bachelor's degree
Aging Services
s Management
Aging affects us all—help shape the future of our aging society! With the bachelor’s degree program in Aging Services Management, you’ll become an expert in health sciences, gerontology, public health, and innovative technologies. Learn how to apply management skills to improve the health and quality of life of older adults. In this way, you’ll play an active role in shaping demographic change.
Shape the Future of Aging
Our society is aging—but that’s not a risk; it’s an opportunity. Anyone who works with older adults knows that aging and longevity bring challenges, but also enormous potential for innovation, quality of life, and social change. But for this potential to be realized, we need people like you—people with vision, dedication, and the determination to actively help shape the future.
Do you want to do more than just provide support—do you want to actively shape a modern approach to an aging society?
In the Bachelor’s program in Aging Services Management, you’ll develop innovative solutions to the challenges of aging. You’ll gain in-depth knowledge in health sciences, gerontology, public health, and new technologies, combined with management skills and business expertise. Whether in long-term care facilities, government agencies, healthcare companies, or as a pioneer with your own projects—you’ll help improve the quality of life for older adults.
Duration of study: 6 semesters / 3 years
Scope: 180 ECTS credits
Cost: €363.36 per semester plus ÖH membership fee
Application period begins: Sept. 1, 2025
Application deadline: June 30, 2026
Language: German
Skills
Health Sciences (including Public Health), Gerontology, Health Promotion, Ethics, Concepts of Elderly Care, Assistive Technologies, and much more
Leadership, Economics, Project and Process Management, Change Management, Health and Social Law, Communication, Digital Transformation & AI, Coaching and Consulting, and much more
Methodological skills through academic papers, research and practice workshops, applied research and practice projects, and much more
In-depth specialization in cutting-edge subject areas with electives (12 ECTS) and individualized courses (10 ECTS) starting in the 5th semester
Typical groups of people who study here
who recognize the potential of digital healthcare and are willing to explore new career paths.
who want to deepen their knowledge and rethink how they approach aging.
who are committed to specifically improving the quality of life for older adults—whether in organizations, projects, or public administration.
who are ready to take on responsibility and want to take the next step in their careers using sound management skills.
who want to develop smart and practical solutions for an aging society.
who want to hit the ground running after high school—not just in their careers, but also in their college studies.
Your Career After College
Responsibility for the management and organization of facilities for older adults.
Management and Strategic Developments in Health and Social Service Organizations
Ensuring quality standards in the care of older adults.
Planning and implementing projects to improve nursing processes.
Recruitment and development of skilled workers in the health and social services sector.
Managing change processes related to demographic shifts in the economy and the healthcare sector.
Optimizing structures and processes in facilities providing care for the elderly.
Development and implementation of concepts for age-appropriate housing and assistive technologies.
Specializations – Your Personal Career Path
In this specialization, you will explore the unique challenges that can arise in older age due to disabilities or mental health conditions. You will analyze barriers to participation, learn how to design support services tailored to individual needs, and gain knowledge on how to promote inclusion and health equity in older age.
This specialization equips you with key skills in human resources management within social organizations. You will learn how HR management is structured in health and social service organizations and reflect on ethical issues related to personnel management. You will also explore moral stress in everyday professional life and develop strategies for how professionals and managers can act in an ethically responsible manner.
In this specialization, you will engage in an in-depth exploration of the topics of dying, death, and grief from a gerontological perspective. You will learn about the challenges that the end of life presents for older adults and those around them, and how you, as a professional, can address these issues with professionalism and dignity. In addition, you will develop skills in the field of palliative care and devise approaches for providing support during the final stages of life.
Curriculum
Core Curriculum (158 ECTS)
Health Sciences, Gerontology, and Management – The core curriculum provides you with a foundation of knowledge in the field of aging services management.
Elective Course Curriculum (12 ECTS)
Set Your Own Priorities – Choose from the specializations Aging, Disability & Mental Health, HR Management & Ethics, or Dying & Death in the Context of Aging to tailor your profile to your specific interests.
Individual Curriculum (10 ECTS)
Elective courses allow you to gain additional in-depth knowledge in various subject areas that you need for your individual qualification profile, even beyond the scope of your degree program.
Elderly Care and Support
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 1
Skill development
- are familiar with facilities and settings in elder care and elder support, as well as the conflicts and stresses that can arise in this field,
- have knowledge of nursing theories and models, and are familiar with the theoretical discourse in German-speaking countries as well as the criticisms leveled against nursing theories and models,
- understand the nursing process and its phases, know in which areas the nursing process can be applied, and know which skills are essential for nurses to apply the nursing process as successfully as possible,
- have knowledge of how to develop and implement a nursing and care plan, can apply their knowledge in practice, and can critically evaluate nursing and care plans.
Course Content
- Inpatient, outpatient, and home-based care
- Nursing Theories
- Historical Development of the Nursing Process
- The Nursing Process
- Critical Thinking in the Nursing Process
- Development and Implementation of a Care and Support Plan
Exam Format
Gerontology
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 1
Skill development
- can apply terms and concepts in gerontology in a targeted manner and critically evaluate theories and models of aging,
- are able to critically discuss different positions in gerontological research,
- are able to reflect on and contextualize individual and societal recommendations regarding the process of aging using the concepts and theories they have learned,
- can draw on the knowledge they have acquired to identify courses of action for their professional practice.
Course Content
- Fundamentals, Historical Development, Theoretical Concepts, and Empirical Findings in Social Gerontology
- The Concept of Generations and Intergenerational Relationships
- Aging as a Multifactorial Process
- "Normality" in Old Age and Different Perspectives on Behavior
- Theories of Aging / Normal Aging from a Multidisciplinary Perspective
- Cognitive, Psychological, and Social Changes in Old Age
- Critical Life Events
- Sexuality in Old Age
- Geriatrics as a Medical Specialty
Exam Format
Fundamentals of Health Economics
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 1
Skill development
- are familiar with the fundamental concepts of microeconomic and macroeconomic theory relevant to the degree program.
- have a basic understanding of the relationships between preferences and demand, product costs and supply, and the role of market mechanisms in price formation.
- understand the main types of markets and the reasons for market failure.
- are familiar with the national accounts as a fundamental economic framework, as well as other important macroeconomic indicators.
Course Content
- Supply and Demand: Definition of supply and demand curves and how the market mechanism works; distinction between market value and social value; definition of elasticities
- Household theory: Assumptions about consumer preferences, consumption decisions given preferences and budget constraints, derivation of market demand; firm theory: production function and production costs (short-run and long-run)
- Perfect Competition and Market Failure: Profit Maximization in Competitive Markets, Welfare Properties of Competitive Markets, and the Effects of Market Interventions; Major Causes of Market Failure
- National Accounts: Definition of the National Accounts and Gross Domestic Product; Significance and Limitations of National Accounts
- Macroeconomic Data and Basic Concepts: Key Macroeconomic Indicators and Fundamentals of Macroeconomic Theory
Exam Format
Health Sciences and Health and Social Services
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 1
Skill development
- have broad and integrated knowledge of the contribution of health promotion, prevention, rehabilitation, and nursing to public health and their role in the health care system.
- have in-depth, practical knowledge—specifically relevant to supporting older adults—of the health and social services sectors, as well as the care, assistance, and support services available to older adults and their families.
- are able to critically analyze national and international policies and reform programs related to demographic change.
Course Content
- Historical Development and the Political, Economic, and Legal Framework of the Austrian Health and Social Services System
- Health, Care, and Support Services: Structures, Services, Planning, Costs, and Financing; Institutions and Stakeholders in the Health and Social Services Sectors Relevant to Support, Care, and Nursing for the Elderly
- Social Security Administration (Social Security Agencies, Jurisdictions of Government Agencies)
- The Importance of Health Promotion, Prevention, Treatment, Rehabilitation, and Long-Term Care
- Issues Related to Sectoral Division and Federalism in Austria; Article 15a of the Federal Constitutional Law (B-VG) on the Organization and Financing of the Health Care System
- Framework guidelines based on the current version of the Austrian Health Structure Plan; discussion of health goals, reform models, and prospects in light of demographic change in Austria and internationally
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 1
Skill development
- are familiar with the historical development of public health, have a critical understanding of the theoretical foundations of health sciences, and possess in-depth knowledge of the determinants of quality of life, health, and disease, particularly in older adults.
- learn about promoting physical activity and managing chronic diseases from a public health perspective.
- have an overview of the sociomedical aspects of aging.
- Students discuss specific public health programs and measures
Course Content
- Historical Development and Theoretical Foundations of Public Health
- Definitions of health, illness, quality of life, health promotion, prevention, and rehabilitation
- Salutogenic and pathogenic models, or biomedical and biopsychosocial models, of health and disease
- Technical Terms and Classification Systems for Diseases and Disabilities
- Promoting Physical Activity as a Public Health Challenge
- Chronic Diseases and Public Health: The Case of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
- Public Health in Practice
Exam Format
Public Health Methods
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 1
Skill development
- understand the meaning, purpose, and objectives of evaluation and evaluation research, and have a basic understanding of the challenges of evaluation in the health and social services sectors.
- have an overview of types of evaluation and various evaluation approaches in the health and social services sector and are familiar with the standards for evaluations.
- are able to critically evaluate assessment reports and apply the results and recommendations presented therein to their professional practice.
Course Content
- Basic Concepts of Evaluation
- Types and Objectives of Evaluations
- Standards for Evaluations
- Evaluation Approaches in the Health and Social Services Sector
- Planning an Evaluation (Developing or Assessing an Evaluation Plan)
- Qualitative Methods of Data Collection
- Assessing the validity of results and evaluating evaluation reports
Exam Format
Social Interaction and Communication
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 1
Skill development
- can explain key concepts and models of self-regulated learning and identify (regulatory) processes in (virtual) teams.
- understand key concepts related to digitalization and can apply them to learning and work environments.
- are able to efficiently organize (digital) work and learning processes.
- understand the importance of self-regulated learning processes for their own learning and for learning in (virtual) teams, and are able to apply them.
- have used digital tools and reflected on their effectiveness.
Course Content
- Definition, Selected Models of Self-Regulated Learning, Metacognition, and Volition in the Context of Self-Regulated Learning
- Learning in (Virtual) Teams: Self-Regulation, Co-Regulation, and Joint Regulation
- Requirements and Understanding of the Need for Digital Learning
- Technological and Cultural Aspects of Digital Learning
- Applications of Digital Learning
- Literature Review: In-Depth Knowledge on Self-Regulated Learning
- Review of “Basic Knowledge” and “Advanced Knowledge SRL”
- Application of Self-Regulated Learning Strategies
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 1
Skill development
- can name processes within teams.
