Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care, Applied Gerontology, Online Multimodal implementation: MGERO25
Code: MGERO25
- Degree title
- Bachelor of Social Services and Health Care
- Credits
- 210 ects
- Duration
- 3.5 years (210 cr)
- Start semester
- Autumn 2025
- Teaching language
- Finnish
Descriptions
DESCRIPTION OF THE DEGREE PROGRAMME AND COMPETENCIES
A geronomist (AMK)i is a specialist in the field of elderly work who supports good and dignified ageing in his/her work. The understanding of ageing is based on a holistic view of the human person, whereby older people are seen as active agents in their own lives, in their communities and in society. In working with individuals and groups in the field of ageing, the gerontologist's work is preventive, supportive, caring, rehabilitative and inclusive in ageing environments. The training focuses on the assessment and planned promotion of the well-being, functional capacity and support needs of older people using a wide range of gerontological nursing and social work methods, as well as psychosocial and sociocultural methods. The training of gerontologists also focuses on the skills needed to organise individualised services for the elderly, such as assessing service needs, service guidance, organising service chains and multidisciplinary services for the elderly, and supporting relatives.
The gerontologist's approach emphasises a proactive approach, guidance and support, respectful encounters and walking alongside the elderly person and their loved ones in their lives. The gerontologist's work contributes to the realisation of an age-friendly society through multidisciplinary networks. The gerontologist has the skills needed to assess the overall functional capacity and service needs of older people, to provide guidance and coordination with gerontological expertise, and to provide leadership and development.
The study package takes into account the professional competences, which have been developed in cooperation with all universities of applied sciences offering gerontological education in Finland.The gerontologist's competence is based on up-to-date gerontological knowledge and the skills and their application according to the gerontologist's competences. The competences are gerontological competence, assessment and guidance competence, people-oriented client work competence, social and network competence and gerontological management and development competence.
PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCY PROFILE
graduate in gerontology is a qualified social care professional with a licence issued by the Valvira. A geronomist can work under a variety of job titles, such as geronomist, social counsellor, memory coordinator, memory counsellor, memory adviser, senior counsellor, client counsellor, family care adviser, volunteer coordinator, service coordinator, home care adviser, chaperone, project coordinator, project worker, senior counsellor and planner. She works with clients in individual and group settings, in multidisciplinary teams in the field of elderly care, in development work and as a liaison officer.
Completion of the studies will ensure the development of a broad range of expertise and professional skills in the field of elderly care, The multidisciplinary gerontological competence will enable employment in a wide variety of care settings, such as home care, service housing, service management, management and development tasks in the public, private and third sectors.
The studies are based on professional competences, which have been developed in cooperation with all the universities of applied sciences offering gerontology education in Finland.The gerontologist's competence is based on up-to-date gerontological knowledge and skills in accordance with the gerontologist's competences and their application. The competences are gerontological competence, assessment and guidance competence, person-centred client work competence, social and network competence and gerontological knowledge and skills.
PEDAGOGICAL ACTION MODELS
The degree programme in Geronomy uses the socio-constructivist approach to learning as a pedagogical background theory. Student learning is facilitated through a variety of student-centred, experiential, individual, collaborative and inquiry-based learning methods. A variety of learning methods will be used: lectures on theory, digital learning environments, small group exercises, simulation exercises and practice of different methods. Some of the learning may be delivered online, at a distance or through contact teaching. There will also be independent study. Studies may also be carried out in the framework of an exchange abroad in accordance with a personal study plan. Students can also complete their studies in the SeAMK multidisciplinary learning environment SeAMKPro and the work-based learning environment Wellbeing Labs Student Work. Students have the possibility to include free-choice studies and optional professional studies in their studies according to their personal study plan.
Development
The curriculum is being continuously developed based on current development challenges, evidence-based knowledge and competence requirements expressed by the practice of gerontlogical social work and health care. National reports on competence needs and other information about competence needs produced through research and development are also used in curriculum development. The feedback given by the students is also taken into account in the development.
Further information
Teaching and learning will take into account the student's prior knowledge. The focus of the studies is to broaden perspectives on current developments in the field of work with older people.
Objective
Learning Outcomes are based on the General Competences of UAS Studies and on the Spesific Competences of Bachelor Degree in Elderly Care, Geronomi (AMK) in Finnish. Learning Outcomes in detail are introduced in the Study Course describtions.
The core literature for the qualification consists of legislation in the social and elderly care sector, Talentia's professional ethical guidelines for the social sector and the basic literature and other current material specified for each course.
Select timing, structure or classification view
Show study timings by semester, study year or period
Bachelor’s Degree studies
Shared Competences of Universities of Applied Sciences, 2022
Shared Competences of Universities of Applied Sciences, Arene 2022
Elderly Care competencies 2024
The core competences provided by the competences of Geronomi (AMK) are common to all universities of applied sciences, but the emphasis of the specific competences varies from one university of applied sciences to another. The competences for the degree of Geronomi (AMK) have been updated in 2024 in cooperation with the universities of applied sciences.
Due to the timing of optional and elective courses, credit accumulation per semester / academic year may vary.