Bachelor Degree Programme in Social Services (SOS2021S): Sosionomi (AMK)
Code: SOS21S
Descriptions
The Bachelor’s degree in Social Services (210 credits) is divided into basic studies in social services (40 cr), professional studies in social services (145 cr), the thesis (15 cr) and free-choice studies (10 cr). All the students in this degree complete basic studies, professional studies, and a thesis. The degree usually takes 3.5 years to complete. Previous studies, work experience in the field and otherwise acquired competence in accordance with the curriculum are taken into account in the personal study plan and in such cases, it may take less than the stated time to complete the studies.
The Bachelor’s degree in Social Services (AMK) leads to a university of applied sciences (AMK) Bachelor’s degree qualification in Social Services (Section 6 of the Act on the Qualification Requirements for Social Welfare Professionals). The required qualification providing eligibility to work as a social advisor or supervisor is a university of applied sciences degree in social and health care suitable for the field of social welfare. Social services graduates must apply to Valvira (National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health) for the degree to be legalized, and after Valvira's decision, they will be entitled to work as social services professionals. In addition, the degree program provides students with the opportunity to complete studies leading to a qualification in early childhood education (Section 27 of the Early Childhood Education Act). It is also possible for the students to advance their professional development according to interest by completing the appropriate internships and choosing a relevant topic for the thesis.
Graduates of the bachelor’s degree in social services not only find employment in the public or private sector, but also in the third sector. Social services jobs are often found in early childhood education, child, youth, and family services, in services for the disabled or the elderly, substance abuse or mental health work, or multicultural services. Many social services graduates become self-employed or set up their own businesses. They can also work in social services management positions. The professional job titles used by social services graduates are for example, service supervisor, social welfare advisor, outreach youth worker, early childhood educator, social service advisor, youth leader, school social worker, project planner, project manager, careers advisor.
Teaching includes on-site contact teaching in Kajaani, real-time teaching online, on-the-job learning (projects, work monitoring, interviews), independent learning online, group work and collaborative learning. The lectures are delivered online, either as real-time lectures or as recordings. The degree includes about two (2) days per month of on-site contact teaching in Kajaani apart from the beginning of the studies in the first year, when there is an intensive four-day period of contact teaching that continues with two days of contact teaching per week throughout September. After this, from October onwards, there will be on-site contact teaching in Kajaani two days per month. The contact teaching is activity-based. Minor changes in the amount of contact teaching may occur but students will be informed of such changes well in advance.
The degree includes extensive opportunities to learn in real work environments and in the students’ home region(s). During the studies, co-operation is also carried out within the University of Applied Sciences, and in this case the students will have the opportunity to practice working life skills such as multi-professional cooperation with nursing and public health nursing students through simulations. Studies in the field of sports are part of the social services degree. Research and development activities involve co-operation with social welfare and services employers from the public, private and third sectors in the regions of Kainuu, Kuusamo and Raahe. Thus, the students will be carrying out regional pioneering work with KAMK's RDI staff.
During the studies, three internships accruing a total of 45 credits are completed. In the internships, co-operation is established with social welfare and service providers in KAMK's area of operation, and the students receive assistance in finding internships. Students can complete an internship in their hometown or region. The Jobiili system is used to acquire internships. Professional studies include 20 credits in early childhood education and social pedagogy. If, in addition to the degree in social services, students wish to gain a qualification in early childhood education in accordance with the Early Childhood Education Act (Section 27), they must complete the professional internship (15 cr) and the second part of their advanced internship (10 cr) within early childhood education. In addition, they are expected to compile a thesis concerning early childhood education.
The structure of Kajaani University of Applied Sciences' Bachelor’s degree in Social Services is as follows:
Objective
The competence objectives are based on the competencies defined for the field social services and welfare and early childhood education. The competencies are described in the overview of the curriculum.
Further information
Kajaani University of Applied Sciences offers you an international study environment and numerous opportunities to develop the international skills required today during your studies.
