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Social Services (in English): Social Services

Code: SXG24S1

Degree title
Bachelor of Social Services
Credits
210 ects
Duration
3.5 years (210 ECTS)
Start semester
Autumn 2024
Teaching language
English

Descriptions

The degree programme in social services provides socio-pedagogical competences and expertise with an urban and local focus, which meets the changing requirements of both society and the metropolitan area. The aim of the Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services is to educate experts in the field, who are able to analyse structural determinants of urban inequality; taking them into account when supporting and advocating for well-being and inclusion while working to prevent social deprivation and exclusion in their work. In this way Bachelors of Social Services are developing both their profession and their abilities to engage more fully at a societal level on social issues or questions.

Development

The professional skills of the Bachelors of Social Services (UAS) are built on, and in line with, the IFSW Global Social Work Statement of Ethical Principles, relevant Sustainable Development Goals and a socio-pedagogical work approach. This approach combines both social and pedagogical perspectives at work: it examines individual social growth as a part of communities and society. The starting point of socio-pedagogical work is to advance the well-being, life management, inclusion and functioning of both individuals and communities, as well as to affect societal inequality and exclusion.

Further information

Opetussuunnitelma on kopioitu hyväksytysti OPSista SXG23S1.

Objective

Bachelors of Social Services are able to critically analyse societal phenomena and deal with issues such as inequality, poverty, urban sprawl, discrimination and segregation as they unfold in the everyday life in urban areas. Their work is based on appreciating diversity as well as meeting people in a dialogue that is both holistic and resource-based. Bachelors of Social Services work with people at different stages of their life cycle and have gained multifaceted knowledge regarding the special needs of client groups, different work methods, as well as legislative frameworks and service systems. Their work is carried out in the everyday lives and diverse environments of people and communities. Bachelors of Social Services know how to identify and create solutions that support sustainable development from the perspective of social sustainability. They have expertise in working in professional communities and are able to master tasks focusing on research and management. The Bachelors of Social Services represent social expertise in different work environments and in various networks.

Select timing, structure or classification view

Show study timings by semester, study year or period

Code Name Credits (ECTS) 2024-2025 2025-2026 2026-2027 2027-2028 Autumn 2024 Spring 2025 Autumn 2025 Spring 2026 Autumn 2026 Spring 2027 Autumn 2027 1. / 2024 2. / 2024 3. / 2025 4. / 2025 1. / 2025 2. / 2025 3. / 2026 4. / 2026 1. / 2026 2. / 2026 3. / 2027 4. / 2027 1. / 2027 2. / 2027
SXG24S1-1001
Orientation to Social Services studies at the University of Applied Sciences

(Choose 35)

30 - 35
SX00FD53 Orientation to studies 5
SX00FD54 Finnish 1 (A1.2) 5
SX00FD55 Internship in voluntary and civic environments 5
SX00FD57 Professional communication and academic writing 5
SX00FD61 Introduction to social pedagogy 5
SX00FD62 Development of the welfare state 5
SX00FD63 Working environments in social services 5
SXG24S1-1002
Inclusion and Supporting Life Course

(Choose 35)

30 - 35
SX00FD64 Human behavior in the social environment 5
SX00FD65 Basics of individual, group and community counselling 5
SX00FD66 Inclusion and disadvantage 5
SX00FJ69 Global awareness of Wellbeing of Children and Families 5
SX00FD67 Creative methods and advocacy work 5
SX00FD68 Finnish 2 (A1.3–A2.1.) 5
SX00FD69 Language aware and anti-discriminatory guidance 5
SX00FD70 Work placement and language internship 1 – Social pedagogy and client’s everyday life 5
SXG24S1-1003
Social Pedagogical Work in Urban Areas

(Choose all )

30
SX00FD71 Introduction to the urban context 5
SX00FD72 Mental health and substance abuse 5
SX00FD73 Child Protection 5
SX00FD74 Discovering challenges in urban areas 5
SX00FD75 Empowerment, ethics and social work challenges 10
SXG24S1-1004
Developing Professional Competences

