Degree Programme in Social Services, Turku

AUTUMN 2025 (September-December)

Degree Programme in Social Services, Campus TURKU

Note! In SPRING 2026 courses are offered in English at our campus Alere in Vaasa

Leadership and Development Work, 5 ECTS

The student
- has the skills to lead work communities - can apply quality management.
- knows about challenges, trends and current development projects within the social field.
- can critically review and develop activities within the social field.

Content:
- national development programmes and trends
- leadership theories and leadership styles
- strategic leadership: vision, mission and strategy, operating plan
- quality management and work
- personnel management and development
- workers’ protection, safety and crisis planning

Mental Illness, Mental Health and Crisis Work, 5 ects

The student:
- has knowledge of mental health and traumatic crises.
- is able to encounter, guide and support clients and relatives in crisis or with mental illness.
- is familiar with methods and working approaches within mental health care and crisis work.

Content
- promotion of mental wellbeing
- prevention of mental illness
- the most common mental disorders
- reactions in acute crises
- encountering people with mental illness
- psychosocial work and approaches
- medicines in mental health care
- mental health care legislation, regulatory documents and service systems
- the organisation of the crisis work, forms of support during the various stages of the crisis

Intersectionality and Anti-Oppressive Practice, 5 ECTS

The student
- can reflect on power relations from an intersectional perspective.
- understands how service users’ experiences are connected to power in social services and health care practices.
- has developed an understanding of different cultures and can critically reflect on its own values and biases.
- knows how to actively work to eliminate oppressive practices and structures.

Content:
- Nordic welfare and the principles of equality
- The concept of intersectionality (gender, class, disability, age, ethnicity and sexuality)
- Decolonizing theories
- Anti-Oppressive Practice
- Cultural sensitivity training

Social Work from Nordic and Sub-Saharan Africa Perspectives, 5 ECTS

The student
- has knowledge about the different social- and healthcare systems
- gets a broader perspective on international social work
- is familiar with key policies underpinning social work practice
- develop the understanding of similarities and differences considering culture, needs and conditions in the two regions

Content:
- The Nordic Welfare system and social work practice
- Social Work in Sub-Saharan Africa
- The role of NGO:s
- Client centered approaches
- Ethical and professional perspectives on social work
- Similarities and differences considering needs and conditions
- Tanzanian and Finnish society and culture
- Preparation for traineeship or work in the other region

Integration Promoting Social Work, 3 ECTS

The student
- has knowledge of service systems and legislation within the area of immigration and integration.
- can work with a culture-sensitive and integration promoting approach.
- can promote intercultural encounters and environments.

Content:
- immigration, integration, refugee and asylum
- cultural sensitivity and cultural competence
- integration laws
- the integration process
- the service system for asylum seekers and quota refugees

Internship

Students can only pick ONE of the two Internship courses below.

Internship: Socio-pedagogical work, 6 ects/4 weeks (can not be guaranteed in advance)

The student
- is able to work with a preventive, participation-promoting and recourse enhancing approach.
- is able to plan, implement and evaluate socio-pedagogical activities.
- can analyse service and activities in relation to sustainable development, responsibility and carbon neutrality.
- can work professionally and apply the professional ethical principles

Internship: Social Work 6 ects/4 weeks (can not be guaranteed in advance)

The student:
- is able to support and guide clients in everyday life and crisis.
- can promote client participation and self-determination.
- knows how to apply resource-enhancing methods in working with clients in vulnerable life situations.
- Has a professional, sustainable and development-oriented approach

Online course: Developing a Global Mindset - Foundations of Global Competence, 3 ects

Course objectives:
- Grasp the fundamental concepts of global competence and its importance in today’s world.
- Recognize key dimensions of culture and develop central intercultural communication skills.
- Develop a global mindset by exploring some cultural and global perspectives.
Content:
Module 1: Introduction to Global Competence
Understanding Global Competence
Module 2: Cultural Awareness and Intercultural Communication
Basics of the Different Layers of Culture and Intercultural Communication
Module 3: Developing Empathy, Adaptability, and Openness
Empathy and Openness Towards Diverse Cultures
Module 4: Developing a Global Mindset
Global Perspectives
Module 5: Reflection and Assessment
Course Review and Personal Development