The studies include language and communication studies that accrue a total of 8 credits and are conducted in Swedish and English. The tasks of individual courses can be combined with language studies, in which case the tasks are performed in English. You can gain international experience by completing a part of your studies or a traineeship abroad. KAMK has partner universities and partners in more than 80 different countries.
Select timing, structure or classification view
Show study timings by semester, study year or period
Code | Name | Credits (cr) | 2021-2022 | 2022-2023 | 2023-2024 | 2024-2025 | Autumn 2021 | Spring 2022 | Autumn 2022 | Spring 2023 | Autumn 2023 | Spring 2024 | Autumn 2024 | 1. / 2021 | 2. / 2021 | 3. / 2022 | 4. / 2022 | 1. / 2022 | 2. / 2022 | 3. / 2023 | 4. / 2023 | 1. / 2023 | 2. / 2023 | 3. / 2024 | 4. / 2024 | 1. / 2024 | 2. / 2024 |
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SOS21S-1001 |
SOSIONOMIN PERUSOPINNOT (40 OP)
(Choose all ) |
0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SOS21S-1005 |
Study Skills in the Field of Social and Healthcare (4 cr)
(Choose all ) |
4 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA18 | Study Skills for Higher Education | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | |||||||||||||||||
SO00CA19 | Digital Skills | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SOS21S-1006 |
Language and Communication Skills for Social Services (12 cr)
(Choose all ) |
12 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA20 | Specialist Communication | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA21 | Good Negotiation and Meeting Skills in Social Services | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA22 | Swedish for Social Services | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1.5 | 1.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA23 | English for Social Services | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SOS21S-1007 |
Basics Customer Contacts and the Service System in Social Services (14 cr)
(Choose all ) |
14 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA24 | Professional Competence for Customer Contacts in Social Services | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA25 | Basics of the Social and Healthcare System | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA26 | Supporting Customer Inclusion | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA27 | Basics of Medical Care for Social Services | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SOS21S-1014 |
Practical Training (Professional Induction for Social Services) (10 cr)
(Choose all ) |
10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA37 | Practical Training (Professional Induction for Social Services) | 10 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SOS21S-1002 |
PROFESSIONAL STUDIES FOR SOCIAL SERVICES (145 CR)
(Choose all ) |
0 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SOS21S-1009 |
Service Systems and Social Competence (20 cr)
(Choose all ) |
20 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA28 | Ethical Principles in Customer Contacts and Instruction | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA29 | Social Security and Legislation | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA30 | Competence in Social Science and Working for Change | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA31 | Health and Welfare Promotion Models | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SOS21S-1010 |
Supporting Diverse Life Situations with Social Services (30 cr)
(Choose all ) |
30 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA32 | Working with Families and Child Protection | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA33 | Resource-based Substance Abuse and Mental Health Work | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA34 | Work with people with Disabilities | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA35 | Elderly Care and Supporting Everyday Physical Capability | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA36 | Youth and Adult Social Work | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CB66 | Immigration Social Work and Encountering Multiculturalism | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SOS21S-1011 |
Advising and Rehabilitating Customers in Social Services (25 cr)
(Choose all ) |
25 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA38 | Introduction to Case Management and Working with Customers in Social Services | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA39 | Social Rehabilitation, Physical and Mental Capability and Inclusion | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA40 | Exercise as a Method of Social Empowerment | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA41 | Storytelling, Drama and Use of Pictures as Creative Instruction Methods | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA42 | Wellbeing and digital Technology in Social Services | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SOS21S-1012 |
