Master's Degree Programme in Occupational Therapy Expertise

Key learning outcomes

The Master’s Degree Programme in Occupational Therapy Expertise is a master’s degree programme offered by Jamk University of Applied Sciences’ Institute for Rehabilitation in cooperation with the university of applied sciences network. The programme provides an opportunity to develop as a specialist in the field of occupational therapy. In your studies in the Master’s Degree Programme in Occupational Therapy Expertise, you will strengthen your rehabilitation competence and expertise as an occupational therapist. You will acquire the capabilities to work in versatile expert or management positions 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 to develop occupational therapy extensively based on current research data. During your studies, you will also familiarise yourself with the utilisation of digitalisation as part of rehabilitation 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 degree programme is 90 ECTS credits. The programme consists of studies to enhance your expertise in occupational therapy (60 cr), complementary management and development studies (15 cr) and elective studies (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. The studies follow a personal study path, which you will plan with the help of a career tutor.

Flexible studies

The Master’s Degree Programme in Occupational Therapy Expertise has been planned in cooperation with the national university of applied sciences network. A network made up of Turku University of Applied Sciences, Metropolia and Jamk is responsible for the implementation of the programme. The studies start with two contact days on the Jamk University of Applied Sciences campus, but the rest of the studies are online-focused, including solo and team assignments, webinars, online lectures, workshops and seminars. There are two days of remote classroom teaching per month on average, and students must also reserve time for group work among their peers.

Alternative or elective studies are available at EduJyväskylä partner institutions (University of Jyväskylä and Gradia) and international studies are available at 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.

Throughout the studies, your career tutors and course teachers will guide and support you in the planning and progress of your studies.

Working life oriented learning

Learning and development tasks related to the studies are integrated into working life. Many work community development tasks can be brought in for planning, developing and solving as learning assignments. The study process makes use of active interaction to allow your entire group to benefit from every member’s competence and expertise.

Your thesis is a research-based, employment-related development task or applied research related to rehabilitation where you apply your expertise of occupational therapy and/or occupational science. 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.

Qualifications

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

Further studies

You may, after graduating, apply to continue to postgraduate studies at universities or 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 E³UDRES² European University Alliance institutions. The university of applied sciences offers opportunities for competence development in the form of the open university of applied sciences, specialisation education 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 rehabilitation, higher education experts, alumni and students as well as materials related to anticipating competence needs. Results of the feedback survey for graduates (AVOP) and continuous feedback from students in the world of work are also utilised in the development. In addition, continuous peer development is carried out with other universities of applied sciences providing education in the same field. Furthermore, the planning of the degree programme has taken into account the views of national and international partners and networks on the development of competence in the field related to 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

Kristiina Juntunen
Senior Lecturer, Institute for Rehabilitation
+358401209367
firstname.lastname@jamk.fi