Degree Programme in Physiotherapy, 210 ECTS credits

Specialisations

The programme has no specialisations.

Qualification awarded

The graduates of the Degree Programme in Physiotherapy obtain the degree title Bachelor of Health Care. The graduates become registered physiotherapists (UAS). The extent of the studies is 210 credits.

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) and National Qualifications Framework (NQF), 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 (RPL)

RPL (= Recognition of Prior Learning) or AHOT in Finnish, is based on the competence requirements of the Degree Programme. Students can ask for exemption from studies of the ongoing semester by applying for recognition of their previous learning by September 30 during the autumn semester and by January 31 during the spring semester. The student counsellor will inform the students of the principles and practices of the RPL process.

The student first approaches the student counsellor to discuss starting the RPL process. If the student decides to apply for recognition of prior learning, she or he has to fill in an application form, including documentary evidence, to be returned to the student counsellor and addressed to the RPL team (AHOT team in Finnish) of the Degree Programme. The student will use the appendix of the application form and any suitable documents to demonstrate and explain prior learning as it relates to the learning outcomes of the respective course. If necessary, the RPL team will request a demonstration of skills and knowledge. The team will decide on the recognition on the basis of the documents and demonstration provided. The demonstration is arranged and assessed by an expert lecturer, who will enter the results onto the student's study register. If the course is taught by a visiting lecturer, the RPL team will be responsible for the assessment and decision-making.

The RPL decisions are subject to current guidelines on outdated studies and appeal practices, given in the Degree Regulations of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences. In the Degree Programme in Physiotherapy, the following studies remain outside the RPL practice:

KG10AP10 Professional development in physiotherapy

KG10AP26 Studies in the University of Applied Sciences and in the Degree Programme in Physiotherapy (partly)

KG10AP21 Social, health and rehabilitation services in Finland

KG10AP27 Human movement and function

KG10BP23 Assessment and analysis of human movement and function
KG10BP28 Supporting and guiding clients' movement and function (partly)

KG10BP29/30 Adult physiotherapy (partly)

KG10BPE22 Practical training in adult physiotherapy

KG10BP27 Child and youth physiotherapy

KG10BPE71 Practical training in child and youth physiotherapy

KG10BP026 Physiotherapy for aging people

KG10BPE61 Practical training in physiotherapy for aging people

KG10BP31 Alternative professional studies

KG10BPE16 Practical training in alternative professional studies

KG10F Final thesis and maturity test

The RPL (AHOT) team:
The RPL team for the Degree Programme in Physiotherapy in the academic year 2013-2014:
- Tellervo Pihlaja, Student Counsellor
- Riitta Kiili, Head of the Degree Programme
- Lecturers of the Physioteam

Assessment Methods:
The assessment methods for each course are derived from the pedagogical practices of the Physiotherapy Degree Programme, from the learning outcomes, contents and work required for the course and also from the arguments and documents presented by the student.

Qualification requirements and regulations

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

Pedagogical approach

The physiotherapy education follows the pedagogy of Problem-Based Learning (PBL). The pedagogical philosophy of PBL is based on cognitive-constructivist and experiential learning, which means that learning evolves as a result of the student's own mental process of managing information and active working through of previous and current, continuously increasing experiences.

Problem-based learning starts with work life experiences. Since life at workplaces does not follow a curriculum divided into courses, also students should learn to solve problems in a natural way, in the very form they exist in practical work. For this reason, the individual courses have been integrated into selected themes, which are closely connected with issues arising from practice and with the skills and knowledge required at work - i.e. with the key competences. Instead of seeing education as giving information, it is appreciated as producing experiences and competences.

The labour market and its expectations for competence also increasingly call for skills in information seeking and management, collaboration, problem solving, lifelong learning as well as ability to integrate different forms of information from several disciplines in practical work. In PBL pedagogy, learning is not just remembering, but examining professional problems together with other students and the lecturer. The student is seen as a responsible, information-seeking adult, who will assume responsibility for her or his learning and become committed to target-oriented and self-directed study. The student’s internal entrepreneurship is translated into initiative and active thinking, action and attitude regarding both theory and practical training. The teacher's role is to facilitate and coordinate the learning process.

The studies involve work in small groups, expert lectures, project work and practical training both at the University and in real-life work settings.

Profile of the programme

Physiotherapists are experts in the assessment and promotion of clients' mobility and functional capacity. They plan, implement, evaluate and develop their work independently. They collaborate with the medical staff in charge of their clients' treatment and represent their profession in multi-professional teams. The central aim in physiotherapy is to maintain the functional and work capacity of the population as long as possible. The physiotherapists also seek to affect our living and working environment.

The physiotherapists work in hospitals, health centres, research and care institutions, rehabilitation centres and spas, in the occupational health service, in public health and sports organizations, in institutions for the disabled and the elderly, in children's day care centres, in schools and in the municipal provision of physical education services. They may also become independent practitioners.

Occupational profiles

Physiotherapists are experts in the assessment and promotion of clients' mobility and functional capacity. The physiotherapists work in hospitals, health centres, research and care institutions, rehabilitation centres and spas, in the occupational health service, in public health and sports organizations, in institutions for the disabled and the elderly, in children's day care centres, in schools and in the municipal provision of physical education services. They may also become independent practitioners.

Internationalization

Internationality in the Degree Programme involves student and teacher mobility and networking for projects and other collaboration. Home internationality is promoted by study material in foreign languages and by inviting visiting international lecturers every semester. Students take active part in tutoring international students. Some final thesis projects have already been completed in international collaboration.

Access to further studies

Eligibility to continue on to a Master's Degree Programme in Physiotherapy

Structure of the studies

During the basic studies, the focus is on the foundations of physiotherapy practice and on the development of language and interaction skills. The purpose of the professional studies is to learn to assess and examine functional capacity, to support it and to cure dysfunction by means of physiotherapy. The idea of alternative professional studies is to gain further skills and knowledge in one speciality of physiotherapy, for example in child, adult or aging people's physiotherapy. The purpose of the final thesis is to provide competence in the research and development of physiotherapy.

The Degree Programme includes (75 credits of) practical training in the health and social services and in the municipal sports services. Part of the practical training can be undertaken abroad.

The studies will be completed in the order indicated by the programme structure. Preceding studies must be finished before moving on to the next study modules.

During the second year, students have a possibility to apply for the interdisciplinary FramiPro studies.

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 and instructions for graduates at Intra.

Mode of study

Full-time

Contact persons

Head of degree programme

Ms Riitta Kiili, +358 40 8303957, riitta.kiili(at)seamk.fi

ECTS departmental coordinator / International coordinator

Ms Tiina Harju, +358 40 680 7100, tiina.harju(at)seamk.fi

Student counsellor

Ms Tellervo Pihlaja, +358 40 8303959, tellervo.pihlaja(at)seamk.fi