Degree Programme in Social Services

Campus Vaasa

The Spring semester starts on January 5th, and most likely ends on May 31st, 2026.

We don't offer any courses during the Autumn semester in Vaasa campus. Please check instead our Autumn course offer in Turku campus. 

SOV22PUF202 Diversity in Work Life and Society 5 ECTS

The student

- has knowledge of the labor market

- can identify social risks linked to unemployment and incapacity for work

- can describe rehabilitative employment promotion activities

- has knowledge of service systems and legislation regarding employment promotion activities

- knows the different forms and causes of immigration

- can describe the integration process

- can identify social risks linked to migration and cultural change

- has knowledge of service systems and legislation on immigration and integration

VALXXX Nordic Welfare, Social Services and Professional Practice 5 ECTS

The student

- has knowledge of the Nordic welfare system

- has knowledge of different areas of professional expertise in social services

- develops the reflective capacity concerning one’s own professional development

Ethnicentrism, racism and discrimination 5 ECTS

Contents:

• The conceptual and theoretical foundation of the themes of the course (ethnocentrism, racism and discrimination), as well as on related themes, such as intersectionality, nativism and populism
• Historical legacies of migration, racism and discrimination in Europe and the Nordics
• New and old minorities in the Nordic countries
• Contemporary issues, among others, the rise and consolidation of populist parties, institutional racism and segregation in present-day society,
  legal frameworks, racist violence and crime in Finland

Learning objectives:
The student:

• Is familiar with the conceptual and theoretical foundation of ethnocentrism, racism, discrimination, and related concepts (intersectionality, populism, and nativism, among others)
• Is familiar with the historical legacies of migration, new and old minorities, racism, and discrimination in Europe, the Nordics and in Finland, in particular
• Can analyse and critically discuss salient issues and institutional practices in the Nordics

SOV22SPR04 English for Bachelor of Social Services 3 ECTS

The student

- can communicate in a professional way orally and in writing in the situations that arise in working life.

- masters central terminology in their own field and can assimilate the main content of non-fiction in their field

- is positive about developing their receptive and productive language skills.

- is aware of cultural differences in communication

SHV22EI03 Entrepreneurship and Interprofessionalism 3 ECTS

The Student:

- has insights into entrepreneurship in social and health care

- knows what company establishment means

- develops skills in planning and implementing business plans - develops understanding of entrepreneurship and social innovations

- has the prerequisites to cooperate in inter professional activities

VAL20009 Survival Swedish, 2 ECTS

After having completed the course you should
- have a basic vocabulary
- understand and be able to use basic everyday phrases
- have some understanding about basic grammar
- be able to ask and answer simple questions and give basic information about yourself, your family and your immediate concrete surroundings
- be able to interact in a simple way provided that the other person speaks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help

Content of the study unit
All or a selection
- Introductions, greetings
- Countries, languages
- Family
- Work, professions
- Numbers, time, days of the week, months
- Weather
- Food and drink
- Cultural aspects

VAL24026-3003 Developing a Global Mindset - Foundations of Global Competence, 3 sp (Online, sefl-study course)

After the course, the student should:
- 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.

SOV22PR01 Practice: Client Focused Work, 5 cr

The student

- can establish a professional relationship with clients, relatives and employees characterized by interaction and cooperation and apply the principles of professional ethics.

- can work preventively and participatorily.

- can support the individual's growth and development and serve as support in the client's or family's everyday life/situation.

- can plan, execute, and evaluate meaningful activities for clients.

- can analyse his own role in the activities.

SOV22PR02 Practice: Methods in Social Work, 10 cr

The student

- can plan, perform, evaluate, and document activities in accordance with the key principles, objectives, methods, and content of the profession.

- can identify and describe the role and competence of the Bachelor of Social Services in the working community from an inter professional perspective.

- can actively support the client to develop competences and qualifications as a community member.

- can critically reflect on and describe his methodological choice in social client work in different situations based on theoretical, practical, and value-based foundations.

- can examine and describe the ethical and value bases of the methods in question.

- demonstrates knowledge of the forms of service in the social sector

- has begun a personal design of professional identity.

- can apply the principles of social sustainability in professional practice.