Who Actually Trains Early Childhood Educators?
Alanus University launches Master's for the training and continuing education of educational professionals

Educational professionals take on responsible tasks in education, care, and social work. But who actually trains the people who teach future professionals? With the new part-time Master’s degree program “Education / Lecturer in Initial and Continuing Training for Education Professions,” Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences in Alfter near Bonn will prepare students for precisely this task starting in the fall semester 2026/27. The program qualifies working professionals to support educational specialists in their vocational training and continuing education and to teach adult learners professionally.

The Master’s program is aimed at working professionals with a first university degree who would like to qualify for a teaching or lecturing role in initial and continuing education. The six-semester part-time course of study combines an academic foundation with professional practice and imparts subject-specific, methodological, and didactic competencies for working with adult learners. Graduates can teach future early childhood educators, curative education nurses, child care assistants, and social care assistants at vocational schools for social pedagogy and vocational colleges, among other institutions. Additional prospects include professional development and continuing education, for example as a speaker on topics relating to childhood and inclusion or as a specialist advisor for educational institutions. Training Waldorf early childhood educators is also among the possible fields of work.

The program is concerned not only with the question of what is taught, but also with how adults learn in vocational educational processes. The curriculum includes educational diagnostics, theories of professionalization, subject didactics, organizational development and quality assurance, as well as in-depth perspectives on childhood and childhood education. The part-time format makes it possible to combine studies and work: on-campus phases in Alfter alternate with study weekends and online seminars. By arrangement, practical phases can also be completed at the student’s own workplace.

Program start: Fall semester 2026/27
Study format: part-time study alongside employment
Degree: Master of Arts (M.A.)
Admission: No NC restriction, individual selection interview
Standard period of study: 6 semesters

Further information on the Master’s degree program “Education / Lecturer in Initial and Continuing Training for Education Professions”.

Contact for press inquiries:
+49 (0)2222 9321-1944
presse@alanus.edu