Now is the best time: Get off to a successful start in your Computer Science teaching career!

What is artificial intelligence? How does the Internet work? How do algorithms function? And what does all of this mean for our society? These are questions that concern everyone today: Starting in the 2028–29 school year, Computer Science will therefore become a required subject at all secondary schools in Rhineland-Palatinate. The demand for well-trained Computer Science teachers will continue to rise—so career prospects are excellent. At RPTU, teacher education students receive the full range of tools, including subject-specific knowledge and teaching methods, so they can confidently design teaching and learning processes. Practical, research-oriented, and close-knit: In Kaiserslautern, students encounter a tradition of Computer Science spanning over 50 years, combined with a diverse and interdisciplinary education—one that also offers excellent insights into current research topics.

“If you want to study Computer Science to become a teacher, now is exactly the right time to start,” recommends teacher-training student Maike Fremgen when asked about the fact that Computer Science will become a required subject in secondary schools in Rhineland-Palatinate starting in the 2028–29 school year: “Of course, when it comes to the criteria for choosing a degree program, you should have an interest in the subject and in teaching.” Either way: “Those who start now will have the best chances of securing a permanent teaching position by the end of their studies.” In addition, topics related to Computer Science are becoming increasingly important, the prospective teacher emphasizes—the subject has long since become an interdisciplinary field: Data-driven processes have become an integral part of our everyday lives.

Daniel Stockhausen, who teaches Computer Science and mathematics full-time at a high school—and also works as a seconded teacher at RPTU—knows that, aside from Computer Science, there are few school subjects with such a strong connection to everyday life. Computer Science used to be more of a niche subject—it had a somewhat “nerdy” reputation, he says with a smile. But that’s currently changing: “By making Computer Science a required subject, the content is being opened up to the broader public. As Computer Science teachers, we no longer want to cater only to a small group of students. We want everyone to be able to help shape the future and contribute their ideas.” In addition, the proportion of female students in Computer Science programs is also rising—in the specialized master’s program at RPTU, they actually make up the majority.

“You don’t have to be a math genius or a programming pro”

Who might be interested in studying to become a Computer Science teacher? “You don’t have to be a math genius or a programming pro. But you do need to have an interest in technology and logical thinking,” says Maike Fremgen. Daniel Stockhausen agrees and also recommends that prospective students familiarize themselves with a first programming language at their own pace beforehand. “And, of course, you shouldn’t have a general aversion to math.” After all, you’ll encounter it time and again in Computer Science.

In terms of content, the program covers topics such as how algorithms work, how the internet is structured, artificial intelligence, and the associated social implications. In the process, teacher education students at RPTU receive a thoroughly scientifically grounded education, enriched with many exciting insights into research. In subject-specific pedagogy, students focus on how to prepare Computer Science lessons.

“Don’t be afraid of the program,” says Maike Fremgen. “It might seem difficult at first. But it gets better. You have to stick with it. And be willing to do some follow-up work at home now and then.” Daniel Stockhausen says, “Just give it a try.” You can sit in on lectures beforehand to see if the subject appeals to you.

Maike Fremgen is studying mathematics, biology, and Computer Science—she plans to teach at a high school later on. Her example shows that, with the option of a third subject, Computer Science can be added to existing areas of focus during a teacher education program. She chose to study at RPTU because the university has an excellent reputation in technical and natural science subjects. Daniel Stockhausen, who once studied in Kaiserslautern himself, looks back fondly on the wide range of options that a Computer Science program offers: “You can often tailor the course content to your own interests on your own terms.”

Students also benefit from the university’s close proximity to renowned research institutions such as the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems, and the Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Development —where they can, for example, work as student assistants during their studies. Student involvement is, of course, also in high demand right at the university itself or as part of the Ada Lovelace Project, which is based at RPTU and aims to inspire girls and young women to pursue STEM fields.

Gaining Practical Experience During Their Studies

Maike Fremgen is in the final stages of her studies. She is currently working on her master’s thesis in mathematics—but with a focus on Computer Science: “I’m investigating how students can use artificial intelligence in math class.” She then plans to begin her teaching internship in January 2026: “In the period between my master’s thesis and the teaching internship, I’ll be working as a substitute teacher.”

Various school internships are integrated into the degree program to provide practical preparation for teaching. This gives teacher education students the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned and receive feedback on the lessons they teach. They also gain valuable insights into different types of schools. When it comes to teaching materials, the digital textbook at inf-schule.de offers comprehensive support—the portal is managed by the State Institute of Education and supported by RPTU in terms of content.

Overall, Maike Fremgen adds, it’s also important to network and exchange ideas with other students: “Form study groups. And do things together in your free time, too.” Alumnus Daniel Stockhausen fondly recalls the “campus vibe” that RPTU in Kaiserslautern offers: “Everything is close together. The campus is shaped by student life.” Maike Fremgen and Daniel Stockhausen—two Computer Science teachers who, looking back, are very satisfied with their choice of major—are now looking for more colleagues.

Computer Science at RPTU: A Springboard to the World of Tomorrow

In addition to teacher education programs, at RPTU there are also two academic bachelor’s and master’s degree programs: Computer Science and Socioinformatics. In these programs, students learn not only to develop the technologies of tomorrow but also how to design them responsibly. With this approach, the RPTU empowers its students—particularly in the socio-informatics degree program, which is unique in Germany—to critically reflect on the use and benefits of software systems. The Computer Science degree programs in Kaiserslautern regularly receive top ratings, such as in the CHE’s most important German university ranking, which is based on student evaluations. Diversity in Computer Science is also evident in the interplay of cultures: More than half of the current 1,400 students and two-thirds of the 200 doctoral candidates come to Kaiserslautern from abroad.

For more information about the computer science programs and all other degree programs offered at RPTU: https://rptu.de/studienangebot/