Curricula

Key learning outcomes

In the Master's Degree Programme in Expertise in Social Guidance, you will deepen and expand your competence in social counselling in demanding client work. You will acquire the capabilities to work in expert or management positions in expertise in social guidance in public and private organisations and associations or as an entrepreneur. In addition, you will learn to anticipate the national and international development of the health care and social services sector and develop the activities and operating models of the social services sector, taking current research data into account. During your studies, you will also familiarise yourself with the utilisation of digitalisation as part of social services and strengthen your ability to act in accordance with the principles of sustainable development and responsibility. Furthermore, you will build capacity for co-creation and building partnerships in renewing and changing health care and social services structures.

Education content and professional growth and know-how

The scope of the programme is 90 ECTS credits. The programme consists of studies to enhance your know-how in expertise in social guidance (60 cr), complementary management and development studies (15–20 cr) and elective studies (10–15 cr). The studies also include a thesis with the aim of solving a work-life development issue by applying research information and your own expertise. More detailed scopes in ECTS credits are planned in connection with personal learning plan discussions with each student.

Flexible studies

Studying in the degree programme is online-oriented with webinars, online lectures, workshops as well as independent and group assignments, but it also includes on-campus seminars.

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

You can complete learning assignments included in the courses in your own work community or company. This is also recommended. Many work community development tasks can be brought in for planning, developing and solving as learning assignments. Through active interaction, the competence and expertise of team members is utilised in learning for the benefit of the entire team.

Your thesis is a research-related working life development task or applied research concerning the social services sector. It accounts for one third of your degree's ECTS credits, and it allows you to develop your competence and take your career goals in the desired direction. The thesis may be a research and development project that develops the activities of your work community or your own company by producing new insights and solutions. The thesis may also focus on something other than your current activities, allowing you to build up competence in a new field and strengthen your expertise in new work tasks. In addition, you may complete your thesis as part of Jamk's research and development projects.

Career opportunities and employment

Graduates of the master's degree programmes in health care and social services have found employment in various expert, supervisor, development, management and coordination tasks in public, private and third-sector organisations in the health care and social services sector and as project managers and experts in development projects. After graduating, you also possess the skills needed to work as an entrepreneur or as an expert in international and multicultural development tasks. As a graduate of the Master's Degree Programme in Expertise in Social Guidance, you may work in demanding client work tasks, for example in child welfare and services for the disabled, including extensive evaluation and preparation for decision-making.

Qualifications

A Master’s Degree from the university of applied sciences opens up new career opportunities as it qualifies you to apply for a public office or position to which a higher post-secondary degree is required.

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 preparation of the curriculum has taken into account the views of working life representatives, expert organisations related to the social services, higher education experts, alumni and students as well as materials related to anticipating competence needs. The education is also developed based on continuous feedback from students in the world of work. Furthermore, the planning of the degree programme has considered the views of national and international partners and networks on the development of competence in the field, which have emerged from a wide range of education, research and development cooperation carried out by staff. The new competence and development needs of wellbeing services counties have also been taken into account in the planning.

Contact Information

Katri Ylönen
Principal Lecturer, Institute of Rehabilitation
+358504674788
etunimi.sukunimi@jamk.fi