Social Work: Developing and Shaping
Master's Program
Social work is constantly evolving. New societal challenges require professionals who not only provide expert guidance for social services but also actively shape their future. That is exactly what the master’s program in Social Work: Developing and Shaping at CU Carinthia University of Applied Sciences prepares you for.
You’ll deepen your knowledge in the core areas of social work and explore topics such as social management, organizational development, social planning, and leadership. In the process, you’ll combine academic insights with hands-on training and strengthen your professional, strategic, and personal skills.
After earning your master’s degree, you will take on responsibility for the further development of social services and organizations, lead teams, or actively help shape change processes in the social services sector.
Developing Social Innovations
The program centers on a multi-semester practical project that you will develop together with your team, from the initial idea through to implementation. In the process, you will combine scientific methods with project management to design solutions for real-world challenges in the social services sector.
Taking on Leadership Roles in Social Services
You will deepen your expertise in social management, organizational development, and human resources management, and learn how to professionally manage change processes. This will qualify you for specialized and leadership roles in social institutions and organizations.
Combining research with practice.
The program combines current discourses in social work with practice-oriented methods. You will deepen your professional knowledge, apply a scientifically grounded approach, and develop solutions to complex challenges in the social services sector.
Are you ready to help shape the future of social work?
Take on responsibility and develop solutions for the social challenges of tomorrow.
Special features of the program
Social challenges are constantly changing–as are the demands placed on professionals and leaders in the social services sector. This master’s degree program opens up new personal opportunities, broadens your professional horizons, and offers you the chance to tailor your studies to your individual career goals.
Setting Individual Priorities
Four elective modules allow you to tailor your studies to your interests. This enables you to gain in-depth knowledge of topics that align with your professional profile and future responsibilities.
Social Science Meets Social Policy
The program combines social science perspectives with social management, organization, and law. This enables you to not only provide professional support for social services but also to further develop them structurally and organizationally.
Deepen Your Knowledge of Social Work in a Targeted Way
The master’s program is open not only to graduates with a degree in social work but also to bachelor’s degree holders in related fields. Students from fields such as psychology, education, social and cultural studies, social and health management, public management, or law and political science expand their knowledge to include the perspectives and methods of social work. This allows you to benefit from an interdisciplinary exchange and deepen your social work skills for challenging tasks in the social services sector.
Actively contribute practical knowledge
In the master’s program, you’ll specifically apply your previous professional and practical experience to your studies. At the heart of the program is a multi-semester practical project that you’ll develop and implement together with other students. In the process, you’ll tackle real-world problems from the field, build on your professional interests, and lay an ideal foundation for your master’s thesis. The more practical experience you bring to the program, the more you’ll be able to incorporate your own ideas, networks, and experiences into your studies.
Master's Theses with Social Impact
In the master’s program, students develop and implement projects addressing societal challenges, prevention, research, digitalization, or social innovation. These projects require initiative, creativity, and a broad range of methodologies. You can see just how diverse and tailored to specific target groups these projects can be by looking at a selection of past projects.
Study abroad. Earn two degrees
In the double-degree program with the Finnish university JAMK, you can earn a second internationally recognized degree in addition to the master’s degree from CU Carinthia University of Applied Sciences. International study weeks and English-language courses round out the program.
Details about the program
Info Box
Level of qualification
Master
ECTS credits
120
Tuition fees*
€ 363.36 / Semester
ÖH (Austrian Student Union) fee
€ 26.20 / Semester
Qualification awarded
Master of Arts in Social Sciences
Duration of study
4 Semester
Language of instruction
German
CU Campus
Feldkirchen
Dates Info Box
Winterterm 2026
Period I: 01.11.-15.03.26
Period II: 16.03.-15.05.26
Period III: 16.05.-15.07.26
Period IV:16.07.-30.09.26
Due to lengthy visa processes, applications from Africa, the Middle East and South, East, and Southeast Asia only in Period I.
The semester starts in October - we only offer intake in winterterm!
The start of lectures can be found in the individual timetable which is available after enrollment.
