Master's Degree Programme in Business Competence
Name of the Degree Programme
Business Competence
Qualification awarded
Master of Business Administration
Level of qualification
The degree programme leads to a higher education degree which is a second cycle Master-level degree in the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). According to the eight-level classification of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) the degree represents level 7.
Specific admission requirements
Please see the websites 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
Structure of the studies
The studies of the first year consist of the studies of the management of the business which are common to all. The studies of second year comprise the advanced studies of the growth and development of the business. The thesis process will start during the first study year. The studies of research and development support the progress of thesis process throughout the study program. Furthermore, the study program includes free-choice studies which contribute to the student´s professional development. The students are also encouraged to recognize internationalization and sustainable development in their future expert careers.
Profile of the programme
A master's degree in business competence enables professionals to purposefully and sustainably enhance and expand their competence in doing business. The degree also allows professionals to develop personally and to obtain a complete picture of how to develop their competence in entrepreneurship and commercial activities.
Pedagogical approach and learning environment
Multi-modal learning methods are used. Each course includes three-day contact sessions on an average. Studies also include independent work as well as solving distant learning assignments and studying online. The work life oriented development project is an essential part of the studies.
Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning (RPL)
The arrangements are based on the general RPL guidelines established at Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences.
Occupational profiles
Upon completion of the programme, students with this degree will be competent in the following areas:
- As managers for demanding development projects
- As designers and managers for duties associated with business competence
- As independent entrepreneurs who are competent in carrying out commercial activities
Internationalization
Studies include one course taught in English. Students have possibility to participate in international study trips. In addition, the courses include English study materials.
Access to further studies
Please see the general regulations on higher education studies
Graduation requirements
Please see the Degree Regulations of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences
Mode of study
It is possible to complete the university of applied sciences master's degree while working. Courses are organised primarily during the evenings and on Saturdays. The courses are free of charge. Studies are completed during a period of three years.
Head of degree programme
Anne-Maria Aho
e-mail: anne-maria.aho(a)seamk.fi
Phone: +358 (0)40 830 4173
Student counsellor
Essi Hauta
e-mail: essi.hauta(a)seamk.fi
Phone: +358 (0)40 830 1262
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
outgoing[at]seamk.fi
Enrollment
22.04.2024 - 01.09.2024
Timing
12.08.2024 - 31.10.2024
Credits
5 op
Virtual proportion (cr)
5 op
Teaching languages
- Finnish
Degree programmes
- Master's Degree Programme in Business Competence
Teachers
- Laura Könönen
Scheduling groups
- Avoin AMK (Ei koske tutkinto-opiskelijaa) (Size: 10. Open UAS: 10.)
Student groups
-
YLI23Master of Business Administration, Business Competence
Education groups
- Open UAS (Doesn't apply to degree student)
Objective
Students will be able to develop the business of a company, taking into account the economic, social and environmental impact of its operations. Students will be able to identify new business opportunities arising from the green transition, including the circular economy. Students can assess the importance of responsibility, ethics and values in management work. Students can apply the principles of sustainable development in business.
Content
Key concepts and principles of sustainable development
Sustainable business development tools
Sustainable business development in the managerial context
Evaluation scale
1-5
Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)
Student uses and applies the concepts with a shallow analysis
Student plans business activities at a satisfactory level, considering different aspects of sustainable development
Student identifies some new sustainable business opportunities.
Student can apply sustainable business tools at a limited level
Assessment criteria, good (3)
Students use and apply concepts systematically
Student plans business activities at a good level, taking into account the different aspects of sustainable development
Student identifies new, credible and sustainable business opportunitie
Student can apply sustainable business tools
Assessment criteria, excellent (5)
Student applies concepts insightfully and systematically
Student plans business activities at an excellent level, taking into account the different aspects of sustainable development
Student identifies new, viable and sustainable business opportunities
Student can apply sustainable business tools with a deep understanding
Enrollment
22.04.2024 - 30.08.2024
Timing
30.08.2024 - 18.12.2024
Credits
5 op
Virtual proportion (cr)
5 op
RD proportion (cr)
2 op
Teaching languages
- Finnish
Degree programmes
- Master of Engineering, Technology Competence Management
- Master's Degree Programme in Business Competence
Teachers
- Anmari Viljamaa
Responsible person
Elisa Kannasto
Scheduling groups
- Avoin AMK (Ei koske tutkinto-opiskelijaa) (Size: 20. Open UAS: 20.)
