Bachelor of Business Administration, Library and Information Services

Name of the Degree Programme

Degree Programme in Library and Information Services

Field of study

Social sciences, journalism and information
The classification of the educational field is based on the international ISCED classification used by the Ministry of Education and Culture.

Specialisations

The programme has no specialisations.

Qualification awarded

Bachelor of Business Administration
(Library and Information Services)

Level of qualification

The degree programme leads to a higher education degree which is a first cycle Bachelor-level degree in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). According to the eight-level classification of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) and National Qualifications Framework (NQF), the degree represents level 6.

The description of the level of the Degree is included in the Statute, at
http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/alkup/2017/20170120

Specific admission requirements

Eligibility for studies at a university of applied sciences is stipulated in the Universities of Applied Sciences Act 932/2014.
The selection criteria are specified in the data of the Degree Programme at www.opintopolku.fi and www.seamk.fi/haku

On the websites, application and instructions are in Finnish language for the degree programmes taught in Finnish.

Qualification requirements and regulations (incl. graduation requirements)

Please see the Degree Regulations of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences.

Examination regulations, assessment and grading

Please see the Degree Regulations of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences.
Link

Structure of the studies

In accordance with the Universities of Applied Sciences Act, the studies of a Degree Programme consist of basic studies, professional studies, practical training promoting professional skills, free elective studies, and a final project/thesis. The extent of the studies is 60 credits a year.

The studies consist of basic studies (20 cr), compulsory professional studies (108 cr), elective professional studies (20 cr), work placement (30 cr) and free choice studies (10 cr). In the final thesis process (22 cr) students can, in addition to alternative professional studies, deepen their skills in other areas of the library and information services. The first year studies mainly consist of basic and compulsory professional studies. The second year onward, the studies focus on professional studies and students are able to choose among the certain selection of the courses available every year.

The students of the degree programme are able to apply to multidisciplinary SeAMKPro studies, in which students can study one semester (30 cr) from the second year onward. The application period is the spring semester in the first year of study.

The curriculum includes five seams permeating through the studies and extending over them. They are based on SeAMK’s reports, studies and strategy, as well as on the national and international recommendations and regulations related to education provided by universities of applied sciences.
- The Information Search seam strengthens the student’s professional and field-specific information search skills throughout the studies.
- The Internationalization seam secures the improvement of the student’s international competencies during their studies.
- The studies corresponding to the Entrepreneurship seam help the student understand the central and growing role of entrepreneurship in society.
- The Sustainable Development seam makes the student aware of social responsibility and helps them understand the diversity of sustainable development as a working life skill.
- The seam of Career Guidance helps the student recognise their competencies and own strengths. It also includes working life knowledge, job search skills, and lifelong learning.

Students have the opportunity to include multidisciplinary, working life-oriented project studies in their personal curricula (SeAMKPro).

Learning outcomes

The purpose of the degree programme is to provide students with the readiness they need to work in customer-service and development and in specialist positions in libraries and information service centres.

Profile of the programme

Students graduating from the programme will possess knowledge and skills in running, developing and supervising staff in a library and information service centre. Specialised skills, such as storing data and acquiring information, knowledge of literature and other library materials, customer service skills, pedagogigal skills, social skills and computer skills, are emphasised in the programme. Students also learn how to organize events in libraries.

Generic and subject specifc competences

Competencies are extensive knowledge entities, or combinations of the individual’s knowledge, skills, and attitudes. They describe qualifications, performance potential, and the ability to cope with professional duties.

Common/general competencies are fields of know-how common to different Degree Programmes, but their special characteristics and importance may vary between professions and work assignments. General competencies form the basis for professional activities, cooperation, and the development of expertise. According to Arene’s (Rectors' Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences) recommendations, general competencies include learning skills, ethical competence, cooperation skills, innovation skills, and internationalization skills. In addition to the above-mentioned competencies, entrepreneurial skills and quality management skills are emphasized in the degree studies of SeAMK as competencies common to all.

Degree programme-specific competencies form the basis for the development of the student’s professional expertise.

Pedagogical approach and learning environment

The objective of the curriculum is to emphasize teaching methods that actively engage students in the learning process; learning involves the acquisition and analysis of information and the production of new information. Pedagogy can be described as constructivism that complements expertise. However, teaching in individual courses may be marked by typical constructivist methods, such as problem-based learning, project learning together with representatives of the working world, co-operative learning and online study. Teaching also involves lectures, group work and examinations based on set literature.

