Degree Programme in Social Services: PSOSVS17

Descriptions

PROGRAMME
A Bachelor's Degree in Social Services is a part of social and health care studies at University of Applied Sciences.

DEGREE
A Bachelor's Degree in Social Services, Socionom.

EXTENT OF THE STUDY PROGRAMME
210 ECTS.

STUDY OBJECTIVES
Objectives and aims of studies are described by national network of socionom educators (socionom core competences) and TUAS (innovation competences). Main objectives are:

ethical competences
client work competences
competences in service systems and case management
competences in empowerment and social problems
competences in research, development and innovation
competences in management, leadership and entrepreneurship
multicultural competences.
Annual themes are:

Orientation to social services and growth promotion
Client work in social services and communality
Administrative work and deepening of professional competence
Development of social work
STRUCTURE OF STUDIES AND STUDY CONTENTS
The studies are organized as modules and course units. Studying starts with basic studies, where the emphasis is put to learning skills and orientation to social services and client work. In the beginning of the studies the topics are such as the operational environment of social services and health care, basic abilities needed in social work and social services, language and communication skills and basis for information management and research. Vocational studies include further basis of knowledge and skills needed in the field of social services. The studies include theoretical and practical learning. Studies also include practical training in work placement and a Bachelor’s thesis (20 ECTS).

CHOOSING A MAIN SUBJECT OR FIELD OF SPECIALIZATION, QUALIFICATIONS
Students choose a part of vocational studies, between Early childhood education, Child protection, Social work for adults and Activating methods.

Early childhood education studies aim at competences to work in the field of early childhood pedagogy and family work. Students also learn to work with children, young people and families, which need special care. They learn how to develop work with children, youth and family from the perspective of working life.

After graduation their can work in the fields of early childhood pedagogy, family work and in pedagogic and counseling tasks e.g. in day care centers and schools, as well as in development and management tasks in public, private or non-profit services.

Child protection studies give competences to work in the field of child protection and family work. Students also gain knowledge and skills to work with children, young people and families, which need special care. They learn how to develop work with children, youth and family from the perspective of working life. After graduation their can work e.g. in children´s homes as well as in development and management tasks in public, private or non-profit services.

Social work for adults aims at competences to produce, develop and manage social services and social counseling. Students deepen their knowledge of service systems in order to empower clients and support them in utilizing social services. They are able to apply different theoretical perspectives and working methods in client work. After graduation they can work e.g. in the field of social security, unemployment services and rehabilitation as well as in development and management tasks in public, private or non-profit services.

Activating methods give students new and innovative working methods, which enable them to improve well being of individuals, groups, teams, communities and organizations. After graduation they can work e.g. as an employee, manager and entrepreneur in education, counseling, planning and development tasks in different fields of social work and social services.

THESIS
A Bachelor’s thesis (20 ECTS).

EVALUATION AND FEEDBACK
The competences described in the competence map are used as a starting point for the assessment. The course units and their objectives are applied from the objectives of different competence fields. In modules and course units the target of assessment is therefore competence. Assessment includes self-assessment of a student, peer assessment, working life assessment and assessment made by the teachers. Self-assessment and peer assessment are made in connection with guidance of student’s professional growth and when the course units are assessed. The competences are also assessed with individual and group exams and learning tasks.

INTERNATIONALIZATION
Each students should study 15 credits in English, e.g.:
- exchange studies or practical training abroad
- participation in International Semester course units
- literature in English or other foreign languages
- practical training with immigrants, day care centers specialized in foreign languages
- tutor activities with foreign students at TUAS

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
After graduation a bachelor of social servicescan work in different fields of social and well-being services (public, private and non-profit sectors). A bachelor of social services isemployed incounseling as well as development and management tasks. He/she also has basic competences to work as an entrepreneur.

POSSIBLE JOBTITLES AFTER GRADUATION
A bachelor of social services is often employed as a counselor, a social counselor or as a kindergarden teacher.

POSTGRADUATE STUDY OPPORTUNITIES
A bachelor's degree in social services is an excellent basis for life long learning and further studies at master`s level at universities of applied sciences or at science universities.

CONTACT INFORMATION
www.tuas.fi.