Self-test: Is training/studying to become a "Social Pedagogue HF" the right choice for me?

What does the day-to-day work of a social pedagogue HF with a HF diploma look like?

Social pedagogues work in institutions such as schools, homes, workshops, day clinics, emergency shelters or prisons. There they look after children from difficult social backgrounds, asylum seekers, people with addiction problems, disabilities or mental illnesses or offenders, for example.

They are responsible for jointly structuring and organizing the daily routine and support their clients in coping with everyday activities such as cooking, household care, learning or social activities. In the outpatient sector, you will work in schools with integration projects, in family support or in crisis intervention centers, for example.

Their aim is to promote the psychological stabilization and personal development of their clients and to reintegrate them into their familiar social environment. Social pedagogues with an HF diploma are part of an interdisciplinary care network and work closely with other specialists and specialist agencies. They hold discussions with family members and legal representatives and coordinate the activities of agencies, authorities, schools and institutions. In individual and group discussions, they reflect on developments, agree on goals and discuss conflicts.

(Please note: In individual cases, the distribution/weighting/frequency of tasks may differ depending on the function/job profile as well as the company, company size, etc.).

Target group and skills: For whom is social pedagogue training, study, further education at a higher technical college suitable?

Training as a social pedagogue at a university of applied sciences to become a qualified social pedagogue HF is suitable for:

• Young professionals from the social sector with an apprenticeship qualification as a care specialist or in a caring profession (children, disabled, elderly)
• Career changers who come from other professional fields and would like to switch to the field of social work / child education

Social pedagogues HF should have the following personal qualities and skills:

• Social competence
• Enjoy contact with people
• Sense of responsibility
• Empathy and sensitivity
• Mental and physical (physical) resilience
• Ability to work in a team
• Flexible
• Willingness to work irregular hours

Requirements for admission to further education in social pedagogy:

Each university of applied sciences (HF) decides for itself on the admission procedure for social pedagogy training, studies and further training. This is set out in their study regulations, taking into account the relevant legal basis (Framework Plan for Social Pedagogy HF). There may therefore be differences between the universities of applied sciences (HF).*

In order to be able to start a social pedagogy degree course to become a qualified social pedagogue HF at a HF, you must generally meet the following admission requirements.

• Completion of three years of basic vocational training with a federal certificate of competence (EFZ) as a care specialist (FaBe) (relevant EFZ).

Or

• Completion of three years of basic vocational training (EFZ) in another field and proof of at least 400 hours of practical experience in the field of social pedagogy.

Or

• Completion of a high school diploma or technical secondary school and 800 hours of practical experience in the field of social pedagogy.

And

• Aptitude assessment/acceptance procedure of the education provider successfully passed. The aptitude assessment usually consists of the following steps (but may vary from school to school):
  • Submission of the complete application documents
  • Completion of a written examination in which the aspects of self-reflection, self-awareness, expression, comprehension of content and contexts as well as spelling are assessed
  • Practical aptitude assessment in a two-day internship
  • Aptitude interview to assess personal, social and professional skills as well as career and training motivation

Further conditions:

• For part-time studies: At least 50% professional activity in a relevant field

Note:

In some cases, it is possible to have previous educational achievements recognized. For example, it is possible to obtain an HF diploma in social pedagogy with a diploma from a higher technical college. Please contact the provider of your choice directly.

* The training courses at the universities of applied sciences (HF) are based on framework curricula developed jointly by training providers and industry associations and approved by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). The framework curriculum defines, among other things, the title to be protected, the professional profile, the competencies to be achieved and the coordination of academic and practical training components. If the universities of applied sciences adhere to the existing framework curricula in the detailed design of their courses, their HF courses are federally recognized and lead to a protected title.

Subject matter and content of the training

The learning content of social pedagogue training, studies and further training at a university of applied sciences (HF) is basically based on the "Social Pedagogy HF" framework curriculum. The following actors are the sponsors of this framework curriculum: The Swiss umbrella organization of the social work world (Savoirsocial) and the Swiss Platform of Training in the Social Sector (SPAS). They are responsible for the creation of the framework curriculum and its periodic review in terms of topicality and quality.

Nevertheless, the universities of applied sciences have a certain amount of leeway in the design of their study programs for future social pedagogues. Which course content is ultimately covered and how it is structured (e.g. its breadth and depth) can therefore vary from college to college.

