In the sixth semester, a relevant professional internship of 12 weeks must be completed in a company in Austria or abroad. The internship places are checked by the head of the degree programme for their suitability in accordance with the objectives of the training. The timing of the professional internship ensures that the students have a level of training that enables them to be meaningfully employed in the company. Through a seminar accompanying the internship, the experiences from the professional internship are documented and exchanged among the students. In addition, there is a continuous review to ensure positive progress. If participation in the course accompanying the work placement is not possible due to the geographical distance between the work placement location and the location of the degree programme, the progress of the work placement is monitored by means of written and telephone contacts or through a corresponding reporting system.
Relevantprofessionals can have their professional experience (practical semester) credited by the head of the degree programme at the student's request. For non-professionallyemployed persons, the time organisation of the professional internships is selected in such a way that it is possible for employed persons to cope with them. This can be achieved through appropriate part-time employment or maternity leave, whereby maximum limits for employment are set by the head of the degree programme in individual cases. In general, however, the completion of the practical semester is aimed for at the beginning of the 6th semester, whereby students receive support from the programme management.
