Social Services, early childhood education: Early Childhood Education
Code: SXH25S2VA
- Degree title
- Bachelor of Social Services
- Credits
- 210 ects
- Duration
- 3.5 years (210 cr)
- Start semester
- Autumn 2025
- Teaching language
- Finnish
Descriptions
STUDYING IN THE DEGREE PROGRAMME OF SOCIAL SERVICES
In the social services degree programme, teaching and learning are carried out in a working life-oriented manner with organisations, associations, companies and other actors in the metropolitan area. Teaching encompasses a variety of learning methods, including inquiry-based learning, project-based learning, and dialogic and collaborative learning. Learning takes place on campus or online, as well as through independent and group work. During your studies, you will have the opportunity to participate in various projects to develop work in the field of social services and early childhood education and care, together with experts in the field. All students also participate in interdisciplinary studies during their studies. In addition, students can choose a total of 7 credits of elective studies from both the social services degree programme and, where appropriate, from other degree programmes. At Metropolia, students participate in international activities, with a wide range of options such as international work placements, exchange programmes and projects, or internationalisation at home. As the degree programme is conducted in both Finnish and English, all students can complete part of their studies in English. The degree programme in social services includes several practical work placements, altogether 45 ECTS. The first and last placement in early childhood education and care specialisation must take place in an early childhood education and care working environment. The second placement must be completed in another (not early childhood education and care) social services setting.
The degree programme in social services equips the student with skills to work in the field of social services, guiding and pedagogically supporting people of different ages in different life situations. Students who select the early childhood education specialization path gain a qualification to work as Bachelor of Social Services (social pedagogue) in early childhood education after having completed the required courses.
The degree programme in social services includes academic guidance from the first semester onward, in line with each student’s personal study plan (PSP). Additionally, the programme provides guidance in professional development and career planning.
THE BASIC MISSION OF THE SOCIAL SERVICES DEGREE PROGRAMME (Early Childhood Education)
Metropolia's Bachelor of Social Services (UAS) degree programme provides social pedagogical skills and social and educational expertise that meet the changing needs of society and the metropolitan area. The aim of the Bachelor of Social Services (UAS) degree programme is to educate social services and early childhood education specialists who support and promote people's well-being, life management and inclusion and prevent inequality, disadvantage and exclusion in their work, with a special focus on children and families with children. Bachelors of Social Services (UAS) develop their professional field and contribute to society in social and educational issues.
Development
The curriculum is updated regularly to respond to both current and future competency needs. In 2024-2025, 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 organizations, NGOs, companies, and other actors based in the Helsinki metropolitan area. The social services degree programme includes several practical work placements, totalling 40 ECTS credits.
Objective
THE EXPERTISE OF A BACHELOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES (UAS) SOUGHT IN THE DEGREE PROGRAMME
The professional competence of a Bachelor of Social Services (UAS) is based on ethical competence and a socio-pedagogical approach. Social pedagogical competence combines the social and pedagogical aspects of work: it aims to support people's social growth and help them find their place in communities and society. Social pedagogical work is based on promoting the well-being, life management, inclusion and agency of people and communities, and on addressing social inequalities and exclusion. The expertise of a social pedagogue of early childhood education and care focuses on the well-being of children and families with children. The expertise of Bachelor of Social Services (UAS) is based on diversity and a holistic and resource-oriented dialogical approach to people. Bachelor of Social Services (UAS) has the skills to encounter clients at different stages of their life cycles, as well as a broad knowledge of the specific needs of client groups, different working methods, legislation and the service system. The work is carried out in the everyday lives of people and communities of different ages and in a variety of settings. Bachelor of Social Services (UAS) is able to critically analyse global and societal phenomena and understand their impact on the lives and well-being of people and communities, as well as to act as an advocate for social issues. Bachelor of Social Services (UAS) can identify and implement solutions that support sustainable development from the perspective of social sustainability. Bachelor of Social Services (UAS) has relevant competence in working communities and is able to work in development and management roles. Bachelor of Social Services (UAS) represents social and pedagogical expertise in different working environments and networks.
