Have you studied social work, curative education or childhood education outside Germany? Your German language skills are at least B2 level? Would you like to gain state recognition in the state of Berlin so that you can work in your profession here and be paid appropriately? Then our free ApaLe programme is the right place for you!

ApaLe, the international bridging course for social professions, facilitates integration into the labour market. People with foreign degrees in social professions can use the certificate to apply for state recognition in accordance with the Social Professions Recognition Act (SozBAG) in the state of Berlin. This is necessary in order to have the same rights in working life as people with degrees in these regulated professions obtained in Germany.
ApaLe makes it possible to learn the special features of the German social system and professional fields in a compact course of 6 to 10 months in various modules with supplementary online teaching. ApaLe starts twice a year. One course is specially designed for people who only lack the legal modules required for state recognition.
In the ApaLe bridging course, you will specifically learn the content required for your recognition process for social professions. The Senate Department for Youth, Education and Family determines the content required for you individually in advance and specifies this as a requirement.
Exemplary contents can be
- Language, play and media,
- Inclusion, integration and diversity,
- Methodological skills,
- Organisations, social management,
- Introduction to the German legal system,
- Child and youth welfare law,
- Benefits to secure livelihoods,
- Rehabilitation and participation law.
- A foreign degree in social work, curative education or childhood education,
- a valid certificate from the Senate Department for Education, Youth and Family, Bernhard-Weiß-Str. 6, 10178 Berlin,
- a language certificate at B2 or C1 level (depending on the respective ApaLe course),
- an accompanying practical activity, corresponding to the activities of the recognised occupation, supervised by a specialist from the respective recognised occupation (optional / can be funded by the Employment Agency).
Successful participation in the adaptation course is considered proof of compensation for significant professional differences in accordance with § 9 Para. 2 No. 1 BQFG and fulfils the legal training requirements for the granting of state recognition as a B.A. Social Worker, B.A. Social Pedagogue, B.A. Curative Pedagogue or B.A. Childhood Pedagogue.