A three-year part-time master’s degree program with six/seven modules per year and a final thesis which is obligatory. This degree is offered in conjunction with Lee University, USA, as a postgraduate training program using an in-service model. It requires a bachelor degree (180 ECTS) and at least a year of practical experience working in the subject area, e.g. church ministry (30 ECTS). This degree is offered by part-time study only, requiring attendance on campus at ETS for the intensive study modules; the program consists of 90 ECTS making a total of 300 ECTS (Bachelor, practical ministry and postgraduate study), which leads to the same level of qualification and eligibility as the consecutive Master degree. The MA in Marriage and Family Studies is especially geared toward church workers who intend to focus on family or marriage counseling in their churches.

Admission to the Program

Students must possess a Bachelor degree (180 ECTS). Since the study concept is postgraduate training it requires at least one year of practical experience working in the area of study, e.g. church ministry. This has to be confirmed in writing by a On-site Mentor or Supervisor and counts for 30 ECTS. This gives the student the same entrance level as the consecutive entry into Masters study, which leads to the same level of qualification and eligibility. German law makes provision in certain cases that students may engage in postgraduate training by completing an entrance examination rather than possessing a bachelor degree.

Special entry requirements

For Marriage and Family Studies, students do not need a bachelor degree in the area of study and no propaedeuticum is required, but students must show competence to handle the subject matter and have the English language qualification of at least C2.

CAREERS, OCCUPATIONS AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE MA MFS

The Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Studies is a master degree in the study area of behavioural sciences.  It requires a minimum of one year of practical work or ministry in a related occupational field, which should be fulfilled before the studies on campus begin; this is awarded 30 ECTS.  The academic content, including a thesis (20 ECTS), has a total of 90 ECTS, making it a 120 ECTS MA.

The MA is offered jointly by Lee University and ETS.  It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (www.sacscoc.org) in the USA and, from June 2017, has been accredited by evalag (www.evalag.de) in accordance with §72a LHG BW Germany.

Graduates are eligible to study further and pursue a doctorate, since Lee University is denoted as H+ by anabin (www.anabin.kmk.org) and this Master degree has German accreditation.

A graduate with this degree could pursue a career in the following areas:

• Marriage and family therapy

• Marriage and family counselling

• Counselling of children and youth

• Addiction and disorder counselling

• Kindergarten support worker

• School support worker

• Teaching in the area of youth and family studies

• Church ministry (pastor)

• Christian education

• Youth and children’s pastor

• Chaplain, e.g. to a hospital, prison, police or other emergency services