Bachelor's Degree Programme in Physiotherapy
Key learning outcomes
A physiotherapist is a rehabilitation professional with special expertise in the promotion of physical activity, functional capacity and health. Physiotherapy can be preventive or rehabilitative, carried out individually or in groups, and take place at the reception, as remote rehabilitation or in the everyday environment. Preventive services can reduce common diseases or disabilities caused by ageing, and prevent injuries and accidents. Rehabilitative services can help improve or maintain reduced functional capacity after it has been impacted due to disability, pain, illness, disorders or environmental factors.
Key methods of physiotherapy include evaluation of functional capacity, guidance and advisory services related to health and functional capacity, therapeutic exercises, manual therapy and aid services. As a physiotherapist graduating from Jamk, you know how to work in a customer-oriented and evidence-based manner as a specialist in an international and multi-cultural work environment, in different environments and organisations as well as in multidisciplinary teams and cooperations networks.
Education content and professional growth and know-how
The studies consist of common studies for all Jamk students, joint studies in the rehabilitation field, professional core studies and elective studies. Jamk's joint studies include language and communication studies, ICT studies and entrepreneurship studies. Common studies in the rehabilitation field include studies related to customer orientation, the social and health care service system, functional capacity and multidisciplinary work. During the vocational core studies, you learn about the structure and functions of the body, the evaluation of functional capacity, guidance, and different methods of physiotherapy which emphasise the importance of physical activity and exercise.
During your studies, your competence develops and deepens by increasing your theoretical knowledge and by practising and reflecting on practical skills. Technology and digital methods are utilised in a versatile manner throughout the studies. Studies include a practical training period in working life and studies implemented in multidisciplinary teams. You can deepen your professional competence through elective studies and the thesis, i.e. a long-term research, development or innovation project carried out on the basis of working life needs.
It is possible to increase international competence by completing studies or a practical training in our partner institutes abroad. Some of the studies are implemented in English.
Flexible studies
Studies in physiotherapy require that you take responsibility for your own learning and actively participate in the studies. In full-time studies, the studies mainly take place on Jamk campuses. The studies include lectures, individual and group learning assignments, exams, online studies and practical training promoting professional competence on campus and in working life, and participation in working life projects.
The part-time studies combine independent studies, webinars, group work and contact studies as well as versatile practical training. In part-time studies, the amount of remote learning is higher than in full-time studies. The workload of the studies is equal in both implementation methods. Part-time studies require good planning and self-management from the student. Part-time studies are suitable for you if you have previous competence related to the field or if you want more flexibility in the place and time of study due to your life situation.
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
Cooperation with working life is close throughout your studies. In practical training that promotes vocational skills, you practice what you have learned in real work environments. In addition, visits from professionals in the field, various working life projects and thesis link your studies to working life. Studification, i.e. learning by working, is also an opportunity for working life-orientated learning.
Career opportunities and employment
As a physiotherapist, you get the chance to work with people of different ages and with different functional capacity in the public, private or third sector. As a physiotherapist, you can work in companies, wellbeing service counties, sports and rehabilitation centres, occupational health care, sports or disability organisations, school and sports services, senior and day care centres or sports clubs, among others. Physiotherapists can also work as entrepreneurs. Physiotherapists who have graduated from Jamk have found employment rather easily.
Qualifications
Physiotherapists are independently responsible for the planning, implementation, assessment and development of their work, taking account of the ethical and legal points of view as well as the requirements of effectiveness, efficiency and economy. The occupational title of a physiotherapist may only be used and the profession practised by a graduated licensed physiotherapist. The activities are monitored by the Regional State Administrative Agencies as well as Valvira, the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health.
Further studies
You may, after graduating and gaining at least two years of work experience, apply for a master's degree level education. You can continue your studies by applying for e.g. Master's degree programmes in universities, vocational teacher education or Master's degree programmes abroad. 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 key starting points for planning the curriculum for the degree programme in physiotherapy at Jamk University of Applied Sciences were core competence requirements by Finnish Association of Physiotherapists (2016); the report Physiotherapist education framework (2021) by World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT); WHO Rehabilitation Competency Framework 2020; and the competences of the Rectors' Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences (ARENE 2022). In addition, development work has considered national reports related to the development and future of rehabilitation, the interim evaluation of the degree programme (2023), student feedback, and dialogues with the business life..
Contact Information
Anu Myllyharju-Puikkonen
Senior Lecturer, Rehabilitation and Social Studies
+358400329678
firstname.lastname@jamk.fi