Study content

The study program primarily focuses on intercultural competence. Intercultural social work promotes exchange between people of different cultural backgrounds. It helps reduce tendencies toward mutual isolation between majority and minority groups, further develop mutual acceptance of cultural differences, and address issues that arise from immigration for both the host society and migrants, based on humanitarian principles

Intercultural social work aims to contribute to achieving equal opportunities, reducing access barriers, and preventing discrimination and exclusion of minorities. Intercultural competence implies a set of professional, personal, and social skills that enable reflection and action in situations of cultural overlap.

Particular emphasis is also placed on teaching scientific and research skills to ensure the possibility of progressing to a doctoral program in the field of social sciences

Leadership and Management in Social Work

Graduates of the master's program are equipped to fill both executive and leadership roles in all areas of social work, especially those requiring a high degree of sensitivity to diversity — whether working with clients or leading projects and teams. They effectively lead (heterogeneous) teams in both research and practice. A key aspect is their ability to constructively, innovatively, and theoretically plan, organize, implement, and evaluate projects.

Social Work in an International Context

Although a semester abroad is not mandatory for students, the increasing trend of internationalization supports the option of an exchange semester upon the student's request. A network of partner universities is available for this purpose.

Regular excursions and study trips emphasize the international character of the program.

The program is an active member of relevant international university networks such as EASSW, socnet98, and the European Network of Universities in Social Work.

As part of current teaching and research collaborations, the program works with the following universities and institutions: University of Lapland, Vytautas Magnus University, Vilnius; Nuremberg Institute of Technology, Simon Ohm; Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen; State University of St. Petersburg; University of Yerevan.

Research Focus: Social Work in (Post-)Migration Societies

In the master’s program in social work, three-semester student research projects are conducted in close cooperation with practice starting from the first semester.

Under the guidance of a full-time faculty member, students work on a topic related to the focus area of social work in (post-)migration societies.

This area of focus has become well-established in the academic field through extensive scientific projects.

Contact

Email mso@fh-linz.at

Telephone +43 5 0804 52700

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Master's degree programs at the Linz campus

Alle 80 degree programs of the FH OÖ