Opetussuunnitelmat

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. In your studies, you acquire the capabilities to work in expert or supervisory advanced social counselling positions in public and private organisations and associations or as an entrepreneur. In addition, you can 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 in your region and organisation. Studies in Expertise in Social Guidance deepen social counselling competence based on current research information. In the degree, you also examine the utilisation of digitalisation as part of social services and acquire capabilities 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 content and structure of the Master's Degree Programme in Expertise in Social Guidance (90 credits) is as follows:

The Shared Master Competence module consists of two study modules: Management and Research and Development Activities. Studies in this module are shared master’s-level studies at Jamk for all students in the master's degree programmes. More detailed scopes in ECTS credits are planned in connection with personal learning plan discussions with each student. The scope of the shared Management studies is at least 5 credits, and the scope of Research and Development studies is at least 10 credits.

The Expert Core Competence study module (60 credits) consists of Expertise in Social Guidance core studies (30 credits) and a thesis (30 credits). The master’s thesis is a professional development assignment aimed at developing and demonstrating the student’s capability to apply research and use selected methods to analyse and solve problems arising in the world of work, and the capability for independent and demanding specialist work.

The Complementary Competence module will broaden or deepen the student’s competencies. The student’s elective studies that are suitable to their personal learning plan will support the development of their competence according to their career plan. The student can select studies from the online offerings of other universities of applied sciences (CampusOnline), from EduFutura study offerings, the implementation of which is the responsibility of Jamk, the University of Jyväskylä and Gradia, and from Jamk’s own master’s degree programmes. Additionally, the student may enhance their internationalisation and entrepreneurship competence by choosing studies from the courses offered in English and by participating in international intensive training programmes. The student may also promote their own business activities by completing studies that develop entrepreneurship. Jamk University of Applied Sciences also offers basic studies in educational science as elective studies.

Flexible studies

Students have a choice of alternative or elective studies offered by partner universities in Finland and abroad, such as other universities of applied sciences (CampusOnline), universities and educational institutions involved in the EduFutura collaboration (University of Jyväskylä and Gradia). Higher level studies completed elsewhere may be accredited as part of your degree. The student must have a certificate or some other document to prove that they have completed the studies. Skills acquired elsewhere can also be described and demonstrated to enable accreditation. Further information is available on For students pages.

Working life oriented learning

The learning assignments included in the courses can and should be completed in the student's own work community or company. Many work community development tasks can also be brought in for planning, developing and solving as learning assignments.

It is possible to build a personal study path for studies by studifying work and making extensive use of the offerings of Jamk's Master's degree programmes, CampusOnline and EduFutura.

The thesis is a research-related working life development task or applied research concerning the social services sector. It accounts for one third of the degree's ECTS credits, and it enables the student to develop their competence and take career goals in the desired direction. The thesis may be a research and development project that develops the activities of the student's work community or their own company by producing new insights and solutions. The thesis can also focus on other than current activities, which makes it possible to obtain competence for a new sector or expertise for new kinds of work tasks. The student can also complete a thesis related to Jamk's research and development projects.

Career opportunities and employment

The degree provides eligibility for public positions or other positions that require a Master's degree.

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. Graduates also possess the skills needed to work as an entrepreneur or as experts in international and multicultural development tasks. Graduates of the Master's Degree Programme in Expertise in Social Guidance may work in demanding tasks related to client work, for example, in child welfare and services for the disabled, including extensive assessment tasks and preparation of 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

The graduate may apply to continue on to postgraduate studies in science or arts at universities (Act 558/2009, Section 37) and in the school of professional teacher education. Studies can be continued by applying for corresponding post-degree education at universities abroad, for example. A university of applied sciences also provides opportunities for continuing education in the form of specialisation studies, open studies, an online study portal (CampusOnline) and working life based continuing education.

Education planning

The views of working life representatives and specialists from social services expert organisation and materials related to anticipating competence needs have been taken into account in the preparation of the curriculum. National and international partners’ views on the development of competence in the field have been taken into account in the planning of the degree programme, which has come up in various network collaboration meetings the staff has participated in. 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