Friday 12:45 - 21:30 h
every 1. & 3. Thursday 16:30 - 21:30 h
2 Blocked Weeks per Semester:
Tuesday - Saturday
08:30 - 19:45 h
70 % on campus, 30 % online
An overview on our upcoming events can be found here.
You are interested in a personal (online) study consultation or would like to receive more information on the degree program? Click on the buttons below this checkbox to learn more.
Language of Instruction: German (min B2)
Application essentials:
More information on the application process, admission requirements and necessary documents can be found here.
* Tuition for non-EU/EEA citizens: €500 + €26.20 ÖH fee (per semester)
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the Master’s DegreeProgram in
“Social Work: Developing and Shaping”
Is it possible to change careers?
Yes. The master’s program is also open to graduates of related fields of study. Depending on your prior education, you may be admitted to the program through a lateral entry pathway.
-> View all FAQsHow does the admission process work?
The admissions process consists of an online application and an in-person interview at the Feldkirchen campus. You can find all information regarding admission, the application process, and enrollment on our Admissions & Enrollment page.
-> Enrollment and AdmissionAm I eligible for a doctorate?
Yes. Upon successful completion of the master's degree program, you will meet the requirements for a doctoral program.
-> View all FAQsInsights into the Program
Students, graduates, and faculty members share firsthand accounts of the master’s degree program “Social Work: Developing and Shaping”, daily student life, and their experiences at CU Carinthia University of Applied Sciences.
Putting ideas into practice.
Mag. (FH) Susanne Pichler-Baumgartner, MA, Child Protection Consultant | Founder and long-time Director of the KRAFTWERK supporting association
As colorful as life itself.
Melissa Jergatsch, Counselor at “Spatz’nnest,” a social and experiential education residential community run by ais-Jugendbetreuung
Prejudice is crap.
Daniel Kaaden, Social Worker, City of Klagenfurt | Part-time instructor at CU Carinthia University of Applied Sciences
Book an online information session
During the online information sessions, the program directors or academic directors provide detailed information about the program. Topics include course content, internships, admission requirements, and potential career prospects.
Prof. Waltraud Grillitsch, MMag., Ph.D.
Program Director, Social Work; Chair of Social Economics and Social Management
+43 5 90500 4230
w.grillitsch(at)cuas.at
INFORMATION & APPLICATION
Virtual Campus Tour
Contact
On foot
From the Feldkirchen bus station, you can reach the campus in about 5 minutes on foot. Take 10th October Street toward the city center until you reach Schillerplatz. From there, continue along Kirchgasse and Ossiacher Street to Hauptplatz. The campus is located at the lower end of Hauptplatz.
By public transportation
If you’re coming to Feldkirchen by train or bus, the campus is about a 10-minute walk (600 m) from the Feldkirchen train station and about a 5-minute walk (400 m) from the Feldkirchen bus station.
By car
Coming from Klagenfurt, take the Feldkirchen bypass to the third traffic light, then turn left onto Ossiacher See Süduferstraße. Follow the road for about 1 km, then turn left before the railroad overpass toward the city center onto Ossiacher Straße.
Coming from Villach, turn right at the first traffic light onto Ossiacher See Süduferstraße. Follow the road for about 1 km, then turn left before the railroad overpass toward the city center onto Ossiacher Straße.
After about 200 m, you’ll find a free parking lot on the left. The campus is located at the lower end of the main square. There are several short-term parking spots directly in front of the building.
By Plane
There are several airports in the area to choose from:
- Klagenfurt: about a 30-minute drive
- Ljubljana (Slovenia): approx. 1 hour 15 minutes by car
- Graz: about 1 hour and 45 minutes by car
- Salzburg: approx. 2 hours 30 minutes by car
- Trieste and Venice (Italy): approx. 2 to 3 hours’ drive
- Vienna: approx. 3 hours 45 minutes by car
- Munich: approx. 4 hours travel time
The onward journey to the Feldkirchen campus can then be made by train, bus, taxi, or car.