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Applied Gerontology: Degree Programme in Elderly Care

Code: SXT25S2

Degree title
Geronomi (AMK), Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care
Credits
210 ects
Duration
3.5 years (210 cr)
Start semester
Autumn 2025
Teaching language
Finnish

Descriptions

BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAMME IN APPLIED GERONTOLOGY
Bachelor's Degree Programme in Applied Gerontology is a University of Applied Sciences Degree in the field of Social and Health care. The scope of the degree is 210 credits and the calculated period of study is 3.5 years. The degree is based on the international and national level description of education, national strategies and quality recommendations for work with the older people, the competences of the Degree Programme in Applied Gerontology and ARENE, and multidisciplinary gerontological research.

Learning in the degree is based on the common competences of the universities of applied sciences, which are learning to learn, working life, ethics, sustainable development, internationality and multiculturalism, and proactive development (Arene 2022).

The studies include projects carried out in partnership with older people and working life, as well as interdisciplinary innovation studies. This collaboration is based on the development needs of working life and on supporting the quality of life of older people. The studies include work placements in various settings to support the professional growth of Bachelor’s degree students in Social Services and Health Care (42 credits).

At Metropolia, students are encouraged to engage in international activities both abroad and at home. Students can apply for international work placements and exchange programmes, as well as international studies and projects. Studies can also take place in multi-professional and multi-sectoral learning environments, for example in Metropolia's HyMy Village and in Metropolia's development projects in innovation clusters. Experts from working life act as student internship supervisors and as partners and mentors in teaching, projects and development projects in working life.

Students are guided in planning their studies and progress according to their Personal Learning Plan. The studies also include guidance for professional growth. The studies will build on the student's existing, Recognition of Prior Learning. It is the student's responsibility to provide evidence of prior learning so that it can be identified and recognised as part of the competences required for the qualification.

THE CONTENT OF THE CURRICULUM
Bachelor's Degree Programme in Applied Gerontology is based on a holistic view of humanity and the recognition of old age as an individual and valuable stage of life. An older person is seen as a resourceful and active agent in their own life and community.

The degree program's activities and study content are guided by ethical perspectives and principles in work with older people. The curriculum of the degree addresses the future competence needs of the field.
Competences of the Bachelor's Degree Programme in Applied Gerontology:
Encounter and dialogic interaction: meeting a person with respect and engaging in constructive communication.
Gerontological expertise: a comprehensive understanding of ageing and memory work expertise.
Client-centred and holistic wellbeing: focusing on individual needs, cultural diversity and supporting functional capacity.
Client guidance and supporting living at home: emphasis on supporting older people to live at home and client guidance for older people, using the potential of digitalization and technology.
Development expertise and leadership: multidisciplinary collaboration, innovative service solutions with a focus on user-friendliness, as well as leadership and entrepreneurship skills.

Competence is built progressively throughout the studies according to the following semester themes:
Starting Points for Gerontological Competence
The Right to Individual Ageing
Supporting a Good Life for Older People
Older People in the Home Environment
Promoting Participation and Well-Being
Person-Centered Guidance
Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care as a Developer

Development

The curriculum of the Bachelor's Degree Programme in Applied Gerontology is based on the needs of future working life and research on ageing. The development of the curriculum has taken into account the national competencies for Bachelor`s of Social Services and Health Care and Metropolia's strategic priorities and the objectives for shared competencies.

The curriculum has been developed in collaboration with working life representatives, program lecturers, and students. Alumni of the degree program have provided insights into the competencies required in a Bachelor of Services and Health Care work. Representatives from working life, students, and the program’s advisory board for working life have all contributed to the curriculum renewal at various stages of the process.

Show study timings by semester, study year or period

Code Name Credits (cr) 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
SXT25S2-1001
1. Semester: Starting Points of Gerontological Competence

(Choose all )

27
SX00GB45 Orientation to the Bachelor's Degree Programme in Applied Gerontology 3
SX00GB46 Gerontological competence 4
SX00GB47 Professional Communication 3
SX00GE89 Society and Ageing 4
SX00GE90 Professional English 3
SX00GE91 Professional Ethics for a Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care 2
SX00FX89 Professional in Social and Health Care 5
SX00FX95 Digital Services in Social and Health Care 2
XX00FW79 Sustainability in the Urban European Context 1
SXT25S2-1002
2. Semester: The Right to Individual Ageing

(Choose all )