- are familiar with various team-building models and the opportunities and challenges teams face.
- are able to establish professional collaborations, work together in teams in a goal-oriented manner, and reflect on and manage team processes.
- are able to interact constructively with others in online contexts.
Course Content
- Definitions
- Models of Team Building and Team Collaboration
- Processes in Teams
Exam Format
Academic Writing and English
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 1
Skill development
- can identify the advantages and disadvantages of various study designs and their contribution to generating evidence.
- can explain key concepts of scientific work.
- can use scientific literature databases for research.
- be able to write a paper based on scientific research articles addressing a gerontological topic of their own choosing, summarize the findings, and critically reflect on them.
Course Content
- Fundamentals of Qualitative and Quantitative Social Research and Statistics
- Key Basic Concepts (e.g., empiricism, evidence, hypothesis)
- Various Methods of Generating Evidence
- Literature Search in Academic Databases
- Academic Writing and Citation
Exam Format
Health and Diversity in Later Life
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 2
Skill development
- are aware of the limitations and chronic illnesses for which there is an increased vulnerability in old age.
- can use tests to assess the health of older adults.
- understand strategies for promoting the health and quality of life of older adults and have in-depth knowledge of the underlying theories and findings.
- are familiar with the basic principles of systematic planning for health promotion measures.
- are able to apply their knowledge of gerontology and health sciences in case studies.
Course Content
- Major Health Issues Among the Elderly Population
- Health Promotion and Prevention in Later Life
- Practical Examples of Health Promotion Among Older Adults
Exam Format
Fundamentals of Health Economics
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 2
Skill development
- understand the objectives of a state's economic activities and the tools of public finance.
- are aware of the causes of market failure and the government's options for correcting it.
- understand the objectives of fiscal policy with regard to income distribution, as well as the government instruments and how they affect income distribution.
- have knowledge of the fiscal analysis of public budgets and the relationships between public expenditures and revenues.
Course Content
- The State and the Economy: The Role of the State in the Economy, Economic Policy Objectives, the Public Sector
- Public Finance: An Overview of Budget Policy, Government Revenue, and Government Expenditures; International Comparison of Government Expenditure Ratios; Government Expenditure Ratios Over Time
- Market failures and government remedies: imperfect competition, natural monopolies, externalities (Coase theorem, Pigou tax), public goods (free-rider problem, prisoner’s dilemma, and the production of public goods), incomplete information (moral hazard and adverse selection)
- Fiscal Policy for Income Redistribution: Distribution and Equity, Measuring Inequality in Distributions, Dimensions of Income Distribution, Effects of Fiscal Policy Instruments on Income Distribution
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 2
Skill development
- Understanding of common concepts and methods in health economic evaluation.
- Understanding the economic rationale behind measures taken during reforms in the health and social services sectors and in times of crisis.
- An understanding of the forms of market failure in markets for health care goods and health insurance, and the resulting justification for government intervention in these markets.
- Knowledge of demographic trends and the economic conditions affecting market participants in markets for health care goods, as well as common methods of analysis in this area.
- Analyzing health economics studies and evaluations.
- Presentation of scientific studies, e.g., in poster form.
Course Content
- Health Economic Evaluations
- Education and Health
- Economic aspects, including health care, pension, and social security reforms, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic
- Markets for Health Care Products: Market Failures and Market Participants
- Demographic Change and Healthcare Costs
Exam Format
Computer Science and Digitalization
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 2
Skill development
- know, understand, and explain key basic terms, concepts, current areas of application, potential uses, challenges, and (ethical) risks of the digital and AI transformation at the individual, organizational, and societal levels
- understand the fundamentals of prompt engineering and can apply them
- know what skills are required for working (collaboratively) with generative AI
- are able to reflect on their own competencies required for working (collaboratively) with generative artificial intelligence, analyze these in relation to their own areas for development, and derive personal development steps
Course Content
- Definitions, Concepts, Characteristics, and Areas of Application of Digital and AI Transformation
- AI Transformation of the Workplace and Its Impact
- Fundamentals, Capabilities, and Applications of Generative AI
- Challenges, Limitations, and (Ethical) Risks of Generative AI
- Prompt Engineering
- Skills Required for Working (Collaboratively) with Generative AI
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 2
Skill development
Course Content
- What is a computer?
- What are the functions of operating systems (Linux, Windows, Android, etc.)?
- How does digital communication work? What are addresses and ports? How can devices communicate over the same medium without interfering with each other?
- What components are needed for data exchange? How are they structured (ISO/OSI reference model)?
- How does the Internet work from a technical standpoint?
- How do hacker attacks work?
- What do I need to learn in order to maintain and secure our own systems?
- What is syntactic interoperability, and what are the common formats for exchanging data?
- How do databases work? What are they used for?
Exam Format
Public Health Methods
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 2
Skill development
- can read and interpret demographic statistics and can describe a population in terms of its distribution based on demographic structural characteristics.
- can make statements about population trends based on fertility and mortality rates and understand the relationships between population trends and demographic change.
- develop an understanding of basic epidemiological concepts and are able to read and interpret epidemiological measures.
- develop an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of different types of epidemiological studies.
- develop an understanding of the principle of causality and the importance of prevention in epidemiology.
- gain insights into health policy and health planning.
Course Content
- Basics of Demographic Measures: Distinguishing Between Cohort and Period Approaches
- Demographic Characteristics: Age, Gender, and Household/Living Arrangements
- Demographic Processes: Fertility, Mortality, and Migration
- Population Trends and Demographic Change
- Basic Concepts and Measures in Epidemiology
- Types of Epidemiological Studies
- Causality and Prevention in Epidemiology
- Health Policy and Planning, and Health and Social Reporting
Exam Format
Social Interaction and Communication
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 2
Skill development
- understand group dynamics and are familiar with conflict resolution techniques.
- are able to quickly grasp group dynamics, reflect on them critically, and take appropriate measures that serve the best interests of the entire team.
- can communicate and defend their own positions within a team.
- can take into account the perspectives of various stakeholders and facilitate a meeting, group discussion, or conflict resolution session in a focused manner.
- are able to apply their communication and social skills in team and counseling situations.
Course Content
- Communication (Fundamentals of Communication; Communication Models and Techniques; Conflict Management Models; Successful Negotiation and Engagement in Relevant Networks)
- Group Dynamics (Stages of group dynamic development; Reflection on actual group dynamic development; Recognizing and accepting different personalities and contributions; Group effects that promote and inhibit performance; Reflection on one’s own role within the team; Defining one’s own role within the class)
- Facilitation (General Principles for Using Facilitation Methods; Structure of a Facilitation Session; Facilitation Techniques; The Role of Facilitation in Conflict Resolution)
Exam Format
Corporate Governance
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 2
Skill development
- have a good understanding of the scope of business administration and the fundamentals of corporate management and control, particularly in organizations providing social, nursing, and health-related support to older adults and their families.
- have a basic understanding of the principles and methods underlying business management decisions, particularly in organizations that provide social, nursing, and health-related support to older adults and their families.
- are aware of conflicting goals in their future professional field.
- can weigh the pros and cons of various business strategies, particularly in organizations that provide social, nursing, and health-related support to older adults and their families.
Course Content
- Basic Concepts of Business Administration
- Initial Decisions (Types of Businesses, Legal Structures, Forms of Cooperation)
- Concepts of Management (Management as a Function, Management as an Institution, Management Tasks)
- Management Cycle
- Corporate Goals and Conflicting Goals
- Strategic and Operational Planning (Overview with a Special Focus on Marketing)
- Implementation
- Organizational structures in general and within organizations providing social, nursing, and health-related support to older adults and their families.
- Fundamentals of Human Resources Management
- Control
- Core service and support processes in organizations in the context of social, nursing, and health-related support for older adults and their families.
Exam Format
Academic Writing and English
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: English · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 2
Skill development
- have expanded their vocabulary related to human anatomy.
- have a basic understanding of the structures of hospitals and nursing facilities, as well as their departments and medical staff.
- have improved their professional English, both spoken and written, and expanded the language skills relevant to their degree programs.
- have acquired relevant vocabulary related to medications, malnutrition, diseases, and palliative care.
- use English tenses, word order, and prepositions correctly.
- have a basic vocabulary related to aging and health-related topics.
- have gained insight into professional communication between groups, employees, and supervisors.
- have explored the topic of "Healthcare Careers."
Course Content
- Practical Communication in the Field of Aging Services
- An Overview of Medical Facilities, Their Structures, and Geriatrics
- Working with current audio samples and magazine articles on health topics
- Communication Training for the Workplace
Exam Format
Elderly Care and Support
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 3
Skill development
- have a basic understanding of the topic of extreme old age and its various health, social, and care-related challenges,
- raise awareness of the concerns and prospects of older people affected by this issue,
- are familiar with the general trends, organization, and challenges of long-term care in Europe and Austria,
- gain an overview of the complex interplay between various sectors and services in the field of long-term care,
- understand the preventive and rehabilitative potential of well-organized care for older adults,
- can contribute to the development and refinement of solutions and arguments in various areas of tension (e.g., health promotion/prevention vs. medical and nursing care).
Course Content
- Extreme Old Age in Austria
- Relevance of the Topic
- Health Status, Living Conditions, and Care Arrangements for the Very Elderly (80+)
- The Perspective of Those Affected
- Long-Term Care as an International Concept
- An Overview of the Development and Organization of Long-Term Care in Europe
- Challenges and Prospects in Practice
- The Preventive Potential of Well-Organized Long-Term Care
- Fields of Practice in Austria
- International Examples of Context- and System-Based Approaches in the `INTERLINKS Framework for Long-Term Care`
Exam Format
Change and Network Management
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 3
Skill development
- are familiar with various concepts and models of strategic management.
- can formulate various strategic options within companies.
- have a basic understanding of the content (What?) and processes (Why and How?) of strategy development in organizations.
- apply and analyze the content, methods, and tools of strategic management and the strategy development process to specific case studies.
- identify correlations between different levels of management within the strategic planning process.
- can identify mechanisms that hinder or facilitate strategy development processes.
