“Ready for farewell and new beginning …”

“Ready for farewell and new beginning ...”

This is a line from Hermann Hesse's perhaps best-known poem “Steps”. I have often heard this poem quoted – and I am currently experiencing it in a very existential way, as I will be retiring in about a year's time. For more than 20 years, I was able to build and shape the M.A. in Counseling program, experience accreditation and re-accreditation, accompany students on their way into the counseling profession and be at home academically in an environment in which critical thinking, diligent research, cheerful celebration, silent prayer, joyful music and witnessed faith are a reality. “Ready for farewells ...” a bit of  melancholy may be permissable.

But I rather would like to talk about the new beginning, because “my” degree program will not only remain, but will have a sharpened and at the same time expanded profile in order to open up new choices and options for prospective students. From fall 2025, the M.A. in Counseling will offer two new majors to replace the previous one (Marriage & Family Counseling). The first is Psychosocial Counselling with modules on counseling in healthcare, couples and family counseling and trauma counseling, and the second is Counseling in Organizations with an emphasis in systemic counseling in organizations (from large commercial enterprises to local church congregations), leadership and organizational development.

Such offers are needed in our society, but also in our church, in order to help shape the future with hope and realistic perspectives. It is not about quick solutions or simple advice, but about discovering and using one's own resources to initiate (sometimes painful) processes that enable sustainable change and growth.

The proven structure of the degree program is retained. The part-time course is open to students of different age groups, world views and professions (e.g. pastoral care or social work, but also completely different disciplines) and extends over three years. Courses take place over the period of five semesters with three weeks each (intensives) in idyllic Friedensau. During the sixth semester, students write their Master's thesis with their own research project. The program includes an extensive, supervised internship to put what you have learned into practice and grow into the role of a counselor.

The transition to the new program director, Prof. Dr. phil. Dr. rer. medic. Silvia Hedenigg, has already started with close consultations and planning. I am delighted to be able to hand over the baton to an internationally experienced expert who has been associated with the university for many years. Silvia Hedenigg will bring new drive to the program, while preserving what has been tried and tested. If you would like to find out more, you can find out more at one of the information days for the M.A. in Counseling (the next one will be on May 12, 2025) and experience our collaboration live on screen.

“... a magic dwells in each beginning ...”

Prof. Andreas Bochmann, Ph.D.
Head of the M.A. in Counseling program