Master’s Degree Program Early Life Care
Target Groups & Admission

Target Groups

This academic, interdisciplinary continuing education program is designed for professional groups involved in the life events of pregnancy, birth, becoming parents, and the first years of life:

• Physicians (pediatricians, gynecologists, general practitioners working in relevant institutions)
• Psychologists, psychotherapists, philosophers, social scientists, pastoral caregivers
• Midwives, childbirth educators, lactation consultants
• Counseling professionals in the field of early childhood and early support services (with relevant professional experience)
• Physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists
• Registered nurses, pediatric nurses, nursing scientists
• Educators, social educators, social workers
• Medical assistants
• Dietitians
• Legal professionals

Students in the Master’s Program come from a wide range of professional backgrounds. They seek to expand their competencies and expertise in the specialized fields of pre-, peri-, and postnatal psychology and medicine, as well as in leadership, mediation, and decision-making in healthcare. They aim to engage in research and to develop concepts for implementation within their respective professional settings.

Admission Requirements for the Master’s Program

The following admission requirements apply:

• Completed relevant professional training (medicine, nursing, nursing science, midwifery, midwifery science, psychology, education, psychotherapy, logotherapy, physiotherapy, social pedagogy, or related fields).
• A Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent higher education qualification. Preference is given to Bachelor’s degrees in the professional fields listed under “Target Group.” A Bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field may be recognized for admission to the Master’s extension program on a case-by-case basis. Alternatively, recognition of a three-year professional training program that has since been academized is possible, provided that at the time of training the secondary school leaving certificate (Matura) was required for admission (e.g., midwives, early childhood educators, social workers, physiotherapists).
• At least three years of relevant professional experience. Relevant training and continuing education periods may be taken into account. If the applicant holds a university degree, the required duration of professional experience may be reduced by the program director.
• Current employment in the Early Life Care field at the time of admission (at least marginal/part-time employment) to ensure the transfer of theory into practice and vice versa.
• Personal suitability: ability to reflect, empathy, willingness to participate in (group) supervision and self-reflection (assessed during the admission interview).
• Language proficiency: German C1, English B1

Admission is granted individually by the program director upon written and complete application.

Students with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses will not experience any disadvantage in the university program. The principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Equal Treatment Act, and the principle of reasonable accommodation apply.