Course Content
- Fundamentals and Objectives of Strategic Management
- Models and Concepts for Strategic Planning
- Phases of Strategic Management – Strategy Development Process
- Methods and Tools for Managing Strategy Development Processes
- inhibiting and facilitating mechanisms
- Case Studies
Exam Format
eHealth and Assistive Technologies
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 3
Skill development
- have user-specific knowledge regarding the use of information and communication technology in the health and social services sectors.
- are confident in using modern computer systems.
Course Content
- Definition, Objectives, and Legal Framework
- Overview of Ways to Use ICT in Healthcare, with Case Studies
- telehealth, mHealth
- E-commerce and E-business in Healthcare
- Basic Network Technologies for eHealth
- Specific aspects (e.g., interoperability, access control)
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 3
Skill development
- have an overview of technical solutions and the areas of application in which they are used to meet the needs and requirements of older adults.
- can discuss the topic of “Technology and Aging” from various theoretical perspectives.
- develop an understanding of ethical issues in gerontechnology.
- practice reading academic texts.
- practice applying theoretical perspectives to specific practical examples in a critical and reflective manner and discussing them in writing.
- practice working with quotations and scholarly sources.
Course Content
- Definition and Scope of Gerontechnology
- The Emergence and Evolution of the Fields of Application of Gerontechnology as an Academic Discipline
- Theoretical Perspectives on Gerontechnology
- Effects of Technology Use in the Daily Lives of Older Adults
- Ethical Considerations Regarding the Use of Technology to Support Older Adults
Exam Format
Ethics
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 3
Skill development
- are familiar with the most important ethical concepts.
- are familiar with the ethical principles that are essential in old age.
- are familiar with legal provisions and patients' rights, and understand the ethical considerations involved in research.
- apply the procedures of ethics committees in practice and are familiar with the recommendations regarding the composition of such committees.
- are familiar with models for ethical judgment and decision-making, are able to apply them to case studies, and can identify one or more solutions to ethical issues and problems.
Course Content
- Definitions
- The Origins of Ethical Thought and Modern Ethics
- Ethics in Medicine, Nursing, and Social Work
- Ethics and Law
- Ethical Competence, Ethics Commissions/Committees, and Codes of Ethics
- Research Ethics
- Ethical Decision-Making
- Case Studies
Exam Format
Project and Process Management
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 3
Skill development
- Students are able to apply project management methods to define objectives, plan effective project structures and resource allocation, and intervene to steer the project as needed.
Course Content
- Fundamentals and Terminology of Project Management
- Phases in Project Management
- Project Concept and Project Launch
- Project Planning and Methods (Current Status Assessment, (Smart) Project Goals, Key Metrics, Milestones…)
- Resource and Financial Planning
- Project Implementation and Project Management
- Project Documentation and Management
- Project Completion
- Project Context
- Quality Assurance and Risk Management in Projects
- Project Organization and Project Team
- Reporting
- Agile Project Management
- FGO, including the FGO Project Guide
Exam Format
Law
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 3
Skill development
- are familiar with the structure of the Austrian legal system and the laws relevant to the degree program.
- are able to take the legal framework into account in their professional activities.
Course Content
- Fundamentals and Basic Concepts
- Laws of General Law and Business Law Relevant to the Degree Program
- General Theory of Legal Transactions;
- General Corporate Law;
- Contractual Obligations;
- Law of Damages;
- Contract Drafting in Civil Law;
- Special Types of Contracts;
- Consumer Protection Law;
- Fundamentals of Corporate Law;
- Fundamentals of Labor Law
Exam Format
Corporate Governance
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 3
Skill development
- have a basic understanding of the principles and methods underlying business management decisions, particularly in organizations that provide social, nursing, and health-related support to older adults and their families.
- are able to make simple financial decisions.
Course Content
- Fundamentals of Financial Planning
- Investment Evaluation and Decision-Making
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 3
Skill development
- can understand the principles of double-entry bookkeeping (accounting),
- post common business transactions,
- as well as prepare a simple balance sheet and income statement—understanding their structure and function—and reflect on their practical application.
- can explain the differences between financial accounting and cost and performance accounting, and apply simple tools (e.g., contribution margin analysis).
- can define the core tasks of management accounting and identify the various subtasks based on the control cycle in management accounting.
- can distinguish between strategic and operational controlling.
- can apply the tools used, such as key performance indicators, variance analyses, reporting, etc.
Course Content
- Financial Accounting:Financial accounting, a branch of external accounting, is approached by starting with the fundamentals and legal requirements. The legal requirements for bookkeeping and, subsequently, financial reporting are examined first in theory and later in practice. Bookkeeping is actively practiced from the very beginning using accounts and journal entries, so that students are able to independently prepare simple balance sheets and income statements. The preparation of annual financial statements is only briefly discussed; instead, the annual financial statements of selected companies are examined and analyzed in detail. The goal is to develop practical skills that every student can apply even when not actively engaged in bookkeeping work.
- Cost and Performance Accounting: Buildingon the prior knowledge gained in the financial accounting module, the first step is to clarify the differences between financial accounting (the question: “How rich am I?”) and cost and performance accounting (the question: “What costs are incurred, in what amounts, where, and for what purpose?”) and to answer these questions step by step using the appropriate tools (cost-element, cost-center, and cost-object accounting). To this end, various systems—such as full-cost, partial-cost, contribution margin, and activity-based costing—are examined. The aim is to make students aware that, while they are fundamentally free to choose which system to use, the results are influenced to a greater or lesser extent by the different perspectives and approaches of the various systems.
- Controlling:With its cross-organizational and cross-departmental responsibilities, controllingis less closely associated with accounting and more closely aligned with management. With its core tasks—planning, steering, monitoring, and reporting—it serves as a supportive function in decision-making at all three levels of management (according to the St. Gallen Model) and thus plays a key role in helping a company achieve its goals. Students will become familiar with the various sub-tasks of controlling within the management levels and the tools used for this purpose, such as key performance indicators, variance analyses, reporting, etc. The field of cost management represents a current trend in controlling, which is presented here in an overview.
Exam Format
Academic Writing and English
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: English · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 3
Skill development
- have expanded their vocabulary on the topic of health management.
- have a basic understanding of the structure of business meetings and the challenges they present.
- have improved their professional English, both written and spoken, and their fluency in professional communication.
- know how data can be presented and are able to do so in writing and orally.
- have acquired a core vocabulary related to meetings and management.
- can summarize a medical article and present its abstract.
- use English tenses, the passive voice, the conditional, word order, and prepositions correctly.
- have acquired a basic vocabulary for presenting data and health-related topics, etc.
Course Content
- Communication in the Field of Health Management
- Insights into Business Meetings, Their Structures, and Challenges
- Working with current audio texts and magazine articles on business meetings and health management
Exam Format
Elderly Care and Support
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 4
Skill development
- understand the importance of volunteer work and the infrastructure that supports it for society.
- have knowledge of the structures for promoting volunteer work and the legal framework.
- are familiar with methods for recruiting and selecting volunteers, as well as the necessary conditions for deploying volunteers, their training, and their integration.
Course Content
- The Importance of Volunteer Work for Society
- Volunteer Infrastructure
- Structures to Promote Volunteer Work
- Legal Framework
- Recruiting and Selecting Volunteers
- Establishing a framework for the use of volunteers
- Training and Integration of Volunteers
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 4
Skill development
- are familiar with diseases associated with aging, as well as geriatric psychiatric conditions and the options for multidisciplinary treatment.
- have expertise in the multidisciplinary care of critically ill and dying older adults, as well as in the counseling, support, and care of older adults living outside of metropolitan areas.
- are familiar with the professional groups and areas of practice in multiprofessional elder care, the characteristics of effective team communication, common communication challenges, and the role of family caregivers within the multiprofessional team in residential care facilities.
- develop an interview guide for multidisciplinary collaboration in elder care and nursing, conduct an interview using the guide in a practical setting, and research and present models of good practice in multiprofessional elder care and nursing.
Course Content
- Diseases in Old Age, Gerontopsychiatric Conditions, and Their Multidisciplinary Treatment
- Multidisciplinary Care for Severely Ill and Dying Older Adults
- Counseling, Support, and Care for Older Adults Outside Major Urban Areas
- Multidisciplinary Dementia Management
- Communication and Interaction in Elderly Care
- Family Caregivers in Inpatient Facilities
- Models of Good Practice in Multidisciplinary Elderly Care and Support
Exam Format
Change and Network Management
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 4
Skill development
- have a basic understanding of the content (What?) and approaches (Why and How?) of organizational development and change processes in social systems.
- can identify mechanisms that hinder or facilitate change processes in organizations and take action to manage them.
- are familiar with various concepts and tools for managing change processes in organizations.
- can apply change management methods and techniques to specific case studies.
- understand the connections between organizational theories and change management concepts.
Course Content
- Fundamentals of Classical and Systemic Orientation Development
- Fundamentals, Strategies, and Models of Change Management
- Processes and Strategies of Change in Social Systems
- inhibiting and facilitating mechanisms
- Methods and Techniques for Managing Change Processes
- Roles and Responsibilities in Change Processes
- Case Studies
Exam Format
eHealth and Assistive Technologies
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 4
Skill development
- understand the basic characteristics and functioning of information systems in the health and social services sector.
- have a basic understanding of the relevant regulatory framework and ethical considerations.
- are able to evaluate the use of information systems to optimize collaboration among various professionals in the health and long-term care sectors.
- have sufficient knowledge of data security and data protection issues in the healthcare sector.
Course Content
- Deepening Basic Knowledge of eHealth
- Documentation in Health and Social Services
- History and Evolution of Information Systems in Healthcare
- Fundamentals of Enterprise Information Systems
- Information systems for hospitals, medical practices, and home care services, as well as typical functionalities and architectures
- ELGA Electronic Health Record
- Aspects of Data Security and Data Protection
- System Planning and Implementation
- Use of Symmetric and Asymmetric Encryption in Healthcare and on the Internet
- Applying Knowledge to Case Studies
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 4
Ethics
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 4
Skill development
- are able to critically reflect on their own beliefs and values in the context of their professional work.
- can examine their bachelor's theses from an ethical perspective, both in terms of the topic and the research conducted in Bachelor's Thesis II.
- They independently explore ethical issues as a group, discuss the problems, and ultimately arrive at a specific recommendation for action.
