Curriculum 2013 – SYV214KJ (in English)

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LAUREA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

Degree Programme in Health Promotion, Services Development and Management (Laurea Tikkurila, sote),
SYV214KJ

Ylemmät ammattikorkeakoulututkinnot

Operating Environment for Social Services

The operating environment for social services is constantly changing. Globalisation, changes in the economy and
business as well as technological progress are reflected in the lives of individuals, families, and communities. Some
of the challenges in social services include the aging of the population, multiculturalism, and socio-economic
differences. The service structure of the welfare sector is shifting from being system- and sector-focused to
providing customer-oriented and networked services. The significance of immediate communities and private
services is growing in the provision of welfare services. The increasing number of enterprises providing welfare
services is creating new opportunities in the sector. Welfare technology will also continue to open new doors,
although interpersonal work is increasing in importance as well. New kinds of service innovations are required in
order to respond to the challenges in the welfare sector. The change affects all operating environments in social
services and in correctional services.

Laurea’s area of operation, the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, is highly dynamic. It is characterised by population
growth, strong economic and technological development, internationalisation and multiculturalism. The lifestyles of
people in the Uusimaa region vary from typical urban cultures to rural small communities. The aging of the
population is the single biggest challenge faced by the welfare services. Other challenges deal with supporting the
everyday lives of families with children living in widely different situations, with various social problems and with
factors that cause social marginalisation, such as unemployment, homelessness, addiction and mental health
problems, and crime.

Expertise in Social Services

The aim of the Degree Programme in Social Services is to train experts in social services. This means looking at
issues related to education, rehabilitation, prevention, and the maintenance of individuals' ability to function from the
perspective of interpersonal relationships, social situations, and the society as a whole. The values of social
services are founded on respect for people and social justice. Graduates with a Master of Social Services degree
are experts in development and management that is founded on the values and context of the sector.

The Master of Social Services degree completed in the Degree Programme in Social Services emphasises the
societal perspective even more than the Bachelor of Social Services degree. The graduates are expected to view
the client work and development activities against wider social and global contexts.

Mastery of applied professional work methods and an understanding of the underlying social and rehabilitative
perspective form the core competence of the field. However, working with customers with different circumstances
and in the context of social changes emphasises the need for a research-oriented and developmental approach
alongside existing work methods. Also the continuous self-evaluation of one’s own work and learning, i.e. reflective
professionalism, is important. Social efficiency requirements as well as a focus on citizens’ rights and effective
measures have given rise to a need to evaluate services, work methods, quality and management. The Master of
Social Services degree focuses on evaluating operations and work methods

Competence Areas

A research-oriented and developmental approach is an essential aspect of any work in social services and
correctional services.In particular, research and development competence is emphasised in the Master’s degree.
Graduates are well versed in work development methods and are able to evaluate development activities using
applicable research methods. They are able to analyse and conceptualise change processes in social services.
They are able to develop work by critically applying data from scientific research as well as experience and
knowledge acquired from practical development activities. They are able to reform practices in social services and
correctional services by means of systematic knowledge generation.

The importance of leadership is highlighted in social services and correctional services. The Degree Programme
emphasises multidimensional leadership competence. Special focus is placed on the management of change
processes and the importance of leadership in development activities. HR management and financial management
as well as leadership self-evaluation are integrated in the Degree Programme.

Expertise in social services refers to the required skills for carrying out demanding expert tasks of the profession.
Expertise requires methodological skills in customer work and broad-based social competence. Graduates with a
Master of Social Services degree are able to assess and develop social services and client processes in
collaboration with various actors and across traditional sector boundaries. They are able to analyse the political and
economic factors affecting social services. Influence and the mastering of work methods is highlighted in the social
services and correctional services. In particular, a Master of Social Services knows how to develop client work
methods, operating principles, and service arrangements. They are also able to evaluate the theoretical approaches
behind various work methods.

Professional Growth

Education in social services is founded on a concept of humanity that emphasises development opportunities, being
active, and resources. Learning situations promote active information processing and focus on creativity and
interaction.

