The Evangelische Fachhochschule (Protestant University) Reutlingen-Ludwigsburg has a long tradition in church-supported social and welfare service engagements in Württemberg. Founded in 1954, it follows as successor to the “Evangelische Schule für Heimerziehung” - Reutlingen, the “ Wohlfahrtspflegerschule and the” Soziale Frauenschule “ founded in 1911, 1930 and 1947 respectively, all under the auspices of the Church of Württemberg.

Church sponsored social service and welfare training in the Stiftung Karlshöhe (Karlshöhe Foundation) in Ludwigsburg dates back to 1876. From 1994 onwards academic disciplines in social work and religious education were recognized by state university standards, to be integrated into the University of Reutlingen five years later. Since then the Evangelische Fachhochschule (Protestant University) Reutlingen - Ludwigsburg has trained Deacons and Deaconesses in cooperation with the Stiftung Karlshöhe (Karlshöhe Foundation).

From September 1, 1999, the Protestant Church of Württemberg took over the legal responsibilities of the former Fachhochschule für Sozialwesen in Reutlingen and subsequently moved its premises to Ludwigsburg. The Evangelische Fachhochschule (Protestant University) Reutlingen-Ludwigsburg exercises academic autonomy according to the auspices of the Protestant Church of Württemberg.