Study Guide

Qualification Awarded and the Level of Qualification

Master's degree in Community Work and Multicultural Development,(University of Applied Sciences)

Contact Information

Vesa Joutsen, Head of Comptence Area
firstname.lastname@tuni.fi

Special Admission Requirements

To be eligible to apply to TAMK’s Master’s Degree Programme in Community Work and Multicultural Development, an applicant most hold

One of the following UAS degrees completed in Finland:
Sosionomi (AMK)
Yhteisöpedagogi (AMK)
Geronomi (AMK)
Kuntoutuksen ohjaaja (AMK), or
One of the following diplomas from a Finnish vocational college (opistoaste):
Sosiaalikasvattaja or equivalent lähikasvattaja diploma
Sosiaaliohjaaja
Kehitysvammaisten ohjaaja or Kehitysvamma-alan ohjaaja
Sosiaalialan ohjaaja
Diakoni diploma that includes sosiaaliohjaaja training, or
One of the following degrees completed in Finland or equivalent degrees completed outside Finland:
Bachelor of social work / social policy / social psychology / social sciences / administrative sciences / arts (education).

In addition, the applicant must have a minimum of two years (24 months) work experience from a relevant field after completing the degree.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Credit transfer allows the student to apply for recognition of previous higher education to the studied degree, if they meet the competence objectives of the degree programme.
Credit transfer follows the specific policies and procedures of TAMK.

Qualification Requirements and Regulations

The programme corresponds to the competence framework described in European Qualification Framework (EQF) and the National Quality Framework (NQF). EQF enables lifelong learning and the flexibility of degrees within Europe. The master’s degree corresponds to the competence level 7

Profile of the Programme

Tampere University of Applied Sciences TAMK is offering new innovative social politic and humanistic programme which gives an excellent chance to explore global, ecological, and social challenges as well as sustainable development solutions. It is possible to apply theories and practices of eco-social work, social pedagogy and community work in students current and future environments and work opportunities.

Key Learning Outcomes

The programme consists of collaborative online distance learning and one intensive week in Tampere, Finland.

The intensive week will be held (face to face) in Tampere, Finland from September 5 to 9, 2022. If it’s not possible to hold the intensive week at the campus for any reason, the intensive week will be held online. Information about this possible change will be given to the students well in advance.

The studies take place collaboratively online in 12 online courses of 5 credit each, six of them being a free choice course. Each course lasts 7-8 weeks (about 2 months). The Master’s Thesis is 30 credits.

During the first semester you will learn about theoretical framework for eco-social work and community and participatory development methods. You will also begin the thesis process by confirming your thesis topic and finalizing your plan.

In the second semester, you will become acquainted with Finnish Social and Health Service Systems, as well as global challenges and welfare issues. In the thesis process, you progress to the implementation phase, for which you receive support from the teaching staff and project partners.

During the third semester, you will become familiar with project and customer relationship management, system theories and experimental culture. In addition, interpersonal work, such as facilitation and mentoring, are at the center. During the third and fourth semesters, most students complete their thesis and a master’s degree.
The final project is a research development thesis based on the development needs of working life, which you plan and implement in cooperation with working life and report independently. The thesis demonstrates your ability to utilize research data and apply and use selected research and development methods. The thesis shows your readiness for independent expert work.

Occupational Profiles of Graduates with Examples

After 1,5 years of inspiring studies, graduates have developed a strong expertise to work in demanding customer service and supervisory positions in social and health care organizations as well as academies. They have a capacity to work in multicultural communities and international roles too.

As a graduate of the master’s degree Programme in Community Work and Multicultural Development, you can also work as a multicultural work leader, a sustainable development expert, a community work leader, and an expert in social development projects.

Access to Further Studies

TAMK's master's degree certificate offers you the possibility to apply for doctoral studies in other universities according to their admission policy.

Examination Regulations, Assessment and Grading

Evaluation is based on the common evaluation criteria of TAMK.

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate the student needs to complete the studies in accordance to the curriculum.

Mode of Study

This master's degree, based on social sciences and humanities, can be completed as a part-time or full-time online study. In the implementation of the degree program, we work closely with local and international experts in the field. The courses are attached to authentic learning environments and the student can utilize his or her own life and work experiences. The programme welcomes close interaction between international students and specialists. Students attend to real societal issues. They analyze and solve the issues creatively in collaboration with others. Participants can apply what they have learned in their own environments, while seeking to promote the eco-social development of their own community or society.

This 90 ECTS credit programme focuses on studies that benefit you from working in development and management positions in social and health care or academy. The estimated study period is 1.5 years. The estimate has been calculated assuming that the student is also working while completing the degree. The thesis module (30 ECTS credits) includes webinars and method teaching.

Development of the Programme

The curriculum is developed in cooperation with TAMK’s other Master’s degree Programmes. Working life cooperation is implemented e.g. through students' Master thesises and an international advisory board. Student feedback is collected regularly and applied constantly. Alumni feedback is collected regularly.