Study Guide

Descriptions

The Master’s Degree Programme in Social Services comprises 90 ECTS credits and leads to a Master of Social Services degree, in Finnish Sosionomi (ylempi AMK). The degree produces comprehensive and profound knowledge to meet the requirements of working life in social services, and provides theoretical knowledge needed for the demanding and leadership tasks of the field. The Master’s degree gives in general the same qualification for a public office as a Master’s degree completed in a university or other scientific higher education institute. The name of qualification is Master of Social Services (Polytechnics decree 1129/2014).

The qualification of a Master of Social Services corresponds to the level 7 on the European (EQF) and National Qualifications Framework (NQF) together with other higher university degrees.

The Master’s Degree in Social Services produces relevant skills and competence for expert and managerial posts that require a master-level degree.

The Master’s Degree in Social Services provides skills to work in various national and international environments of the field. After completing the studies the student has strong and versatile expertise in social and health care service systems, possesses leadership skills to develop basic and special services and work methods as well as skills and competence to develop operating environments in an innovative way. A Master of Social Services is an expert who is able to react to the challenges caused by social and health care integration, service production (particularly in early support) and changes in client and network-oriented activities. The work methods are innovative, development-focused and based on scientific evidence.

The Master’s Degree in Social Services provides skills to apply research and developmental-minded work orientation to managing practical work and reform processes in social services. Internationality is also part of the master’s degree studies. The development task of the degree (thesis 30 ECTS) is based on the current development goals and needs of working life and conducted in collaboration with the working life project partner.

Masters of Social Services find employment in various posts is social services. They could work, for example, in different social and health care positions in public and private sectors, in organisations and KELA, the Social Insurance Institution of Finland, as well as in various specialist tasks in related fields. Job titles could be, for example, child protection specialist/developer, director of social services, early childhood education manager, head of social services, coordinator of preventive work, chief family counsellor, development manager, special advisor and project manager.

Professional development

The qualification of a Master of Social Services is at the level 7 on the European and National Qualifications Framework.

Generic competences of a Master’s degree are at level 7.

Field specific competences form the basis for competence goals in the degree programme as well as for the development of expertise and professional identity. The competences of a Master’s Degree in Social Services form the field specific knowledge and skills base.

Work in social services requires from employees innovative problem-solving skills, skills to identify development challenges and work environment dynamics, and competence to reform and organise service production. Employees move from one job to another within and between organisations and professions. This highlights the versatile competences and abilities to react as service systems, structures and the content of work change.

The Master of Social Services, Early Support Specialist degree programme emphasizes in the work in social services the importance of early support in the everyday life of children, families, clients and/or their family members and also highlights the importance of early support in strengthening their ability to function. The aim of the work is to prevent the accumulation of possible difficulties by developing social service structures and early support work processes.

The multidisciplinary and multisectoral nature of work is emphasised in the work in social sector. It is increasingly important to focus on client and user orientation and utilize client experiences. We need skills to work in the interfaces between various fields.

Successful development of early support processes requires services, subject area, business, technological and internationalisation skills as well as skills to promote wellbeing in the society. Analytical reasoning and problem-solving skills, as well as critical data management and analysis skills are required to be able to develop wellbeing, participation and social support of children, families and other clients in social services. The diversification of family forms and immigration require a specialist skills to sensitively and in an accessible manner meet people from different cultures. Lifelong learning, and digital and entrepreneurial skills contribute to an employee’s career development.

Savonia curricula are composed of courses. They support the overall progress of the student and his or her development of expertise. It enables combining teaching and working life oriented research, development and innovation activities.

The curriculum of the Master’s Degree Programme in Social Services is drawn up so that
- the degree produces the skills and competence required in working life
- the education ensures the development of the student’s expertise.
The student
- draws up to support his or her studies a personal study plan in which prior learning and competence is recognised (includes at least 5 ECTS of studies in a foreign language)
- takes responsibility for the progress of his or her studies.
The teachers and other staff members at Savonia UAS guide and support the student in defining and achieving the personal goals.

Implementation

The extent of studies in the Master’s Degree Programme in Social Services is 90 ECTS. In accordance with the curriculum of a full-time student one year of study produces 60 ECTS credits which is equivalent to 1600 hours of student work. The study time for Master’s studies varies individually because of different educational and work backgrounds we well as because of the timetable of the individual studying. A Master’s degree programme of 90 ECTS is planned to take two years on average.

The studies consist of advanced professional studies (30 ECTS), multidisciplinary studies at Savonia UAS (30 ETCS) and a thesis (30 ETCS). The student can freely choose joint studies from the joint courses of the master’s programmes at Savonia UAS. The student may also include into the degree other studies corresponding to the level 7 studies. Studies extending 90 ECTS may be included into the student’s curriculum if they do not lengthen the planned study time.

The thesis included in the degree is a professional development task based on scientific evidence. The development task combines the student’s personal skills, his or her own work and career and the development of the organisation. The student works on the thesis process throughout the studies. The thesis includes the course Research Methods and Academic Writing 5 ECTS.

The master’s education of social services is based on the competence and development demands of working life. The student’s prior knowledge and work experience is deepened with expert knowledge and practice-oriented teaching methods according to the competency objectives. The methods emphasise reflective thinking and sharing knowledge and know-how as well as cooperative learning.

The studies are implemented as multiform studies including contact lessons, independent studying, online studying and practice-based assignments. The student can study alongside with work and link his or her assignment and thesis to the development of one’s own work place practices. The number of days for contact lessons is about 2 days/month, mainly on Fridays and Saturdays. The contact lessons are arranged in Kuopio. The studies are planned in the curriculum to be taken in 2 years.

The student’s international competence is enhanced during the studies in many ways. Each student must have at least 5 ECTS of studies in a foreign language in his or her personal study plan.

The accomplishment of the student’s study goal is guided and monitored through evaluation. The whole study and learning process is evaluated. The focus is on the achieved knowledge and skills as well as on the attitude and ability to assume responsibility required in working life. Course evaluation is based on the criteria presented in the course description.