Master’s Degree Programme in International Social Work

The Master’s Programme in International Social Work is an innovative Master’s programme based on partnership of 10 European universities. The aim of the programme is to develop the capacity and expertise of the university educated staff working in the field of social work and social care. The overall purpose of the programme is to foster student’s personal and professional skills to a higher level of practice than that can be achieved in national professional qualification frameworks.

Work opportunities after graduation

Work opportunities after graduation Graduates of the programme are qualified to work in projects and tasks in the field of social work. National qualifications for working as a social worker have to be acquired separately.

Degree structure

The programme consists of 120 ECTS credits and takes 2 academic years to complete.

Teaching methods being used in the programme include lectures, seminars, group work, literature exams and on-line courses.

Compulsory courses/modules
• International Construction of Social Welfare
• The Practice of International Social Work
• Management of International Social Work
• Research in International Social Work
• Master’s thesis

Students are required to select one of the following Thematic Dimensions (TDs) as part of their studies. All TDs may include an optional international seminar abroad.   
TD1: International Social Work with Excluded, Migrant and Displaced People
TD2: International Family and Household Support
TD3: International Risk Assessment and Interventions
TD4: International Social Work and Health Care

Courses from this Master’s programme are also offered to short term exchange students (3-9 months) through bilateral agreements and exchange programmes (Socrates/Erasmus, Nordplus, Nordlys, ISEP, UNCEP, FIRST) from the partner universities of the University of Kuopio.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements Students eligible to apply for this Master’s degree programme should have completed a nationally recognized professional qualification in social work, a Bachelor’s degree in the field of study or equal (major in social work).

Application information

Application deadline for the Master’s degree programme is the end of January annually. The following documents should be submitted with the completed application form:
• certificate of Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences or equivalent
• proven proficiency in English (TOEFL or equivalent)
• letter of motivation
• two (2) letters of evaluation

Application form will beannually available from October onwards on the International office Website at http://www.uku.fi/intl/english/prospective/forms/forms.shtml

The application deadlines for exchange students are April 30th for the full year and autumn term (Sept-Dec) and September 30th for the spring term (Jan-May). Exchange students eligible to apply should be enrolled as Master’s degree students at a partner university of the Unviersity of Kuopio. Further information at: www.uku.fi/apply

Contact:

Department of Social Work and Social Pedagogy
Ms Leena Leinonen
Leena.Leinonen (at) uef.fi
Tel. +358 (0)40 355 2662
P.O. Box 1627, FI-70211 Kuopio, Finland

Updated on 19.9.2008/AA