Course Content
- Critical reflection on one's own beliefs and values in the context of professional practice
- An Ethical Analysis of the Bachelor's Theses in Terms of Topic and Research
- Developing case studies from the perspective of an ethics committee
Exam Format
Project and Process Management
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 4
Skill development
- Students are familiar with the concepts and approaches of process management.
Course Content
- Introduction to Process Management
- Process Identification
- Process Modeling
- Process Integration
- Process Analysis
- Process Optimization
- Information Technology in Process Management
- Quality Management and Knowledge Management in the Context of Process Management
Exam Format
Quality Management
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 4
Skill development
- understand the practical significance of management in the health and social services sector, particularly in organizations providing social, nursing, and health-related support to older adults and their families, and are familiar with key approaches to performance management from the perspectives of structural, process, and outcome quality.
- have an understanding of quality assurance in the health and social services sector, particularly in organizations providing social, nursing, and health-related support to older adults and their families, as well as the tensions that arise in this context.
- are familiar with the legal requirements for quality assurance as well as the legal framework for quality management in the health and social services sector—particularly for organizations providing social, nursing, and health-related support to older adults and their families—and with various approaches and methods of quality management.
- are familiar with methods for implementing and further developing quality management models, as well as the associated networks and change management aspects.
- be able to explain the significance and aspects of relevant approaches to risk management, as well as quality development and quality management in the health and social services sector—and particularly in organizations providing social, nursing, and health-related support to older adults and their families.
- can apply quality management methods and tools to specific problems.
Course Content
- The Practical Significance of Management in Health and Social Services, and in Particular in Organizations Providing Social, Nursing, and Health-Related Support to Older Adults and Their Families
- Introduction to Quality Management (Definitions, Dimensions of Quality)
- Legal Framework (Health Quality Act and Quality Strategy for the Austrian Health and Social Services Sector)
- Quality Management Tools and Methods
- Quality Management Systems in Health Care and Social Services
- Implementation of quality management systems and continuous improvement of quality management systems, as well as integration with organizational development, process management, risk management, and information management
- Case studies (e.g., presenting practical examples of the implementation of quality management measures from one’s own professional experience; field trips, integrated exercises, etc.)
Exam Format
Law
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 4
Skill development
- are familiar with the structure of the Austrian legal system and the laws relevant to the degree program.
- are able to take the legal framework into account in their professional activities.
Course Content
- Statutory Social Security Contribution and Benefit Law
- Organizational Law Governing Hospitals, Nursing Homes, and Facilities for People with Disabilities
- Relationships between Social Security Agencies and Physicians, Hospitals, Pharmacies, and Other Healthcare Professionals (Health Insurance Contracts, Financing System, Reimbursement Code)
- Professional Law
- Health and Nursing Care Act
- Care Laws (Residential Care Act, In-Home Care Act, Federal Care Allowance Act)
- Guardianship Law
- Health Care Proxy, Durable Power of Attorney
- Civil law and other issues related to the practice of the profession (duty to inform, liability, etc.)
- Patients' Rights
- Privacy Policy
Exam Format
Elderly Care and Support
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 3 · Semester: 5
Skill development
- have a basic understanding of key concepts in the sociology of organizations.
- are familiar with certain theories and empirical findings in the sociology of organizations that are particularly relevant to elder care, in order to better reflect on the possibilities and limitations, contradictions, and opportunities for improvement in elder care and support
- e.g., tensions between focusing on individual needs versus the goal of offering services that are as standardized as possible; a person-centered approach versus a scientific approach; a focus on intervention and effectiveness versus support for autonomous management of daily life; and the strengths and weaknesses of different types of organizations.
- are able to plan small-scale management-oriented analyses in organized elder care.
- can contribute to the development and refinement of solutions to problems in various areas of conflict within organized elder care.
- are able to apply their interdisciplinary knowledge to help optimize intra- and inter-organizational processes related to quality of life in old age.
Course Content
- Structure, Culture, and Public Image—Foundations of a Systemic Perspective on Organizations in Modern Society, Using Inpatient Elderly Care as an Example (S. Kühl)
- Control and Innovation as Problem Areas in Professional Organizations (H. Mintzberg)
- Concepts for a Deeper Understanding of Residential Care for the Elderly: Total Institutions, Social and Person-Centered Service Organizations (E. Goffman; Y. Hasenfeld/T. Klatetzki)
- Network Analysis Perspectives on Mobile Elder Care; Opportunities and Challenges for Interorganizational and Interprofessional Cooperation and the Inclusion of Informal Caregivers
- Quality Improvement and Innovation in Inpatient Elderly Care Settings—Learning from Various Projects
Exam Format
Capstone units
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 3 · Semester: 5
Change and Network Management
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 3 · Semester: 5
Skill development
- learn about key network concepts such as trust, cooperation, homophily, and emergence.
- are familiar with the basics of graphical network analysis.
- have a basic understanding of the reasons for and the costs associated with setting up and operating a network.
- can identify the key opportunities and risks associated with a network-oriented approach, as well as tensions within a network.
- learn about typical types of networks in a business context.
- are familiar with specific procedures and methods for managing network organizations.
- have a basic understanding of the relationship between innovation and networks.
- understand the key factors for success in networks.
- can apply specific methods and techniques of network management (e.g., stakeholder mapping, SWOT analysis, scoping and context analysis) to specific case studies.
- are able to explain the benefits, opportunities, and risks of networks.
- can identify network-related inhibiting and facilitating mechanisms within organizations and take action to manage them.
Course Content
- Terms and Fundamentals
- Determinants of Social Networks
- Introduction to Social Network Analysis
- Goals, Benefits/Functions, and Potential of Networks (Why Organizations Cooperate)
- Types of Networks and Their Historical Precursors
- Network Management
- Concepts and Methods
- Voltage conditions
- Development Paths
- Success Criteria
Exam Format
eHealth and Assistive Technologies
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 3 · Semester: 5
Health and Diversity in Later Life
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 3 · Semester: 5
Skill development
- are able to explain relevant topics and concepts and are familiar with key facts about dimensions of diversity and their impact on health equity.
- are familiar with the legal framework for equal treatment and anti-discrimination.
- have an understanding of processes of discrimination and mechanisms of exclusion and inclusion, and have reflected on the significance of diversity for their own living and working conditions.
- are familiar with diversity-related issues in the health care sector and understand the importance of diversity in promoting health equity among older adults.
- are familiar with strategies, measures, projects, and tools for promoting health equity (in old age).
Course Content
- The Meaning and Understanding of Diversity and Health Inequalities (in Old Age)
- Concepts of Equal Opportunity, Gender Mainstreaming, and Diversity Management
- Legal Framework, Facts, and the Relevance of Gender and Diversity Management for Health Equity
- Strategies and Initiatives for Implementing and Carrying Out Diversity Projects in the Healthcare Sector
Exam Format
Social Interaction and Communication
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 3 · Semester: 5
Skill development
- are familiar with basic counseling and coaching approaches.
- can put the methods they have learned into practice.
- can take into account the perspectives of various stakeholders and facilitate a meeting, group discussion, or conflict resolution session in a focused manner.
- know how to apply their communication and social skills in counseling and coaching situations in a way that is sensitive to generational and cultural differences.
Course Content
- Consulting Approaches
- Objectives and Types of Coaching
- Consulting and Coaching Process & Implementation
- The Use and Limits of Coaching in Organizations
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 3 · Semester: 5
Skill development
- are familiar with the key topics and strategies for success in employee leadership.
- can get to know themselves better and use the impact of their own behavior in leadership and within the team in a way that focuses on solutions and potential.
- are able to foster professional collaboration by applying 360-degree leadership, work together in teams in a goal-oriented manner, and lead these teams actively and respectfully.
- are able to quickly identify the reasons behind certain behaviors, critically reflect on them, and take appropriate measures that serve the best interests of the entire team.
- can identify team dynamics and manage them more effectively by incorporating the perspectives of various stakeholders.
Course Content
- Management vs. Leadership
- Human Behavior, Including Personality Styles
- Theory, Key Topics, and Strategies for Success in Employee Leadership: Trust, Relationships, Attitude, (Personal) Responsibility, Emotional Intelligence, Appreciation, Motivation, Communication, Teamwork, and Potential Development
- Employee Leadership and Diversity (e.g., age-appropriate and aging-friendly leadership)
- Team Leadership in the 21st Century
Exam Format
Elective courses
Type: Individual Course · Academic Year: 3 · Semester: 5
Course Content
- Additional electives directly from the degree program
- Courses from other degree programs at FERNFH, including, for example, micro-credentials
- Courses offered by other national and international higher education institutions (at the same academic level as the bachelor's degree program in Aging Services Management)
- Volunteer work totaling a maximum of 3 ECTS (unless similar skills are acquired through the core or elective curriculum)
- Serving as a student representative is eligible for a maximum of 3 ECTS credits, provided that the role is held for at least 3 semesters
Elective courses
Type: Elective · Language of Instruction: German · Year of Study: 3 · Semester: 5
Type: Elective · Language of Instruction: German · Year of Study: 3 · Semester: 5
Type: Elective · Language of Instruction: German · Year of Study: 3 · Semester: 5
Capstone units
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 3 · Semester: 6
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 3 · Semester: 6
Skill development
- Students possess reflective skills and are able to develop possible solutions to practical problems.
Course Content
- Theory, Practice, Reflection
- Analysis and evaluation with regard to content-related, methodological, and social contextual factors
- Supervision
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 3 · Semester: 6
Skill development
- independently handle job-specific tasks and carry out projects.
- are familiar with relevant business processes and practical problems.
- are able to apply the knowledge they have acquired during their studies to practical tasks.
Course Content
- Internship in a field relevant to the program's professional focus, either in Germany or abroad
- The course content depends on the internship placement chosen
Elective courses
Type: Individual Course · Academic Year: 3 · Semester: 6
Course Content
- Additional electives directly from the degree program
- Courses from other degree programs at FERNFH, including, for example, micro-credentials
- Courses offered by other national and international higher education institutions (at the same academic level as the bachelor's degree program in Aging Services Management)
- Volunteer work totaling a maximum of 3 ECTS (unless similar skills are acquired through the core or elective curriculum)
- Serving as a student representative is eligible for a maximum of 3 ECTS credits, provided that the role is held for at least 3 semesters
Elective courses
Type: Elective · Language of Instruction: German · Year of Study: 3 · Semester: 6
Type: Elective · Language of Instruction: German · Year of Study: 3 · Semester: 6
Type: Elective · Language of Instruction: German · Year of Study: 3 · Semester: 6
Elderly Care and Support
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 4
Skill development
- understand the importance of volunteer work and the infrastructure that supports it for society.
