Beamter/Beamtin in der Sozialverwaltung (gehobener Dienst)

Learning locations include: Universities of Public Administration (Hochschulen für öffentliche Verwaltung) (lecture halls, seminar and practice rooms, libraries), Social Administration Institutions (office spaces), Home (e.g., for preparing for and following up on courses, completing homework).

The amendment to the Federal Civil Service Ordinance (Bundeslaufbahnverordnung) came into force on March 17, 2026. It opens up needs-oriented special access routes to counteract the shortage of skilled workers. A key focus of the reform is the equalization of vocational and academic education. For example, access for individuals with vocational advanced training qualifications such as Bachelor Professional or Master Professional is now also possible in the higher technical administrative service and the higher scientific service.

Occupation type: Civil service training (Beamtenausbildung); varying career designations in individual federal states (Bundesland). Type of training: University (Studium) studies at Universities of Public Administration (Hochschulen für öffentliche Verwaltung), practical study periods at social administration institutions. Qualification: Bachelor or Diploma. Duration: 3 years. Tasks and activities: Civil servants in the higher service of social administration (gehobener Dienst) process applications for benefits under social legislation, such as nursing allowances, accident pensions, war victim compensation, or parental benefits. They verify the existence of eligibility criteria, calculate the amount and duration of benefits, and issue decisions. In severe disability procedures, they determine disabilities and degrees of disability and initiate disadvantage compensation. Furthermore, they provide citizens with information about social benefits. Civil servants in the higher service of social administration can also assume leadership roles. Work areas and locations: Work areas: Civil servants in the higher service.

3 years

As a rule, a selection procedure is conducted, which tests general knowledge, language proficiency, mathematical understanding, knowledge in the fields of law and politics, as well as social and methodological competence.

Structure of a Bachelor's degree program in the higher service of social administration: Theoretical studies (1st study section) at a University of Public Administration (Hochschule für öffentliche Verwaltung): 5 months. Theoretical studies (2nd study section) at a University of Public Administration: 5 months. Practical professional studies (3rd study section) in social administration institutions: 7 months. Theoretical studies (4th study section) at a University of Public Administration: 7 months. Theoretical studies (5th study section) including Bachelor's thesis at a University of Public Administration: 6 months. Practical professional studies (6th study section) in social administration institutions: 7 months. Total study duration: 3 years.

No Studium (university study) fees are charged. Travel costs or expenses for learning materials may arise. If accommodation is provided at the educational institutions, costs may also be incurred.

The Studium (university study) content is organized in modules. Theoretical Studium (university study) sections include Civil Law and Labor Law, European Law, Family Aid, Child and Youth Welfare Law, Health and Long-Term Care Insurance Law, Severely Disabled Persons Law, State Blindness Allowance, Social Compensation Law, Social Assistance Law and Basic Income Support, Accident Insurance, Employment Promotion and Social Procedure Law, Constitutional and Administrative Law, Administrative Informatics, Administrative, Social and Economic Sciences. Practical Studium (university study) sections impart professional knowledge and experience.

One should be prepared for the following conditions and requirements: During theoretical Studium (university study) sections: Lectures: Attend lectures and seminars in the lecture halls and seminar rooms of the University of Public Administration. Practical exercises: For example, participate in practice-oriented projects to solve a complex problem from the field of social assistance law. Independent work: Prepare and review lectures, research in libraries, prepare presentations, complete assignments (also during lecture-free periods). Organization: For example, adhere to given submission deadlines for presentations and assignments. During practical Studium (university study) sections: Practical collaboration (under guidance): For example, process benefit claims according to the social assistance law, inform citizens about social benefits. Key qualifications: For example, expand problem-solving, organizational, and communication competencies. Throughout the entire Studium (university study), performance records are required.

Example monthly gross basic salary for a candidate civil servant: 1,549 €. Source: State Salary Laws. Note: In addition to the basic salary, candidate civil servant emoluments include capital-forming benefits, possibly also family allowances and other allowances, remunerations, and surcharges.

In-depth knowledge in the following school subjects are good prerequisites for a successful Studium (university study): Law: For example, to deal with legal sciences (e.g., social assistance law, long-term care insurance law, severely disabled persons law, constitutional and administrative law). German: For example, to prepare and deliver presentations. Mathematics: For example, to calculate benefit claims for parental or child benefits.

The following alternatives are available for the profession of civil servant in social administration (higher service): Field of Law and Administration: Civil Servant in General Internal Administration (higher non-technical service), Civil Servant in Social Insurance (higher non-technical service), Civil Servant in Agricultural Social Insurance (higher non-technical service), Civil Servant in Tax Administration (higher non-technical service), Civil Servant in Federal Defense Administration (higher non-technical service), Civil Servant in Digital Administration (higher non-technical service), Administrative Management, Public Management (undergraduate), Public Law (undergraduate), Social Insurance (undergraduate). Commonality: Processing or analyzing and structuring administrative procedures.

The Bologna Process, which began in 1999, reformed the European higher education landscape. Its goals included creating a unified European higher education area, harmonizing study programs and degrees (introducing Bachelor's and Master's degrees), and improving student and faculty mobility. From 2000 onwards, diploma programs were gradually converted to Bachelor's degree programs.

The Ausbildung (vocational training) for the gehobener Dienst (higher service) in social administration is a preparatory service lasting 3 years. It is typically organized as a Bachelor's degree program (Studium) and regulated by Bundesland (federal state) ordinances. The Ausbildung concludes with a career/Bachelor's examination.

The Studium (degree program) is legally regulated in the mentioned Bundesländer (federal states) and leads to the following degree/professional titles: In Bavaria, Diplom-Verwaltungswirt (FH); in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Bachelor of Laws - Öffentliche Verwaltung (LL.B. - Public Administration); and in Saxony, Bachelor of Laws - Sozialverwaltung (LL.B. - Social Administration). Career titles include Beamter/Beamtin - Sozialverwaltung (gehobener Dienst), Beamter/Beamtin - Sozialverwaltung (Laufbahngruppe 2, erstes Einstiegsamt), and Beamter/Beamtin - Sozialverwaltung (Laufbahngruppe 2, erste Einstiegsebene). These career titles are examples and may vary by Bundesland (federal state). Please note: The responsible authorities in the individual Bundesländer determine whether the career path is offered as a Studium.

After their Studium (degree program), Beamte (civil servants) in the gehobener Dienst (higher service) of social administration work, for example, in centers for family and social affairs, at municipal social associations, or in state (municipal) administration. They can keep their expertise up-to-date through adaptive further training, covering topics from social law to public administration. With suitable qualifications, Beamte (civil servants) in the gehobener Dienst of social administration have the opportunity to advance to the next higher career path after a successful promotion procedure. Further Studium (studies) can also be considered, such as pursuing a Master's degree in administrative management or public management.

The Studium (degree program) for civil service careers (Beamtenlaufbahnen) is regulated by the Bundesländer (federal states) in their own ordinances. The respective provisions may differ. Examples include the Ordinance on the Specialist Focus Social Administration (FachV-SozVerw) from January 7, 2013, in Bavaria, and the Ordinance on Training and Examination for the Career of the Higher General Service in the Social Administration of the State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Ausbildungs- und Prüfungsordnung g. D. Sozialverwaltung - APO g. D. SozVerw. - M-V) from December 4, 1998. In Saxony, there is an ordinance from the State Ministry of the Interior and the State Ministry for Social Affairs, Health and Social Cohesion regarding training and examination in the preparatory service for the first entry level of career group 2.

The requirement is a Fachhochschulreife or allgemeine Hochschulreife (general university entrance qualification), or a comparable educational qualification.