The studies partly progress according to the progress logic of the development project. The students’ learning
process is closely linked to workplace development activities. At the early stages of the studies, it is essential to
deepen the social frame of reference and to analyse development needs. The students learn to plan and manage
development activities.

The students' professional development is supported by their personal study plans (HOPS) and individual, group,
and online instruction. The personal study plan emphasises the initial review of the student's competence and
learning objectives, matters related to the practical arrangements of the studies, as well as study planning. In
addition to instruction supporting professional growth and study planning, individual and group instruction for writing
the thesis is also offered. The work community's commitment to training as well as mentoring also support
professional development

Description of the Degree Programme

The Degree Programme is aimed at individuals who want to manage and develop social services and correctional
services, seek new, innovative ways of working or of organising work. Development highlights the influence of
operations and also citizens' rights to receive services they need and that are of high quality, as well as project work.
Graduates with a Master of Social Services degree can work in development positions and as experts, planners and
managers in the public, private and third sectors.

The Degree Programmes in the Laurea University of Applied Sciences are built on the principle of Learning by
Developing. According to this principle, learning is closely linked to development activities taking place in authentic
workplaces. Research and communality supporting development further promote learning. Learning is a holistic
experiential process.

The Degree Programme aims to address the challenges created by internationalisation and multiculturalism in
society. The studies contain international modules and international work placement can be included in the studies.
Management and development studies offer opportunities for both working in the public sector and as an
entrepreneur in welfare services. The students can develop their entrepreneurial competence by concentrating on
welfare entrepreneurship in their theses

Structure of the Curriculum

The studies comprise a thesis (30 cr) and three themes:
• Management (20 cr)
• Research and development (15 cr)
• Expertise in social services and work methods (20 cr)

Elective studies account for 5 credits.
The studies begin with an analysis of the development trends in the welfare society as well as research and
development studies, progressing to management studies and elective studies.

The thesis is worked on throughout the degree programme. It starts with gathering ideas for the topic and an
analysis of related development needs during the first year, and progresses to a thesis plan. It is possible to
complete the studies in 1.5 years, although a more realistic timeframe is 1.5 to 2 years. Some of the studies are
carried out in collaboration with other universities of applied sciences in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area and some in
international partnerships

Quality Assurance of the Degree Programme

The studies comply with Laurea's quality system based on a cycle of continuous development. Feedback is
collected using an electronic system at the beginning and end of the studies. This feedback covers instruction,
guidance, workload, well-being and studies as well as the purpose of the studies for each student. In addition,
written feedback is collected from each face-to-face instruction period.

Key indicators in the evaluation and monitoring of the entire training process include the appeal of the training, rate
of completion, average length of studies, employment after graduation, and stakeholder feedback.

Feedback and any resulting development measures are discussed with students during the face-to-face instruction
periods and in mentoring groups. Feedback from students is used on developing the study units and the curriculum.
In addition, research data collected on the Degree Programme leading to the Master's degree has been used in
developing the curriculum. Study development is supported by a steering group consisting of representatives from
education, workplaces and the student body. The steering group monitors the follow-up of the influence of the
development activities

1. year 2. year
OP STUDIES 30 60
V001 EVIDENCE-BASED HEALTH PROMOTION
V1206 Scientific basis of health promotion 5
V1286 Social Policy for Welfare Promotion 5
V1207 Health promotion on the level of individuals, groups, 5
and communities
V1208 Health promotion based on evidence 2 3
V0007 Influencing in society 5
V044 MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP
V1266 HR management 5
V1276 Strategic Management 5
V1267 Change Management 5
V1268 HR management and financial management 5
V045 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
V1287 Basic Methodology 3
V1288 Quantitative Research Methods 2
V1289 Qualitative Research Methods 2
V1290 Development and evaluation approaches 3
V004 ELECTIVE STUDIES
V1291 Welfare Ethics 3
V003 THESIS
V1273 Thesis 30
30 60
V001 EVIDENCE-BASED HEALTH PROMOTION, 25 cr

Description:
Valmistuttuaan opiskelija soveltaa työssään terveyden ja terveyden edistämisen tietoperustaa. Hänen toimintaansa
ohjaavat terveyspoliittiset ohjelmat, sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollon tavoite- ja toiminta-ohjelmat, suositukset ja
lainsäädäntö. Opiskelija osaa arvioida terveyden edistämisen vaikuttavuutta ja kehittää toimintaansa näyttöön
perustuvan idean mukaisesti.

