2020 Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Social Services, Diaconal Work: Kevät 2025 sosd
Code: 2020SOSD
Descriptions
Completing a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Services gives the student the competence to work in social care. A person who has completed the degree can apply for the right to work as a licensed social service professional (sosionomi) from the National Supervisory Authority for Welfare and Health (Valvira) (Section 8 of the Act on Social Welfare Professionals 817/2015).
The degree includes at least 90 credits of theological studies and vocational studies related to parish and church work as referred to in the decision by the General Synod on 22 September 2020 (Church statutes no. 141). The degree gives the competence required from those who hold the office of a deacon at the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and an office-holder (deacon) who carries out diaconal work as their main task.
BACHELOR’S DEGREE PROGRAMME IN SOCIAL SERVICES, DEACON (210 ECTS)
BASIC STUDIES:
Language and communication studies 11 ECTS, Orientation studies 2 ECTS
VOCATIONAL STUDIES:
Vocational studies 126 ECTS, work placement 45 ECTS, first aid in social and church sector work 1 ECTS.
ELECTIVE STUDIES:
Additional professional competence 10 ECTS
THESIS 15 ECTS
The studies comprise of seven thematic sections divided into study modules.
The thematic sections are:
• The basis of professional encounters and the service system 32 ECTS
• Inclusion and guidance 31 ECTS
• Variety of life paths and customer work 29 ECTS
• Applied and developing professionalism 30 ECTS
• Applied and developing expertise 32 ECTS
• Inclusive development 42 ECTS
• Critical social competence and advocacy 14 ECTS
Church studies (90 ECTS) are partially integrated with social service studies and partially separate.
They have the following structure:
• Theological studies 20 ECTS
• Church vocational studies 40 ECTS
• Parish and church working life studies 15 ECTS
• Thesis 15 ECTS
The studies follow the Community-Based Participatory Research model (CBPR) where learning and assignments can be used to benefit the development needs in the working life.
Select timing, structure or classification view
Show study timings by semester, study year or period
| Code | Name | Credits (cr) | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 | 2026-2027 | 2027-2028 | Spring 2025 | Autumn 2025 | Spring 2026 | Autumn 2026 | Spring 2027 | Autumn 2027 | Spring 2028 | 2. / 2025 | 1. / 2025 | 2. / 2026 | 1. / 2026 | 2. / 2027 | 1. / 2027 | 2. / 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020SOSD-PERUSOP |
BASIC STUDIES
(Choose all) |
10 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-ORI0002A20S |
Orientation to studies at a higher education institution
(Choose all) |
2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ORI0002A20S | Orientation to higher education studies | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-ENG |
English
(Choose all) |
3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-ENG0003A15S |
Professional English
(Choose all) |
3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ENG0101A15S | English, oral proficiency | 1.5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ENG0201A15S | English, written proficiency | 1.5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-RUO |
Swedish
(Choose all) |
5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-RUO1002A20S |
Introduction to Swedish
(Choose all) |
2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| RUO1002A20S | Introduction to Swedish | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-RUO2003A20S |
Professional Swedish
(Choose all) |
3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| RUO2101A20S | Swedish, oral proficiency | 1.5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| RUO2201A20S | Swedish, written proficiency | 1.5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-AMMOP |
PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
(Choose all) |
180 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-AKE0012A20S |
The ethical basis of professional encounters
(Choose all) |
12 | ||||||||||||||||||
| YHT1004A20S | Ethics and expertise in the social, health and church sectors | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| YHT2003A20S | Human growth and development | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| AKE0105A20S | Encounters and professional interaction | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| MUU0005A20S |
A changing social operating environment and the social legislation
(Choose all) |
5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| MUU0105A20S | Finnish society, social security and service system | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-STY0005A20S |
The parish as an operating environment
(Choose all) |
5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| STY0005A20S | The parish as an operating environment | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-LUO0005A20S |
Creativity and functionality as a resource and expertise
(Choose all) |
5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| LUO0005A20S | Creativity and functionality as a resource and expertise | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-ENS0001A20S |
First aid in social and church sector work
(Choose all) |
1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ENS0001A20S | First aid in social and church sector work | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-AIK0010A20S |
Adult and youth social work
(Choose all) |
10 | ||||||||||||||||||
| AIK0105A20S | Basis of adult and youth social work | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| AIK0205A20S | Social change work | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-PER0005A20S |
Family work and child welfare
(Choose all) |
5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| PER0005A20S | Family work and child welfare | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| SOS0005A20S |
Methodological competence in social customer work
(Choose all) |
