Social Services (in English): Social Counselling
Code: SXG25S1
- Degree title
- Bachelor of Social Services
- Credits
- 210 ects
- Duration
- 3.5 years (210 ECTS)
- Start semester
- Autumn 2025
- Teaching language
- English
Descriptions
The Bachelor of Social Services (BSS) programme at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences equips students with expertise in social pedagogy and social services that meets the evolving needs of society and the Helsinki metropolitan area. The goal of the Bachelor of Social Services programme is to educate social services professionals who support and promote individual well-being, life management and social inclusion, and actively work to prevent inequality, disadvantage, and social exclusion.
The social services degree programme employs diverse methods of teaching and learning, such as investigative learning, project-based learning, and dialogical and collaborative learning. Studies consist of campus-based or online teaching, as well as independent and group work. During the programme, students may participate in various social service development projects alongside professionals in the field. All students engage in multidisciplinary studies as part of their curriculum.
Students who select the Early Childhood Education and Care specialisation path gain a qualification to work as Bachelor of Social Services in early childhood education after having completed the required courses.
The elective studies consist of courses in the Finnish language and/or advanced professional studies. The studies in the Degree Programme in Social Services include academic guidance from the first semester onwards, based on the student’s personal study plan (PSP) and personal language study plan (PLSP). Students with Finnish as a second language (S2) background have the opportunity to receive support from both peers and teachers for learning Finnish throughout their studies in the continuous Finnish for Social Services teaching.
Development
The curriculum is updated regularly to respond to both current and future competency needs. In 2024, the curriculum and the degree structure were redesigned. Teachers of the social services degree programme, together with working life partners and students, contribute to curriculum development.
Teaching and learning in the social services degree programme are conducted in close cooperation with organisations, NGOs, companies, and other actors based in the Helsinki metropolitan area. The social services degree programme includes several practical work placements, totalling 40 ECTS.
Internships are conducted in Finnish-speaking work environments, which is why studying Finnish as part of the curriculum and independently alongside the studies is especially important.
Further information
Head of the Degree Programme Tanja Saariaho
Programme Responsible Mai Salmenkangas
Programme Coordinator Hilla Niemi
Objective
The Bachelor of Social Services degree at Metropolia is grounded in ethical competence (IFSW 2018; Etene 2011; Talentia 2022), the competencies required for a Bachelor of Social Services (SOAMK 2023), and a social pedagogical approach. This expertise aims to promote the well-being, life management, inclusion, and agency of individuals and communities, and to address social inequality and exclusion.
A Bachelor of Social Services (UAS) represents expertise in various work environments and networks and contributes to societal issues. Their professional competence is based on an ethical foundation, recognition of diversity, and a comprehensive, strengths-based, and dialogical approach to interacting with people. They possess the skills to engage with clients at different stages of their lives and have a broad knowledge of the specific needs of different client groups, various working methods, relevant legislation, and the social service system. Social services work is carried out within communities and in diverse operational environments involving individuals of all ages. A Bachelor of Social Services (UAS) is capable of critically analysing global and social phenomena and understands their impact on the lives and well-being of individuals and communities and can also act as an advocate in social issues. They can identify challenges and take decisions that support sustainable development, with a focus on social sustainability. Bachelor of Social Services (UAS) gains key working community skills and can work in various roles focused on development and leadership.
COMPETENCIES OF THE BACHELOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES DEGREE
The curriculum of the degree programme in social services is built upon the following core competencies (Social Services Network of Universities of Applied Sciences, 2023):
• Ethical competence in social services
• Competence in social services work with clients
• Competence in social services systems
• Critical and inclusion-promoting societal competence
• Research-based development and innovation skills
• Work community, management and entrepreneurship competence
MODULE TITLES
1st year: Orientation to Social Services and Higher Education Studies
2nd year: Development of Professional Competencies in Social Services
3rd and 4th year: Advanced Expertise in Social Services
Description
Social Counselling path qualifies the student to become a Bachelor of Social Services.
Select timing, structure or classification view
Show study timings by semester, study year or period
| Code | Name | Credits (ECTS) | 2025-2026 | 2026-2027 | 2027-2028 | 2028-2029 | Autumn 2025 | Spring 2026 | Autumn 2026 | Spring 2027 | Autumn 2027 | Spring 2028 | Autumn 2028 | 1. / 2025 | 2. / 2025 | 3. / 2026 | 4. / 2026 | 1. / 2026 | 2. / 2026 | 3. / 2027 | 4. / 2027 | 1. / 2027 | 2. / 2027 | 3. / 2028 | 4. / 2028 | 1. / 2028 | 2. / 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SXG25S1-1009 |
1. Semester: Orientation to Social Services and Higher Education Studies
(Choose 35) |
30 - 35 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX97 | Orientation to Studies | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XX00EL05 | Finnish 1 (A1.2) | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX71 | Social Pedagogy in Social Services Environments | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX73 | Professional Communication and Academic Writing | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX89 | Professional in Social and Health Care | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX74 | Individual and Group Counselling | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FY23 | Human Growth, Development and Socialization | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SXG25S1-1010 |
2. Semester: Orientation to Social Services and Higher Education Studies
(Choose 30) |
30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX90 | Culture, Gender and Sexuality in Client Work | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX92 | Client and Patient Orientation | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FY26 | Social Inclusion and Disadvantage | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX75 | Social Pedagogical Methods | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX76 | Foundations of Welfare Society | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XX00EL11 | Finnish 2 (A1.3-A2.1) | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX78 | Language-aware and Anti-discriminatory Practices | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX79 | Work Placement and Language Internship 1: Social Services Work and Clients’ Everyday Life | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SXG25S1-1011 |
3. Semester: Development of Professional Competences in Social Services
(Choose 32) |
27 - 32 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FY28 | Legislation and Organisation of Social Services | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX95 | Digital Services in Social and Health Care | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00EQ85 | Swedish for Working Life | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX91 | Civil Society and Advocacy | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX98 | Ethics and Challenges in Social Services Work | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FD73 | Child Protection | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX96 | Basics of Research and Development | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SXG25S1-1012 |
4. Semester: Development of Professional Competences in Social Services
(Choose 30) |
30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XX00FV31 | Metropolia Minno 1 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XX00FV32 | Metropolia Minno 2 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX99 | Mental Health and Addictions | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FY00 | Disability and Neuropsychiatric Special Needs | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00EQ83 | Advanced Research and Development | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FY01 | Work Placement and Language Internship 2: Professional Client Work in Social Services | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SXG25S1-1013 |
5. Semester: Advanced Expertise in Social Services
(Choose 30) |
30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XX00FV33 | Metropolia Minno 3 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FY02 | Trauma, Crises and Violence | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XX00EL75 | Planning of the Thesis Work | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FY08 | Work Placement and Language Internship 3: Client Work in the Service System | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SXG25S1-1014 |
6. Semester: Advanced Expertise in Social Services
(Choose 30) |
30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FY34 | Globalisation and Urbanisation | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XX00EL76 | Implementation of the Thesis Work | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX55 | Entrepreneurship and Leadership in Social and Health Care | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FD90 | Professional Finnish in the Social Field (B1.1 - B2.1) | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SXG25S1-1015 |
7. Semester: Advanced Expertise in Social Services
(Choose 28) |
28 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XX00EL77 | Reporting of the Thesis and Maturity Test | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FY14 | Work Placement and Language Internship 4: Professional Development of Bachelor of Social Services | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FY36 | Professional Development and Career Planning | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SXG25S1-1008 |
Elective Studies
(Choose 20) |
0 - 20 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 210 | 65 | 52 | 40 | 23 | 35 | 30 | 32 | 20 | 25 | 15 | 23 | 17.5 | 17.5 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 10 | 10 | 12.5 | 12.5 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 |
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 §).
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 |
| Finnish 3 (A2.1-A2.2) |
| Finnish 4 (A2.2-B1.1) |
ARENE 2022::UAS shared competences::Bachelor’s degree
Replaces the Metropolia's Generic Competences::Bachelor's Degree, UAS” -matrix.. Heidi Rontu/31.8.2022
Sosiaaliala::Sosionomi (AMK)
• Sosiaalialan eettinen osaaminen • Asiakastyön osaaminen • Sosiaalialan palvelujärjestelmäosaaminen • Kriittinen ja osallisuutta edistävä yhteiskuntaosaaminen • Tutkimuksellinen kehittämis- ja innovaatio-osaaminen • Työyhteisö-, johtamis- ja yrittäjyysosaaminen
Sosiaaliala::Varhaiskasvatuksen sosionomi
• Eettinen osaaminen varhaiskasvatuksessa • Asiakastyön osaaminen varhaiskasvatuksessa • Verkosto- ja palvelujärjestelmäosaaminen varhaiskasvatuksessa • Kriittinen ja osallisuutta edistävä yhteiskuntaosaaminen varhaiskasvatuksessa • Tutkimuksellinen kehittämis- ja innovaatio-osaaminen varhaiskasvatuksessa • Työyhteisö-, johtamis- ja yrittäjyysosaaminen varhaiskasvatuksessa Elisa Mattila 11.11.2024