Curricula

Key learning outcomes

During your studies, you will gain the necessary skills for acting as an expert-level specialist in health promotion in different collaborative networks. You will strengthen your competence in health promotion and its proactive development and evaluation by strengthening your knowledge of global and national phenomena. You will gain the skills for managing health promotion-related planning and reducing health inequalities through health-oriented communications.

After completing the Master’s Degree Programme in Health Promotion at Jamk University of Applied Sciences, you will be able to apply for international registration as a specialist in health promotion (Health Promotion Practitioner) from the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE), as Jamk’s degree programme in health promotion is internationally accredited. International registration demonstrates your competence and expertise, placing you at the forefront of the development of wellbeing services and future-oriented health promotion programmes, plans, and practices.

Education content and professional growth and know-how

The scope of the Master’s Degree Programme in Health Promotion is 90 credits. The programme includes the multidisciplinary Joint Management Competence (5 cr) and Research and Development (10 cr) modules. You will further deepen your competence in the Core Competency in Health Promotion Expert (20 cr) module and through your thesis (30 cr) and elective studies (25 cr).

Joint Management Competence, 5 cr

This study module focuses on the management of human and financial resources as well as strategic management.

Research and Development, 10 cr

Through research and development studies, you will learn the key development methods used in working life and how to effectively utilise different research methods and communicate about your research. You will learn to apply research data in your field and use it to develop the activities of your own organisation or the organisation of your choice.

Core Competency in Health Promotion Expert, 20 cr

The core studies module will help strengthen your competence in the use, renewal, and development of health promotion. You will study the starting points for health promotion and factors affecting health-related behaviour. You will learn to plan, assess, manage, and coordinate evidence-based health promotion activities at the individual and community level in different sectors. You will also study health-oriented communications and learn how you can reduce health inequalities through effective communication.

Master’s thesis, 30 cr

The Master’s thesis constitutes a core part of the Master’s degree programme, as you will use it to apply your research knowledge, develop your chosen field and/or organisation, and deepen your professional expertise in health promotion.

The thesis is a research and/or development project that serves working life, and you will use it to apply your research competence in practice and support your personal career development. Your thesis and development assignments will help you develop your approach to your work and career.

Elective studies, 25 cr

You can select from courses that are available in the degree programme, Jamk’s other Master’s degree programmes (Prescriptions by Nurses, 20 cr), EduFutura, the Summer School, or other universities of applied sciences.

You will also have the opportunity to complete a double degree (DDP) as a joint implementation between Jamk and Carinthia University of Applied Sciences (CUAS) in Austria, in which case you will be granted a degree title from both Jamk (Master of Health Care, Master of Social Services, or Master of Health Care and Social Services) and CUAS (Master of Health Management).

Flexible studies

The studies are arranged entirely as distance learning, so you can study anywhere, regardless of your place of residence or workplace. Distance learning requires basic digital skills, and Jamk can assist you in their the development throughout your studies. Distance learning includes webinars, group work, online discussions with the group or supervisor, independent assignments, video lectures and other independent studies. A key aspect of the learning process is the interaction and sharing of experiences between multidisciplinary student groups.

Webinars are held either during the day or on weeknights, depending on each course. We recommend that you participate in the webinars or, when this is not possible, complete any substitute assignments, depending on the course in question. The student group's wishes are taken into account in the implementation. Students are also encouraged to build their networks independently and arrange online or face-to-face meetings. Support and guidance from course and tutor teachers will be available throughout your studies.

You can choose your alternative or elective studies from EduFutura partner institutions (University of Jyväskylä and Gradia) and international studies from European EUDRES higher education institutions. You can also choose from Finnish and foreign partner universities, such as other universities of applied sciences and universities. You can apply for accreditation of higher education studies that you have completed elsewhere.

Working life oriented learning

The learning and development assignments included in your studies can be integrated into the development of your work community, and you can also use your learning assignments and projects to plan, refine and solve its development needs. The study process makes use of active interaction to allow your entire group to benefit from every member’s competence and expertise.

The accreditation of prior competence and study attainments (section 17 of the Degree Regulations) provides flexibility in your studies, as it allows you to shorten your study time and partially condense your studies. You can also make use of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) procedure to receive accreditation for new competence demonstrated in working life that meets the intended learning outcomes of the degree.

Career opportunities and employment

Graduates of the degree programme can find employment in various expert, supervisor, development, management and coordination positions in public, private and third-sector organisations in the health care and social services sector. After graduating, you also possess the skills needed to work as an entrepreneur or as an expert in international and multicultural development tasks.

Qualifications

A Master’s degree provides the competence for specialist tasks in health promotion, such as the tasks of a wellbeing coordinator, and eligibility for public positions and tasks that require a post-secondary degree. The degree corresponds to level 7 of the European Qualification Frameworks (EQF7) and the National Qualifications Framework (NQF7) for qualifications and other learning.

Further studies

You may, after graduating, apply for postgraduate studies at universities or studies at the School of Professional Teacher Education. You can also continue your studies by applying for corresponding further education programmes in foreign higher education institutions, such as EUDRES higher education institutions. The university of applied sciences offers opportunities for competence development in various institutes, such as the open university of applied sciences, specialisation training and work-oriented continuing education.

Education planning

The contents of the degree programme are based on extensive preliminary evaluation and competence-related foresight work that have been conducted both nationally and internationally. The new competence and development needs of the wellbeing services counties have also been taken into account in the planning process, and the competence contained in the degree is constantly being developed together with working life. The Specialist in Health Promotion Programme has received international accreditation from the International Union for Health Promotion and Education (IUHPE) for 2015–2025. The students and alumni of Jamk University of Applied Sciences are our lifelong partners, and we collaborate with them extensively to develop the quality of our education.

Contact Information

Järvinen Sari
Principal Lecturer
School of Health and Social Studies, Health studies
+358404861080
firstname.lastname@jamk.fi