The following topics are frequently dealt with:

• Joint planning and development of socio-pedagogical work (perceiving the living environment of the person being supported, determining and developing support needs, planning and implementing goals and measures together with the person or group being supported, cooperation with the family and social environment)
• Accompaniment and support in everyday and transitional situations (building and shaping relationships with the accompanied person, strengthening self-efficacy and promoting self-determination, supporting the accompanied person in participating in social life, shaping the environment and framework conditions in a needs-oriented way, shaping group situations and strengthening participation, needs-based support for the accompanied person in everyday life, accompaniment in transitional and crisis situations)
• Developing your own professional identity (dealing with challenging and changing situations, perception and reflection of your professional role)
• Process analysis and process documentation (analysis and optimization of socio-pedagogical processes and actions, documenting processes and writing reports)
• Work in a professional environment (teamwork, cooperation with other professionals and specialist departments, building and maintaining networks)
• Further development of the professional field (e.g. development of innovative concepts and procedures for the own field of work)
• Participation in the development of the organization and institution (assuming leadership responsibility and management tasks, quality development and ensuring it, developing and ensuring internal and external communication, project development and project management)

Costs and financing of further training

The costs vary depending on the provider, training location and training model. In general, the following costs must be expected for the 4 to 8-semester social pedagogue training, studies and further education:

• Tuition feesThe semester fee depends on the school and your canton of residence. You can expect to pay between CHF 1,000 and CHF 1,600 per semester for students residing in the canton of training*. The costs for the examinations and diploma thesis are usually included in the course fees.
• Additional costsSome providers charge extra costs for the enrolment fee and the student ID card, preliminary courses (optional), teaching materials, excursions, internships, training documents, examination/diploma thesis and examination retakes. Find out about the additional costs directly from the HF of your choice.

* Courses at universities of applied sciences are financially supported by the cantons. Students from outside the canton pay higher tuition fees. The following conditions apply in order to receive cantonal funding:

• at least two years of residence in the canton
• The course is listed on the EDK (Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education) list of eligible courses (you will find the link to the list in the answer texts).

Duration of study, number of lessons and learning effort

• Duration of studyDepending on the school, the training model (full-time or part-time) and your previous education (relevant EFZ or other qualification), the modular social pedagogue course lasts between four and eight semesters.
• Number of lessonsThe social pedagogue course comprises 3,600 learning hours with a relevant EFZ (Federal Certificate of Competence) and 5,400 learning hours without a relevant EFZ. The course comprises a total of 5400 learning hours. These learning hours are divided into Contact hours, self-study, supervised practice, relevant professional activity, final qualification procedure.
• Training modelsSocial pedagogue training is offered full-time with an integrated internship, as well as part-time with at least 50% relevant professional activity.
• Teaching formatClassroom teaching traditionally takes place at the school. Depending on the situation, certain theoretical parts or lessons can also be completed in online lessons or hybrid lessons or blended learning.
• Periodic review of learning progress and performanceDuring the training, the school carries out at least one so-called "promotion", which includes both academic performance and performance in the practical vocational training area. The school examines the academic and the practice institution the practical area of education.
• Learning effort: You should allow sufficient time to prepare for and follow up the lessons and for self-study - how much depends on your prior knowledge, working style, learning speed and chosen training model. We recommend that you allow at least 4-6 hours per week for the part-time model.

Tip: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons"/"trial lessons". This gives you the opportunity to gain an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. Important aspects on the way to a successful graduation. Take the opportunity and contact the school of your choice directly.

Degree, diploma and title

The course of study, training and further education to become a qualified social pedagogue HF concludes with a final qualification procedure that includes at least the following examination parts:

1. Practical qualificationQualification takes place in situations that are relevant to the professional activity. The assessment is carried out by the practice institution.
2. Practice-oriented diploma or project workCandidates have the opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and networked thinking. The selected topic is approved by the school.
3. Examination interview: Here, the candidates demonstrate that they are able to justify and reflect on their professional actions in a manner appropriate to the situation and to categorize them in terms of policy, in accordance with the requirements of the school (e.g. analysis, project work, diploma thesis, etc.). They can also make connections to other situations.

The details of implementation are regulated by the respective HF in its study regulations.

Diploma and title

Graduates of the social pedagogue course receive an HF diploma and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected professional title "Dipl. Sozialpädagoge HF / dipl. Sozialpädagogin HF".

In French: "Éducateur social diplômé ES / Éducatrice social diplômée ES"

In Italian: "Educatore sociale dipl. SSS / Educatrice Sociale dipl. SSS"

In English (translation, i.e. recommendation, but not a protected title): "Social Worker, Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education"