Early Childhood education and Social Pedagogy (20 cr)
(Choose all ) |
20 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA74 | Introduction to Social Pedagogy and Childhood as Cultural Phenomena | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA75 | Basics of Early Childhood Education | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA76 | Pedagogy of Early Childhood Education | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA77 | Supporting Growth and Development in Early Childhood Education | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SOS21S-1013 |
Entrepreneurial, Leadership and Development Competence for Social Services Students (15 cr)
(Choose all ) |
15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA78 | Research, Development, and Innovation Competence | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA79 | Management and Entrepreneurship in the Field of Social and Healthcare | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA80 | Developing Social Services | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | |||||||||||||||||||||
SOS21S-1015 |
Professional Internship in Social Services (15 cr)
(Choose all ) |
15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA81 | Professional Internship in Social Services | 15 | 15 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.8 | 3.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
SOS21S-1016 |
Advanced Professional Internship in Social Services (20 cr)
(Choose all ) |
20 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA82 | Advanced Professional Internship in Social Services | 20 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | |||||||||||||||||
SOS21S-1003 |
FREE-CHOICE STUDIES (10 CR)
(Choose ects: 10) |
10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SOS21S-1017 |
Managers and Supervisors in Workplace Development
(Choose ects: 10) |
10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA91 | Organisational Communication | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA92 | Developmental Activities and Quality Management | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA93 | Work-based Development Project | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SOS21S-1018 |
Management for a Thriving Community
(Choose ects: 10) |
10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA94 | Leading Staff Resources | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA95 | Work Community Competence and Management | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA96 | Occupational Wellbeing | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SOS21S-1019 |
Advanced Entrepreneurial Skills
(Choose ects: 10) |
10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA88 | Management Accounting | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA89 | Customer-oriented Marketing | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA90 | Contract / Commercial Law | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SOS21S-1020 |
Social Services Competence Studies
(Choose ects: 10) |
10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CB61 | Multi-professional Supervision and Rehabilitation of Patients in Palliative Care and their Families in the Organising of Social Services | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA97 | Green Care in the Field of Social and Healthcare | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CB60 | Organisations and Associations as Social and Healthcare Service Providers | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA98 | Advanced Studies in the Basics of Medical Care and Pharmacology | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CA99 | Event Management | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CB00 | Basics of Object-oriented Programming | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CB01 | Basics of Programming | 5 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CB02 | Campus Online courses, free-choice, 5-10 cr | 5 - 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SOS21S-1004 |
THESIS (15 CR)
(Choose all ) |
15 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
SO00CB67 | Thesis | 15 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | ||||||||||||||
Total | 210 | 59 | 62 | 53 | 26 | 30 | 29 | 32.5 | 29.5 | 28 | 25 | 26 | 15 | 15 | 14.5 | 14.5 | 16.3 | 16.3 | 14.8 | 14.8 | 14 | 14 | 12.5 | 12.5 | 13 | 13 |
Due to the timing of optional and elective courses, credit accumulation per semester / academic year may vary.
Sosionomien kompetenssit
SV_Sosionomi ja varhaiskasvatus(2023-)
Sosionomi kompetenssit ja varhaiskasvatuksen ydinosaaminen (Arene ry. työryhmän selvitys 2017)
01_SV_ Eettinen osaaminen varhaiskasvatuksessa