(Choose 35)

30 - 35
SX00FD76 Social service work 5
SX00EQ81 Basics of research and development 5
SX00FD78 Finnish 3 (A2.1/A2.2) 5
SX00EQ85 Swedish for Working Life 5
SX00FD80 Work placement and language internship 2 – Sustainable development in client work 15
SXG24S1-1005
Professional Development and Multidisciplinary Collaboration

(Choose 35)

30 - 35
XX00DZ39 Multidisciplinary Innovation Project 10
SX00EQ83 Advanced Research and Development 5
SX00FD82 Facing superdiversity 5
SX00FD83 Exploring creativity in community based development 5
SX00EP19 Planning the bachelor’s thesis and English 5
SX00FD84 Finnish 4 (A2.2/B1.1) 5
SXG24S1-1006
Deepening Professional Expertise

(Choose 20)

15 - 20
SX00EP22 Implementing the bachelor’s thesis 5
SX00FD85 Leadership and entrepreneurship in social services 5
SX00EP24 Reporting and publication of the bachelor’s thesis 5
SX00FD86 Finnish for professionals (B1) 5
SXG24S1-1007
The Anti-discriminatory Professional in Social Services

(Choose 35)

25 - 35
SX00FD87 Work placement and language internship 3 - Strengthening anti-discriminatory competences 20
SX00FD88 Professional development and career planning 5
SX00FD89 Finnish for professionals 2 (B1 – B2) 5
SX00FD90 Professional Finnish in the Social Field (B1.1 - B2.1) 5
SXG24S1-1008
Elective Studies

(Choose ects: 20)

20
SX00EP41 Basics of Early Childhood Education 5
Total 210 75 65 52.5 42.5 35 40 35 30 35 17.5 42.5 17.5 17.5 20 20 17.5 17.5 15 15 17.5 17.5 8.8 8.8 21.3 21.3

Due to the timing of optional and elective courses, credit accumulation per semester / academic year may vary.

amk::amk-tutkintojen kieliopinnot

AMK-tutkintoon johtavien opintojen tavoitteena on, että tutkinnon suorittaneella on riittävä viestintä- ja kielitaito oman alansa tehtäviin sekä kansainväliseen toimintaan ja yhteistyöhön. (Valtioneuvoston asetus ammattikorkeakoulusta 1129/2014, 4 §).

Second domestic language (Swedish)

Ruotsin kielen taito, joka julkisyhteisöjen henkilöstöltä vaadittavasta kielitaidosta annetun lain (424/2003) mukaan vaaditaan korkeakoulututkintoa edellyttävään virkaan kaksikielisellä virka-alueella ja joka ammatin harjoittamisen ja ammatillisen kehityksen kannalta on tarpeellinen.
Swedish for Working Life
Second domestic language (Swedish)

Ruotsin kielen taito, joka julkisyhteisöjen henkilöstöltä vaadittavasta kielitaidosta annetun lain (424/2003) mukaan vaaditaan korkeakoulututkintoa edellyttävään virkaan kaksikielisellä virka-alueella ja joka ammatin harjoittamisen ja ammatillisen kehityksen kannalta on tarpeellinen.
Swedish for Working Life
Second domestic language (Swedish)