Student groups
-
YTOJ24Master of Engineering, Technology Competence Management
-
YLI23Master of Business Administration, Business Competence
-
LIIKE24SDevelopment of Business Competence
Education groups
- Open UAS (Doesn't apply to degree student)
Objective
Student is able to describe the core conceptual tensions involved in strategic renewal. The student is able to identify trends and developments in the operating environment on firm and industry level. Student can describe change drivers and their role and importance in the strategic renewal. Student can evaluate the impact of the identified factors of change and transformation processes and analyze the value creation and business logic model in a changing world. Student can recognize and assess new business opportunities. Student can act in the learning team and evaluate his/her own knowledge development.
Content
- strategic renewal
- environmental and internal analysis
- strategic tools and methods
- leading strategic renewal
Materials
Sutinen, M., & Haapakorva, A. (2021). Pelastetaan strategia pöytälaatikosta päivittäiseksi työkaveriksi. Alma Talent.
Vuorinen, T., & Huikkola, T. (2023). Strategiakirja - 25 työkalua. Alma Talent.
In addition, journal articles to be announced by lecturer.
Teaching methods
Lectures, independent study, practical written excercise
Employer connections
It is recommended to write the practicial excercise in relation to a genuine case.
Exam schedules
The optional exam is taken in the Exam-space.
Completion alternatives
Exam.
Student workload
lectures 21h, independent study 75h, excercise 40h
Evaluation scale
1-5
Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)
Student participates in teaching and debate passively
Student uses and applies the concepts with a shallow analysis
Student assesses the changing operating environment and its impacts at a superficial level
Student works at identifying new business opportunities with a somewhat incomplete analysis
Student is able to apply strategic tools at a limited level
Student evaluates his/her learning outcomes narrowly
Assessment criteria, good (3)
Student participates in classroom work quite actively and present own opinions occasionally
Student applies the concepts logically
Student analyses the operating environment and its changes diligently
Student applies strategic tools systematically
Student is able to identify a new business opportunity and assess it credibly
Student is able to assess his/her own learning to some extent
Assessment criteria, excellent (5)
Student is actively involved in teaching and presents own analytical views on the issues discussed
Student applies the concepts logically and with insight
Student analyses the operating environment and its changes systematically and with versatility
Student applies strategic tools systematically and context-sensitively
Student is able to identify a viable new business opportunity and provide credible arguments for it
Student is able to assess his/her own learning in different ways
Assessment methods and criteria
Excercise 80%, quality of feedback for other participants 20%
Enrollment
22.04.2024 - 04.09.2024
Timing
01.10.2024 - 31.12.2024
Credits
5 op
Virtual proportion (cr)
5 op
Teaching languages
- Finnish
Degree programmes
- Master's Degree Programme in Business Competence
- Master of Hospitality Management, Food Chain Development
Teachers
- Sanna Joensuu-Salo
Scheduling groups
- Avoin AMK (Ei koske tutkinto-opiskelijaa) (Size: 10. Open UAS: 10.)
Student groups
-
YRKK24RMaster of Hospitality Management, Food Chain Development
-
YLI23Master of Business Administration, Business Competence
Education groups
- Open UAS (Doesn't apply to degree student)
Objective
The student is able to analyze and develop market orientation and marketing capability (marketing planning and management, brand management, customer relationship management) in a firm. The student can explain the impact of market orientation and marketing capability on business performance and firm growth.
Content
Market orientation and different elements of MO (customer orientation, competitor orientation and interfunctional coordination)
Marketing capability and factors in marketing capability (marketing planning and management, brand management, customer relationship management)
The impact of market orientation and marketing capability on business performance and firm growth
Development instruments for market orientation and marketing capability
Materials
Learning material in Moodle.
Articles (in Moodle).
Teaching methods
Virtual course.
Student workload
135 hours of student work (including online lectures, discussion tasks, and implementation of development assignments).
Evaluation scale
1-5
Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)
The student has carried out work and participated as instructed. The student is able to analyze and develop market orientation and marketing capability (marketing planning and management, brand management, customer relationship management) in a firm on basic level. The student can explain the impact of market orientation and marketing capability on business performance and firm growth sufficiently.
Assessment criteria, good (3)
The student has carried out work well and participated actively. The student is able to analyze and develop market orientation and marketing capability (marketing planning and management, brand management, customer relationship management) in a firm on good level. The student can explain the impact of market orientation and marketing capability on business performance and firm growth well.
Assessment criteria, excellent (5)
The student has carried out work to an excellent standard and participated actively and constructively. The student is able to analyze and develop market orientation and marketing capability (marketing planning and management, brand management, customer relationship management) in a firm on excellent level. The student can explain the impact of market orientation and marketing capability on business performance and firm growth excellently.