- have knowledge of the structures for promoting volunteer work and the legal framework.
- are familiar with methods for recruiting and selecting volunteers, as well as the necessary conditions for deploying volunteers, their training, and their integration.
Course Content
- The Importance of Volunteer Work for Society
- Volunteer Infrastructure
- Structures to Promote Volunteer Work
- Legal Framework
- Recruiting and Selecting Volunteers
- Establishing a framework for the use of volunteers
- Training and Integration of Volunteers
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 3
Skill development
- have a basic understanding of the topic of extreme old age and its various health, social, and care-related challenges,
- raise awareness of the concerns and prospects of older people affected by this issue,
- are familiar with the general trends, organization, and challenges of long-term care in Europe and Austria,
- gain an overview of the complex interplay between various sectors and services in the field of long-term care,
- understand the preventive and rehabilitative potential of well-organized care for older adults,
- can contribute to the development and refinement of solutions and arguments in various areas of tension (e.g., health promotion/prevention vs. medical and nursing care).
Course Content
- Extreme Old Age in Austria
- Relevance of the Topic
- Health Status, Living Conditions, and Care Arrangements for the Very Elderly (80+)
- The Perspective of Those Affected
- Long-Term Care as an International Concept
- An Overview of the Development and Organization of Long-Term Care in Europe
- Challenges and Prospects in Practice
- The Preventive Potential of Well-Organized Long-Term Care
- Fields of Practice in Austria
- International Examples of Context- and System-Based Approaches in the `INTERLINKS Framework for Long-Term Care`
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 4
Skill development
- are familiar with diseases associated with aging, as well as geriatric psychiatric conditions and the options for multidisciplinary treatment.
- have expertise in the multidisciplinary care of critically ill and dying older adults, as well as in the counseling, support, and care of older adults living outside of metropolitan areas.
- are familiar with the professional groups and areas of practice in multiprofessional elder care, the characteristics of effective team communication, common communication challenges, and the role of family caregivers within the multiprofessional team in residential care facilities.
- develop an interview guide for multidisciplinary collaboration in elder care and nursing, conduct an interview using the guide in a practical setting, and research and present models of good practice in multiprofessional elder care and nursing.
Course Content
- Diseases in Old Age, Gerontopsychiatric Conditions, and Their Multidisciplinary Treatment
- Multidisciplinary Care for Severely Ill and Dying Older Adults
- Counseling, Support, and Care for Older Adults Outside Major Urban Areas
- Multidisciplinary Dementia Management
- Communication and Interaction in Elderly Care
- Family Caregivers in Inpatient Facilities
- Models of Good Practice in Multidisciplinary Elderly Care and Support
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 3 · Semester: 5
Skill development
- have a basic understanding of key concepts in the sociology of organizations.
- are familiar with certain theories and empirical findings in the sociology of organizations that are particularly relevant to elder care, in order to better reflect on the possibilities and limitations, contradictions, and opportunities for improvement in elder care and support
- e.g., tensions between focusing on individual needs versus the goal of offering services that are as standardized as possible; a person-centered approach versus a scientific approach; a focus on intervention and effectiveness versus support for autonomous management of daily life; and the strengths and weaknesses of different types of organizations.
- are able to plan small-scale management-oriented analyses in organized elder care.
- can contribute to the development and refinement of solutions to problems in various areas of conflict within organized elder care.
- are able to apply their interdisciplinary knowledge to help optimize intra- and inter-organizational processes related to quality of life in old age.
Course Content
- Structure, Culture, and Public Image—Foundations of a Systemic Perspective on Organizations in Modern Society, Using Inpatient Elderly Care as an Example (S. Kühl)
- Control and Innovation as Problem Areas in Professional Organizations (H. Mintzberg)
- Concepts for a Deeper Understanding of Residential Care for the Elderly: Total Institutions, Social and Person-Centered Service Organizations (E. Goffman; Y. Hasenfeld/T. Klatetzki)
- Network Analysis Perspectives on Mobile Elder Care; Opportunities and Challenges for Interorganizational and Interprofessional Cooperation and the Inclusion of Informal Caregivers
- Quality Improvement and Innovation in Inpatient Elderly Care Settings—Learning from Various Projects
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 1
Skill development
- are familiar with facilities and settings in elder care and elder support, as well as the conflicts and stresses that can arise in this field,
- have knowledge of nursing theories and models, and are familiar with the theoretical discourse in German-speaking countries as well as the criticisms leveled against nursing theories and models,
- understand the nursing process and its phases, know in which areas the nursing process can be applied, and know which skills are essential for nurses to apply the nursing process as successfully as possible,
- have knowledge of how to develop and implement a nursing and care plan, can apply their knowledge in practice, and can critically evaluate nursing and care plans.
Course Content
- Inpatient, outpatient, and home-based care
- Nursing Theories
- Historical Development of the Nursing Process
- The Nursing Process
- Critical Thinking in the Nursing Process
- Development and Implementation of a Care and Support Plan
Exam Format
Capstone units
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 3 · Semester: 6
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 3 · Semester: 6
Skill development
- Students possess reflective skills and are able to develop possible solutions to practical problems.
Course Content
- Theory, Practice, Reflection
- Analysis and evaluation with regard to content-related, methodological, and social contextual factors
- Supervision
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 3 · Semester: 6
Skill development
- independently handle job-specific tasks and carry out projects.
- are familiar with relevant business processes and practical problems.
- are able to apply the knowledge they have acquired during their studies to practical tasks.
Course Content
- Internship in a field relevant to the program's professional focus, either in Germany or abroad
- The course content depends on the internship placement chosen
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 3 · Semester: 5
Change and Network Management
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 3 · Semester: 5
Skill development
- learn about key network concepts such as trust, cooperation, homophily, and emergence.
- are familiar with the basics of graphical network analysis.
- have a basic understanding of the reasons for and the costs associated with setting up and operating a network.
- can identify the key opportunities and risks associated with a network-oriented approach, as well as tensions within a network.
- learn about typical types of networks in a business context.
- are familiar with specific procedures and methods for managing network organizations.
- have a basic understanding of the relationship between innovation and networks.
- understand the key factors for success in networks.
- can apply specific methods and techniques of network management (e.g., stakeholder mapping, SWOT analysis, scoping and context analysis) to specific case studies.
- are able to explain the benefits, opportunities, and risks of networks.
- can identify network-related inhibiting and facilitating mechanisms within organizations and take action to manage them.
Course Content
- Terms and Fundamentals
- Determinants of Social Networks
- Introduction to Social Network Analysis
- Goals, Benefits/Functions, and Potential of Networks (Why Organizations Cooperate)
- Types of Networks and Their Historical Precursors
- Network Management
- Concepts and Methods
- Voltage conditions
- Development Paths
- Success Criteria
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 4
Skill development
- have a basic understanding of the content (What?) and approaches (Why and How?) of organizational development and change processes in social systems.
- can identify mechanisms that hinder or facilitate change processes in organizations and take action to manage them.
- are familiar with various concepts and tools for managing change processes in organizations.
- can apply change management methods and techniques to specific case studies.
- understand the connections between organizational theories and change management concepts.
Course Content
- Fundamentals of Classical and Systemic Orientation Development
- Fundamentals, Strategies, and Models of Change Management
- Processes and Strategies of Change in Social Systems
- inhibiting and facilitating mechanisms
- Methods and Techniques for Managing Change Processes
- Roles and Responsibilities in Change Processes
- Case Studies
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 3
Skill development
- are familiar with various concepts and models of strategic management.
- can formulate various strategic options within companies.
- have a basic understanding of the content (What?) and processes (Why and How?) of strategy development in organizations.
- apply and analyze the content, methods, and tools of strategic management and the strategy development process to specific case studies.
- identify correlations between different levels of management within the strategic planning process.
- can identify mechanisms that hinder or facilitate strategy development processes.
Course Content
- Fundamentals and Objectives of Strategic Management
- Models and Concepts for Strategic Planning
- Phases of Strategic Management – Strategy Development Process
- Methods and Tools for Managing Strategy Development Processes
- inhibiting and facilitating mechanisms
- Case Studies
Exam Format
eHealth and Assistive Technologies
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 4
Skill development
- understand the basic characteristics and functioning of information systems in the health and social services sector.
- have a basic understanding of the relevant regulatory framework and ethical considerations.
- are able to evaluate the use of information systems to optimize collaboration among various professionals in the health and long-term care sectors.
- have sufficient knowledge of data security and data protection issues in the healthcare sector.
Course Content
- Deepening Basic Knowledge of eHealth
- Documentation in Health and Social Services
- History and Evolution of Information Systems in Healthcare
- Fundamentals of Enterprise Information Systems
- Information systems for hospitals, medical practices, and home care services, as well as typical functionalities and architectures
- ELGA Electronic Health Record
- Aspects of Data Security and Data Protection
- System Planning and Implementation
- Use of Symmetric and Asymmetric Encryption in Healthcare and on the Internet
- Applying Knowledge to Case Studies
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 3
Skill development
- have user-specific knowledge regarding the use of information and communication technology in the health and social services sectors.
- are confident in using modern computer systems.
Course Content
- Definition, Objectives, and Legal Framework
- Overview of Ways to Use ICT in Healthcare, with Case Studies
- telehealth, mHealth
- E-commerce and E-business in Healthcare
- Basic Network Technologies for eHealth
- Specific aspects (e.g., interoperability, access control)
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 3
Skill development
- have an overview of technical solutions and the areas of application in which they are used to meet the needs and requirements of older adults.
- can discuss the topic of “Technology and Aging” from various theoretical perspectives.
- develop an understanding of ethical issues in gerontechnology.
- practice reading academic texts.
- practice applying theoretical perspectives to specific practical examples in a critical and reflective manner and discussing them in writing.
- practice working with quotations and scholarly sources.
Course Content
- Definition and Scope of Gerontechnology
- The Emergence and Evolution of the Fields of Application of Gerontechnology as an Academic Discipline
- Theoretical Perspectives on Gerontechnology
- Effects of Technology Use in the Daily Lives of Older Adults
- Ethical Considerations Regarding the Use of Technology to Support Older Adults
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 4
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 3 · Semester: 5
Ethics
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 3
Skill development
- are familiar with the most important ethical concepts.