30
SX00GE92 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Work for Older People 5
SX00GE93 Cultural Wellbeing of Older People 5
SX00FO40 Collaboration in Rehabilitation 5
SX00GE94 Person-Oriented Memory Work I 2
SX00GE95 Rights of Older People and Legislation 3
SX00FX92 Client and Patient Orientation 2
SX00FX90 Culture, Gender and Sexuality in Client Work 3
SX00GE96 Internship 1. Promoting the Cultural Well-Being for Older People 5
SXT25S2-1004
3. Semester: Supporting a Good Life of Older People

(Choose all )

30
SX00GF05 Anatomy, Physiology and Aging-Related Changes 3
SX00GF07 Medication of the Old People 5
SX00GF08 Special Medical Issues in the Care of Older people 4
SX00GF09 Person-Centered Memory Work II 4
SX00GF10 Care and Nursing of the Older People 4
SX00GF11 End-of-life Care for Older People and Ethical Aspects 2
SX00GF12 Disability and Neurodiversity in the Life Course of the Older People 2
SX00GF13 Internship 2. Meeting Memory Care Clients 6
SXT25S2-1005
4. Semester: Older People in the Home Environment

(Choose all )

28
SX00GF14 Older People in the Home Environment 5
SX00GF15 Care Giving for the Older People 2
SX00GF16 Supporting the Rehabilitation of Older People 3
SX00GF17 User-Friendly Technology 2
SX00GF18 Functional Capacity Assessment and Assessment Methods 3
SX00FX96 Basics of Research and Development 5
SX00GF19 Internship 3. Supporting Older People Living at Home 8
SXT25S2-1006
5. Semester: Promoting Participation and Well-Being

(Choose all )

30
SX00GF22 Participation and Community in Ageing 5
SX00GF23 Promoting the Well-Being and Health of Older People 5
XX00EL75 Planning of the Thesis Work 5
XX00EL76 Implementation of the Thesis Work 5
XX00FV31 Metropolia Minno 1 2
XX00FV32 Metropolia Minno 2 3
SX00GH04 Research and Development Methods 5
SXT25S2-1007
6. Semester: Person-Centered Guidance

(Choose all )

30
SX00GF24 Counselling of Older People 4
SX00GF25 Internship 4. Client and Service Management 8
XX00FV33 Metropolia Minno 3 5
SX00GF26 Professional Swedish 3
XX00EL77 Reporting of the Thesis and Maturity Test 5
SX00FX55 Entrepreneurship and Leadership in Social and Health Care 5
SXT25S2-1008
7. Semester: Bachelor of social services and health care as a Developer

(Choose all )

25
SX00GF27 Leadership as Part of the Professional Role of a Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care 5
SX00GF28 Co-Creation in Partnership 3
SX00GF29 Professional Ethics for a Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care II 2
SX00GG28 Internship 5. Development and Management 15
SXT25S2-1003
Profile Studies in Working Life Skills

(Choose ects: 5)

5
SXT25S2-1009
Optional Studies

(Choose ects: 5)

5
Total 210 57 58 60 25 27 30 30 28 30 30 25 13.5 13.5 15 15 15 15 14 14 15 15 15 15 12.5 12.5

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 §).

Professional English

Vieraan kielen kirjallinen ja suullinen taito, joka ammatin harjoittamisen ja ammatillisen kehityksen kannalta on tarpeellinen.

Professional English
Second language (Finnish)

No attached course units

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.

Professional Swedish
Not grouped
Orientation to the Bachelor's Degree Programme in Applied Gerontology
Gerontological competence
Professional Communication
Society and Ageing
Professional Ethics for a Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care
Professional in Social and Health Care
Digital Services in Social and Health Care
Sustainability in the Urban European Context
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Work for Older People
Cultural Wellbeing of Older People
Collaboration in Rehabilitation
Person-Oriented Memory Work I
Rights of Older People and Legislation
Client and Patient Orientation
Culture, Gender and Sexuality in Client Work
Internship 1. Promoting the Cultural Well-Being for Older People
Anatomy, Physiology and Aging-Related Changes
Medication of the Old People
Special Medical Issues in the Care of Older people
Person-Centered Memory Work II
Care and Nursing of the Older People
End-of-life Care for Older People and Ethical Aspects
Disability and Neurodiversity in the Life Course of the Older People
Internship 2. Meeting Memory Care Clients
Older People in the Home Environment
Care Giving for the Older People
Supporting the Rehabilitation of Older People
User-Friendly Technology
Functional Capacity Assessment and Assessment Methods
Basics of Research and Development
Internship 3. Supporting Older People Living at Home
Participation and Community in Ageing
Promoting the Well-Being and Health of Older People
Planning of the Thesis Work
Implementation of the Thesis Work
Metropolia Minno 1
Metropolia Minno 2
Research and Development Methods
Counselling of Older People
Internship 4. Client and Service Management
Metropolia Minno 3
Reporting of the Thesis and Maturity Test
Entrepreneurship and Leadership in Social and Health Care
Leadership as Part of the Professional Role of a Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care
Co-Creation in Partnership
Professional Ethics for a Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care II
Internship 5. Development and Management

