Study Guide

Descriptions

The degree delivers extensive and deep knowledge required for health care and social service digitalization and provides the necessary theoretical knowledge to work in demanding professional and management positions.

The curriculum has been carefully created to give students:
• comprehensive and in-depth knowledge related to opportunities and challenges related to the digital revolution impacting health and social care
• the theoretical knowledge needed for demanding leadership responsibilities

Savonia’s Master of Digital Health degree corresponds to level 7 of the the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) reference. It provides the same eligibility for public office tenures as master’s degrees completed at other reputable universities and higher education institutes of science.

Professional development

Field specific competences and shared competences are described in the appendices to the curriculum. Field specific competences are:
• Competence in digitalization expertise
• Utilizing digital methods and solutions in the development of social and healthcare processes
• Interdisciplinary partnership competence 

Master’s studies consist of advanced professional studies (30 cr), multidisciplinary elective studies (30 cr), and a thesis. The thesis project includes a compulsory 5 ECTS course in research methods and academic writing. 

This degree includes many flexible opportunities for personalisation. Students create their own custom study plan, drawing on their existing competencies, interests, and goals. Savonia’s teachers and other personnel assist and support students, helping them to define and achieve their individual goals.

Credit towards the degree may include studies of the same level completed at Savonia or other higher education institutions. Studies outside the curriculum must be approved as part of the study plan. It is possible to include studies beyond the scope of the degree. However, the degree must be completed within the approved study time.

Implementation

The length of the program is 3 years. The study time is variable because of students’ different educational and work backgrounds as well as the differing timetables of individual study plans. For students who are studying and working at the same time, the study time is typically 1-3 years. For a full-time student, one year of study produces 60 ECTS credits which is equivalent to 1600 hours of student work.

The studies utilise students’ expertise gained during their working life, which is deepened by expert knowledge and practice-oriented teaching. Reflexivity, a research-based approach, and the principle of sharing knowledge and competences are stressed. The student's role is active, responsible, and critical.
The program is flexible and designed with the working professional’s needs considered. Independent and online studying, practical work and learning assignments, as well as the possibility of contact studies, characterize the degree. These studies are designed to be completed while working, and learning tasks and thesis are usually linked to the development of one's own workplace.

Courses are evaluated based on criteria that are part of the course implementation plan. The evaluation criteria for the thesis and multidisciplinary master’s degree studies are attached to the curriculum.