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) and those of early childhood education and care:
• Ethical competence in social services / Ethical competence in early childhood education and care
• Competence in social service work with clients / Competence in client work in early childhood education and care
• Competence in social service systems / Competence in networks and the service system in early childhood education and care
• Critical and inclusion-promoting civic competence
• Research, development and innovation skills
• Work community, management and entrepreneurship competence
Select timing, structure or classification view
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SXH25S2VA-1001 |
1. Semester: Orientation to social services and higher education studies
(Choose all ) |
30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00GE00 | Orientation to studies | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00GE02 | Social Pedagogy in the Working Environments of a Bachelor of Social Services | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00GH44 | Professional Communication and Academic Writing | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX89 | Professional in Social and Health Care | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00GE03 | Individual and Group Counselling | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FY23 | Human Growth, Development and Socialization | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SXH25S2VA-1002 |
2. Semester: Orientation to social services and higher education studies
(Choose all ) |
30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX90 | Culture, Gender and Sexuality in Client Work | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX92 | Client and Patient Orientation | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FY27 | Global Awareness of Well-being of Children and Families | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00GE04 | Social Pedagogical Methods | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00GE10 | Basics of Welfare Society | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00GE11 | Professional English in Social Services | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX95 | Digital Services in Social and Health Care | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00GE13 | Internship 1: Social Services Work and Clients’ Everyday Life | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SXH25S2VA-1003 |
3. Semester: Development of Professional Competences in Social Services
(Choose all ) |
30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FY28 | Legislation and Organisation of Social Services | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00EQ85 | Swedish for Working Life | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00GE15 | Civil Society and Advocacy | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00GE16 | Social Welfare Ethics and Challenges | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00GE17 | Child Protection | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX96 | Basics of Research and Development | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SXH25S2VA-1004 |
4. Semester: Development of Professional Competences in Social Services
(Choose all ) |
30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FY29 | Basics of Early Childhood Education | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00GE21 | Mental Health and Addictions | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FY30 | Learning in Early Childhood | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00EQ83 | Advanced Research and Development | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00GE25 | Internship 2: Professional Client Work in Social Services | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SXH25S2VA-1005 |
5. Semester: Advanced Expertise in Social Services
(Choose all ) |
30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XX00FV31 | Metropolia Minno 1 | 2 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XX00FV32 | Metropolia Minno 2 | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00GE23 | Trauma, Crises and Violence | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FY33 | Supporting Children in Early Childhood Education | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XX00EL75 | Planning of the Thesis Work | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00GE24 | Internship 3: Client Work in the Service System | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SXH25S2VA-1006 |
6. Semester: Advanced Expertise in Social Services
(Choose all ) |
20 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FY22 | Children and Families in Global and Urban Environments | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XX00EL76 | Implementation of the Thesis Work | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FX55 | Entrepreneurship and Leadership in Social and Health Care | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XX00FV33 | Metropolia Minno 3 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SXH25S2VA-1007 |
7. Semester: Advanced Expertise in Social Services
(Choose all ) |
28 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FY25 | Pedagogical Activities in Early Childhood Education | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| XX00EL77 | Reporting of the Thesis and Maturity Test | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00FY36 | Professional Development and Career Planning | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SX00GE26 | Internship 4: Professional Development of a Bachelor of Social Services | 15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SXH25S2VA-1008 |
Profile Studies in Working Life Skills
(Choose ects: 5) |
5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SXH25S2VA-1009 |
Elective Studies
(Choose ects: 7) |
7 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 210 | 60.8 | 60.8 | 50.8 | 25.8 | 30 | 30.8 | 30 | 30.8 | 30 | 20.8 | 25.8 | 15 | 15 | 15.4 | 15.4 | 15 | 15 | 15.4 | 15.4 | 15 | 15 | 10.4 | 10.4 | 12.9 | 12.9 |
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)
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Replaces the Metropolia's Generic Competences::Bachelor's Degree, UAS” -matrix.. Heidi Rontu/31.8.2022
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