Professional Skills Development

Studierende in Hörsaal, im Vordergrund zwei lächelnde junge Frauen
© Simone Reukauf

Overview

 The model at a glance

 KoPro information brochure

 Template certificate of key competencies

 The "4 steps plus model" in geography

Structure of the Dual-Subject Bachelor's Degree Program

The dual-subject Bachelor's degree program consists of several key components:

  • Two academic subjects (either as a core subject–core subject or major–minor combination)

  • Internships

  • The Bachelor’s thesis

  • The interdisciplinary professional skills development module, comprising 26 or 28 credit points (CP)

The structure and content of the professional skills development area vary depending on the student’s intended path after completing the Bachelor’s degree—for example, whether they are pursuing a teaching qualification or a subject-specific Master's program.

Students who wish to study for a teaching master's degree after completing their Bachelor's degree program study 26 CP in the core curriculum for teacher education (KCL). For more information, please contact the  Center for Teacher Education.

Professional Skills Development Area for Students Aiming for a Master’s Degree (M.A. or M.Sc.)

Students who plan to pursue a Master's degree (M.A. or M.Sc.) after completing their Bachelor's program must complete 28 credit points (CP) in the professional skills development area. These are structured as follows:

  • 14 CP in general key competencies, following the “ 4-Steps+” model:

    • 10 CP acquired through subject-specific courses (the "4 steps")

    • 4 CP in additional subject-related or interdisciplinary competencies (the "plus")

  • 14 CP in subject-specific or academic specialization, earned through advanced coursework in the chosen subjects

Students planning to enter professional life directly after their Bachelor's degree also complete 14 CP following the “4-Steps+” model. In addition, they earn another 14 CP in further subject-related or interdisciplinary key competencies.

Students in the dual-subject Bachelor's degree program who do not plan to pursue a Master of Education must complete 14 CP in the "4 Steps Plus" professional skills development area and 14 CP in subject specialization (Profile 2).

Each of the four steps must be completed at least once, regardless of which of the two subjects they are completed in. For steps completed twice (i.e., in both subjects), up to 4 CP can be credited in the “Plus” area by KoPro.

Geography offers the following options to fulfill the four steps:

  • Steps 1 and 2 (combined) are completed in the course “Introduction to Studies and Academic Work”, which awards 4 CP and is usually offered each winter semester.

  • Steps 3 and 4 can be completed through a study project (6 CP). This is a regular, compulsory course for students majoring in Geography. Students may need to complete an additional study project for steps 3 and 4. Study projects are typically offered every semester but cover different topics each time.

  • Alternatively, for Step 4, if Step 3 has been completed in another subject, a project work (4 CP) can be arranged individually. This involves conducting an independent study in consultation with a Geography lecturer. The research question, content, and project stages (e.g., presentation of principles and research question, data collection, analysis, presentation, report) are agreed upon with the supervisor. The project is not tied to a specific course or deadline.

Additional valuable information is available on the  KoPro website, especially in the  information brochure on the professional skills development area.