Study Guide

Descriptions

CURRICULUM
Responsible Management and Development of Welfare Services

Master’s Programme in Social Services and Health Care, online studies

Degree Title

Master of Health Care, Physiotherapy
Master of Health Care, Gerontology
Master of Health Care, Nursing
Master of Social Services
Master of Health Care, Public Health Nursing
Master of Health Care, Occupational Therapy

Extent: 90 cr / 2,5 years

Description of competences

As a graduate of the 90 cr Master’s Degree in Responsible Management and Development of Welfare Services in social and health care, you are an expert in welfare services management. You will have the investigative and developmental approach of a social and health care professional. You are able to lead responsibly and inclusively in national and international operating environments promoting well-being, manage effectively and ethically in changing operating environments, develop well-being services in a customer oriented, future oriented and evidence-based way.

As a graduate, you will have, in accordance with the Government Decree (18.12.2014/1129 § 5):

- broad and in-depth knowledge and the necessary theoretical skills to act as a developer of working life in demanding expert and managerial positions

- an in-depth understanding of the profession, its role in working life and its importance for society, and the ability to follow and analyse the development of research and professional practice in the field

- a capacity for lifelong learning and continuous professional development

- good communication and language skills in the field and in international activities and cooperation

Students with a degree in nursing, public health nursing, midwifery or paramedicine have the opportunity to complete the module Advanced Clinical Practitioner, Palliative Care (35 credits) as part of their degree. The competences acquired in the Advanced Clinical Practitioner in Palliative Care Master's degree are in line with the international competences of a broadly responsible specialist. It strengthens the student's competence in palliative care at a demanding level, contributes to the development of care and nursing and indirectly strengthens the competence of the whole staff, especially in a clinical setting. The number of places available is limited.

Building Competences and the Content of Education

The studies consist of the common core studies in social and health care (30 credits) and interdisciplinary management (15 credits), a thesis (30 credits) and optional complementary studies (15 credits).

If you complete the Clinical Specialist, Palliative Care (35 credits) during your degree, the palliative care studies will constitute 15 credits of optional complementary studies, and you will complete an additional 20 credits according to the network implementation timetable.

The studies are structured in cooperation with working life and will prepare you for human resources and organisational management and strategic development. The studies are based on modern management and development theories, research and workplace practices, developing critical thinking and holistic management.

The aim of the studies is to develop management skills, with a focus on human resources management skills, strategic skills and the development of workplace operations. During the studies, you will deepen your knowledge base of management through your area of expertise, understand the phenomena related to change processes and how to manage them. The studies are partly carried out together with Karelia's master's degree studies in Business Management and Leadership and Technology Competence Management. The aim of this cooperation is to strengthen multidisciplinary management and development competences.

Students are free to choose supplementary studies from any of the Karelia Master's degree programmes and from the open UAS Master's degree programmes. It is also possible to complete a traineeship in welfare services management and development or to complete studies equivalent to higher education level (EQF 7) at other higher education institutions.

Work-Related Learning

Studying is closely linked to working life and societal development. The studies are based on real-life work situations, events and development needs. You can carry out learning tasks in work environments, either in your own organisation or in some other organization. The thesis responds to the current development needs of working life. The thesis will enable you to develop forward-looking solutions, applying existing knowledge and research and development methods in cooperation with working life. You will learn how to produce new knowledge and lead development in accordance with the principles of good scientific practice. You can do your thesis in your own work organisation, on a development project or in another organisation. You can work alone or in a small group.

Pedagogical Choices and Competence Assessment

As a student, you have a responsible and active role as a learner. The teachers' role is to guide and support learning and the development of reflective skills. Learning methods include participatory group work and peer learning. The content, methods and assessment are guided by the learning outcomes of the programme and the course.

The programme will be delivered entirely online, including tutorials, online contact teaching, independent work and work in groups. The calculated workload for the student is 27 hours per credit. Studies require time management, self-direction and the ability to coordinate studies with work and other aspects of life.

Karelia's e-learning environments such as Moodle, Zoom, Teams, etc. are used in the studies.

Flexible implementation of studies

Contact teaching takes place online, participation is recommended. Participatory methods are used for online work, lessons are recorded appropriately. Independent work can be scheduled according to your own timetable, while group work is scheduled with the other members of your small group.

The training is designed for a two-year study period, but you can also complete the training in a shorter or more flexible timeframe. Each student will have an individual study plan, and this can be updated as the training progresses. Your previous higher education studies at an equivalent level may be included in your studies. You can study all year round, including summers.

Internationalisation

In addition to Finnish, the courses use study materials in English and also include English language practice. International exchanges in the form of study visits or internships are recommended during the studies.

Competence Assessment

The common assessment criteria of Karelia UAS are applied in the assessment. The aim of assessment and feedback is to support your competence development. Assessment and feedback help you to monitor the development of your skills and set new goals. Peer assessment and feedback are part of continuous assessment. When you work on your learning tasks and thesis in cooperation with people in the world of work, you have the opportunity to receive feedback from them on the development of your skills in relation to the skills needs of the world of work. Assessment by the teacher is feedback on the achievement of the learning objectives of the course.

The UAS Master's Degree competence objectives are based on the European and National Qualifications Framework for Higher Education (EQF and NQF), where the competence objectives for the master's degree are at level 7. Assessment of competence is a continuous process throughout education. As a student, you will work towards your own competence objectives, participate in professional development processes and share your knowledge with others. Teachers are committed to supporting your competence development process.

Career Opportunities and Guidance

The degree will equip you to work in a variety of national and international planning, expert and managerial roles in the social and health sector. The UAS Master's degree qualifies you to apply for a doctoral programme.

You will be supported by a tutor and an adviser throughout your studies to help you plan your career.

After graduation, you can join the Karelia alumni network. As an alumnus, you will continue to work collaboratively, and e.g. will have the opportunity to share your expertise with students.