Master of Arts
Counseling/Advice
The part-time degree program provides the theoretical background knowledge and skills required to professionally support crises and change processes. With a transdisciplinary approach, it is based on the related sciences of psychology, medicine, communication and economics, sociology, social work and theology.
In view of the change processes currently affecting our society, it is challenging for both individuals and organisations to find the right path for them. It is therefore helpful to have support in this process of setting the course, transformation and new beginnings at times when decisions need to be made that point the way forward. The aim is to develop, critically reflect on and weigh up different options. This makes it possible to recognise resources and integrate them into one's own or organisational actions. A successful counseling process makes it possible to understand the changes of our time as an opportunity - and to use them!
Focus areas
In addition to general modules on counseling/advice, students can choose between two specialisations: Psychosocial counseling and counseling in/of organisations.
The following modules focus more strongly on psychosocial topics:
- Counseling in healthcare
- Couples and family counseling
- Trauma counseling
The following modules relate primarily to counseling processes of and in organisations:
- Systemic counseling in organisations
- "Leadership and organisational culture"
- Organisational development
Although it makes sense to specialise in one of the areas, the modules are designed to be permeable. Regardless of the specialisation, the M.A. in Counseling program is resource-oriented, methodologically plural, practice-oriented and research-oriented.
Modules
Focus on psychosocial counselling
Counseling in the healthcare sector
The module provides an overview of psychosocial services and different counseling settings in the healthcare sector. Students learn about psychosocial approaches and methods in counseling patients and relatives. In addition, students acquire the skills required to work on clinical ethics committees and basic knowledge of health promotion. Practical exercises and excursions (e.g. addiction counseling, baby cradle and Desert Flower Centre at Waldfriede Hospital; Friendship Bench) and selected topics of health promotion and prevention (e.g. nutrition - eating disorders, obesity; exercise and mindfulness exercises - burnout and addiction prevention) complete the module.
Couple and family counseling
The module provides the necessary skills to independently carry out and reflect on couple and family counseling. Students are able to create systemically oriented situation and problem analyses and to develop assistance in finding goals and solutions together with the client. Students will learn how to deal appropriately with issues of sexuality in a counseling context. Domestic violence is identified and students are able to initiate referrals to appropriate psychosocial or health care facilities. Participation in the module also provides students with basic knowledge of marriage and family law.
Trauma counseling
In this module, students acquire basic knowledge of crisis and trauma and are able to differentiate between trauma therapy concepts and trauma counseling. They can make referrals to trauma therapy and/or medical treatment, but at the same time acquire the skills to independently intervene and support people who have experienced trauma. Certification as a TIR (Traumatic Incident Reduction) Facilitator is optional.
Focus on consulting for and in organisations
Systemic consulting in organisations
The module teaches methods, techniques and basic attitudes of the systemic approach. Students are able to carry out systemically oriented situation and problem analyses and provide support in finding goals and solutions. In addition to basic knowledge of work and organisational psychology, students are able to apply systemic coaching questioning techniques and have practical experience of the intervention potential of systemic coaching in small group exercises. Exercises are carried out in group consultations and, in addition to theoretical input on burnout, the focus is on self-hygiene and mindfulness exercises.
Leadership and organisational culture
In this module, traditional and new leadership models are presented and students are able to evaluate and critically reflect on them. This is done on the basis of psychological and ethical aspects of leadership, leadership theories and leadership styles. Elements of positive psychology, new work and the importance of meaning in the context of work and leadership are also covered. Leadership in an intercultural context and leadership and gender are further central aspects of this module. Students gain an understanding of the importance of organisational culture and are able to (co-)initiate and accompany processes of cultural change. United under the umbrella term of Caring Economics, the module provides a comprehensive overview of current topics in leadership and organisational culture. In addition to the theoretical concepts, practical exercises and excursions illustrate a sound knowledge of leadership and organisational culture.
Organisational development
The module provides basic knowledge of organisational development, in particular strategic organisational development and models and instruments of organisational development. Neuroscientific and psychological learning theories and concepts for developing potential play a role here, as do company health management and the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). Organisational and personnel development are considered in the context of current social developments in demographics, gender, internationalisation and digitalisation/AI. In addition to theoretical input, the aspect of organisational development is also illustrated through practical exercises and excursions.
Other general modules
- Introduction to counseling
- Salutogenesis
- Introduction to psychopathology
- Therapy for specific mental disorders
- Spirituality in therapy and counseling
- Professional ethics and professional law in counseling and therapy
- Methods and fields of counseling
- Practical course I Supervision
- Practical course II Supervision
- Practical course III: Interdisciplinary case conference
- Scientific work
- Methods of empirical social research
- Statistical analysis of quantitative data
- Qualitative methods of empirical social research
- Master's thesis
In contrast to part-time postgraduate training programs, the course includes a strong focus on research in addition to teaching theory, self-awareness and awareness of others and a comprehensive internship under supervision.
Scientific work, methods of empirical social research, statistical analysis of quantitative data, qualitative methods of empirical social research and the preparation and supervision of the Master's thesis form a central part of the Master's program. The FAU is represented in the German Association for Counseling (DGfB) via the Association of University Teachers for the Promotion of Counseling in Research and Teaching and fulfils the training criteria required for the counseling profession.
Prerequisites
Admission requirements for the consecutive degree program starting in the winter semester are a successful degree (B.A., M.A., Dipl., Mag., Dr.) from a university, college or university of applied sciences in the fields of psychology/business psychology, social work/social pedagogy, education, political science and economics, sociology and theology.
We expect a degree with an average grade of 2.5 or better, although the average grade may be waived or another degree program may be recognised on application under special circumstances. In the case of non-subject-specific degrees, applicants are required to provide evidence of subject-specific knowledge in the field of psychology amounting to at least 5 credits or to do so within the first two semesters. The examination board of the faculty decides on the recognition of subject-specific knowledge upon application and submission of relevant documents. The Examinations Office will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Applicants must provide evidence of participation in at least 50 hours of self-awareness courses. This includes: own therapy experiences, self-awareness in individual and group settings, self-perception and perception of others-orientated courses from previous study achievements and professionally guided discussions with one's own person / biography (e.g. supervision, balint groups, psychodrama). A maximum of half of the required 50 hours can be made up for within the first two semesters upon application to the examination board of the faculty.
To assess applicants' personal aptitude and motivation to study, two selection interviews are held, one with a lecturer from the university and one with a counsellor from a counseling institution. The interviews are confirmed in writing with the note ‘probably suitable/conditionally suitable/not suitable for counseling work’. If an applicant is assessed as ‘probably not suitable’ in both interviews, admission to the degree programme is not possible. If the applicant is assessed as ‘probably conditionally suitable’ in one or both interviews, admission to the programme may be subject to conditions (e.g. additional self-experience, a counseling or therapy process, etc.).
