Eligibility: A person who has taken the degree is qualified for social work posts or positions in the public and private sector and in voluntary organizations for which the qualification requirement is a first cycle higher education degree. The Act the Qualification Requirements for Social Welfare Professionals (272/2005) regulates eligibility for municipal post or positions.

Level of qualification

The degree programme leads to a higher education degree which is a first cycle Bachelor-level degree in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). According to the eight-level classification of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) the degree represents level 6.

Specific admission requirements

Please see the Applicant's Guide or the website www.seamk.fi/hakeminen.

Applicant's Guide's instructions are written in Finnish for degree programmes taught in Finnish and in English for degree programmes taught in English. On the website, application and instructions are in Finnish language for the degree programmes taught in Finnish.

Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning

Recognition of prior learning (RPL, AHOT in Finnish) refers to the assessment of student’s earlier learning and to its recognition as part of the current studies. The RPL criteria are based on the learning outcomes of the degree programme. Students can apply recognition of prior learning before September 30 in the autumn semester and before January 31 or April 30 in the spring semester. The RPL process proceeds as follows:

The Student Counsellor informs students about the RPL principles and process.
The student makes an appointment to discuss RPL with the Student Counsellor. Together they will see if an application can be made.
The student fills out the application form, adds the documentary evidence and sends the documents to the RPL (AHOT) team of the degree programme via the Student Counsellor. The student must describe in detail his or her competence with respect to the learning outcomes defined for the course.
The PRL team will handle the application and either relay it to the teacher of the study course or inform the student.
If there is a possibility of RPL, the teacher of the course will define and assess the student’s demonstration of skills and knowledge and enter the results onto the study registration system. If the course is taught by a visiting lecturer, the PRL team will be responsible for the assessment and decision making.
RPL decisions are subject to current guidelines on outdated studies and appeal practices, given in the Degree Regulations of Seinäjoki UAS:

It is not possible to apply for recognition of prior learning in the following study courses: Studying at Seinäjoki UAS, Professional development, Analysis of contemporary practices in social work and Final Thesis. Any prior learning should be compatible with the social field and students have to prove that they have command over professional knowledge. For a detailed description of these requirements, please see course descriptions. Students can demonstrate their learning in the following ways: written or oral exam, portfolio or other proof, learning journal, assignment, essay, discussion, demonstration of teaching skills/practical work/counselling situation/peer counselling, special assignment, diagnostic exam, interview, description of competence acquired though work experience, certificates and other documents or in some other way agreed with the teacher.

Qualification requirements and regulations

Please see the Degree regulations of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences.

Pedagogical approach

Teaching in the Degree Programme in Social Work is based on the constructivist theory of learning whereby learners themselves take an active role, making a conscious effort to construct knowledge structures and to assess learning needs. The teacher is primarily a facilitator, who helps students to become aware of development options. An important aim in social work studies is to develop reflectivity, that is the ability and will to look at one’s motivating factors and at the effects of one’s actions from multiple perspectives.

The studies are built on subject-specific competence requirements defined for Bachelors of Social Services. Also generic competence courses, for example language, communication and information technology studies, are implemented from the social field perspective. The study programme has been designed in a way that facilities the deepening of learning in the competence areas throughout the studies.

Diverse learning methods are used, including lectures, study circles, group assignments and demonstrations. To complement the face-to-face teaching, students generally have independent and applied assignments, exams based on literature and practical exercises or training. Students develop their perspectives and competence with help of the group. The group is a learning environment, where students learn various skills needed in the working world, for example interaction skills, giving and receiving feedback and ethical examination of phenomena from many perspectives. Special attention is given to group formation and group activity. Course contents that would most likely be more beneficial to students in an online environment and which diversify students' learning opportunities are taught on the Internet. Additionally, each group of students has its own Moodle platform to use for basic information and group-specific assignments. Attention is also given to the integration of theory and practice. The degree programme includes six supervised practical training periods with the same objectives as the preceding theoretical studies. The study modules and courses nearly always involve applied tasks, some of which are carried out in practical work.

Learning and development based on progressive enquiry is essential for higher education studies. Students approach study contents from many perspectives, using evidence-based and experiential knowledge. Right from the beginning of the studies, they are encouraged to develop their professional field. Students are involved in development work e.g. through practical training in RDI; All health care and social work students participate in research, development and innovation projects managed by their school or by social or health care practice. For their final thesis, students are encouraged to seek R & D opportunities offered by the working world.

The studies also involve an entrepreneurial perspective, with constant development of entrepreneurial competence. All students in the Degree Programme in Social Work complete at least one practical training period in an enterprise or non-profit organization. They will become familiar with entrepreneurial provision of social services. Entrepreneurship is also studied in multiprofessional groups organized by the School of Health Care and Social Work and by Seinäjoki UAS. Those who are willing to deepen their entrepreneurial skills have the possibility to contribute to the activities of Yritystalli.

Profile of the programme

The heart of the Degree Programme in Social Work lies in the social aspect of the everyday life of the individual in the community and society. It means that students learn to understand an individual's life, along with resources and needs and to perceive the life situation of an individual as the broader context of social and cultural events. The degree programme provides students with skills and knowledge to promote the welfare, social function and social engagement of people by using client, community and group work methods and appropriate development and management practices.

