Study goals and career perspectives

The career prospects in the professional fields of the humanities and especially in pedagogical fields in the narrower sense have been consistently very good for many years. At the same time, the professional opportunities for graduates of pedagogical programs are very diverse. The following information on the professional field of university educators is only intended to provide suggestions, because humanities and social science graduates are considered experts in creating new and individual professional niches.

Study Goals

Fostering the ability to think and research scientifically represents the goal of the pedagogy program at JMU. Building on this, you will be empowered to independently reflect on the consequences of pedagogical concepts and to develop new concepts. The understanding of different educational theories as well as working and research methods is the prerequisite for this.

In order to be able to develop and thoughtfully apply pedagogical education and learning concepts, we also specifically promote your analytical, planning, judgment and organizational skills. As a scientifically trained educator, you should ultimately be able to relate theoretical knowledge to practical applications in order to make scientifically based decisions in your professional life in a professional manner.

Career Perspectives

Humanities scholars and social scientists are generally considered to be flexible generalists who are successful in very different professional job profiles. As an educator, however, they are in particular an expert in education and didactics. This means that pedagogues are also active in the areas of counseling, support and knowledge transfer. They deal with central questions of individual development and education from childhood to old age as well as the integration of the individual into a society and culture. The field of activity of pedagogy is thus very extensive.

The direction of professional goals can already be set during the course of study with the choice of the major field of study. Internships, scientific project work as well as activities accompanying the studies offer further possibilities to pursue a professional profile.

Fields of Activity (selection)

The field of activity can perspectively range from elementary education to youth education and adult education to pedagogy for the elderly. In addition to education and upbringing, tasks for educators also include organization and administration, diagnostics and therapy, counseling and mediation, documentation and information, or research and teaching. This results in the following fields of activity, for example:

general education and training
consulting and moderation
vocational/company training and continuing education
professional reintegration
coaching, supervision, mediation
recreational and experiential education
intercultural education
cultural education
personnel management and development
political education
organizational management and development
special education
social work
environmental education
Administrative sector in the field of education and education policy
Science and research

Facilities and Institutions (selection)

As a student, you should independently research and reflect on the direction you want to take after graduation. In doing so, you will have a decisive influence on your qualifications and the development of your skills. With a Bachelor's degree in education, you can work professionally in the following establishments and institutions, for example - depending on your studies and individual profile:

Kindergartens, preschools
youth centers, institutions for extracurricular youth education, schools, youth homes, universities
Universities, vocational academies, adult education centers
old people's homes, old people's service centers and gerontagogic institutions
special educational institutions, homes, rehabilitation facilities
industrial, commercial and business enterprises
recreation, sports, leisure and adventure centers
Welfare associations, church institutions, charitable institutions
Counseling centers and social welfare institutions
School authorities, local governments, ministries and other political institutions
Cultural departments, museums, other cultural institutions
Research institutions

Please note: A "state recognition" (certification or attestation required for certain sovereign tasks of a social worker) is not awarded within the framework of the university bachelor's degree program in education. For the university Bachelor's degree programme in Education, the qualification as a specialist is certified as follows in the Diploma Supplement* in the forms 180-point single subject, 120-point major subject or 75-point major subject:

German: "Mit dem Abschluss im Studiengang Bachelor Pädagogik an der JMU erlangen Absolventen und Absolventinnen Kenntnisse und Kompetenzen, die den Maßgaben zum Fachkräftegebot für eine hauptberufliche Beschäftigung im Sinne des § 72 Abs. 1 S. 1 SGB VIII ("Fachkräfte") entsprechen."
English: "Graduates from the Bachelor's programme in Pedagogy at the JMU possess knowledge and skills that qualify them to work at child and youth welfare offices as a main occupation in accordance with Section 72 (1) Sentence 1 Sozialgesetzbuch VIII (Social Code, Book VIII; SGB VIII) ('Fachkräfte')."

This supplement can be advantageous in elementary or socio-educational fields of work.

*The Diploma Supplement is automatically attached to the Bachelor's certificate. The Diploma Supplement is intended to provide sufficient data to improve international transparency and appropriate academic and professional recognition of qualifications (certificates, diplomas, degrees, certificates, etc.)". Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)