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.

Professional Studies
Orientation to the Bachelor's Degree Programme in Applied Gerontology
Gerontological competence
Society and Ageing
Professional Ethics for a Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Work for Older People
Cultural Wellbeing of Older People
Person-Oriented Memory Work I
Rights of Older People and Legislation
Anatomy, Physiology and Aging-Related Changes
Medication of the Old People
Special Medical Issues in the Care of Older people
Person-Centered Memory Work II
Care and Nursing of the Older People
End-of-life Care for Older People and Ethical Aspects
Disability and Neurodiversity in the Life Course of the Older People
Older People in the Home Environment
Care Giving for the Older People
Supporting the Rehabilitation of Older People
User-Friendly Technology
Functional Capacity Assessment and Assessment Methods
Participation and Community in Ageing
Promoting the Well-Being and Health of Older People
Counselling of Older People
Leadership as Part of the Professional Role of a Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care
Co-Creation in Partnership
Professional Ethics for a Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care II
Work Placement
Internship 1. Promoting the Cultural Well-Being for Older People
Internship 2. Meeting Memory Care Clients
Internship 3. Supporting Older People Living at Home
Internship 4. Client and Service Management
Internship 5. Development and Management
Bachelor´s Thesis
Planning of the Thesis Work
Implementation of the Thesis Work
Reporting of the Thesis and Maturity Test
Core Requirement Studies
Professional Communication
Professional English
Professional in Social and Health Care
Digital Services in Social and Health Care
Sustainability in the Urban European Context
Collaboration in Rehabilitation
Client and Patient Orientation
Culture, Gender and Sexuality in Client Work
Basics of Research and Development
Metropolia Minno 1
Metropolia Minno 2
Research and Development Methods
Metropolia Minno 3
Professional Swedish
Entrepreneurship and Leadership in Social and Health Care
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

Ethics

The graduating student adheres to the ethical principles and values of their field of profession, taking the principles of equality and non-discrimination into account.
- Is able to take responsibility for their own actions and their consequences and reflects on them in accordance with the ethical principles and values of their field.
- Takes others into account and promotes equality and non-discrimination.
- Take into account the realisation of diversity and accessibility in their actions.
- Understands the principles of responsible conduct of research and adheres to them.
- Is able to influence society based on ethical values.

Professional Ethics for a Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care
Client and Patient Orientation
Culture, Gender and Sexuality in Client Work
Internship 1. Promoting the Cultural Well-Being for Older People
Disability and Neurodiversity in the Life Course of the Older People
Internship 2. Meeting Memory Care Clients
Internship 3. Supporting Older People Living at Home
Implementation of the Thesis Work
Metropolia Minno 2
Research and Development Methods
Internship 4. Client and Service Management
Metropolia Minno 3
Reporting of the Thesis and Maturity Test
Co-Creation in Partnership
Professional Ethics for a Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care II
Internship 5. Development and Management
Proactive development

The graduating student is able to develop solutions that anticipate the future of their own field, applying existing knowledge and research and development methods.
- Solves problem situations creatively and reforms operating methods together with others.
- Is able to work in projects in cooperation with actors of different fields.
- Is able to apply existing knowledge in the field in development and utilises research and development methods.
- Is able to seek customer-oriented, sustainable and economically viable solutions, anticipating the future of their field.

