Degree in Education Management launched
In the small Black Forest spa-town Bad Duerrheim a new era began in October 2008 with twelve students: By now, unlike other European countries kindergarten teachers in Germany do not need any university degree to be allowed to work with children and youths. In partnership with Steinbeis University Berlin and supported by Permira (Private Equity) the Institute for Pedagogic Management (IfPM) wants to clearly raise this standard in education by offering a part-time undergraduate program for pedagogues without A-level, but with work experience. The students will graduate with a “Bachelor of Business Administration” after three years.
Annette Schavan, Federal Minister for Education and Research, is the patron of the Institute for Pedagogic Management (IfPM). Markus Seidel, the institute’s director, explains its background: “We set up the institute for experienced teachers who want to prepare themselves for future professional challenges by studying ‘Pedagogic Management’ at university level.“ The new degree is one of many offered by Steinbeis University Berlin, allowing people to study alongside their job. The ‘Pedagogic Management’ course accepts students with sufficient job experience, even if they lack a traditional university entrance qualification. The degree covers a range of areas, including educational science, management and communication skills.
At the opening, the scientific director of the IfPM, Professor Dr. Volker Reinhardt, announced a master’s degree course to follow the three-year bachelor’s degree. The students – not all from Black Forest and some from as far away as Cologne and Munich – were happy to be welcomed as a part of this course. The next course group will start next autumn, Markus Seidel announced: “We’ve already had initial enquiries.”