Assessment methods and criteria
Grade is based on the development work report (1-5). Participation in online discussions is either accepted or rejected.
Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)
The student has not participated in the course at a satisfactory level. The development assignment completed by the student does not meet the given requirements in terms of content and scope. The student's outputs indicate that they are unable to satisfactorily explain and justify the impact of market orientation and marketing capability on the success and growth of the company.
Assessment criteria, good (3)
The student has participated in online discussions at a satisfactory level and completed the required development assignment for the company. The development assignment demonstrates that the student can to some extent analyze and develop a company's market orientation and various aspects of marketing capability within the company (customer relationship management, marketing planning and management, brand management). The student can satisfactorily explain and justify the impact of market orientation and marketing capability on the success and growth of the company.
Assessment criteria, excellent (5)
The student has participated in online discussions and completed the required development assignment for the company. The development assignment demonstrates that the student can convincingly analyze and develop a company's market orientation and various aspects of marketing capability within the company (customer relationship management, marketing planning and management, brand management). The student can explain and justify the impact of market orientation and marketing capability on the success and growth of the company, demonstrating a strong application of theory into practice.
Assessment criteria, approved/failed
The student has participated in online discussions and completed the required development assignment for the company. The development assignment demonstrates that the student can deeply analyze and develop a company's market orientation and various aspects of marketing capability within the company (customer relationship management, marketing planning and management, brand management). The student can explain and justify the impact of market orientation and marketing capability on the success and growth of the company, showing commendable and insightful application of theory into practice.
Enrollment
11.11.2024 - 15.01.2025
Timing
01.01.2025 - 31.05.2025
Credits
5 op
Virtual proportion (cr)
3 op
Teaching languages
- Finnish
Degree programmes
- Master of Engineering, Construction Engineering
- Master of Engineering, Technology Competence Management
- Master's Degree Programme in Business Competence
- Master's Degree Programme in Food Chain Development
- Master of Hospitality Management, Food Chain Development
Teachers
- Tuulia Potka-Soininen
Scheduling groups
- Avoin AMK (Ei koske tutkinto-opiskelijaa) (Size: 10. Open UAS: 10.)
Student groups
-
YTOJ24Master of Engineering, Technology Competence Management
-
YRAK24Master of Engineering, Construction Engineering
-
YRKK24RMaster of Hospitality Management, Food Chain Development
-
YLI23Master of Business Administration, Business Competence
-
YRKK24IMaster of Engineering, Food Chain Development
Education groups
- Open UAS (Doesn't apply to degree student)
Objective
The student is able to present the various stages of planning and implementation of financial management. He knows how to use management accounting methods and their results in financial management. He can use key figures and their interpretation guidelines to assess a company's success and value from the perspective of the company and its various stakeholders. The student is able to assess the importance of financial management for companies and other organisations. After completing the course, the student understands the diversity of management control systems. He is able to apply different management control systems to influence economic and business success. The student understands the importance of financial management in controlling businesses and in business development. After the course, the student will be able to use the management control systems to support decision making.
Content
Comprehensive financial management, different management accounting methods in financial management, use of financial statement analysis and valuation in financial management.
Management control system, planning (key performance indicators, life cycle and target cost calculation) and control (activity-based and total quality management) support systems.
Evaluation scale
1-5
Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)
The student has actively participated in the course work and successfully completed the assignments given during the course. During the course, the student has demonstrated the ability to understand the basic concept of the subject and the student has been able to use the basic concept of the course in the assignments given.
Assessment criteria, good (3)
The student has performed well in the course studies, participated actively in course work and completed the assignments given during the course. During the course, the student has demonstrated a good understanding of the concepts of the subject and applied them in practice. The student is able to identify different aspects of financial management and assess their relevance to an individual company. The student has developed an understanding of the use of different management accounting methods and management control systems in the financial management of the company. He is also able to assess the importance of financial management and management control systems in the management of a company. The student is able to present a justifiable assessment of the success of an individual company based on key figures. The student has been able to present clear development solutions in their own development task.
Assessment criteria, excellent (5)
The student has completed the course commendably, participated actively in course work and completed the assignments given during the course. During the course, the student has demonstrated a commendable ability to understand the concepts of the subject and to apply them in practice. The student is able to identify different aspects of financial management and analyze their significance for an individual company. The student is able to evaluate the use of different management accounting methods and management control systems in the financial management of the company. He is also able to analyze the importance of financial management and management control systems in the management of a company. The student is able to form a well-founded understanding of the success of an individual company by analyzing key figures. The student has been able to present new and justifiable development solutions in his or her own development assignment.