Digital Services in Social and Health Care
Cultural Wellbeing of Older People
Internship 1. Promoting the Cultural Well-Being for Older People
Person-Centered Memory Work II
Internship 2. Meeting Memory Care Clients
Older People in the Home Environment
Basics of Research and Development
Internship 3. Supporting Older People Living at Home
Promoting the Well-Being and Health of Older People
Planning of the Thesis Work
Implementation of the Thesis Work
Metropolia Minno 1
Metropolia Minno 2
Research and Development Methods
Counselling of Older People
Internship 4. Client and Service Management
Metropolia Minno 3
Reporting of the Thesis and Maturity Test
Entrepreneurship and Leadership in Social and Health Care
Leadership as Part of the Professional Role of a Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care
Co-Creation in Partnership
Internship 5. Development and Management
Internationality and multiculturalism

The graduating student is able to operate in multicultural and international operating environments and networks.
- Is familiar with the impacts of their cultural background on their activities and is able to develop operating methods that take multiculturalism into account in their work community.
- Is able to monitor and utilise the international development of their field in their work.
- Is able to communicate internationally in their work tasks.

Gerontological competence
Society and Ageing
Professional English
Professional Ethics for a Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care
Sustainability in the Urban European Context
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Work for Older People
Cultural Wellbeing of Older People
Collaboration in Rehabilitation
Person-Oriented Memory Work I
Rights of Older People and Legislation
Person-Centered Memory Work II
Disability and Neurodiversity in the Life Course of the Older People
Older People in the Home Environment
Care Giving for the Older People
Supporting the Rehabilitation of Older People
User-Friendly Technology
Participation and Community in Ageing
Metropolia Minno 2
Counselling of Older People
Professional Swedish
Leadership as Part of the Professional Role of a Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care
Professional Ethics for a Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care II
Sustainable development

The graduating student is familiar with the principles of sustainable development, promotes their implementation and acts responsibly as a professional and a member of society.
- Is able to use information related to their field in finding, implementing and establishing sustainable solutions and operating models.
- Understands sustainability challenges, their interdependencies and the various aspects of issues and problem

Society and Ageing
Sustainability in the Urban European Context
Cultural Wellbeing of Older People
Collaboration in Rehabilitation
Rights of Older People and Legislation
Internship 1. Promoting the Cultural Well-Being for Older People
Person-Centered Memory Work II
Internship 2. Meeting Memory Care Clients
Older People in the Home Environment
Internship 3. Supporting Older People Living at Home
Promoting the Well-Being and Health of Older People
Metropolia Minno 2
Counselling of Older People
Internship 4. Client and Service Management
Metropolia Minno 3
Leadership as Part of the Professional Role of a Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care
Co-Creation in Partnership
Internship 5. Development and Management
Learning to learn

The graduating student recognises the strengths and development areas of their competence and learning methods, and they utilise the opportunities communities and digitalisation provide in their learning.
- Assesses and develops their competence and learning methods in different learning environments.
- Is able to acquire, critically assess and appropriately apply the national and international knowledge base and practices of their field.
- Also takes responsibility for group learning and sharing what has been learned.

Orientation to the Bachelor's Degree Programme in Applied Gerontology
Gerontological competence
Professional Communication
Society and Ageing
Professional English
Professional Ethics for a Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care
Professional in Social and Health Care
Digital Services in Social and Health Care
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Work for Older People
Cultural Wellbeing of Older People
Collaboration in Rehabilitation
Person-Oriented Memory Work I
Rights of Older People and Legislation
Internship 1. Promoting the Cultural Well-Being for Older People
Anatomy, Physiology and Aging-Related Changes
Medication of the Old People
Special Medical Issues in the Care of Older people
Person-Centered Memory Work II
Care and Nursing of the Older People
End-of-life Care for Older People and Ethical Aspects
Disability and Neurodiversity in the Life Course of the Older People
Internship 2. Meeting Memory Care Clients
Older People in the Home Environment
Care Giving for the Older People
Supporting the Rehabilitation of Older People
User-Friendly Technology
Functional Capacity Assessment and Assessment Methods
Basics of Research and Development
Internship 3. Supporting Older People Living at Home
Participation and Community in Ageing
Promoting the Well-Being and Health of Older People
Planning of the Thesis Work
Metropolia Minno 1
Metropolia Minno 2
Research and Development Methods
Counselling of Older People
Internship 4. Client and Service Management
Metropolia Minno 3
Professional Swedish
Leadership as Part of the Professional Role of a Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care
Co-Creation in Partnership
Professional Ethics for a Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care II
Internship 5. Development and Management
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 the Bachelor's Degree Programme in Applied Gerontology
Professional in Social and Health Care
Digital Services in Social and Health Care
Cultural Wellbeing of Older People
Client and Patient Orientation
Culture, Gender and Sexuality in Client Work
Internship 1. Promoting the Cultural Well-Being for Older People
Person-Centered Memory Work II
Internship 2. Meeting Memory Care Clients
Older People in the Home Environment
Internship 3. Supporting Older People Living at Home
Promoting the Well-Being and Health of Older People
Planning of the Thesis Work
Implementation of the Thesis Work
Metropolia Minno 2
Counselling of Older People
Internship 4. Client and Service Management
Metropolia Minno 3
Reporting of the Thesis and Maturity Test
Leadership as Part of the Professional Role of a Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care
Co-Creation in Partnership
Internship 5. Development and Management
Not grouped