Students are encouraged to take part in practical training abroad and to acquire other forms of educational experience during their studies. There is a study module available in English (25 cr) for our international partners. Students taking part in the programme have the opportunity to study in English together with international mobility students.

Research and development is integrated into the curriculum on two levels: (1) individual courses are carried out through student projects based on phenomena in the working world and issues concerning patrons, and (2) thesis work is combined with development work during students' practical training period, for example. Furthermore, the degree programme engages in regional and national projects, which are integrated into teaching, thesis work, and the research and development carried out by the university staff.

Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning (RPL)

The RPL procedure means the identification and recognition of the student’s previously acquired learning. The student has the opportunity to apply for the recognition of their competencies if the competencies correspond to the learning goals of the Degree Programme. The identification process is closely connected with the preparation of the student’s personal curriculum and is updated during personal counselling discussions.

The identification and recognition practices are presented in the RPL Instruction of SeAMK. It specifies how recognition of competencies is applied for, how the application is processed, and how the student is informed of it. The instruction lists the RPL contact persons of each Degree Programme, who counsel students on matters related to the process.

In the assessment of prior learning, for example the following evidence is used:

– certificates on training programmes with similar content and other training programmes
– testimonials and further clarifications by an employer
– interviews of the student
– written and oral exams or reports
– functional or written assignments or other evidence
– presentations, portfolios

The final project/thesis and the Maturity Test cannot be submitted to the RPL procedure.


Seinäjoki UAS's common practices are observed in the assessment and recognition of prior learning (RPL). The final thesis and Maturity Test are not included in the RPL process. Other studies can either be replaced by courses of equivalent content or other acquired expertise. Studies completed in other institutions may also be included in the optional and elective studies.

To receive credit for the practical training for prior work experience a report must be submitted to the degree programme according to the practices observed. Previously acquired expertise expires in 10 years. The teacher who processes the applications may request additional information or demonstration of prior learning, if necessary. The following are used to assess prior learning:

- Certificates from courses or other training of similar content
- Interviews with the student in question and written reports
- Job references and additional information acquired from employers
- Skills test if necessary
- Comparison of the above to the goals pertaining to competence in the course(s) in question

Work-based learning and work placements

The student’s salaried work during their studies and the competencies achieved through it can be used in order to complete a course. This is referred to as employment-integrated learning, and it can also be related to voluntary work or hobbies. It is essential that the things learnt through working contribute to the attainment of the learning goals of the course. Learning achieved through employment-integrated learning can be verified, for instance, through skills demonstrations and assignments.

Occupational profiles

The programme provides students with the qualifications for working in public libraries as stated in the Library Act. Other places of employment include academic and specialised libraries as well as information services in companies. Bachelors of Business Administration have also found job placements in bookshops and publishing. Students can specialise in various areas within the field through the courses they choose.

Job titles in libraries may include information specialist, information consultant, information services secretary, head of department and librarian. There are also may specialised jobs, such as project coordinator and system librarian, in library and information services organizations.
After completing the vocational language studies the student is able to communicate in spoken and written situations related to his field of study. He can search for information and follow the development of his professional field in the target language.

Internationalization

The degree programme in Library and Information Services emphasizes internationality. The curriculum includes compulsory, alternative and free choice studies where the language of tuition is English. The multicultural services in libraries are a part of the studies. The material and publications used in courses are international.

Students have a possibility to carry out a part of their studies abroad. Also practical training or a part of it can be done abroad. The best time going abroad to study or to have a practical training is the spring semester of the second year of study or the fall semester of the third year of study.

Access to further studies

After three years of work experience, the student will be eligible for further studies for a Master’s Degree in the field in question.

Graduation requirements

Please see the Degree Regulations of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences and instructions for graduates at Intra.

Mode of study

Full-time studies

Head of degree programme

Mr Esa Leikkari, tel. +358 40 830 4270, e-mail: esa.leikkari(at)seamk.fi

Student counsellor

Ms Sari Mäkinen-Laitila, tel. +358 40 868 0077, e-mail: sari.makinen-laitila(at)seamk.fi

Coordination of international mobility

Tiina Välimäki, 040-830 4127, tiina.valimaki(at)seamk.fi, Coordinator, Outgoing student exchanges to Europe
Maria Loukola, 040-830 2240, maria.loukola(at)seamk.fi, Coordinator, Incoming and outgoing student exchanges outside Europe

Student services

Tel. +358 20 124 5055, studentservices@seamk.fi