Master`s Degree Programme in Social Services and Health Care; Gerontological Expertise, Spring 2026: YGEROK26V

Descriptions

After completing the studies of Gerontological expertise, the student can work in management as well as in expert and development tasks and is able to evaluate the needs of the elderly and take into account the perspective of their relatives. She/he can apply the gerontological knowledge base to her/his work. She/he can influence on the modernisation of age and memory-friendly living environments as well as on the development of the services for the elderly. She/he knows the social, health and well-being services of the elderly and is familiar with the laws that regulate them.

The central content of studies: future operating environments, knowledge management and quality management in the health and well-being services, customer oriented service development, and ethical thinking in gerontological care. Studies in core competence consist of 5 credits courses (5 ECTS is the computational equivalent of 135 hours of work).

The Master's thesis (30 ECTS) solves a topical issue or problem related to working life. The topic of the thesis may be related to the development of a new product, service or process, for example. The thesis is carried out as a commission in research, development and innovation projects (RDI) of working life or Turku University of Applied Sciences. You can also acquire the topic from a variety of professional networks, third sector, wellbeing services counties or national research institutes. The thesis is done individually or in pairs. The completion of the thesis requires the ability to work independently and in expert work. In accordance with the tripartite model, the work is carried out in cooperation between the student, the teacher tutor and the working life mentor/contact person throughout the education. As a rule, the guidance is implemented as group guidance in ways agreed with the supervisor/teacher tutor of the thesis.

During studies students can apply for courses at other higher education institutions and include these in a degree. Students can take advantage of CampusOnline's joint online study offer from another Finnish higher education institution. You can find CampusOnline's offer in your study record system Peppi (cross-institutional studies).

Students have the opportunity to complete part of their studies outside Finland at higher education institutions with which Turku University of Applied Sciences has signed a co-operation agreement. Students can also engage in internationalisation by participating in intensive events organised by international networks, as well as in international conferences and projects. Some studies can be implemented in English.

Check out the research groups and projects on the Turku University of Applied Sciences website > Research and Development > Research Groups

Objective

After completing the programme, the student is able to:
· work independently as a leader, expert and developer in different environments of social work with the elderly
· evaluate the mechanisms influencing ageing
· use evidence-based information to renew and develop human-centred services for the elderly in different contexts

Development

The pedagogical approach applied in the leadership (MBA) studies is Innovation pedagogy that refers to an approach of constructivist and problem-based learning. Master´s students study alongside their work and want to broaden and deepen their theoretical knowledge and get models to apply theory in their own work.

Studying is practice-oriented distance learning that includes contact teaching, guidance, independent work, group and project work and development tasks. There is little traditional lecture-oriented study. On average, there are two days of contact teaching per month via remote connections, and students should reserve time not only for self-study but also for group work between students

The student creates an individual study plan (ISP) at the beginning of his/her studies. According to the plan, the student selects elective studies related to, among other things, the implementation of the thesis and their own career plans. An important part of the education is the thesis, which combines theory, practice, and the production and application of new knowledge.

Further information

The objectives for the skills levels in a Master’s degree are based on the legislation on universities of applied sciences and the European Qualification Framework (EQF). The level corresponding to a Master’s degree is level 7. Assessment focuses on competence and its development. The assessment criteria for each course are described in its implementation plan. The course assessment methods vary according to the objectives of the study module. Assessment may focus on the outcome (for instance, a report or a seminar presentation), on the process (the student’s own activity and actions during the course) or on both. Students receive regular feedback on their performance from their teachers. Peer- and self-assessment as well as client company feedback on performance are also utilised. The degree assessment framework is used as the basis for the assessment. The prerequisite for the approval of the study module is completing the parts belonging to it according to the curriculum. The studies that have been passed are graded on a scale from 1 to 5 or approved or completed.