Now is the best time to successfully start your IT teaching career!

What is artificial intelligence? How does the internet work? How do algorithms work? And what does all this mean for our society? Questions that concern everyone these days: From the 2028/29 school year, computer science will therefore become a compulsory subject at all secondary schools in Rhineland-Palatinate. The demand for well-trained computer science teachers will continue to rise - so the career prospects are excellent. RPTU provides student teachers with all the skills, specialist knowledge and didactic methods they need to design teaching and learning processes in a routine manner. Practical, research-oriented and welcoming: in Kaiserslautern, students encounter over 50 years of computer science tradition, which goes hand in hand with a diverse and interdisciplinary education - which also provides excellent insights into current research issues.

“If you want to study computer science to become a teacher, now is exactly the right time to start,” recommends student teacher Maike Fremgen when asked about the fact that computer science will become a compulsory subject at secondary schools in Rhineland-Palatinate from the 2028/29 school year: “Of course, you should be interested in the subject and in teaching, as far as the criteria for choosing a course are concerned.” Either way: “If you start now, you have the best chance of getting a permanent position at the end of your studies.” In addition, topics related to computer science are becoming more and more important, emphasizes the prospective teacher - the subject has long since become a cross-sectional discipline: Data-driven processes have become an integral part of our everyday lives.

Daniel Stockhausen, who teaches computer science and mathematics full-time at a Gymnasium - and at the same time works as a seconded teacher at RPTU - also knows that there are few school subjects with such a strong connection to everyday life apart from computer science. Computer science used to be more of a niche subject - it had a somewhat “nerdy” reputation, he smiles. But that is currently changing: "The decision to make computer science a compulsory subject opens up the content to the wider society. As computer science teachers, we no longer just want to appeal to a small group of school students. We want everyone to be able to help shape and think." In addition, the proportion of female students in computer science subjects is also increasing - they even make up the majority in the subject-specific Master's degree at RPTU.

“You don't have to be a math genius or 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 be interested in technology and logical thinking," says Maike Fremgen. Daniel Stockhausen agrees and also recommends that prospective students familiarize themselves with their first programming language at their own pace. “And, of course, you shouldn't have a general aversion to mathematics.” After all, you will encounter it from time to time in computer science.

In terms of content, the course covers topics such as how algorithms work, how the internet is networked, artificial intelligence and the associated social aspects. Student teachers at RPTU receive an all-round scientifically sound education, enriched with many exciting insights into research. In didactics, on the other hand, students deal with how computer science lessons can be prepared.

“Don't be afraid of studying,” says Maike Fremgen. "It may seem difficult at first. But it gets better. You have to keep going. And be prepared to do some extra work at home from time to time." Daniel Stockhausen says, “Just try it out.” You can sit in on lectures in advance and see if the subject appeals to you.

Maike Fremgen is studying mathematics, biology and computer science and wants to teach at a Gymnasium later on. Her example shows: With the option of a third subject, computer science can be added to existing majors during the course of a teacher training program. She decided to study at RPTU because the university enjoys a very good reputation in the technical and scientific subjects. Daniel Stockhausen, who once studied in Kaiserslautern himself, looks back fondly on the wide range of options offered by the computer science degree course: “The course content can often be put together according to your own interests.”

Students also benefit from the 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 work as student assistants during their studies, for example.  Student work is of course also in demand directly at the university or as part of the Ada Lovelace project, which is based at RPTU and aims to inspire girls and young women for STEM subjects.

Gaining practical experience during your studies

Maike Fremgen is in the final stages of her studies. She is currently completing her Master's thesis in mathematics - but this is also related to computer science: “I am investigating how students can use artificial intelligence in mathematics lessons.” She then plans to start her traineeship in January 2026: “In the time between my Master's thesis and my traineeship, I will be working as a substitute teacher.”

Various school internships are integrated into the degree program to provide practical preparation for teaching. This gives student teachers the opportunity to put what they have learned into practice and receive feedback on lessons they have taught. They also gain valuable insights into different types of schools. As far as teaching materials are concerned, the digital textbook at inf-schule.de offers sound assistance - the portal is maintained by the Pädagogisches Landesinstitut and supported by the RPTU in terms of content.

Maike Fremgen adds that it is also important to network and exchange ideas with other students: "Form study groups. And do things together privately too." Alumni Daniel Stockhausen fondly remembers the “campus feeling” that RPTU Kaiserslautern has to offer: "Everything is close together. The area is characterized by student life." Maike Fremgen and Daniel Stockhausen - two computer science teachers who, looking back, are very satisfied with their choice of study - and are now looking for more colleagues.

Computer Science at RPTU: A springboard into the world of tomorrow

In addition to the teacher training course, RPTU also offers two specialist Bachelor's and Master's degree courses: Computer Science and Socioinformatics. Students not only learn how to develop the technologies of tomorrow, but also how to shape them responsibly. With this approach, RPTU enables its students to critically reflect on the use and benefits of software systems, particularly in the Socioinformatics degree course, which is unique in Germany. The computer science degree courses in Kaiserslautern regularly receive top marks, for example in the CHE's most important German university ranking, which is based on student evaluations. Diversity in computer science is also reflected in the coexistence of cultures: more than half of the current 1,400 students and two thirds of the 200 doctoral students come to Kaiserslautern from abroad.

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