Degree Programme in Social Services: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Work

Description

Degree Programme in Social Services
WELLBEING SERVICES/Tampere,
Qualification Bachelor of Social Services
The Extent of the Education is 210 credits (cr) and it lasts for 3.5 years
Implementation method full-time study
Campus Kuntokatu 3, 33520 Tampere
Director of Education Riitta Hanhijärvi
Head of the Programme of Social Services Outi Wallin.
Eligibility: see TAMK’s websites on application and eligibility for bachelor’s / master’s degrees at www.tamk.fi/english.
Basic Values of Education
Ethical competence in social services and social work is the core of education programme in social services. The work of social sector is guided by United Nations Human Rights and by Finnish laws and regulations of social rights.
Human rights are basic rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled. This means that all humans are endowed with certain entitlements merely by reason of being human.
Competences developed
The nationally defined competence requirements for social service education in universities of applied sciences are:
- Ethical skills
- Client service skills
- Social service system skills
- Societal analysis and influencing skills,
- Reflective development and management skills
Social service clientship is connected to preventive, communal and structural work. Increasingly social services and social work are implemented in multi-professional projects, services and networks and thus Bachelors of Social Services are required to be capable of working as experts in social services with other professionals.
Social service work is client-oriented and empowering. Working in the field requires reflective and creative skills as well as an investigative work approach. Guidance and development of functions and networking skills are essential. The multi-cultural society also requires language skills and cultural sensitivity.
Professional Status
Bachelors of Social Services work in various fields of social services in the public and private sector as well as in organisations. They can work e.g. in early education, child welfare, family welfare, rehabilitation for intoxicant abusers, mental health services and services for the elderly or disabled and probation and aftercare. Students of the option of Social Pedagogy are qualified to work as kindergarten teachers in children’s day care centres. Social Sector is a developing area in Entrepreneurship.
Our main scientific approaches are Social Work, Social Pedagogy and Social Rehabilition.
The social pedagogy education emphasises pedagogical way of thinking and pedagogical work methods in social work. Students learn to use creative and functional work methods in social work and education. The focus of case management and social work studies is on mastery of client-oriented work approach and psychosocial supporting methods. The social rehabilitation studies emphasise promotion of the social functional ability and participation and inclusion using rehabilitative methods and working in the services for the disabled.
Optional studies offer students the possibility to gain more working life or project competence by means of an elective practical training or to improve their skills in languages, international work or application of diverse creative methods in social work.
Pedagogy of Co-operative and Dialoge Based Learning
The social service teaching and learning are implemented using various methods. In addition to lectures, the studies include group work, working life–oriented projects and written assignments. Investigative learning and work approach are studied and practised in diverse manners. Method studies and diverse communication studies aim at developing group counselling skills. The studies include virtual learning. Students have the possibility of participating in international exchange programmes. Supervised practical training periods combine the theory and practice.
Structure of degree programme
Common core studies 11 cr
Common professional studies of degree programme 134 cr
Practical training 45 cr
Bachelor´s thesis 15 cr
Elective studies 5 cr
In total 210 cr
Learning outcomes and aims of degree programme / academic year
During the first year, the study programme is the same for all students. The theme of the first year is basics, objectives and forms of social work and social pedagogy. Students become familiar with the basics, objectives and core know-how of social service work and every day life of the clients. They practise their basic skills in client work in various operating environments. They are familiar with the main theoretical backgrounds of social policy, social work, social pedagogy and education. They are also familiar with the ways and forms of providing social services.
The second-year studies are mainly implemented in the optional professional studies. Students learn to use various work methods and approaches in social service work and to assess and develop them in a reflective way. The theory studies and practical trainings familiarise the students with various client groups and situations as well as communities. Students learn to use diverse methods in client work and deepen their skills in case management and social work, social pedagogy or social rehabilitation.
The theme of the third-year autumn studies is investigative and developing work practices in social service work. Students prepare a working life -oriented bachelor’s thesis, which demonstrates their ability to adopt a developing and investigative work approach. The University of Applied sciences` regional impact task is often connected to bachelor´s theses.
The themes of the third and fourth year are development and action guidance of social service work and development of fourth know-how. Students deepen their skills in client work and can apply their knowledge even in demanding client work. Students are familiar with the quality recommendations of social services and become familiar with the guidance, development and assessment of social services. Students have also entrepreneur studies. Students complete a three-month practical training, which includes also studies of the Management.
International studies at TAMK
Student of Social Services can choose international and multicultural studies during studies. They can apply different exchange studies.

Further information

National competences of degree programme in social services
Ethical competence (in social services and social work)
Competence for client service
Competence for social service system
Competence for societal analysis and influencing
Competence for reflective development
Competence for management