2021 to the present
The ZfS has been a division of the Department of Educational Transfer under the responsibility of the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs since September 2021.
The Department of Educational Transfer is headed by Jan Ihwe and consists of two divisions:
- Center for Key Qualifications (ZfS), director: Ms Verena Saller
- University Continuing Education (WissWB), director: Ms Toni Charlotte Bünemann
The ZfS is closely supervised in its work by two committees: The Quality Commission for the BOK course area and the Programme Advisory Board for the Sustainability Certificate. These two committees are composed to ensure a connection to the faculties responsible for teaching and the integration of expertise and perspectives from students and relevant university departments.
The ZfS has offered the Sustainability Certificate since fall 2021. It is geared towards all students who wish to develop and extend their competencies for interdisciplinary work with sustainability challenges. Students have had the option of earning the Digital Competencies Certificate at the ZfS since 2024. The certificate supports students in extending their competencies for the future. They learn to use digital technologies, data, and services confidently, critically, creatively, and responsibly and strengthen their digital competencies.
2017 to 2021
From 2017 to August 2021, the Freiburg Academy of Continuing Education (FRAUW) was a central university facility with the following three departments: Center for Key Qualifications (ZfS), director: Ms Verena Saller; University Continuing Education (WissWB), director: Ms Toni Charlotte Bünemann; and Internal Further Training and Continuing Education (IWB), director: Ms Ruth Messmer.
2002 to 2017
The ZfS was founded in 2002 on the initiative of the Faculties of Philology and Humanities in conjunction with the introduction of the first bachelor of arts (B.A.) degree programmes. In accordance with the guidelines of the relevant ministry, these degree programmes were also to include courses for the acquisition of general profession-oriented competencies in their curricula as a means of increasing the practical relevance of academic studies.
This and the great demand among students of traditional degree programmes led to the ‘profession-oriented competencies’ (BOK) course area being integrated into the new tiered bachelor’s degree programmes (bachelor of arts B.A. and bachelor of science B.Sc.).
The ZfS was a central facility of the University of Freiburg from November 2002 to March 2010. On 1 April 2010 it was integrated into the Freiburg Academy of Continuing Education (FRAUW).
In spring 2010, the ‘Personal Competence Module’ (MPK), introduced within the context of the modularized teacher education degree programme (GymPO I), also became part of the ZfS course programme. It gave students the opportunity to deepen their personal connection to the teaching profession beyond subject-related knowledge and to develop their personal competence. The modularized teacher education degree programme was replaced by bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes starting in the 2015/16 winter semester.
Since fall 2015, the ZfS has offered the three-week Orientation Internship (OSP) for students of the polyvalent dual-major bachelor’s degree programme with a teacher education option for gymnasium. It gives students an opportunity to reflect on and reassure themselves of their chosen degree programme and profession.