Bachelor's Degree Programme in Physiotherapy
Key learning outcomes
Physiotherapists who have graduated from JAMK University of Applied Sciences are capable of serving, in a client-oriented manner, as an expert in the field of physiotherapy in different organisations in an increasingly international field of work, as well as in multi-professional teams and cooperation networks. They have adopted a developing, investigative and evidence-based approach to work, with which they aim to develop not only themselves, but also their work as well as multidisciplinary rehabilitation in general. They apply the latest knowledge of the effectiveness of physiotherapy in their work and have skills in research, service design, entrepreneurship and team leadership. In particular, they are able to utilise the methods of assessing functioning, health-promoting guidance, therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, physical therapy, ergonomics and wellness technology. They are able to assess, coach and influence the functioning of their client in a variety of operating environments by making use of collegiality. In addition, physiotherapists are active in society in a multi-professional way, promoting health and well-being.
Education content and professional growth and know-how
During the first year of study, the student will gain a basic understanding of working with clients in, and the operating environments of, the social, health care and rehabilitation sector, the rehabilitee’s performance and the assessment of functional capacity, and the ways of promoting the rehabilitee’s well-being, health and participation.
During the second and third year of studies, the competence areas are: therapeutic exercise, promoting of functioning by means of physical activity and physiotherapy, and clinical application of physiotherapy. An additional objective is that the student will be capable of utilising the future opportunities offered by the increasingly international operating environment and technology in remote rehabilitation and multi-professional co-operation, among other things.
Students can improve their international competence by completing courses or practical training at our partner universities abroad. Part of the studies is also offered in English. The thesis is a long-term research, development or innovation project implemented in response to working life development needs. The physiotherapist’s developing professional expertise deepens during the final year of studies with elective professional studies, practical training IV (practical training at the final stage of studies) and elective studies. Students have the option of identifying their existing competence and request for its recognition. Additionally, students may acquire competence during their studies by studifying their own work according to a separate plan.
Flexible studies
In full-time studies, students act independently and responsibly in different kinds of learning situations, such as projects. The students’ common basic skills in social, health care and rehabilitation services, which form a basis for the work, are constructed with the help of dialogue. Learning takes place by doing things together, and the importance of dialogue in learning is highlighted. The teacher/coach supports the students’ learning. Studies includes dialogue practice, lectures, learning tasks both together with the group and individually, exams, online studies and practical training that promotes vocational skills, as well as participation in working life projects. Full-time studies require a willingness to take responsibility for one’s own learning and active participation in the studies.
Part-time studies combine online learning, independent studies, group work and classroom learning. Working methods include e.g. learning assignments, webinars, small group work, exams and counselling. The studies also include practical training that promotes vocational skills as well as participation in working life projects. The studies require an active approach to studying, motivation and a willingness to take responsibility for one’s own learning, theoretically 40 hours a week on average. Online studies require good ICT skills. Part-time studies will suit students who have previous experience in the field or who, due to their life situation, want more flexibility regarding the time or place of completing their studies.
Both forms of study incorporate LAB work which refers to the quick testing of service products created from real working life needs as well as from research, development and innovation projects. Digital learning opportunities, such as electronic materials, network interaction, production of video materials and remote participation, are utilised in the 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 in the Study Guide.
Working life oriented learning
Working life oriented learning is included in bachelor’s degree courses throughout the studies. These include practical training to promote professional skills, the thesis and various working life projects. At JAMK University of Applied Sciences, the operating model for working life oriented and student-driven learning is called JAMK Future Factory®. It combines working life operators, students, JAMK experts and working life oriented LAB environments and other learning environments. In addition to multidisciplinary and working life oriented project studies, it offers students a chance to develop their future working life skills, career paths and networks.
Studification is also among the options offered by working life oriented learning. It refers to combining work, project work, Future Factory activities, etc. with studies. Studification involves students drafting a studification plan and documenting it in the manner agreed with the teacher. Further information is available in the Study Guide.
Practical training is carried out in accordance with the student’s career and learning plan in various workplaces in the field, such as hospitals, health centres, companies, rehabilitation institutions and/or special schools as well as development and other projects.
Career opportunities and employment
A physiotherapist works with people of different ages and with different functional capacity, either in the public or private sector or in non-governmental organisations. A physiotherapist can work e.g. at a company, hospital, health centre, sports and rehabilitation centre, research and rehabilitation institution, occupational health care, organisation for sports or for people with disabilities, department of education and sports, senior home or day-care centre. A physiotherapist can also work as an entrepreneur. The physiotherapists who have graduated from JAMK University of Applied Sciences have found employment easily.
Graduates work in positions such as: physiotherapist, charge physiotherapist, entrepreneur, sports physiotherapist, project manager, assistive devices specialist, individual and group sports instructor, sports centre manager, customer service manager, or product representative.
Qualifications
Physiotherapists are independently responsible for the planning, implementation, assessment and development of their work, taking account of the ethical and legal points of view as well as the requirements of effectiveness, efficiency and economy. A physiotherapist is capable of working in changing operating environments with due consideration given to global responsibility. The occupational title of a physiotherapist may only be used and the profession practised by a graduated licensed physiotherapist. The activities are monitored by the Regional State Administrative Agencies as well as Valvira, the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health.
Further studies
Students may, after graduation and a working career of at least two years, apply for studies leading up to a master’s degree. Studies can also be continued by applying for a university master’s degree programme or similar programmes as well as professional teacher education. Studies of physiotherapy as a major subject can be completed in the Faculty of Sport and Health Science of the University of Jyväskylä. After a bachelor’s degree from a university of applied sciences, it is also possible to continue studies at higher education institutes abroad on master’s degree level programmes. A student who completes a master’s degree at a university of applied sciences may apply to continue on to postgraduate studies in science or arts at universities (Act 558/2009, Section 37).
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 planning of education is based on an analysis of the future of the operating environment in health care and social services as well as interviews with experts on future competence. In addition to the teachers, the planning has involved representatives of the students as well as representatives of the field of health care and social services from public, private and non-governmental organisations.
The central starting points for the curriculum work for the JAMK University of Applied Sciences’ degree programme in Physiotherapy have been the core competence report prepared by the Finnish Association of Physiotherapists, universities of applied sciences and the University of Jyväskylä (2016), the qualifications in European education of physiotherapists in “The Competence Chart of the European Network of Physiotherapy in Higher Education” and the recommendations of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy on the competence of a physiotherapist (WCPT Guidelines for Physical Therapist Professional Entry – Level Education).
Contact Information
Anu Myllyharju-Puikkonen
Senior Lecturer, Rehabilitation and Social Studies
+358400329678
firstname.lastname@jamk.fi