Taking the degree guarantees broad and high-quality professional social work competence and it enables recruitment to various sectors. The degree programme does not include specialisation options, but students can focus on specific sectors of social work as far as possible within the framework of the degree programme. The study module “Empowering social work” can be studied in English language.

Occupational profiles

Bachelors of Social Services work in client service, management, projects and as entrepreneurs. The more common job titles in different areas of the profession include:

Positions pertaining to education in social work: Family counsellor, day-care teacher, educator, or youth counsellor. Bachelors of Social Services work in day care, child protection agencies, family counselling, and schools, in preventive work and in certain special education positions.
Positions pertaining to counselling and rehabilitation: Social services counsellor, employment counsellor, case manager, project worker, employment consultant, or insurance secretary. Bachelors of Social Services work in institutions for the disabled, substance abusers and law offenders. They work with the elderly, the unemployed, youth, and immigrants. They work in the Social Insurance Institution of Finland and in employment agencies and social services agencies.
Positions pertaining to management and development: Outpatient counsellor, activities director, director of children’s home, or office director. Bachelors of Social Services work in positions of management and development in the various social service sectors, organisations dealing with social work, as entrepreneurs, in projects, in the Social Insurance Institution of Finland (KELA), and in the labour administration.

With the exception of kindergarten teacher qualification, no specialisation is required for work in social services.

Qualifications for kindergarten teachers: The Act on Qualification Requirements for Social Welfare Professionals (272/2005) and government decree (608/2005) state that a person working as a kindergarten teacher who possesses a degree in social welfare and health care is required to complete at least 60 credits of coursework in early childhood development and social pedagogy. Universities of applied sciences that offer studies in social welfare decided in 2007 that these studies should include theoretical studies in early childhood development and social pedagogy, practical pedagogic training and a final thesis. Some of the students in the Degree Programme in Social Work at Seinäjoki UAS have the opportunity to structure their studies so that they acquire the qualifications described above. There is a limited number of courses available each year for obtaining the qualifications. Students are notified about the studies in early childhood development each year.

Internationalization in the Degree Programme

Students have the possibility to undertake exchange studies in partner institutions of Seinäjoki UAS or in other suitable institutions suggested by students themselves. The recommended length of an exchange period is three months during the second or third year of study. Groups of students can also take part in international intensive courses offered by collaborative networks. The study module “Empowering social work” can be studied in English language. The School also endeavours to promote internationalization at home by introducing literature in foreign languages, by utilising the expertise of mobility students and visiting lectures and by incorporating multi-cultural contents into teaching. All independent internationalization efforts of students are encouraged.

Access to further studies

Students who have completed this programme are eligible to continue on to a master's degree programme in social work and health care in a university of applied sciences or other institution of higher education. (University of applied sciences act 351/2003).

Structure of the studies

During basic studies, students gain an overview of the scope of social services and work. With progress of studies, they acquire deeper knowledge of the topics introduced during basic studies. During professional studies, the contents studied involve methods of client work in social services, group and community work, management and organization of work and empowering social work, all combined with supervised practical training. With progress of studies, students also deepen their research and development competence. For further information please see intra study guide.

There are no lines of specialisation in this degree programme; Bachelors of Social Services are rather expected to be prepared to work with a variety of clients and to look at phenomena holistically. Various client group perspectives are examined during optional sector studies.

The optional sector studies, 26 credits, are undertaken during the second or third year, depending on whether the degree programme started in September or January. Students register online and are entered in the order they register. Each group of students will be informed of the register time. For further information please see intra study guide.

Students who want to qualify as kindergarten teachers must complete the so-called early education study pathway. These studies are available to approximately one third of students every year. This option involves self-motivated education within the degree programme, not specialisation. For further information please see intra study guide.

The degree programme also offers studies in employment and economic development together with the degree programme in business management. The so-called TEMPO studies involve self-motivated education within the degree programme, not specialisation. For further information please see intra study guide.

There is some variation in the order of studies depending on whether the programme starts in September or January. Adult education groups also follow their own schedule. For further information please see intra study guide.

Examination regulations, assessment and grading

Please see the Degree regulations of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences.

Graduation requirements

Please see the Degree regulations of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences.

Mode of study

Full-time studies. In adult education, multi-form studies

Contact persons

Head of the degree programme:
Ms Päivi Rinne, tel. +358 20 124 5122, GSM +358 40 830 4190,
e-mail: paivi.rinne(at)seamk.fi

Student counsellor:
Ms Katriina Honkala, tel. +358 20 124 5108, GSM +358 40 830 4186,
e-mail: katriina.honkala(at)seamk.fi

International coordinator:
Ms Tiina Harju, tel. + 358 40 680 7100, e-mail: tiina.harju(at)seamk.fi

ops.seamk.fi - Kampusranta 11, 2nd floor (Frami F), 60320 SEINÄJOKI - Puhelin: +358 20 124 5000 - Faksi: +358 20 124 5001 - opintotoimisto@seamk.fi