5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| SOS0105A20S | Methods of customer work | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-DKT1005A20S |
Theological foundations of diaconia and Christian education I
(Choose all) |
5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| DKT1005A20S | Theological foundations of diaconia and Christian education I | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-ELÄ0008A20S |
Variety of life paths
(Choose all) |
8 | ||||||||||||||||||
| YHT3002A20S | Disabilities | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| YHT4002A20S | Old age | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| YHT5004A20S | Mental health and intoxicating substances | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-DKT2005A20S |
Theological foundations of diaconia and Christian education II
(Choose all) |
5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| DKT2005A20S | Theological foundations of diaconia and Christian education II | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-DIG0004A20S |
Digital competence
(Choose all) |
4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| DIG0004A20S | Digital competence | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-MMK0005A20S |
Basics of diversity and multiculturalism in professional work
(Choose all) |
5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| MMK0005A20S | Basics of diversity and multiculturalism in professional work | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-KIR0005A20S |
Multicultural work and international responsibility of the church
(Choose all) |
5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| KIR0005A20S | Multicultural work and international responsibility of the church | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-DTA0010A20S |
Expertise in diaconical work
(Choose all) |
10 | ||||||||||||||||||
| DTA0105A20S | Theology of helping and building a diaconal community | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| DTA0205A20S | Methods and social advocacy in diaconal work | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-SIE0005A20S |
Pastoral counselling and spiritual guidance
(Choose all) |
5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| SIE0005A20S | Pastoral counselling and spiritual guidance | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-SEU0005A20S |
Development of parish work
(Choose all) |
5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| SEU0005A20S | Development of parish work | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-KAN0005A20S |
Civil society and organisation work
(Choose all) |
5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| KAN0005A20S | Civil society and organisation work | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-ASP0011A20S |
Partner-oriented development of client work and service systems
(Choose all) |
11 | ||||||||||||||||||
| YHT6002A20S | Social and health economy | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ASP0104A20S | Working life competence | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| ASP0205A20S | Customer-based development | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-HAN0004A20S |
Project and entrepreneurial competence
(Choose all) |
4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| HAN0004A20S | Project and entrepreneurial competence | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-AJA0005A20S |
Modern interpretations of Christianity
(Choose all) |
5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| AJA0005A20S | Modern interpretations of Christianity | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-OSKEAMM |
Community-based participatory research (CBPR)
(Choose all) |
5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| AMM0103A20S | Tools for developing the professional field I | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| AMM0202A20S | Tools for developing the professional field II | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-SUU |
Specialisation studies in social work
(Choose ects: 5) |
5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-HARJ |
Work placement
(Choose all) |
45 | ||||||||||||||||||
| HAR1014A20S |
Work placement 1
(Choose all) |
14 | ||||||||||||||||||
| HAR1113A20S | Working life period/ practical training in client work/ in project work | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||
| HAR1201A20S | Supervisory small groups and critical professional reflection | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| HAR2015A20S |
Work placement 2
(Choose all) |
15 | ||||||||||||||||||
| HAR2115A20S | Work placement in diaconal work | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||
| HAR3016A20S |
Work placement 3
(Choose all) |
16 | ||||||||||||||||||
| HAR3116A20S | Collaboration project/work placement carried out with community partnerships | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-VVO |
ELECTIVE STUDIES
(Choose ects: 5) |
5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-TAY |
Supplementary professional competences
(Choose ects: 5) |
5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-OPINNÄYTEOP |
THESIS
(Choose all) |
15 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-2020SOS-OSKEOPI |
Community-based participatory research (CBPR)
(Choose all) |
15 | ||||||||||||||||||
| 2020SOSD-2020SOS-OPI0015A20S |
Thesis
(Choose all) |
15 | ||||||||||||||||||
| KEH0103A20S | Development and innovation I | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
| KEH0202A20S | Development and innovation II | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||
| KEH0305A20S | Development and innovation III | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| KEH0405A20S | Development and innovation IV | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 210 | 32 | 60 | 57 | 51 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 37 | 14 | 32 | 31 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 37 | 14 |
Due to the timing of optional and elective courses, credit accumulation per semester / academic year may vary.
