Master's Degree Programme in Development and Management of Social Work and Health Care (in Finnish), 90 ECTS credits

Specialisations

There are no lines of specialization in this degree programme.

Qualification awarded

Successful graduates will be awarded a Master’s Degree with one of the following titles: Fysioterapeutti or Registered Physiotherapist (Master of Health Care); Geroromi or Elderly Care Expert (Master of Social Services and Health Care ); Sairaanhoitaja or Registered Nurse (Master of Health Care), Sosionomi (Master of Social Services);Terveydenhoitaja or Registered Public Health Nurse (Master of Health Care). They will be eligible to hold public office or employment that requires a second cycle degree.

Level of qualification

The degree programme leads to a higher education degree which is a second cycle Master-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 7.

Specific admission requirements

Applicants must have a first cycle (Bachelor’s) degree in physiotherapy, elderly care, nursing, social services or public health nursing, completed in Finland or another country. They must also have three years of work experience in the field.

Application and instructions are in Finnish language for the degree programmes taught in Finnish.

Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning (RPL)

The arrangements are based on the general RPL guidelines established at Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences. The members of the RPL team (AHOT in Finnish) in the DP in Development and Management of Social Work and Health Care are: Head of the Degree Programme Eija Kyrönlahti; Principal Lecturer Asta Heikkilä; Senior Lectures Arja Hemminki and Aija Risku, all responsible for their assigned areas of instruction. All students are expected to write a Bachelor’s Thesis, which is not subject to the RPL practice.

Students are expected to write a personal study plan in which they describe their previously acquired competences and provide documentary evidence. Prior learning objectives will be compared to the learning outcomes defined for the degree programme.

Qualification requirements and regulations

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

Pedagogical approach

A variety of pedagogical practices are used, specifically defined for each course

Profile of the programme

This Master's degree programme aims at creating development, management and evaluation competences to meet changing needs in social work and health care practice. The studies are linked to work community development through innovative practices and models. Students also have an opportunity to deepen and extend their competence in occupational health care and elderly care services. The programme offers students new competences and career opportunities.

The studies are working life-oriented and multi-professional. Multimodal teaching and learning methods are used, including national and international expert networks (e.g. for occupational health). Students and teachers stay organized via email and an online learning platform. It is possible to study while at work, as the studies include only 2 days of contact teaching per month on average. Each student will have an individualized study plan, which will take previous learning into account.

Career prospects in the public sector: demanding client work in social and health services, service planning and management
• Career prospects in organizations: development, education and management
• Career prospects in the private sector: first line management, management, development of intersectoral practices and service models

Occupational profiles

Upon completion of the degree programme students will be qualified to work in expert positions in health and social services. Their competence will focus on ability to develop and manage practice in the health and social field. The graduates may work in development and managerial positions, as consultants, experts, entrepreneurs or in first-line management in the public, private or third sector.

Internationalization

Objectives: to encourage and motivate students and to promote and facilitate their mobility and internationalisation at home and to promote staff’s international opportunities.

Forms: Students’ international study trips, intensive programmes (IP) and conferences as part of free-choice studies; use of international literature, case studies and online contacts in teaching; staff participation in international collaboration, conferences and IPs with students together.

Access to further studies

Please see the general regulations on higher education studies.

Examination regulations, assessment and grading

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

Graduation requirements

The requirements for graduation can be found on the Intranet and in the Degree Regulations of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences.

Mode of study

This programme is a part of our adult education. Students attend part-time and teaching takes place through various modes.

Contact persons

Head of degree programme

Ms Eija Kyrönlahti, tel.: +358 (0)40 830 2202, eija.kyronlahti@seamk.fi

Student services

Student Affairs Office, Ms Liisa Ketola, tel.: +358 (0)20 124 5156