V1206 Scientific basis of health promotion, 5 cr

The student is able to:
Students are able to evaluate critically the applicability and usability of health information and health promotion, and
investigate and analyse the concepts of health, health promotion and welfare. In addi-tion, they are able to assess
the promotion of health and welfare from the perspective of different disciplines and assess the ethics of health and
welfare promotion.

Contents of the study unit:
· key concepts and theoretical basis of health and health promotion
· perspective of different disciplines to health, health promotion and ethics

Study unit description:
The study unit covers the concepts, knowledge base and approaches of health and welfare promotion and views
about health and welfare from the perspective of different disciplines.

V1286 Social Policy for Welfare Promotion , 5 cr

The student is able to:
Students are able to analyse and evaluate target and action programmes, recommendations and legislation steering
health and welfare promotion. Students know how to make use of government programmes and recommendations
on health and welfare in health and welfare promotion. Students also understand health and welfare promotion from
the perspective of various administrative sectors and service providers. In addition, students are able to evaluate
and develop their expertise of health information and health and welfare promotion in society and evaluate and
develop health and welfare promotion at different levels of the changing, globalising society.

Contents of the study unit:
• key international and national government programmes and recommendations on health and social policy
• legislation

Study unit description:
The study unit focuses on programmes and decrees steering health and welfare. The study unit provides skills for
using government health and welfare programmes and recommendations for promoting and health and welfare.

V1207 Health promotion on the level of individuals, groups, and communities , 5 cr

The student is able to:
Students are able to analyse the health needs of the population and apply the ethical knowledge base of health and
welfare promotion. Students are also able to apply the knowledge base of health promotion for the promotion of the
health and welfare of individuals, groups and communities. Students are able to evaluate the influence of health
promotion at the level of individuals, groups and communities, justify the influence of health and welfare promotion
and produce evidence of such influence. In addition, students know how to critically assess the knowledge that
forms the basis for assistance methods in health and welfare promotion.

Contents of the study unit:
• information on the health status of the population
• methods of influence in health promotion on the level of individuals, groups, and communities, and assessment
of these methods
• influence of health promotion

Study unit description:
The study unit provides skills for applying the knowledge base of health and welfare promotion and the information
on which the assistance methods are based in order to promote the health of individuals, groups and communities.
The studies also introduce students to evaluating the influence of promoting the health and welfare of individuals,
groups and communities.

V1208 Health promotion based on evidence, 5 cr

The student is able to:
Students are able to base health promotion on evidence and apply the process of a systematic literature review on
the various themes of health and welfare promotion. Students are able to assess the level of evidence, make a
synthesis of the acquired knowledge and evaluate critically the information they have generated on health and
welfare promotion evidence.

Contents of the study unit:
• monitoring of health information and creating statistics
• theoretical foundation of evidence-based decision-making and operations (from the perspectives of research,
experts, clients and resources)
• information gathering from the perspective of practical development needs
• assessment of the level of evidence
• identification of best practices
• recommendations of health promotion (current care recommendations, nursing recommendations, quality
recommendations of health promotion)
• using various sources of information and recommendations in one's own work

Study unit description:
The study unit familiarises students with evidence-based procedures and instructs them in the use of different types
of data sources in applying the process of a systematic literature review on the various themes of health and welfare
promotion and on evaluating the level of evidence of health and welfare research.

