A decade of online Masters' programs

The University of Freiburg offers continuing education of a very high academic standard – for example with online Masters' programs for those with careers such as "Periodontology and Implant Therapy" or "Intelligently Embedded Microsystems." This year both courses of study celebrate their tenth anniversary. Each program combines classroom sessions and e-learning opportunities. "Continuing interest in the course offering shows how important contact with research and exchange between specialist colleagues are for the vocational and personal development of the participants and for the future of their careers," says Prof. Dr. Juliane Besters-Dilger, vice president for academic affairs at the University of Freiburg. "With career associated continuing education, the University of Freiburg is supplying transfer of university knowledge and contributing to life-long learning," Besters-Dilger adds.

The courses of study are structured according to a "blended learning" format. The lion's share of the theory is presented in webinars and online lectures so the classroom sessions in Freiburg can be dedicated above all to the development of functional skills. For the most part, this allows participants to study when and where they would like. "As alumni, many of our students continue the sharing of specialist knowledge in an informal setting. We view that as a major success for career associated continuing education at the University of Freiburg," says Toni Charlotte Bünemann, the head of the Department of Academic Continuing Education at the Freiburg Academy for University Continuing Education, the "Freiburg Akademie für Universitäre Weiterbildung" or "FRAUW." At FRAUW, the University of Freiburg offers eight courses of study at a Master's level.

Qualified dentists taking part in the six-semester "Periodontology and Implant Therapy" course of study learn the scientific fundamentals and develop practical skills in diagnosing and treating periodontitis, a disease of the gums and jaw. The online portion of the course of study is dedicated to providing primarily theoretical knowledge, while the classroom sessions allow the students to practice and develop their practical surgical skills. The demand for treatment of periodontitis is expected to increase in future as society ages. This course of study prepares students for that. The head of this program is Prof. Dr. Petra Ratka-Krüger of the Department of Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine of the Freiburg University Medical Center.

The "Intelligent Embedded Microsystems" course of study allows students of computer science and microsystem technology and related disciplines with at least one year's work experience to obtain the technological and algorithmic knowledge to develop and implement such systems. Embedded systems are a key application of computer science, because they take over control and operating functions in technical devices such as mobile phones, cars and aircraft. In addition to obtaining technical skills, the students also learn methods of project management and interdisciplinary competences, such as the legal aspects of microsystems.

Engineers with a Master's degree in Embedded Systems are highly sought after specialists because they bring together specialized knowledge of hardware and software. The continuing education program "Intelligent Embedded Microsystems" offers flexible, one-semester, continuing education courses in addition to the full-fledged Master's program. In 2015, it won a 15,000 euro award in the "Contact and Module Studies" category of the Continuing Education Award of Baden-Württemberg -- Higher Education/Economy, or the "Weiterbildungspreis Baden-Württemberg HochschuleWirtschaft." The award is presented by the state of Baden-Württemberg's Ministry of Science, Research and Art and the Südwestmetall employers' association. The program director is Prof. Dr. Bernd Becker of the Department of Computer Science.

Career associated Masters' courses of study (in German):
http://www.weiterbildung.uni-freiburg.de/wisswb/master

Online Master's program "Periodontology and Implant Therapy":
http://www.masterparo.de/?lang=en

Article about the course of study in our online magazine:
http://www.pr.uni-freiburg.de/pm-en/online-magazine/teaching-and-learning/a-common-but-underestimated-disease

Online Master's program "Intelligent Embedded Microsystems" (in German):
https://www.masteronline-iems.de

Article about the course of study in our online magazine:
http://www.pr.uni-freiburg.de/pm-en/online-magazine/teaching-and-learning/understanding-both-worlds

Press release on "Continuing Education Award of Baden-Württemberg Higher Education/Economy" (in German):
http://www.pr.uni-freiburg.de/pm/2015/pm.2015-05-11.72