Youth Social Work
Children and adolescents today face a wide range of challenges - from social inequalities and mental health issues to complex family situations. Professional youth social work helps them foster their development, cope with crises and develop new perspectives.
The Academic Program Youth Social Work provides you with in-depth specialized knowledge and practical skills for working with children, adolescents and their families. You’ll learn to professionally design individualized support processes, apply social pedagogical methods and competently guide people in various life situations. Through a strong focus on practical application and interaction with experienced faculty, you’ll be optimally prepared for responsible roles in child and youth welfare.
Empowering people. Creating opportunities.
Provide professional guidance to children and youth as they grow and develop, and provide social support where it is needed most.
Study Content and Areas of Focus
Who is this program intended for?
This Academic Program is designed for individuals who work professionally with children and adolescents or who wish to qualify for positions of responsibility in child and youth social work. Thanks to its close integration of theory and practice, the program is suitable for both those just starting their careers and experienced professionals who wish to expand their skills in specific areas.
You'll focus on these key areas
Social Work with Children and Adolescents
Gain in-depth knowledge of social work and its foundations in the social sciences, psychology and law. You’ll explore the lives of young people and develop professional skills for various fields of work.
Counseling & Support
Learn methods of conversation, assessment, crisis intervention and case management. You’ll develop strategies to professionally support children, adolescents and families in challenging life situations.
Areas of Practice in Youth Social Work
Deepen your knowledge in areas such as open youth work, child and youth welfare, street work, school social work, prevention and substance abuse counseling, and gain practical experience with various support services.
Practical Experience & Professional Development
Benefit from practice-oriented courses, experienced faculty and practical training phases integrated into your studies. This allows you to directly apply academic principles to your daily professional practice and further develop your professional role.
You can take on these tasks after completing the program
This Academic Program prepares you for a wide range of roles in child and youth social work. Depending on your degree (120 or 180 ECTS), you’ll have access to various career paths in counseling, guiding and supporting young people.
Child and Youth Services
Work with children, adolescents and families in child and youth welfare facilities and support them through developmental and change processes.
Outreach Youth Work & Street Work
Work in open youth work facilities, in street work, or in mobile programs and support young people directly in their everyday environments.
School Social Work & Counseling
Support children and adolescents in school settings or work in counseling centers and prevention projects.
Social Institutions & Projects
Take on responsibilities at social service agencies, educational centers and rehabilitation centers, or develop your own projects to promote and support young people.
Info Box
Level of qualification
Academic Program
ECTS credits
120 ECTS (Academic Youth Social Worker)
180 ECTS (Academic Child and Youth Social Worker)
Tuition fees
Semesters 1-4: € 2,350 / Semester
Semesters 5-6: € 1,950 / Semester
ÖH (Austrian Student Union) fee
€ 26.20 / Semester
Study format
Work-Friendly
Qualification awarded
Academic Youth Social Worker
Academic Child and Youth Social Worker
Duration of study
4 or 6 Semesters
Language of instruction
German
Location
CU Campus Feldkirchen & St. Martin Castle Education Center in Graz
June 15, 2027
Winter Semester 2027 (based on a sufficient number of participants)
In-person courses with a strong practical focus, as well as internships taken throughout the program. The program is offered in Feldkirchen and Graz.
To be admitted to the university program, you must meet one of the following requirements:
- A general university entrance qualification or a university entrance examination
- or relevant professional experience or vocational training with successfully completed entrance exams
For your application, we need:
- Application form
- Current resume with photo
- Proof of admission requirements or professional training
- A detailed statement of purpose
- If necessary, an admission interview to assess your suitability
FAQ
Frequently asked Questions about the Academic Program Youth Social Work
Who is this program intended for?
The program is designed for both those just starting their careers and experienced professionals who provide professional support to children and adolescents or who wish to qualify for roles in child and youth social work.
What degree will I receive?
Depending on the scope of the program, you will receive the degree “Academic Youth Social Worker” (120 ECTS credits) or “Academic Child and Youth Social Worker” (180 ECTS credits).
How long does the program take and can I attend it while working?
The program is designed to be work-friendly and lasts four semesters (120 ECTS credits) or six semesters (180 ECTS credits), depending on the degree chosen.
Campus
Feldkirchen
Virtual Campus Tour
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.
Contact
Prof. Hubert Höllmüller, M.A., Ph.D.
Research Director
+43 5 90500 4212
h.hoellmueller(at)cuas.at
Mag.a (FH) Daniela Pluch
Manager of Educational Programs
+43 5 90500 4312
d.pluch(at)cuas.at