V0007 Influencing in society, 5 cr

The student is able to:
Students are able to use different types of societal influencing methods and channels and critically assess the
objectives of their influencing measures. Students are also able to analyse different alternatives for developing the
service structure.

Contents of the study unit:
• development of services and the service structure
• government decision-making in and evaluation of social services, health, and social policies
• influencing the social and economic decision-making
• publication channels of health-related communication

Study unit description:
The study unit explores social communications and influence channels and issues concerning the devel-opment of
services.

V044 MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP, 20 cr

Description:
Graduates are able to critically apply different management approaches and their actions are based on a research-
oriented work method. They are able to use different types of societal influencing methods and expertise available in
networks.

V1266 HR management, 5 cr

The student is able to:
Students are familiar with key management theories and are able to apply, combine and critically assess different
approaches. They are able to manage and develop themselves and are familiar with diverse ways of developing
personnel competence and wellbeing at work. Students are familiar with specific issues relating to the management
of social and health care services.

Contents of the study unit:
• Management theories and various trends
• The value base of social services and health care as the foundation of management
• HR resources and competence
• Wellbeing and coping of personnel
• Self-management

Study unit description:
The study unit begins by exploring various management theories and challenges in managing social and health
care services. The study unit focuses on issues relating to personnel resources and competence and occupational
welfare

V1276 Strategic Management, 5 cr

The student is able to:
Students are familiar with the basics of strategy work and the the strategy process stages, and master participatory
strategy work. By using future forecast knowledge, students are able to assess changes in the operating
environment of social services and health care from a management perspective. Students understand the
significance of quality control and master the principles of quality management.

Contents of the study unit:
• Strategy process and its stages
• Participatory strategy work
• Future forecasting based on research data
• Quality control integrated into strategic management

Study unit description:
At the beginning of the study unit, students become familiar with the strategy process and its stages to gain mastery
of participatory strategy work methods. Future forecasting knowledge is applied to identify change signals in the
operating environment. The development of leadership competence among students is a key focus area.

V1267 Change Management, 5 cr

The student is able to:
Students are able to use various (diagnostic) methods to support personal and organisational development. They
are able to evaluate the impact of organisational changes from the perspective of an individual and the work
community. They use gathered information to support and guide the work community and its members in change
situations and operational development.

Contents of the study unit:
• Organisational and management evaluation methods
• Change management process and organisational interventions
• Interaction and networking in change situations

Study unit description:
The study unit explores different approaches to management and organisational evaluation. The study unit
emphasises the perspective of communal spirit and interaction in management as well as students evaluating their
personal leadership competence.

V1268 HR management and financial management, 5 cr

The student is able to:
Students master the basics of HR management and financial management. They are able to manage and evaluate
financial profitability.

Contents of the study unit:
• Basics and methods of financial administration
• Labour legislation
• Competition legislation

Study unit description:
Opintojaksolla perehdytään henkilöstö- ja taloushallinnon perusteisiin sekä työn toimintaympäristön taloudelliseen
kannattavuuteen.

V045 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, 10 cr

Description:
Graduates are able to develop their own work and work communities as supervisors, they are able to apply the
research and development methodology and produce research-based reports on the development activities.

V1287 Basic Methodology , 3 cr

The student is able to:
Students are able to apply R&D methods employed in promoting health and welfare. Students are also able to make
use of a variety of information gathering methods and sources. In addition, students are able to report and
communicate the results of research and development projects.

Contents of the study unit:
• The process of research-oriented development (reflectivity, critical approach)
• Reporting on development activities as well as reflective and synthesising writing
• Philosophical and etchical issues

Study unit description:
Students are introduced to key research and development issues.

V1288 Quantitative Research Methods, 2 cr

The student is able to:
Student know how to make use of quantitative methods.

Contents of the study unit:
• Guantitative methods, producting analysing material
Study unit description:
Student deepen their knowledge of production and analysis of guantitative material.

V1289 Qualitative Research Methods, 2 cr

The student is able to:
Student deepen her/his knowledge in qualitative methods

Contents of the study unit:
• Qualitative methods, producing and analysing material

Study unit description:
Student deepen his/her knowledge of production and analysis of qualitative material.

