Certificate programme 'Professional Skills for Dealing with Diversity'

Certificate Program for regular students in the Departments of Social Work, Health and Media (SGM) as well as Applied Human Sciences (AHW) (BA’s and MA’s level).

The certificate programme 'Professional Skills for Dealing with Diversity' offers students from the departments SGM and AHW the opportunity to develop key skills beyond their degree studies. It enables them to strengthen their competences beyond their subject areas, thereby expanding and proving professional qualifications for increasingly globalized working environments. At the same time, the certificate provides the possibility to highlight students’ engagement and interest in international affairs.

A total of 20 ECTS as well as a stay abroad or a voluntary engagement is comprised within the programme which is to be finished by an individually selectable number of semesters. All required evidence for the certificate programme must be submitted by the end of studies, i.e., before exmatriculation, in order to apply for the certificate.

Students may begin taking courses within the programme at any time. There is no limit on the number of participants in the certificate programme. However, as some of the courses have a limited number of places, attendance at all courses cannot always be guaranteed.

Credits that were already completed before registering for the certificate programme can also be recognized retroactively, provided that the corresponding evidence is submitted.

The certificate programme is divided into four modules.

Information on the module content and the teaching methods conveyed and applied can be found in the module descriptions. The individual course descriptions, which are linked to the respective modules, provide more detailed and concrete information on the content, the respective form of examination, the workload, the number of ECTS, and the campus (either Campus Magdeburg or Campus Stendal). The courses offered within the modules may vary from semester to semester. The current course list is attached below; Lists from previous semesters can be found under the "Further Information" tab on this page.

DIP-MZ1 Practical Competence and Intercultural Key Qualifications

Students at University of Applied Sciences may select any courses within the module for a total of 4 ECTS.

Workload: 120 hrs/week
Credits: 4 ECTS
Course Type: Exercise/ Seminar/ Workshop/ Coaching
Hrs per week: According to course type
Self-study: According to course type
Application of the module: Regular students of University of Applied Sciences are to choose at least 4 ECTS of their own choice.

Learning outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the module, students can

Apply professional, academic, and organisational competencies in academic and professional contexts,
Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills in a foreign language,
Communicate clearly and accurately, using appropriate rhetorical strategies in presentations, discussions, and debates,
Apply problem-solving skills and reflective learning strategies to academic tasks,
Analyze and interpret texts, construct arguments, and engage in peer interaction.

Content:

Professional communication, and presentation and rhetoric,
Critical reading, writing, oral and aural skills, text work, grammar and stylistics, and the development of oral competences in a foreign language.

Please note: Courses and contents may vary every semester!

DIP-MZ2 Dealing with Diversities: Theory, Research and Applied Concepts

Students at University of Applied Sciences may select any courses within the module for a total of 9 ECTS.

Workload: 270 Std.
Credits: 9 ECTS
Course Type: Exercise/ Seminar/ Lecture
Hrs per week: According to course type
Self-study: According to course type
Application of the module: Students at University of Applied Sciences select one or more courses for a total of 9 ECTS.

Learning outcomes:

After successfully completing the module, students will be able to

Acquire inter- and transnational knowledge of diversity, inclusion, and participation,
Apply concepts of human rights-oriented engagement in social, health, and educational organisations,
Identify social problems and understand their contexts for application-oriented work and research,
Prepare for professional challenges in fields addressing intersectional perspectives and the goals of inclusion and participation, especially in diverse national, social, and cultural contexts,
Students from diverse national, social and cultural backgrounds are prepared for the challenges of working in fields where intersectional perspectives and the goals of inclusion and participation are addressed.

Content:

Perspectives on diversity, inclusion, and participation,
Concepts of human rights in social, health, and educational organisations,
Social problems and their contexts for applied work and research,
Insight of international work fields.

Please note: Courses and contents may vary every semester!

DIP-MZ3 DIP Elective Field

Students at University of Applied Sciences may select any course offered within the DIP course programme, for a total of 7 ECTS.

Workload: 210 hrs/week.
Credits: 7 ECTS
Course Type: Exercise / Seminar/ Lecture
Hrs per week: According to course type
Self-study: According to course type
Application of the module: Students at University of Applied Sciences select one or more courses for a total of 7 ECTS.

Learning outcomes:

After successfully completing the module, students will be able to engage in in-depth critical analysis of social inequalities from an international perspective as an integral part of the study programmes:

Applied Childhood Studies (BA)
Childhood Studies and Children’s Rights (MA)
Early Childhood Education and Care (BA)
Psychology of Rehabilitation (BSc and MSc)
Social Work (BA and MA)
Sign Language and Interpretation (BA)
Health Promotion and Management (BA)
Journalism (BA and MA)
Language and Communication in Organizations (BA)
Health-Promoting Organizational Development (MA)

Content:

Perspectives on diversity, inclusion, and participation,
Concepts of human rights in social, health, and educational organisations,
Social problems and their contexts for applied work and research,
Insight of international work fields.

Please note: Courses and contents may vary every semester!

DIP-MZ4 Engagement International Experience/ Volunteer Engagement

Workload: According to the individual placement
Credits: No ECTS are awarded
Course Type: Depending on the exchange programme/ voluntary work

Learning outcomes:

After successfully completing the module, students will be able to:

Become more interculturally competent,
Develop practical skills for working in diverse cultural and professional environments,
Enhance adaptability, communication, and collaboration across international or intercultural settings.

Content:

Academic stay abroad during studies at h2 (e.g., semester abroad, internship abroad, summer school abroad, language course abroad, field trip or project seminar abroad,...)
OR
Voluntary work in an intercultural/international context (e.g., university groups such as Europa macht Schule, Buddy Program, …)

Completion

The courses in modules DIP-MZ1, DIP-MZ2, and DIP-MZ3 conclude with different forms of examination, which certify that these have been passed. The requirements of the individual examination regulations and module descriptions of the individual courses apply. The DIP-MZ4 module only needs to be evidenced. Once all modules have been completed, the programme is considered finished and students can apply for the certificate.

The certificate states the name of the participant, a brief description of the certificate, a list of the courses completed within the respective modules, and the number of ECTS.

Course list:

Winter term 2026/27 (PDF)

Summer term 2027 (PDF)