- are familiar with the ethical principles that are essential in old age.
- are familiar with legal provisions and patients' rights, and understand the ethical considerations involved in research.
- apply the procedures of ethics committees in practice and are familiar with the recommendations regarding the composition of such committees.
- are familiar with models for ethical judgment and decision-making, are able to apply them to case studies, and can identify one or more solutions to ethical issues and problems.
Course Content
- Definitions
- The Origins of Ethical Thought and Modern Ethics
- Ethics in Medicine, Nursing, and Social Work
- Ethics and Law
- Ethical Competence, Ethics Commissions/Committees, and Codes of Ethics
- Research Ethics
- Ethical Decision-Making
- Case Studies
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 4
Skill development
- are able to critically reflect on their own beliefs and values in the context of their professional work.
- can examine their bachelor's theses from an ethical perspective, both in terms of the topic and the research conducted in Bachelor's Thesis II.
- They independently explore ethical issues as a group, discuss the problems, and ultimately arrive at a specific recommendation for action.
Course Content
- Critical reflection on one's own beliefs and values in the context of professional practice
- An Ethical Analysis of the Bachelor's Theses in Terms of Topic and Research
- Developing case studies from the perspective of an ethics committee
Exam Format
Gerontology
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 1
Skill development
- can apply terms and concepts in gerontology in a targeted manner and critically evaluate theories and models of aging,
- are able to critically discuss different positions in gerontological research,
- are able to reflect on and contextualize individual and societal recommendations regarding the process of aging using the concepts and theories they have learned,
- can draw on the knowledge they have acquired to identify courses of action for their professional practice.
Course Content
- Fundamentals, Historical Development, Theoretical Concepts, and Empirical Findings in Social Gerontology
- The Concept of Generations and Intergenerational Relationships
- Aging as a Multifactorial Process
- "Normality" in Old Age and Different Perspectives on Behavior
- Theories of Aging / Normal Aging from a Multidisciplinary Perspective
- Cognitive, Psychological, and Social Changes in Old Age
- Critical Life Events
- Sexuality in Old Age
- Geriatrics as a Medical Specialty
Exam Format
Health and Diversity in Later Life
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 3 · Semester: 5
Skill development
- are able to explain relevant topics and concepts and are familiar with key facts about dimensions of diversity and their impact on health equity.
- are familiar with the legal framework for equal treatment and anti-discrimination.
- have an understanding of processes of discrimination and mechanisms of exclusion and inclusion, and have reflected on the significance of diversity for their own living and working conditions.
- are familiar with diversity-related issues in the health care sector and understand the importance of diversity in promoting health equity among older adults.
- are familiar with strategies, measures, projects, and tools for promoting health equity (in old age).
Course Content
- The Meaning and Understanding of Diversity and Health Inequalities (in Old Age)
- Concepts of Equal Opportunity, Gender Mainstreaming, and Diversity Management
- Legal Framework, Facts, and the Relevance of Gender and Diversity Management for Health Equity
- Strategies and Initiatives for Implementing and Carrying Out Diversity Projects in the Healthcare Sector
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 2
Skill development
- are aware of the limitations and chronic illnesses for which there is an increased vulnerability in old age.
- can use tests to assess the health of older adults.
- understand strategies for promoting the health and quality of life of older adults and have in-depth knowledge of the underlying theories and findings.
- are familiar with the basic principles of systematic planning for health promotion measures.
- are able to apply their knowledge of gerontology and health sciences in case studies.
Course Content
- Major Health Issues Among the Elderly Population
- Health Promotion and Prevention in Later Life
- Practical Examples of Health Promotion Among Older Adults
Exam Format
Fundamentals of Health Economics
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 2
Skill development
- understand the objectives of a state's economic activities and the tools of public finance.
- are aware of the causes of market failure and the government's options for correcting it.
- understand the objectives of fiscal policy with regard to income distribution, as well as the government instruments and how they affect income distribution.
- have knowledge of the fiscal analysis of public budgets and the relationships between public expenditures and revenues.
Course Content
- The State and the Economy: The Role of the State in the Economy, Economic Policy Objectives, the Public Sector
- Public Finance: An Overview of Budget Policy, Government Revenue, and Government Expenditures; International Comparison of Government Expenditure Ratios; Government Expenditure Ratios Over Time
- Market failures and government remedies: imperfect competition, natural monopolies, externalities (Coase theorem, Pigou tax), public goods (free-rider problem, prisoner’s dilemma, and the production of public goods), incomplete information (moral hazard and adverse selection)
- Fiscal Policy for Income Redistribution: Distribution and Equity, Measuring Inequality in Distributions, Dimensions of Income Distribution, Effects of Fiscal Policy Instruments on Income Distribution
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 2
Skill development
- Understanding of common concepts and methods in health economic evaluation.
- Understanding the economic rationale behind measures taken during reforms in the health and social services sectors and in times of crisis.
- An understanding of the forms of market failure in markets for health care goods and health insurance, and the resulting justification for government intervention in these markets.
- Knowledge of demographic trends and the economic conditions affecting market participants in markets for health care goods, as well as common methods of analysis in this area.
- Analyzing health economics studies and evaluations.
- Presentation of scientific studies, e.g., in poster form.
Course Content
- Health Economic Evaluations
- Education and Health
- Economic aspects, including health care, pension, and social security reforms, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic
- Markets for Health Care Products: Market Failures and Market Participants
- Demographic Change and Healthcare Costs
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 1
Skill development
- are familiar with the fundamental concepts of microeconomic and macroeconomic theory relevant to the degree program.
- have a basic understanding of the relationships between preferences and demand, product costs and supply, and the role of market mechanisms in price formation.
- understand the main types of markets and the reasons for market failure.
- are familiar with the national accounts as a fundamental economic framework, as well as other important macroeconomic indicators.
Course Content
- Supply and Demand: Definition of supply and demand curves and how the market mechanism works; distinction between market value and social value; definition of elasticities
- Household theory: Assumptions about consumer preferences, consumption decisions given preferences and budget constraints, derivation of market demand; firm theory: production function and production costs (short-run and long-run)
- Perfect Competition and Market Failure: Profit Maximization in Competitive Markets, Welfare Properties of Competitive Markets, and the Effects of Market Interventions; Major Causes of Market Failure
- National Accounts: Definition of the National Accounts and Gross Domestic Product; Significance and Limitations of National Accounts
- Macroeconomic Data and Basic Concepts: Key Macroeconomic Indicators and Fundamentals of Macroeconomic Theory
Exam Format
Health Sciences and Health and Social Services
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 1
Skill development
- have broad and integrated knowledge of the contribution of health promotion, prevention, rehabilitation, and nursing to public health and their role in the health care system.
- have in-depth, practical knowledge—specifically relevant to supporting older adults—of the health and social services sectors, as well as the care, assistance, and support services available to older adults and their families.
- are able to critically analyze national and international policies and reform programs related to demographic change.
Course Content
- Historical Development and the Political, Economic, and Legal Framework of the Austrian Health and Social Services System
- Health, Care, and Support Services: Structures, Services, Planning, Costs, and Financing; Institutions and Stakeholders in the Health and Social Services Sectors Relevant to Support, Care, and Nursing for the Elderly
- Social Security Administration (Social Security Agencies, Jurisdictions of Government Agencies)
- The Importance of Health Promotion, Prevention, Treatment, Rehabilitation, and Long-Term Care
- Issues Related to Sectoral Division and Federalism in Austria; Article 15a of the Federal Constitutional Law (B-VG) on the Organization and Financing of the Health Care System
- Framework guidelines based on the current version of the Austrian Health Structure Plan; discussion of health goals, reform models, and prospects in light of demographic change in Austria and internationally
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 1
Skill development
- are familiar with the historical development of public health, have a critical understanding of the theoretical foundations of health sciences, and possess in-depth knowledge of the determinants of quality of life, health, and disease, particularly in older adults.
- learn about promoting physical activity and managing chronic diseases from a public health perspective.
- have an overview of the sociomedical aspects of aging.
- Students discuss specific public health programs and measures
Course Content
- Historical Development and Theoretical Foundations of Public Health
- Definitions of health, illness, quality of life, health promotion, prevention, and rehabilitation
- Salutogenic and pathogenic models, or biomedical and biopsychosocial models, of health and disease
- Technical Terms and Classification Systems for Diseases and Disabilities
- Promoting Physical Activity as a Public Health Challenge
- Chronic Diseases and Public Health: The Case of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
- Public Health in Practice
Exam Format
Computer Science and Digitalization
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 2
Skill development
- know, understand, and explain key basic terms, concepts, current areas of application, potential uses, challenges, and (ethical) risks of the digital and AI transformation at the individual, organizational, and societal levels
- understand the fundamentals of prompt engineering and can apply them
- know what skills are required for working (collaboratively) with generative AI
- are able to reflect on their own competencies required for working (collaboratively) with generative artificial intelligence, analyze these in relation to their own areas for development, and derive personal development steps
Course Content
- Definitions, Concepts, Characteristics, and Areas of Application of Digital and AI Transformation
- AI Transformation of the Workplace and Its Impact
- Fundamentals, Capabilities, and Applications of Generative AI
- Challenges, Limitations, and (Ethical) Risks of Generative AI
- Prompt Engineering
- Skills Required for Working (Collaboratively) with Generative AI
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 2
Skill development
Course Content
- What is a computer?
- What are the functions of operating systems (Linux, Windows, Android, etc.)?
- How does digital communication work? What are addresses and ports? How can devices communicate over the same medium without interfering with each other?
- What components are needed for data exchange? How are they structured (ISO/OSI reference model)?
- How does the Internet work from a technical standpoint?
- How do hacker attacks work?
- What do I need to learn in order to maintain and secure our own systems?
- What is syntactic interoperability, and what are the common formats for exchanging data?
- How do databases work? What are they used for?
Exam Format
Public Health Methods
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 2
Skill development
- can read and interpret demographic statistics and can describe a population in terms of its distribution based on demographic structural characteristics.
- can make statements about population trends based on fertility and mortality rates and understand the relationships between population trends and demographic change.
- develop an understanding of basic epidemiological concepts and are able to read and interpret epidemiological measures.
- develop an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of different types of epidemiological studies.
- develop an understanding of the principle of causality and the importance of prevention in epidemiology.
