Pedagogy / Waldorfpedagogy
Master of Arts / Part-Time
Waldorf schools are seeking teachers – we train them!
The part-time Master's programme "Pedagogy" with a focus on "Schools and Teaching" prepares students for careers in Waldorf schools as class teachers or subject specialist and secondary education teachers. The focus of the course is an in-depth theoretical and scientific examination of alternative and Waldorf education in today's world. Special emphasis is placed on the acquisition of Waldorf pedagogical, scientific and general educational skills as well as didactic competence in specialty subjects. A further aim is assisting future Waldorf teachers in developing an authentic personality. Students develop a range of observational and judgment skills and train their creativity, flexibility in thinking and personal responsibility.
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Special Features
- Ideal for people who want to gain an additional qualification in-service as well as those seeking a challenging new career
- Small groups with intensive support
- Waldorf education in scientific dialogue
- Training subject-specific, methodological and didactic skills
- Intensive artistic practice (painting, sculpting, eurythmy, language formation and music) as well as cultural, educational and philosophical contents in the Studium Generale
Video about the Degree Programme Waldorf Education
Watch the video about our Waldorfpedagogy programme!
Course Contents
Education
Fundamentals of education, history of education, alternative and Waldorf education, educational psychology, media pedagogics
Fundamentals of Waldorf Education
Basic tenets of anthroposophy, educational anthropology, sensory teaching, child observation
School and Society
School development, school organisation, conference work, moderation, parental counselling and guidance, adult education
Introduction to Educational Research
Scientific-based and methodological fundamentals of research, methods and examples of educational research
Teaching and General Didactics
General didactics, teaching concepts, didactic features of Waldorf Schools
Subject-Specific Didactics
Fundamental didactics of specialist subjects and/or Waldorf class teacher subjects, curriculum and teaching of specific subjects, subject-specific lesson planning, internships
Waldorf Education in Dialogue
Waldorf education and alternative teaching in dialogue, international aspects, challenges of current Waldorf Teacher Training, criticism of Waldorf education
Art
Painting, drawing, sculpting, eurythmy, language and music
Studium Generale
History of philosophy, art and culture, cognitive science, ethics
Specialisations
In the Master's programme in Pedagogy / Waldorfpedagogy with a focus on schools and teaching, students can choose between two specialisations:
- General Schools
Career goal: teacher at a Waldorf school (or secondary and comprehensive school) - Adult Education
Career goal: lecturer at Waldorf Teacher Training seminars or technical schools for early childhood educators
Admission Requirements
Requirement for admission is a first university degree (Bachelor’s, Diplom, Magister, State Examination, or equivalent, preferably in a subject relevant to teaching).
Tuition Fees & Special Funding for Waldorf Education
Alanus University, in cooperation with the German Association of Waldorf Schools, has succeeded in establishing “Special Funding for Waldorfpedagogy”. Students in the Master’s programme Waldorfpedagogy / specialisation “Schools and Teaching” who have the career goal of working as a Waldorf teacher, can apply for this special funding, which reimburses a portion of the standard tuition fee of 251 euros/month. Through special funding, it is possible to reduce tuition fees to as low as 130 euros/month.
Who is “Special Funding for Waldorfpedagogy” aimed at?
The funding is aimed at students in the Master’s programme Waldorfpedagogy / specialisation “Schools and Teaching” who have the career goal of working as a Waldorf teacher and who are not receiving any other source of funding (e.g. payment of tuition fees by a Waldorf school).
How high are tuition fees for students who receive the special funding?
Through “Special Funding for Waldorfpedagogy”, it is possible to reduce tuition fees to as low as 120 euros/month.
How long is the funding guaranteed?
The funding is guaranteed for 1 year with the option of extending. Maximum funding for the standard period of study is 6 semesters.
What are the criteria for funding?
- Statement of financial need
- Aspiration to become a Waldorf teacher
- No other possible sources of funding (e.g. Waldorf school, national scholarship, etc.)
- Acceptable student performance: regular attendance of lectures and seminars, successful completion of modules according to the study plan.
For more information, please contact Katharina de Roos.
Guidelines & Application Form for Special Funding for Waldorfpedagogy
Career Prospects
Specialisation General Schools
The programme qualifies students to work as class teachers, subject specialist teachers or secondary education teachers at Waldorf schools (provided that they have a first degree in a relevant field). Each year, the approximately 230 Waldorf schools in Germany are looking for around 600 new class teachers, subject specialist teachers and secondary education teachers in natural sciences, mathematics, German, languages, history, geography, art history, art, handicrafts and other subjects. The career opportunities are therefore excellent.
Specialisation Adult Education
Future graduates of the specialisation Adult Education will have the task of preparing educators for the field of early childhood care and education at Waldorf Teacher Training seminars or technical schools. In this field too, there is a great demand for teachers.
Application Process
Applications can be submitted at any time. The course always starts in September.
International degree-seeking students are asked to contact the General Student Advisory Service for the admission procedure. Please contact the person at this office who is responsible for the degree programme you are interested in.
The following documents must be submitted for the application:
- Curriculum vitae with passport photo
- Officially certified copies of the higher education entrance qualification (e.g. Abitur) and the first university degree (officially certified and stamped German translation of foreign certificates)
- Letter of Motivation for the Master’s programme
- Certificate of registration from a German health insurance provider (copy of the insurance card is not sufficient)
- Foreign applicants require proof of sufficient German language skills (TestDaF, DSH or an equivalent certificate.)
Candidates are selected for admission based on a review of the application documents and a personal admission interview.