| Code | Name | Credits (cr) |
|---|---|---|
| 2020SOSD-PERUSOP |
BASIC STUDIES
(Choose all) |
10 |
| 2020SOSD-ORI0002A20S |
Orientation to studies at a higher education institution
(Choose all) |
2 |
| ORI0002A20S | Orientation to higher education studies | 2 |
| 2020SOSD-ENG |
English
(Choose all) |
3 |
| 2020SOSD-ENG0003A15S |
Professional English
(Choose all) |
3 |
| ENG0101A15S | English, oral proficiency | 1.5 |
| ENG0201A15S | English, written proficiency | 1.5 |
| 2020SOSD-RUO |
Swedish
(Choose all) |
5 |
| 2020SOSD-RUO1002A20S |
Introduction to Swedish
(Choose all) |
2 |
| RUO1002A20S | Introduction to Swedish | 2 |
| 2020SOSD-RUO2003A20S |
Professional Swedish
(Choose all) |
3 |
| RUO2101A20S | Swedish, oral proficiency | 1.5 |
| RUO2201A20S | Swedish, written proficiency | 1.5 |
| 2020SOSD-AMMOP |
PROFESSIONAL STUDIES
(Choose all) |
180 |
| 2020SOSD-AKE0012A20S |
The ethical basis of professional encounters
(Choose all) |
12 |
| YHT1004A20S | Ethics and expertise in the social, health and church sectors | 4 |
| YHT2003A20S | Human growth and development | 3 |
| AKE0105A20S | Encounters and professional interaction | 5 |
| MUU0005A20S |
A changing social operating environment and the social legislation
(Choose all) |
5 |
| MUU0105A20S | Finnish society, social security and service system | 5 |
| 2020SOSD-STY0005A20S |
The parish as an operating environment
(Choose all) |
5 |
| STY0005A20S | The parish as an operating environment | 5 |
| 2020SOSD-LUO0005A20S |
Creativity and functionality as a resource and expertise
(Choose all) |
5 |
| LUO0005A20S | Creativity and functionality as a resource and expertise | 5 |
| 2020SOSD-ENS0001A20S |
First aid in social and church sector work
(Choose all) |
1 |
| ENS0001A20S | First aid in social and church sector work | 1 |
| 2020SOSD-AIK0010A20S |
Adult and youth social work
(Choose all) |
10 |
| AIK0105A20S | Basis of adult and youth social work | 5 |
| AIK0205A20S | Social change work | 5 |
| 2020SOSD-PER0005A20S |
Family work and child welfare
(Choose all) |
5 |
| PER0005A20S | Family work and child welfare | 5 |
| SOS0005A20S |
Methodological competence in social customer work
(Choose all) |
5 |
| SOS0105A20S | Methods of customer work | 5 |
| 2020SOSD-DKT1005A20S |
Theological foundations of diaconia and Christian education I
(Choose all) |
5 |
| DKT1005A20S | Theological foundations of diaconia and Christian education I | 5 |
| 2020SOSD-ELÄ0008A20S |
Variety of life paths
(Choose all) |
8 |
| YHT3002A20S | Disabilities | 2 |
| YHT4002A20S | Old age | 2 |
| YHT5004A20S | Mental health and intoxicating substances | 4 |
| 2020SOSD-DKT2005A20S |
Theological foundations of diaconia and Christian education II
(Choose all) |
5 |
| DKT2005A20S | Theological foundations of diaconia and Christian education II | 5 |
| 2020SOSD-DIG0004A20S |
Digital competence
(Choose all) |
4 |
| DIG0004A20S | Digital competence | 4 |
| 2020SOSD-MMK0005A20S |