V1290 Development and evaluation approaches, 3 cr

The student is able to:
Students are able critically assess health and welfare promoting development activities and their influence.

Contents of the study unit:
• Development and evaluation approaches (impact assessment methodology, modelling
and action research)

Study unit description:
Students are introduced to methodological issues related to influence and evaluation.

V004 ELECTIVE STUDIES, 5 cr

Description:

The students may plan their elective studies themselves and complete other higher education studies which
correspond to the Master level requirements. The Principal Lecturer in charge of the elective studies approves the
students' elective studies plans.

The study units are integrated with research and development activities and the thesis. The thesis is a process that
spans the entire duration of the studies. Learning highlights action-based and collaborative ways of working.

V1291 Welfare Ethics, 3 cr

V003 THESIS, 30 cr

Description:

The aim of the thesis is to develop the students’ ability to apply research data, to use selected methods for
analysing and solving workplace problems and to carry out demanding specialist tasks independently.

The thesis must demonstrate the students’ ability to define and process chosen development targets, a
development-oriented approach, mastery of the theories and research methods needed in their work, familiarity with
the thesis topic and related literature, skills in processional communication, the ability to work with long-term
persistence and skills in understanding things holistically.

The thesis is completed as a workplace development project which progresses in alignment with the students'
learning process. The thesis process consists of the following stages: analysis of the topic, planning, writing,
evaluation, and publication. The thesis is evaluated by the teachers overseeing the thesis process. The evaluation
of the thesis can be performed by lecturers and employer representatives participating in the development project.
The students assess their own learning and the learning of others in the different stages of the thesis process.

Content:
”Ylemmän ammattikorkeakoulututkinnon opinnäytetyöt ovat luonteeltaan työelämälähtöisiä, prosessinomaisia,
soveltavia sekä uuteen tietoon ja innovaatioihin tähtääviä. Opinnäytetyöprosessin yhteydessä syntyneen tiedon
avulla ratkaistaan ongelmia ja esiin nousseita haasteita, kehitetään uusia ratkaisuja, menetelmiä, malleja sekä uutta
osaamista eikä niinkään sovelleta yksinomaan tieteellisten tutkimusten kautta tuotettua tietoa sellaisenaan
käytännön tilanteeseen.” (Laurean yamk opinnäytetyöohje 2008.)
”Opinnäytetöiden työelämäkytkentä on integroitu kokonaisvaltaisesti opiskelijoiden opintoihin, jotta he kehittyisivät
omaa työtään ja alaansa kehittävinä asiantuntijoina. Opinnäytetyöt toteutetaan erilaisissa organisaatioissa ja
useimmiten opinnäytetyö organisoidaan yhteisöllisenä kehittämisprosessina organisaation toimijoiden kanssa, jolloin
opinnäytetyöhön osallistuvat henkilöt toimivat yhteisönä, jossa tuotetaan uutta tietoa ja kehitetään oman yrityksen/
yksikön lisäksi myös kyseistä alaa sekä työelämää laajemminkin. Kyseessä on organisaation oppiminen sekä
organisaatiossa toimivien yksilöiden jatkuva oppiminen ja itsensä kehittäminen siten, että yhteinen näkemys
toimintamahdollisuuksien kehittämisestä syvenee.” (Laurean yamk opinnäytetyöohje 2008)

V1273 Thesis, 30 cr

The student is able to:
The aim of the thesis is to develop the students’ ability to apply research data, to use selected methods for
analysing and solving workplace problems and to carry out demanding specialist tasks independently. The thesis
must demonstrate the students’ ability to define and process chosen development targets, a development-oriented
approach, mastery of the theories and research methods needed in their work, familiarity with the thesis topic and
related literature, skills in processional communication, the ability to work with long-term persistence and skills in
understanding things holistically.

Students plan, implement, evaluate and report on a research-oriented development project. (see Laurea's thesis
guidelines).