Code Name Credits (cr)
SXT25S2-1001
1. Semester: Starting Points of Gerontological Competence

(Choose all )

27
SX00GB45 Orientation to the Bachelor's Degree Programme in Applied Gerontology 3
SX00GB46 Gerontological competence 4
SX00GB47 Professional Communication 3
SX00GE89 Society and Ageing 4
SX00GE90 Professional English 3
SX00GE91 Professional Ethics for a Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care 2
SX00FX89 Professional in Social and Health Care 5
SX00FX95 Digital Services in Social and Health Care 2
XX00FW79 Sustainability in the Urban European Context 1
SXT25S2-1002
2. Semester: The Right to Individual Ageing

(Choose all )

30
SX00GE92 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Work for Older People 5
SX00GE93 Cultural Wellbeing of Older People 5
SX00FO40 Collaboration in Rehabilitation 5
SX00GE94 Person-Oriented Memory Work I 2
SX00GE95 Rights of Older People and Legislation 3
SX00FX92 Client and Patient Orientation 2
SX00FX90 Culture, Gender and Sexuality in Client Work 3
SX00GE96 Internship 1. Promoting the Cultural Well-Being for Older People 5
SXT25S2-1004
3. Semester: Supporting a Good Life of Older People

(Choose all )

30
SX00GF05 Anatomy, Physiology and Aging-Related Changes 3
SX00GF07 Medication of the Old People 5
SX00GF08 Special Medical Issues in the Care of Older people 4
SX00GF09 Person-Centered Memory Work II 4
SX00GF10 Care and Nursing of the Older People 4
SX00GF11 End-of-life Care for Older People and Ethical Aspects 2
SX00GF12 Disability and Neurodiversity in the Life Course of the Older People 2
SX00GF13 Internship 2. Meeting Memory Care Clients 6
SXT25S2-1005
4. Semester: Older People in the Home Environment

(Choose all )

28
SX00GF14 Older People in the Home Environment 5
SX00GF15 Care Giving for the Older People 2
SX00GF16 Supporting the Rehabilitation of Older People 3
SX00GF17 User-Friendly Technology 2
SX00GF18 Functional Capacity Assessment and Assessment Methods 3
SX00FX96 Basics of Research and Development 5
SX00GF19 Internship 3. Supporting Older People Living at Home 8
SXT25S2-1006
5. Semester: Promoting Participation and Well-Being

(Choose all )

30
SX00GF22 Participation and Community in Ageing 5
SX00GF23 Promoting the Well-Being and Health of Older People 5
XX00EL75 Planning of the Thesis Work 5
XX00EL76 Implementation of the Thesis Work 5
XX00FV31 Metropolia Minno 1 2
XX00FV32 Metropolia Minno 2 3
SX00GH04 Research and Development Methods 5
SXT25S2-1007
6. Semester: Person-Centered Guidance

(Choose all )

30
SX00GF24 Counselling of Older People 4
SX00GF25 Internship 4. Client and Service Management 8
XX00FV33 Metropolia Minno 3 5
SX00GF26 Professional Swedish 3
XX00EL77 Reporting of the Thesis and Maturity Test 5
SX00FX55 Entrepreneurship and Leadership in Social and Health Care 5
SXT25S2-1008
7. Semester: Bachelor of social services and health care as a Developer

(Choose all )

25
SX00GF27 Leadership as Part of the Professional Role of a Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care 5
SX00GF28 Co-Creation in Partnership 3
SX00GF29 Professional Ethics for a Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care II 2
SX00GG28 Internship 5. Development and Management 15
SXT25S2-1003
Profile Studies in Working Life Skills

(Choose ects: 5 )

5
SXT25S2-1009
Optional Studies

(Choose ects: 5 )

5
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