Basics of diversity and multiculturalism in professional work
(Choose all) |
5 |
| MMK0005A20S | Basics of diversity and multiculturalism in professional work | 5 |
| 2020SOSD-KIR0005A20S |
Multicultural work and international responsibility of the church
(Choose all) |
5 |
| KIR0005A20S | Multicultural work and international responsibility of the church | 5 |
| 2020SOSD-DTA0010A20S |
Expertise in diaconical work
(Choose all) |
10 |
| DTA0105A20S | Theology of helping and building a diaconal community | 5 |
| DTA0205A20S | Methods and social advocacy in diaconal work | 5 |
| 2020SOSD-SIE0005A20S |
Pastoral counselling and spiritual guidance
(Choose all) |
5 |
| SIE0005A20S | Pastoral counselling and spiritual guidance | 5 |
| 2020SOSD-SEU0005A20S |
Development of parish work
(Choose all) |
5 |
| SEU0005A20S | Development of parish work | 5 |
| 2020SOSD-KAN0005A20S |
Civil society and organisation work
(Choose all) |
5 |
| KAN0005A20S | Civil society and organisation work | 5 |
| 2020SOSD-ASP0011A20S |
Partner-oriented development of client work and service systems
(Choose all) |
11 |
| YHT6002A20S | Social and health economy | 2 |
| ASP0104A20S | Working life competence | 4 |
| ASP0205A20S | Customer-based development | 5 |
| 2020SOSD-HAN0004A20S |
Project and entrepreneurial competence
(Choose all) |
4 |
| HAN0004A20S | Project and entrepreneurial competence | 4 |
| 2020SOSD-AJA0005A20S |
Modern interpretations of Christianity
(Choose all) |
5 |
| AJA0005A20S | Modern interpretations of Christianity | 5 |
| 2020SOSD-OSKEAMM |
Community-based participatory research (CBPR)
(Choose all) |
5 |
| AMM0103A20S | Tools for developing the professional field I | 3 |
| AMM0202A20S | Tools for developing the professional field II | 2 |
| 2020SOSD-SUU |
Specialisation studies in social work
(Choose ects: 5) |
5 |
| 2020SOSD-HARJ |
Work placement
(Choose all) |
45 |
| HAR1014A20S |
Work placement 1
(Choose all) |
14 |
| HAR1113A20S | Working life period/ practical training in client work/ in project work | 13 |
| HAR1201A20S | Supervisory small groups and critical professional reflection | 1 |
| HAR2015A20S |
Work placement 2
(Choose all) |
15 |
| HAR2115A20S | Work placement in diaconal work | 15 |
| HAR3016A20S |
Work placement 3
(Choose all) |
16 |
| HAR3116A20S | Collaboration project/work placement carried out with community partnerships | 16 |
| 2020SOSD-VVO |
ELECTIVE STUDIES
(Choose ects: 5) |
5 |
| 2020SOSD-TAY |
Supplementary professional competences
(Choose ects: 5) |
5 |
| 2020SOSD-OPINNÄYTEOP |
THESIS
(Choose all) |
15 |
| 2020SOSD-2020SOS-OSKEOPI |
Community-based participatory research (CBPR)
(Choose all) |
15 |
| 2020SOSD-2020SOS-OPI0015A20S |
Thesis
(Choose all) |
15 |
| KEH0103A20S | Development and innovation I | 3 |
| KEH0202A20S | Development and innovation II | 2 |
| KEH0305A20S | Development and innovation III | 5 |
| KEH0405A20S | Development and innovation IV | 5 |