Ruotsin kielen taito, joka julkisyhteisöjen henkilöstöltä vaadittavasta kielitaidosta annetun lain (424/2003) mukaan vaaditaan korkeakoulututkintoa edellyttävään virkaan kaksikielisellä virka-alueella ja joka ammatin harjoittamisen ja ammatillisen kehityksen kannalta on tarpeellinen.
Swedish for Working Life
Not grouped
Orientation to studies
Internship in voluntary and civic environments
Introduction to social pedagogy
Development of the welfare state
Working environments in social services
Human behavior in the social environment
Basics of individual, group and community counselling
Inclusion and disadvantage
Global awareness of Wellbeing of Children and Families
Creative methods and advocacy work
Language aware and anti-discriminatory guidance
Work placement and language internship 1 – Social pedagogy and client’s everyday life
Introduction to the urban context
Mental health and substance abuse
Child Protection
Discovering challenges in urban areas
Empowerment, ethics and social work challenges
Social service work
Basics of research and development
Work placement and language internship 2 – Sustainable development in client work
Multidisciplinary Innovation Project
Advanced Research and Development
Facing superdiversity
Exploring creativity in community based development
Implementing the bachelor’s thesis
Leadership and entrepreneurship in social services
Reporting and publication of the bachelor’s thesis
Professional development and career planning
Basics of Early Childhood Education

STRUCTURE Bachelor (A18.12.2014/1129)

Asetuksen 18.12.2014/1129 mukainen rakenne. 2 § Opintojen rakenne Ammattikorkeakoulututkintoon johtaviin opintoihin kuuluu: 1) perus- ja ammattiopintoja; 2) vapaasti valittavia opintoja; 3) ammattitaitoa edistävää harjoittelua; 4) opinnäytetyö.

Elective Studies

No attached course units
Elective Studies

No attached course units
Elective Studies

No attached course units
Elective Studies

No attached course units
Elective Studies

No attached course units
Not grouped

ARENE 2022::UAS shared competences::Bachelor’s degree

Replaces the Metropolia's Generic Competences::Bachelor's Degree, UAS” -matrix.. Heidi Rontu/31.8.2022

Operating in a workplace

The graduating student has versatile working life skills and is able to operate in work communities of their field.
- Is able to work constructively in a work community and promotes their own and their work community’s well-being.
- Is able to act professionally in communication and interaction situations at a workplace.
- Utilises the opportunities offered by technology and digitalisation in their work.
- Understands the complexity of changing working life and their own resilience in changing working life situations
- Has capabilities for an entrepreneurial approach.
Orientation to studies
Finnish 1 (A1.2)
Internship in voluntary and civic environments
Professional communication and academic writing
Introduction to social pedagogy
Development of the welfare state
Working environments in social services
Human behavior in the social environment
Basics of individual, group and community counselling
Inclusion and disadvantage
Global awareness of Wellbeing of Children and Families
Creative methods and advocacy work
Finnish 2 (A1.3–A2.1.)
Language aware and anti-discriminatory guidance
Work placement and language internship 1 – Social pedagogy and client’s everyday life
Introduction to the urban context
Mental health and substance abuse
Child Protection
Discovering challenges in urban areas
Empowerment, ethics and social work challenges
Social service work
Basics of research and development
Finnish 3 (A2.1/A2.2)
Swedish for Working Life
Work placement and language internship 2 – Sustainable development in client work
Multidisciplinary Innovation Project
Advanced Research and Development
Facing superdiversity
Exploring creativity in community based development
Planning the bachelor’s thesis and English
Finnish 4 (A2.2/B1.1)
Implementing the bachelor’s thesis
Leadership and entrepreneurship in social services
Reporting and publication of the bachelor’s thesis
Finnish for professionals (B1)
Work placement and language internship 3 - Strengthening anti-discriminatory competences
Professional development and career planning
Finnish for professionals 2 (B1 – B2)
Professional Finnish in the Social Field (B1.1 - B2.1)
Basics of Early Childhood Education
Operating in a workplace

