Study Guide

Qualification Awarded and the Level of Qualification

Master's Degree Programme in Development and Management of Health Care and Social Services
Degree: Registered Nurse (Master’s degree), Public Health Nurse (Master’s degree), Midwife (Master’s degree), Emergency Nurse (Master’s degree), Social Services (Master’s degree), Bioanalyst (Master’s degree), Radiographer (Master’s degree), Physiotherapist (Master’s degree)
The Master's Degree Program in Development and Management of Health Care and Social Services is comparable to the EQF level 7 Master's Degrees.

Contact Information

Student Counsellor Ina Grönlund
Head of Programm Merja Kanervisto-Jokinen
Head of Competence Area Päivi Hautaviita

Special Admission Requirements

Applicants for the Master's Degree Programme in Development and Management of Health Care are awarded a Bachelor's degree in Bioanalyst, Emergency Nurse, Physiotherapist, Midwife, Radiographer, Registered Nurse, Social Sciences or Public Health Nurse or previous equivalent college degree, followed by at least two years' work experience in the social, health and sports field.
Applications through studyinfo.fi.

Recognition of Prior Learning

TAMK can allow credit transfer for studies completed at the same educational level as well as prior competence acquired through work experience, courses, hobbies, among others. The student’s prior competence is usually mapped at the beginning of the studies when making the individual study plan. The credit transfer principles can be found in the degree regulations.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

TAMK’s higher education council decides on student admission criteria. Student admission is implemented by means of the joint or separate application. TAMK provides health care and social services applicants with information on health and functional ability requirements. Persons who do not have the health or functional ability needed for study-related practical duties or clinical or practical training cannot be admitted. Admission may also be prohibited by a prior study place cancellation decision if required by protection of other people’s health or safety. TAMK applies case-specific consideration in determining the relevance of the prior cancellation decision for the field.

Profile of the Programme

The extent of the studies is 90 credits.
At the beginning of the programme, the student chooses one of the following fields for advanced professional studies:
- Management
- Development
Studies are implemented as part-time studies with contact teaching on average on two or three days a month. Outside the contact teaching, learning takes place through independent and team work. The degree can be completed alongside work.
The master’s thesis is a working life oriented development project. The master’s thesis topic can arise from a development need of the student’s current work community or it can be related to TAMK projects. The master’s thesis process includes research and development, systematic information search, and scientific writing. When the master’s thesis is ready, the student has to write a printable article as his/her maturity test.

Key Learning Outcomes

THE STRUCTURE OF THE STUDIES
Advanced professional studies 30 cr
Special master’s level studies 25 cr
Optional studies 5 cr
Master’s thesis 30 cr
Total 90 cr

Evidence-Based Management and Evidence-Based Development.

Occupational Profiles of Graduates with Examples

The education will provide the competence to work in management or design, development and expert positions.
Education gives qualification to a public post or position requiring a master's degree. The education also gives eligibility for vocational teacher training. Education is a work-based higher education degree and is comparable to that of EU countries (EQF level 7).

Access to Further Studies

After completing the degree, the student can apply for the teacher’s pedagogical studies either in a university or university of applied sciences and become a qualified teacher. Eligibility for licentiate’s and doctor’s degrees has to be negotiated separately with each faculty.

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

Assessment of completed courses is based on TAMK’s assessment criteria. The teaching and assessment methods are agreed on with the students at the beginning of the course. The detailed information and criteria can be found in the course implementation plan. TAMK’s degree regulations are followed in implementation and assessment.

Graduation Requirements

The studies need to be completed and competence objectives achieved in accordance with the curriculum in order to graduate.

Mode of Study

The degree programme consists of contact teaching days (2-3 days/month) as well as distance learning and independent work. Various independent and participatory work methods, such as teamwork and web-based learning, are used. Every student makes an individual study plan together with the teacher tutor. The studies can be completed in 1.5-2 years alongside work.

Development of the Programme

The curriculum has been developed in cooperation with TAMK’s other master’s degree programmes. Working life cooperation is implemented through working life projects, thesis ideas and projects, as well as regular network cooperation, and advisory councils. Student feedback is collected annually in connection with courses and individual study plan discussions. Alumni feedback is collected regularly through online surveys.