More than 100 students are now enrolled in the “Vocational Education in Healthcare” bachelor’s program at Hof University of Applied Sciences. The program is offered on a part-time basis at the Lucas Cranach Campus in Kronach and trains healthcare professionals for educational roles in schools and practical training settings within the healthcare sector.

Continuous Growth Since the Program’s Inception

Since the program’s inception, the number of students has increased significantly: In the winter semester of 2023–24, the program began with 17 students. By the winter semester of 2026–27, more than 100 students are now enrolled.

“The need for good learning facilitators—that is, teachers—in healthcare schools is enormous. With our innovative approach, we particularly appeal to people who need to balance family, hobbies, work, and their studies,” explains Prof. Dr. Matthias Drossel, program director of the bachelor’s program in “Vocational Education in Healthcare” at Hof University of Applied Sciences. “The fact that more than 100 students are now enrolled with us also means that we can actively help counteract the shortage of skilled workers in health and nursing care through high-quality local training.”

Part-Time Study While Working

The program is designed for professionals in various healthcare fields, including nursing, therapy, health care, OTA/ATA, as well as emergency medicine and emergency medical services.

The program is designed as a part-time program, allowing students to balance academic studies with their careers and personal lives. The focus is on integrating professional, pedagogical, and didactic competencies. The curriculum is divided into three core module groups: fundamentals of medicine and the natural sciences; specialized sciences of the health professions; and pedagogy, didactics, and subject-specific didactics.

The program is not limited to theoretical foundations. Particular emphasis is placed on the practical design of instruction and the guidance of learning processes. Required internships and teaching demonstrations enable students to directly apply and further develop the knowledge they have acquired in classroom practice.

Qualification for Teaching and Clinical Instruction

With a bachelor’s degree, students attain an initial level of professional qualification and are prepared, both professionally and personally, for careers as teachers or clinical instructors in the healthcare sector.

Potential fields of work include schools and clinical training sites in the healthcare sector, as well as in-company training programs. Roles in continuing education and professional development are also possible. In addition, other fields of work include universities, industry, health insurance companies, and areas of health education. The specific areas of work that are possible also depend on the respective regulations of the federal states and the relevant authorities.

100 Students—and a Growing Demand

By surpassing the 100-student mark, the program has reached an important milestone. At the same time, developments since the program’s inception show that interest in part-time academic training for healthcare professionals has grown steadily.

For the Upper Franconia Health Region, the program offers the opportunity to provide healthcare professionals with additional qualifications for roles in teaching, training, and clinical instruction. This creates new opportunities for training and supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals.