Study Guide

Descriptions

STUDYING IN THE DEGREE PROGRAMME OF SOCIAL SERVICES

The workplace oriented teaching and learning in the Degree Programme of Social Services
is carried out with the organisations, associations, actors and companies functioning in the Metropolitan area. Teaching utilizes many ways of learning such as exploratory and project-based learning, dialogical and collaborative learning. The studies include classroom and distance teaching as well as independent learning and group work. During the studies, there is also a chance to participate in various projects that develop work in the social field together with a team of experts. In the course of their studies, each student will participate in multidisciplinary courses. The students have the opportunity to choose up to 20 credits of elective courses from the social services degree programme and from other suitable course offerings. The students are encouraged at Metropolia to join international activities such as international internships, exchange programmes and projects. Because the degree programme in social services is conducted in both Finnish and English, all students will have the opportunity to complete a part of their studies in English. Students may acquire the qualifications in Early Childhood Education in Social Services by studying the courses in the early education study path and by successfully completing the course work. When choosing the path of early childhood education, the students complete 20 credits of elective studies according to the study module for early childhood education.

From the first semester onwards, the studies in the degree programme of social services include student counselling on studies in accordance with the student's own personal study plan. The studies also include counselling on professional growth and career planning.

THE BASIC MISSION OF THE DEGREE PROGRAMME IN SOCIAL SERVICES (UAS)
The degree programme in social services provides socio-pedagogical competence and expertise, which meets the changing requirements of both the society and the Metropolitan area.The aim of the Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services is to educate experts in the field, who support and promote well-being, life management, and inclusion and who prevent and reduce social deprivation and exclusion in their work.The Bachelors of Social Services are also developing their professional field and influence on a societal level in social questions.


THE AIMED EXPERTISE IN THE DEGREE PROGRAMME FOR BACHELORS OF SOCIAL SERVICES (UAS)
The professional skills for the Bachelors of Social Services (UAS) are built on ethical competence and the socio-pedagogical work approach. Social Pedagogy combines both social and pedagogical perspectives at work: it examines individual social growth as a part of communities and society. The starting point of the 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. The work of the Bachelor of Social Services is based on appreciating diversity as well as meeting people in a dialogue that is both holistic and resource-based. Bachelors of Social Services are skilled to meet clients at different stages of their life cycle, they also have gained versatile knowledge regarding the special needs of client groups, different work methods, as well as legislative and service systems. Work is carried out in the everyday lives and in the diverse operating environments of people and communities of different ages. The Bachelors of Social Services are able to critically analyse societal phenomena and understand their impact on the lives and well-being of people and communities, and are able to act as socially influential persons. The Bachelors of Social Services know how to identify and create solutions that support sustainable development from the perspective of social sustainability. The graduates have gained work community expertise and are able to work in the tasks of research and management. The Bachelors of Social Services represent social expertise in different work environments and various networks.

COMPETENCES IN THE DEGREE PROGRAMME OF BACHELOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES (UAS)
The curriculum of the degree programme is based on the following competence areas of the Bachelors of Social Services (the UAS social services network):

1. Ethical competence in social services
2. Competence in customer work
3. Competence in service systems in the social field
4. Critical and participatory societal competences
5. Research based development and innovation competences
6. Work community, leadership, and entrepreneurial competences