The graduating student has versatile working life skills and is able to operate in work communities of their field.
- Is able to work constructively in a work community and promotes their own and their work community’s well-being.
- Is able to act professionally in communication and interaction situations at a workplace.
- Utilises the opportunities offered by technology and digitalisation in their work.
- Understands the complexity of changing working life and their own resilience in changing working life situations
- Has capabilities for an entrepreneurial approach.
Orientation to studies
Finnish 1 (A1.2)
Internship in voluntary and civic environments
Professional communication and academic writing
Introduction to social pedagogy
Development of the welfare state
Working environments in social services
Human behavior in the social environment
Basics of individual, group and community counselling
Inclusion and disadvantage
Global awareness of Wellbeing of Children and Families
Creative methods and advocacy work
Finnish 2 (A1.3–A2.1.)
Language aware and anti-discriminatory guidance
Work placement and language internship 1 – Social pedagogy and client’s everyday life
Introduction to the urban context
Mental health and substance abuse
Child Protection
Discovering challenges in urban areas
Empowerment, ethics and social work challenges
Social service work
Basics of research and development
Finnish 3 (A2.1/A2.2)
Swedish for Working Life
Work placement and language internship 2 – Sustainable development in client work
Multidisciplinary Innovation Project
Advanced Research and Development
Facing superdiversity
Exploring creativity in community based development
Planning the bachelor’s thesis and English
Finnish 4 (A2.2/B1.1)
Implementing the bachelor’s thesis
Leadership and entrepreneurship in social services
Reporting and publication of the bachelor’s thesis
Finnish for professionals (B1)
Work placement and language internship 3 - Strengthening anti-discriminatory competences
Professional development and career planning
Finnish for professionals 2 (B1 – B2)
Professional Finnish in the Social Field (B1.1 - B2.1)
Basics of Early Childhood Education
Operating in a workplace

The graduating student has versatile working life skills and is able to operate in work communities of their field.
- Is able to work constructively in a work community and promotes their own and their work community’s well-being.
- Is able to act professionally in communication and interaction situations at a workplace.
- Utilises the opportunities offered by technology and digitalisation in their work.
- Understands the complexity of changing working life and their own resilience in changing working life situations
- Has capabilities for an entrepreneurial approach.
Orientation to studies
Finnish 1 (A1.2)
Internship in voluntary and civic environments
Professional communication and academic writing
Introduction to social pedagogy
Development of the welfare state
Working environments in social services
Human behavior in the social environment
Basics of individual, group and community counselling
Inclusion and disadvantage
Global awareness of Wellbeing of Children and Families
Creative methods and advocacy work
Finnish 2 (A1.3–A2.1.)
Language aware and anti-discriminatory guidance
Work placement and language internship 1 – Social pedagogy and client’s everyday life
Introduction to the urban context
Mental health and substance abuse
Child Protection
Discovering challenges in urban areas
Empowerment, ethics and social work challenges
Social service work
Basics of research and development
Finnish 3 (A2.1/A2.2)
Swedish for Working Life
Work placement and language internship 2 – Sustainable development in client work
Multidisciplinary Innovation Project
Advanced Research and Development
Facing superdiversity
Exploring creativity in community based development
Planning the bachelor’s thesis and English
Finnish 4 (A2.2/B1.1)
Implementing the bachelor’s thesis
Leadership and entrepreneurship in social services
Reporting and publication of the bachelor’s thesis
Finnish for professionals (B1)
Work placement and language internship 3 - Strengthening anti-discriminatory competences
Professional development and career planning
Finnish for professionals 2 (B1 – B2)
Professional Finnish in the Social Field (B1.1 - B2.1)
Basics of Early Childhood Education
Operating in a workplace