-toimii lasten oikeuksien sopimuksen mukaisesti edistäen varhaiskasvatuksessa olevan lapsen, lapsiryhmien ja perheiden toimijuutta, osallisuutta, yhdenvertaisuutta, tasa-arvoa, turvallisuutta ja kestävää elämäntapaa |
Good Negotiation and Meeting Skills in Social Services |
Supporting Customer Inclusion |
Working with Families and Child Protection |
Exercise as a Method of Social Empowerment |
Storytelling, Drama and Use of Pictures as Creative Instruction Methods |
Introduction to Social Pedagogy and Childhood as Cultural Phenomena |
Basics of Early Childhood Education |
Pedagogy of Early Childhood Education |
Supporting Growth and Development in Early Childhood Education |
Professional Internship in Social Services |
Advanced Professional Internship in Social Services |
02.SV_ Asiakastyön osaaminen varhaiskasvatuksessa
-ymmärtää lapsen kasvun, kehityksen ja oppimisen lähtökohdat, lapsuuden merkityksen ja osaa tukea lapsen laaja-alaista osaamisen kehittymistä |
Good Negotiation and Meeting Skills in Social Services |
Supporting Customer Inclusion |
Social Security and Legislation |
Working with Families and Child Protection |
Exercise as a Method of Social Empowerment |
Storytelling, Drama and Use of Pictures as Creative Instruction Methods |
Introduction to Social Pedagogy and Childhood as Cultural Phenomena |
Basics of Early Childhood Education |
Pedagogy of Early Childhood Education |
Supporting Growth and Development in Early Childhood Education |
Professional Internship in Social Services |
Advanced Professional Internship in Social Services |
03.SV_ Verkosto- ja palvelujärjestelmäosaaminen varhaiskasvatuksessa
-toimii varhaiskasvatuksen ja sivistys-, sosiaali- ja terveyspalveluiden monialaisessa yhteistyössä ja vastaa lapsiryhmän osalta erityisesti perheiden kanssa tehtävästä yhteistyöstä, varhaisesta tuesta ja ehkäisevän lastensuojelutyön suunnittelusta, toteuttamisesta ja kehittämisestä |
No attached course units |
04.SV_Kriittinen ja osallisuutta edistävä yhteiskuntaosaaminen varhaiskasvatuksessa
-ymmärtää varhaiskasvatukseen liittyviä yhteiskunnallisia ilmiöitä ja tunnistaa valtarakenteita kriittisesti tarkastellen ja yhteiskunnan rakenteisiin vaikuttaen |
Introduction to Social Pedagogy and Childhood as Cultural Phenomena |
Basics of Early Childhood Education |
Supporting Growth and Development in Early Childhood Education |
Professional Internship in Social Services |
Advanced Professional Internship in Social Services |
05.SV_ Tutkimuksellinen kehittämis- ja innovaatio-osaaminen varhaiskasvatuksessa
-ymmärtää ammatillisuuden muuttuvan ja kehittyvän luonteen oman osaamisensa ylläpitämisessä sekä varhaiskasvatuksen kehittämisessä |
Pedagogy of Early Childhood Education |
06.SV_Työyhteisö-, johtamis- ja yrittäjyysosaaminen varhaiskasvatuksessa
-soveltaa työntekijyys-, johtajuus- ja tiimityötaitoja toimiessaan osana varhaiskasvatuksen |
Professional Internship in Social Services |
Advanced Professional Internship in Social Services |
Not grouped |
Study Skills for Higher Education |
Digital Skills |
Specialist Communication |
Swedish for Social Services |
English for Social Services |
Professional Competence for Customer Contacts in Social Services |
Basics of the Social and Healthcare System |
Basics of Medical Care for Social Services |
Practical Training (Professional Induction for Social Services) |
Ethical Principles in Customer Contacts and Instruction |
Competence in Social Science and Working for Change |
Health and Welfare Promotion Models |
Resource-based Substance Abuse and Mental Health Work |
Work with people with Disabilities |
Elderly Care and Supporting Everyday Physical Capability |
Youth and Adult Social Work |
Immigration Social Work and Encountering Multiculturalism |
Introduction to Case Management and Working with Customers in Social Services |
Social Rehabilitation, Physical and Mental Capability and Inclusion |
Wellbeing and digital Technology in Social Services |
Research, Development, and Innovation Competence |
Management and Entrepreneurship in the Field of Social and Healthcare |
Developing Social Services |
Organisational Communication |
Developmental Activities and Quality Management |
Work-based Development Project |
Leading Staff Resources |
Work Community Competence and Management |
Occupational Wellbeing |
Management Accounting |
Customer-oriented Marketing |
Contract / Commercial Law |
Multi-professional Supervision and Rehabilitation of Patients in Palliative Care and their Families in the Organising of Social Services |
Green Care in the Field of Social and Healthcare |
Organisations and Associations as Social and Healthcare Service Providers |
Advanced Studies in the Basics of Medical Care and Pharmacology |
Event Management |
Basics of Object-oriented Programming |
Basics of Programming |
Campus Online courses, free-choice, 5-10 cr |
Thesis |