- gain insights into health policy and health planning.
Course Content
- Basics of Demographic Measures: Distinguishing Between Cohort and Period Approaches
- Demographic Characteristics: Age, Gender, and Household/Living Arrangements
- Demographic Processes: Fertility, Mortality, and Migration
- Population Trends and Demographic Change
- Basic Concepts and Measures in Epidemiology
- Types of Epidemiological Studies
- Causality and Prevention in Epidemiology
- Health Policy and Planning, and Health and Social Reporting
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 1
Skill development
- understand the meaning, purpose, and objectives of evaluation and evaluation research, and have a basic understanding of the challenges of evaluation in the health and social services sectors.
- have an overview of types of evaluation and various evaluation approaches in the health and social services sector and are familiar with the standards for evaluations.
- are able to critically evaluate assessment reports and apply the results and recommendations presented therein to their professional practice.
Course Content
- Basic Concepts of Evaluation
- Types and Objectives of Evaluations
- Standards for Evaluations
- Evaluation Approaches in the Health and Social Services Sector
- Planning an Evaluation (Developing or Assessing an Evaluation Plan)
- Qualitative Methods of Data Collection
- Assessing the validity of results and evaluating evaluation reports
Exam Format
Project and Process Management
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 3
Skill development
- Students are able to apply project management methods to define objectives, plan effective project structures and resource allocation, and intervene to steer the project as needed.
Course Content
- Fundamentals and Terminology of Project Management
- Phases in Project Management
- Project Concept and Project Launch
- Project Planning and Methods (Current Status Assessment, (Smart) Project Goals, Key Metrics, Milestones…)
- Resource and Financial Planning
- Project Implementation and Project Management
- Project Documentation and Management
- Project Completion
- Project Context
- Quality Assurance and Risk Management in Projects
- Project Organization and Project Team
- Reporting
- Agile Project Management
- FGO, including the FGO Project Guide
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 4
Skill development
- Students are familiar with the concepts and approaches of process management.
Course Content
- Introduction to Process Management
- Process Identification
- Process Modeling
- Process Integration
- Process Analysis
- Process Optimization
- Information Technology in Process Management
- Quality Management and Knowledge Management in the Context of Process Management
Exam Format
Quality Management
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 4
Skill development
- understand the practical significance of management in the health and social services sector, particularly in organizations providing social, nursing, and health-related support to older adults and their families, and are familiar with key approaches to performance management from the perspectives of structural, process, and outcome quality.
- have an understanding of quality assurance in the health and social services sector, particularly in organizations providing social, nursing, and health-related support to older adults and their families, as well as the tensions that arise in this context.
- are familiar with the legal requirements for quality assurance as well as the legal framework for quality management in the health and social services sector—particularly for organizations providing social, nursing, and health-related support to older adults and their families—and with various approaches and methods of quality management.
- are familiar with methods for implementing and further developing quality management models, as well as the associated networks and change management aspects.
- be able to explain the significance and aspects of relevant approaches to risk management, as well as quality development and quality management in the health and social services sector—and particularly in organizations providing social, nursing, and health-related support to older adults and their families.
- can apply quality management methods and tools to specific problems.
Course Content
- The Practical Significance of Management in Health and Social Services, and in Particular in Organizations Providing Social, Nursing, and Health-Related Support to Older Adults and Their Families
- Introduction to Quality Management (Definitions, Dimensions of Quality)
- Legal Framework (Health Quality Act and Quality Strategy for the Austrian Health and Social Services Sector)
- Quality Management Tools and Methods
- Quality Management Systems in Health Care and Social Services
- Implementation of quality management systems and continuous improvement of quality management systems, as well as integration with organizational development, process management, risk management, and information management
- Case studies (e.g., presenting practical examples of the implementation of quality management measures from one’s own professional experience; field trips, integrated exercises, etc.)
Exam Format
Law
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 3
Skill development
- are familiar with the structure of the Austrian legal system and the laws relevant to the degree program.
- are able to take the legal framework into account in their professional activities.
Course Content
- Fundamentals and Basic Concepts
- Laws of General Law and Business Law Relevant to the Degree Program
- General Theory of Legal Transactions;
- General Corporate Law;
- Contractual Obligations;
- Law of Damages;
- Contract Drafting in Civil Law;
- Special Types of Contracts;
- Consumer Protection Law;
- Fundamentals of Corporate Law;
- Fundamentals of Labor Law
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 4
Skill development
- are familiar with the structure of the Austrian legal system and the laws relevant to the degree program.
- are able to take the legal framework into account in their professional activities.
Course Content
- Statutory Social Security Contribution and Benefit Law
- Organizational Law Governing Hospitals, Nursing Homes, and Facilities for People with Disabilities
- Relationships between Social Security Agencies and Physicians, Hospitals, Pharmacies, and Other Healthcare Professionals (Health Insurance Contracts, Financing System, Reimbursement Code)
- Professional Law
- Health and Nursing Care Act
- Care Laws (Residential Care Act, In-Home Care Act, Federal Care Allowance Act)
- Guardianship Law
- Health Care Proxy, Durable Power of Attorney
- Civil law and other issues related to the practice of the profession (duty to inform, liability, etc.)
- Patients' Rights
- Privacy Policy
Exam Format
Social Interaction and Communication
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 3 · Semester: 5
Skill development
- are familiar with basic counseling and coaching approaches.
- can put the methods they have learned into practice.
- can take into account the perspectives of various stakeholders and facilitate a meeting, group discussion, or conflict resolution session in a focused manner.
- know how to apply their communication and social skills in counseling and coaching situations in a way that is sensitive to generational and cultural differences.
Course Content
- Consulting Approaches
- Objectives and Types of Coaching
- Consulting and Coaching Process & Implementation
- The Use and Limits of Coaching in Organizations
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 2
Skill development
- understand group dynamics and are familiar with conflict resolution techniques.
- are able to quickly grasp group dynamics, reflect on them critically, and take appropriate measures that serve the best interests of the entire team.
- can communicate and defend their own positions within a team.
- can take into account the perspectives of various stakeholders and facilitate a meeting, group discussion, or conflict resolution session in a focused manner.
- are able to apply their communication and social skills in team and counseling situations.
Course Content
- Communication (Fundamentals of Communication; Communication Models and Techniques; Conflict Management Models; Successful Negotiation and Engagement in Relevant Networks)
- Group Dynamics (Stages of group dynamic development; Reflection on actual group dynamic development; Recognizing and accepting different personalities and contributions; Group effects that promote and inhibit performance; Reflection on one’s own role within the team; Defining one’s own role within the class)
- Facilitation (General Principles for Using Facilitation Methods; Structure of a Facilitation Session; Facilitation Techniques; The Role of Facilitation in Conflict Resolution)
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 3 · Semester: 5
Skill development
- are familiar with the key topics and strategies for success in employee leadership.
- can get to know themselves better and use the impact of their own behavior in leadership and within the team in a way that focuses on solutions and potential.
- are able to foster professional collaboration by applying 360-degree leadership, work together in teams in a goal-oriented manner, and lead these teams actively and respectfully.
- are able to quickly identify the reasons behind certain behaviors, critically reflect on them, and take appropriate measures that serve the best interests of the entire team.
- can identify team dynamics and manage them more effectively by incorporating the perspectives of various stakeholders.
Course Content
- Management vs. Leadership
- Human Behavior, Including Personality Styles
- Theory, Key Topics, and Strategies for Success in Employee Leadership: Trust, Relationships, Attitude, (Personal) Responsibility, Emotional Intelligence, Appreciation, Motivation, Communication, Teamwork, and Potential Development
- Employee Leadership and Diversity (e.g., age-appropriate and aging-friendly leadership)
- Team Leadership in the 21st Century
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 1
Skill development
- can explain key concepts and models of self-regulated learning and identify (regulatory) processes in (virtual) teams.
- understand key concepts related to digitalization and can apply them to learning and work environments.
- are able to efficiently organize (digital) work and learning processes.
- understand the importance of self-regulated learning processes for their own learning and for learning in (virtual) teams, and are able to apply them.
- have used digital tools and reflected on their effectiveness.
Course Content
- Definition, Selected Models of Self-Regulated Learning, Metacognition, and Volition in the Context of Self-Regulated Learning
- Learning in (Virtual) Teams: Self-Regulation, Co-Regulation, and Joint Regulation
- Requirements and Understanding of the Need for Digital Learning
- Technological and Cultural Aspects of Digital Learning
- Applications of Digital Learning
- Literature Review: In-Depth Knowledge on Self-Regulated Learning
- Review of “Basic Knowledge” and “Advanced Knowledge SRL”
- Application of Self-Regulated Learning Strategies
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 1
Skill development
- can name processes within teams.
- are familiar with various team-building models and the opportunities and challenges teams face.
- are able to establish professional collaborations, work together in teams in a goal-oriented manner, and reflect on and manage team processes.
- are able to interact constructively with others in online contexts.
Course Content
- Definitions
- Models of Team Building and Team Collaboration
- Processes in Teams
Exam Format
Corporate Governance
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 3
Skill development
- have a basic understanding of the principles and methods underlying business management decisions, particularly in organizations that provide social, nursing, and health-related support to older adults and their families.
- are able to make simple financial decisions.
Course Content
- Fundamentals of Financial Planning
- Investment Evaluation and Decision-Making
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 3
Skill development
- can understand the principles of double-entry bookkeeping (accounting),
- post common business transactions,
- as well as prepare a simple balance sheet and income statement—understanding their structure and function—and reflect on their practical application.
- can explain the differences between financial accounting and cost and performance accounting, and apply simple tools (e.g., contribution margin analysis).
- can define the core tasks of management accounting and identify the various subtasks based on the control cycle in management accounting.
- can distinguish between strategic and operational controlling.
- can apply the tools used, such as key performance indicators, variance analyses, reporting, etc.
Course Content
- Financial Accounting:Financial accounting, a branch of external accounting, is approached by starting with the fundamentals and legal requirements. The legal requirements for bookkeeping and, subsequently, financial reporting are examined first in theory and later in practice. Bookkeeping is actively practiced from the very beginning using accounts and journal entries, so that students are able to independently prepare simple balance sheets and income statements. The preparation of annual financial statements is only briefly discussed; instead, the annual financial statements of selected companies are examined and analyzed in detail. The goal is to develop practical skills that every student can apply even when not actively engaged in bookkeeping work.