The graduating student has versatile working life skills and is able to operate in work communities of their field.
- Is able to work constructively in a work community and promotes their own and their work community’s well-being.
- Is able to act professionally in communication and interaction situations at a workplace.
- Utilises the opportunities offered by technology and digitalisation in their work.
- Understands the complexity of changing working life and their own resilience in changing working life situations
- Has capabilities for an entrepreneurial approach.
Orientation to studies
Finnish 1 (A1.2)
Internship in voluntary and civic environments
Professional communication and academic writing
Introduction to social pedagogy
Development of the welfare state
Working environments in social services
Human behavior in the social environment
Basics of individual, group and community counselling
Inclusion and disadvantage
Global awareness of Wellbeing of Children and Families
Creative methods and advocacy work
Finnish 2 (A1.3–A2.1.)
Language aware and anti-discriminatory guidance
Work placement and language internship 1 – Social pedagogy and client’s everyday life
Introduction to the urban context
Mental health and substance abuse
Child Protection
Discovering challenges in urban areas
Empowerment, ethics and social work challenges
Social service work
Basics of research and development
Finnish 3 (A2.1/A2.2)
Swedish for Working Life
Work placement and language internship 2 – Sustainable development in client work
Multidisciplinary Innovation Project
Advanced Research and Development
Facing superdiversity
Exploring creativity in community based development
Planning the bachelor’s thesis and English
Finnish 4 (A2.2/B1.1)
Implementing the bachelor’s thesis
Leadership and entrepreneurship in social services
Reporting and publication of the bachelor’s thesis
Finnish for professionals (B1)
Work placement and language internship 3 - Strengthening anti-discriminatory competences
Professional development and career planning
Finnish for professionals 2 (B1 – B2)
Professional Finnish in the Social Field (B1.1 - B2.1)
Basics of Early Childhood Education
Operating in a workplace

The graduating student has versatile working life skills and is able to operate in work communities of their field.
- Is able to work constructively in a work community and promotes their own and their work community’s well-being.
- Is able to act professionally in communication and interaction situations at a workplace.
- Utilises the opportunities offered by technology and digitalisation in their work.
- Understands the complexity of changing working life and their own resilience in changing working life situations
- Has capabilities for an entrepreneurial approach.
Orientation to studies
Finnish 1 (A1.2)
Internship in voluntary and civic environments
Professional communication and academic writing
Introduction to social pedagogy
Development of the welfare state
Working environments in social services
Human behavior in the social environment
Basics of individual, group and community counselling
Inclusion and disadvantage
Global awareness of Wellbeing of Children and Families
Creative methods and advocacy work
Finnish 2 (A1.3–A2.1.)
Language aware and anti-discriminatory guidance
Work placement and language internship 1 – Social pedagogy and client’s everyday life
Introduction to the urban context
Mental health and substance abuse
Child Protection
Discovering challenges in urban areas
Empowerment, ethics and social work challenges
Social service work
Basics of research and development
Finnish 3 (A2.1/A2.2)
Swedish for Working Life
Work placement and language internship 2 – Sustainable development in client work
Multidisciplinary Innovation Project
Advanced Research and Development
Facing superdiversity
Exploring creativity in community based development
Planning the bachelor’s thesis and English
Finnish 4 (A2.2/B1.1)
Implementing the bachelor’s thesis
Leadership and entrepreneurship in social services
Reporting and publication of the bachelor’s thesis
Finnish for professionals (B1)
Work placement and language internship 3 - Strengthening anti-discriminatory competences
Professional development and career planning
Finnish for professionals 2 (B1 – B2)
Professional Finnish in the Social Field (B1.1 - B2.1)
Basics of Early Childhood Education
Operating in a workplace

The graduating student has versatile working life skills and is able to operate in work communities of their field.
- Is able to work constructively in a work community and promotes their own and their work community’s well-being.
- Is able to act professionally in communication and interaction situations at a workplace.
- Utilises the opportunities offered by technology and digitalisation in their work.
- Understands the complexity of changing working life and their own resilience in changing working life situations
- Has capabilities for an entrepreneurial approach.
Orientation to studies
Finnish 1 (A1.2)
Internship in voluntary and civic environments
Professional communication and academic writing
Introduction to social pedagogy
Development of the welfare state
Working environments in social services
Human behavior in the social environment
Basics of individual, group and community counselling
Inclusion and disadvantage
Global awareness of Wellbeing of Children and Families
Creative methods and advocacy work
Finnish 2 (A1.3–A2.1.)
Language aware and anti-discriminatory guidance
Work placement and language internship 1 – Social pedagogy and client’s everyday life
Introduction to the urban context
Mental health and substance abuse
Child Protection
Discovering challenges in urban areas
Empowerment, ethics and social work challenges
Social service work
Basics of research and development
Finnish 3 (A2.1/A2.2)
Swedish for Working Life
Work placement and language internship 2 – Sustainable development in client work
Multidisciplinary Innovation Project
Advanced Research and Development
Facing superdiversity
Exploring creativity in community based development
Planning the bachelor’s thesis and English
Finnish 4 (A2.2/B1.1)
Implementing the bachelor’s thesis
Leadership and entrepreneurship in social services
Reporting and publication of the bachelor’s thesis
Finnish for professionals (B1)
Work placement and language internship 3 - Strengthening anti-discriminatory competences
Professional development and career planning
Finnish for professionals 2 (B1 – B2)
Professional Finnish in the Social Field (B1.1 - B2.1)
Basics of Early Childhood Education
Not grouped

