date specified in the fee notice.

Important: Processing of the application will only begin once all application documents (except for the extended certificate of good conduct) have been received and the application fee charged by the university has been paid by the applicant.

Note regarding the extended certificate of good conduct: State recognition can only be granted upon submission of an extended certificate of good conduct in accordance with Section 30a of the Federal Central Register Act (Bundeszentralregistergesetz) as proof of your reliability. You must apply for this at the responsible registration office/citizen's office. The extended certificate of good conduct must not be older than three months when submitted to the university.

Documents to be submitted:

1. Application form, completed and signed
   including a declaration that an extended certificate of good conduct in accordance with Section 30a of the Federal Central Register Act has been requested from the registration office for submission to the university.
2. Proof of identification, e.g. B. ID card or passport (copy/scan)
3. Proof of university degree, including the subject and grade overviews (transcript of records/diploma supplement) for your complete studies, in your native language and in German or English translation (copy/scan)
4. If your degree/certificate evaluation has already taken place through the Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB): Digital certificate of the certificate evaluation (please send as a single file).
5. If you have completed German law modules at the foreign university: A confirmation or list issued by your university of the German law modules or legal areas you have completed (copy/scan)
6. Tabular list of your completed training courses and relevant professional experience (school/professional/academic CV in German or English)
7. Proof of professional experience as a social worker/social educator at professionally recognized social work institutions, e.g. B. Employment references or certificates from other professional activities with a description of the field of activity (copy/scan).
8. Proof of the required German language skills (language certificate at level B2) if you are not a German citizen (copy/scan).
9. Extended certificate of good conduct according to Section 30a of the Federal Central Criminal Register Act (original, not older than three months). This must be submitted in original to the university/student registrar's office no later than the date of official recognition.