- Cost and Performance Accounting: Buildingon the prior knowledge gained in the financial accounting module, the first step is to clarify the differences between financial accounting (the question: “How rich am I?”) and cost and performance accounting (the question: “What costs are incurred, in what amounts, where, and for what purpose?”) and to answer these questions step by step using the appropriate tools (cost-element, cost-center, and cost-object accounting). To this end, various systems—such as full-cost, partial-cost, contribution margin, and activity-based costing—are examined. The aim is to make students aware that, while they are fundamentally free to choose which system to use, the results are influenced to a greater or lesser extent by the different perspectives and approaches of the various systems.
- Controlling:With its cross-organizational and cross-departmental responsibilities, controllingis less closely associated with accounting and more closely aligned with management. With its core tasks—planning, steering, monitoring, and reporting—it serves as a supportive function in decision-making at all three levels of management (according to the St. Gallen Model) and thus plays a key role in helping a company achieve its goals. Students will become familiar with the various sub-tasks of controlling within the management levels and the tools used for this purpose, such as key performance indicators, variance analyses, reporting, etc. The field of cost management represents a current trend in controlling, which is presented here in an overview.
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 2
Skill development
- have a good understanding of the scope of business administration and the fundamentals of corporate management and control, particularly in organizations providing social, nursing, and health-related support to older adults and their families.
- have a basic understanding of the principles and methods underlying business management decisions, particularly in organizations that provide social, nursing, and health-related support to older adults and their families.
- are aware of conflicting goals in their future professional field.
- can weigh the pros and cons of various business strategies, particularly in organizations that provide social, nursing, and health-related support to older adults and their families.
Course Content
- Basic Concepts of Business Administration
- Initial Decisions (Types of Businesses, Legal Structures, Forms of Cooperation)
- Concepts of Management (Management as a Function, Management as an Institution, Management Tasks)
- Management Cycle
- Corporate Goals and Conflicting Goals
- Strategic and Operational Planning (Overview with a Special Focus on Marketing)
- Implementation
- Organizational structures in general and within organizations providing social, nursing, and health-related support to older adults and their families.
- Fundamentals of Human Resources Management
- Control
- Core service and support processes in organizations in the context of social, nursing, and health-related support for older adults and their families.
Exam Format
Academic Writing and English
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: English · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 2
Skill development
- have expanded their vocabulary related to human anatomy.
- have a basic understanding of the structures of hospitals and nursing facilities, as well as their departments and medical staff.
- have improved their professional English, both spoken and written, and expanded the language skills relevant to their degree programs.
- have acquired relevant vocabulary related to medications, malnutrition, diseases, and palliative care.
- use English tenses, word order, and prepositions correctly.
- have a basic vocabulary related to aging and health-related topics.
- have gained insight into professional communication between groups, employees, and supervisors.
- have explored the topic of "Healthcare Careers."
Course Content
- Practical Communication in the Field of Aging Services
- An Overview of Medical Facilities, Their Structures, and Geriatrics
- Working with current audio samples and magazine articles on health topics
- Communication Training for the Workplace
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: English · Academic year: 2 · Semester: 3
Skill development
- have expanded their vocabulary on the topic of health management.
- have a basic understanding of the structure of business meetings and the challenges they present.
- have improved their professional English, both written and spoken, and their fluency in professional communication.
- know how data can be presented and are able to do so in writing and orally.
- have acquired a core vocabulary related to meetings and management.
- can summarize a medical article and present its abstract.
- use English tenses, the passive voice, the conditional, word order, and prepositions correctly.
- have acquired a basic vocabulary for presenting data and health-related topics, etc.
Course Content
- Communication in the Field of Health Management
- Insights into Business Meetings, Their Structures, and Challenges
- Working with current audio texts and magazine articles on business meetings and health management
Exam Format
Type: Required course · Language of instruction: German · Academic year: 1 · Semester: 1
Skill development
- can identify the advantages and disadvantages of various study designs and their contribution to generating evidence.
- can explain key concepts of scientific work.
- can use scientific literature databases for research.
- be able to write a paper based on scientific research articles addressing a gerontological topic of their own choosing, summarize the findings, and critically reflect on them.
Course Content
- Fundamentals of Qualitative and Quantitative Social Research and Statistics
- Key Basic Concepts (e.g., empiricism, evidence, hypothesis)
- Various Methods of Generating Evidence
- Literature Search in Academic Databases
- Academic Writing and Citation
Exam Format
Aging, Disability, and Mental Health: Perspectives and Approaches
Type: Elective · Language of Instruction: German · Year of Study: 3 · Semester: 5
Type: Elective · Language of Instruction: German · Year of Study: 3 · Semester: 6
Human Resources Management and Ethical Responsibility in the Health and Social Services Sector
Type: Elective · Language of Instruction: German · Year of Study: 3 · Semester: 5
Type: Elective · Language of Instruction: German · Year of Study: 3 · Semester: 6
Elective courses
Type: Individual Course · Academic Year: 3 · Semester: 5
Course Content
- Additional electives directly from the degree program
- Courses from other degree programs at FERNFH, including, for example, micro-credentials
- Courses offered by other national and international higher education institutions (at the same academic level as the bachelor's degree program in Aging Services Management)
- Volunteer work totaling a maximum of 3 ECTS (unless similar skills are acquired through the core or elective curriculum)
- Serving as a student representative is eligible for a maximum of 3 ECTS credits, provided that the role is held for at least 3 semesters
Type: Individual Course · Academic Year: 3 · Semester: 6
Course Content
- Additional electives directly from the degree program
- Courses from other degree programs at FERNFH, including, for example, micro-credentials
- Courses offered by other national and international higher education institutions (at the same academic level as the bachelor's degree program in Aging Services Management)
- Volunteer work totaling a maximum of 3 ECTS (unless similar skills are acquired through the core or elective curriculum)
- Serving as a student representative is eligible for a maximum of 3 ECTS credits, provided that the role is held for at least 3 semesters
Dying and Death in the Context of Aging
Type: Elective · Language of Instruction: German · Year of Study: 3 · Semester: 5
Type: Elective · Language of Instruction: German · Year of Study: 3 · Semester: 6
No course found.
Study at FERNFH
Flexible, smart, and affordable.
Ferdinand Porsche FERNFH is Austria's leading university for distance learning. Your FERNFH program combines digital and self-directed distance learning phases with a few on-campus days that are easy to plan around.
Study flexibly and affordably at
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Study largely whenever and wherever you want. Thanks to federal funding, our affordable study programs are designed to fit your life as well as possible—not the other way around.
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but never alone.
Predictable in-person sessions and self-directed distance learning phases allow you to tailor your learning experience to your individual needs. Through the Online Campus, you’ll stay connected with your fellow students and instructors at all times.
An education that fits your career path.
That's why our degree programs offer you personalized areas of focus or electives. Or you can expand your studies with micro-credentials outside your major.
Here's How a Semester Unfolds
The distance learning program is structured so that studentscomplete the majority of the coursework onthe online campus , independent of time and location. Digital learning materials, exercises, and opportunities for interaction are available there, allowing students to tailor their learning process to their individual needs and schedules.
During thedistance learning phase, studentssettheir own pace, access the learning platform at any time, and use digital communication channels to ask questions or collaborate on group projects.
In addition, there are three in-person sessions per semester. These provide opportunities for in-depth study, discussion, exams, and the practical application of course material. This allows for an ideal combination of direct interaction with instructors and fellow students and the benefits of digital flexibility.
Start of the semester
2 days of in-person instructionOnline or in person*
Distance Learning Phase
Studying Anytime, Anywhereon the Online Campus
Midway through the semester
2 days of in-person instructionOnline or in person*
Distance Learning Phase
Studying Anytime, Anywhereon the Online Campus
End of the semester
2 days of in-person instructionOnline or in person*
*In person; occasionally also online sessions
Your Studies. Your Path.
Learn more about the FERNFH study model, explore your admission options, and find out how we can support you along the way.
Understanding Our Academic Model
Learn moreWhat sets our FERN program apart from conventional part-time degree programs and other distance learning options? Would you like to learn more about our FERNFH study model?
Use the FERNFH Infocenter
Continue to the Info CenterHere you'll find all the important information you need to pursue your dream degree, all in one place. From counseling and a self-assessment for distance learning to the application process.
Studying Without a High School Diploma
Learn moreWhere there's a will, there's a way. At least at FERNFH. Learn more about how you can earn a college degree without a high school diploma.
Do you have any more questions?
Have you checked out the program page and brochure to learn more about the program you’re interested in? And did you still have a few questions that came up or remained unanswered? Our FAQs can help you here. If you can’t find the answer to your question here, please feel free to contact our Student Advising Office directly.
To be admitted to a bachelor's degree program at FERNFH, you must meet one of the following requirements:
- General University Entrance Qualification / Vocational Maturity Exam / University Entrance Exam
- Relevant professional experience plus an additional exam (completed vocational training in an apprenticeship program or a three-year vocational high school program; for some of our bachelor’s degree programs, a three-year diploma program is also accepted) – a free online preparation course is available for the additional exams, and the exams themselves are free of charge.
You can find detailed information about the requirementshere.
You can find information about the bachelor's program by
In person: If you haveany questions, please feel free to contact the program assistant, Ms. Eva Plasch,at: eva.plasch@fernfh.ac.at,phone:+43 664 88908401.
TheInfo Package –program brochure,program schedule,curriculum.
theonline information sessions—you can find the dates in our event calendar, or you can watch the latestrecording of our information session.
As soon as we receive all of your documents, you will receive the login information for theASBA admissions process course. The admissions process includes an online aptitude test and an admissions interview via MS Teams. The study materials for the aptitude test are available in the course room. To give you a good sense of the online campus and the course rooms, we’ve designed the preparatory course for the admissions process to be similar to our regular college courses.
Yes, if you can provide proof of relevant professional qualifications and pass additional exams.
Here you'll find more details about studying without a Matura.
No, for us, “distance learning” means much more than just online lectures. We meet three times per semester for our in-person sessions in Wiener Neustadt (and, in some cases, for online in-person days).
During the semester, there may also be online meetings, but these are more like Q&A sessions than lectures. For the rest of the program—that is, during the so-called distance learning phases—you’ll study the material independently and on your own schedule. There will be reading assignments and tasks of varying lengths that will allow you (and your instructors) to determine whether you’ve understood everything.