Code Name Credits (ECTS)
SXG24S1-1001
Orientation to Social Services studies at the University of Applied Sciences

(Choose 35 )

30 - 35
SX00FD53 Orientation to studies 5
SX00FD54 Finnish 1 (A1.2) 5
SX00FD55 Internship in voluntary and civic environments 5
SX00FD57 Professional communication and academic writing 5
SX00FD61 Introduction to social pedagogy 5
SX00FD62 Development of the welfare state 5
SX00FD63 Working environments in social services 5
SXG24S1-1002
Inclusion and Supporting Life Course

(Choose 35 )

30 - 35
SX00FD64 Human behavior in the social environment 5
SX00FD65 Basics of individual, group and community counselling 5
SX00FD66 Inclusion and disadvantage 5
SX00FJ69 Global awareness of Wellbeing of Children and Families 5
SX00FD67 Creative methods and advocacy work 5
SX00FD68 Finnish 2 (A1.3–A2.1.) 5
SX00FD69 Language aware and anti-discriminatory guidance 5
SX00FD70 Work placement and language internship 1 – Social pedagogy and client’s everyday life 5
SXG24S1-1003
Social Pedagogical Work in Urban Areas

(Choose all )

30
SX00FD71 Introduction to the urban context 5
SX00FD72 Mental health and substance abuse 5
SX00FD73 Child Protection 5
SX00FD74 Discovering challenges in urban areas 5
SX00FD75 Empowerment, ethics and social work challenges 10
SXG24S1-1004
Developing Professional Competences

(Choose 35 )

30 - 35
SX00FD76 Social service work 5
SX00EQ81 Basics of research and development 5
SX00FD78 Finnish 3 (A2.1/A2.2) 5
SX00EQ85 Swedish for Working Life 5
SX00FD80 Work placement and language internship 2 – Sustainable development in client work 15
SXG24S1-1005
Professional Development and Multidisciplinary Collaboration

(Choose 35 )

30 - 35
XX00DZ39 Multidisciplinary Innovation Project 10
SX00EQ83 Advanced Research and Development 5
SX00FD82 Facing superdiversity 5
SX00FD83 Exploring creativity in community based development 5
SX00EP19 Planning the bachelor’s thesis and English 5
SX00FD84 Finnish 4 (A2.2/B1.1) 5
SXG24S1-1006
Deepening Professional Expertise

(Choose 20 )

15 - 20
SX00EP22 Implementing the bachelor’s thesis 5
SX00FD85 Leadership and entrepreneurship in social services 5
SX00EP24 Reporting and publication of the bachelor’s thesis 5
SX00FD86 Finnish for professionals (B1) 5
SXG24S1-1007
The Anti-discriminatory Professional in Social Services

(Choose 35 )

25 - 35
SX00FD87 Work placement and language internship 3 - Strengthening anti-discriminatory competences 20
SX00FD88 Professional development and career planning 5
SX00FD89 Finnish for professionals 2 (B1 – B2) 5
SX00FD90 Professional Finnish in the Social Field (B1.1 - B2.1) 5
SXG24S1-1008
Elective Studies

(Choose ects: 20 )

20
SX00EP41 Basics of Early Childhood Education 5
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