Study Guide

Name of the Degree Programme

Master's Degree Programme in Advanced Practice Nursing

Field of study

Health and welfare
The classification is based on the International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) used by the Ministry of Education and Culture

Specialisations

no specialisations

Qualification awarded

Upon completion of the programme, students will be awarded a second-cycle higher education degree.

Level of qualification

The level of the qualification is described in the Statute at
http://www.finlex.fi/fi/laki/alkup/2017/20170120

Specific admission requirements

Provisions on eligibility for universities of applied sciences are contained in the Universities of Applied Sciences Act (932/2014).
For the eligibility criteria please see www.opintopolku.fi and www.seamk.fi/haku

Examination regulations, assessment and grading

Link

Structure of the studies

As stipulated by the Universities of Applied Sciences Act, the degree programme consists of advanced professional studies, free-choice studies and a Master's thesis. The extent of the studies is 90 credits.
In the advanced professional studies, the focus will be on public health, prevalent diseases, clinical work and acute situations. Students will also become familiar with various research, development and evaluation methods. The practice-oriented Master's thesis will allow the development of new practices and models.

Profile of the programme

The programme contains studies pertaining to public health, prevalent diseases, expertise in clinical work and expertise in acute situations. Other contents involve working life research and development, including evaluation methods. Besides writing a Master's thesis, students choose elective (free-choice) studies.

Generic and subject specifc competences

Competences are extensive combinations of an individual's knowledge, skills and attitudes. They describe a person's capability, performance potential and ability to carry out professional tasks.
Generic competences are shared by all degree programmes, but may contain special features and their importance may vary between professions and duties. The generic competences create a foundation for the students' contribution to working life, for cooperation and for the develoment of expertise. They are, following the recommendation of Arene (Rectors' Conference of Finnish Universities of Applied Sciences): Learning competence, ethical competence, working community competence, innovation competence and internationalisation competence. In addition, entrepreneurship and quality assurance competence are stressed at Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences.
The degree programme-specific competences create a foundation for the development of professional expertise. In this programme, they involve expertise in public health and prevalent diseases and expertise in clinical and acute situations.

Pedagogical approach and learning environment

A variety of pedagical approaches are used in the degree programme. The pedagogical solutions are defined for each module separately. Besides classroom learning, students will study in work communities and in the Moodle learning environment.

Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning (RPL)

The recognition of prior learning (RPL, AHOT in Finnish) means that the student has the right to apply for recognition and accreditation of prior learning if the acquired knowledge is equivalent to the learning objectives of the degree programme.
Recognition of Prior Learning is closely related to the student's Personal Curriculum, updated at personal development and counselling discussions.
The general principles for recognising prior learning are presented in the RPL Guidelines of Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences. They contain the application and assessment procedures and specify how the student will be informed of the results. The guidelines also contain names of RPL contact persons, who are in charge of advising students in each degree programme.
The following evidence can be used to assess the student's prior learning:
- Certificates from courses of similar content or from other training
-Work references and additional reports from employers
- Interviews with the student
- written or oral examinations or reports
- action-based or written assignments or demonstrations
-presentations, portfolios

RPL cannot be used for the Master's thesis or the maturity test.

Work-based learning and work placements

The degree programme does not contain practical training.
Students who are employed during their studies, can request credits for the competence gained at work. The term used for this process is studification, and it can also cover volunteer work or other activities. It is essential that students can demonstrate that they have gained the knowledge and skills defined in the learning outcomes of the course. Practical demonstrations or assignments are used to gain evidence of the student's competence.

Work-based learning and work placements

The degree programme does not contain practical training.
Students who are employed during their studies, can request credits for the competence gained at work. The term used for this process is studification, and it can also cover volunteer work or other activities. It is essential that students can demonstrate that they have gained the knowledge and skills defined in the learning outcomes of the course. Practical demonstrations or assignments are used to gain evidence of the student's competence.

Work-based learning and work placements

The degree programme does not contain practical training.
Students who are employed during their studies, can request credits for the competence gained at work. The term used for this process is studification, and it can also cover volunteer work or other activities. It is essential that students can demonstrate that they have gained the knowledge and skills defined in the learning outcomes of the course. Practical demonstrations or assignments are used to gain evidence of the student's competence.

Work-based learning and work placements

The degree programme does not contain practical training.
Students who are employed during their studies, can request credits for the competence gained at work. The term used for this process is studification, and it can also cover volunteer work or other activities. It is essential that students can demonstrate that they have gained the knowledge and skills defined in the learning outcomes of the course. Practical demonstrations or assignments are used to gain evidence of the student's competence.

Occupational profiles

Graduates of the degree programme will be qualified to work as advanced clinical practitioners in the social and health field. The focus of their expertise will be on public health, prevalent diseases, clinical work and acute situations. The graduates will be able to work in the health and social field in development and management, as consultants, experts, entrepreneurs or as first line managers in the public, private and third sector.

Internationalization

Student mobility, internationalisation at home and staff exchange are promoted and encouraged. They can involve study visits, intensive programmes and conferences as part of students' free-choice studies. Lecturers also have a possibility to participate. Other forms of internationalisation include the use of international literature and virtual contacts.

Access to further studies

Graduates will be eligible to apply for postgraduate research degree programmes.

Mode of study

Students will study part time using multiple learning methods: lectures, independent studies and various assignments. Students will have approximately two days of contact time per month with compulsory attendance.

Head of degree programme

Anne-Maria Aho
e-mail: anne-maria.aho(a)seamk.fi
Phone: +358 (0)40 830 4173

Mari Salminen-Tuomaala
e-mail: mari.salminen-tuomaala (a)seamk.fi
Phone: +358 (0)408304166

Student counsellor

Essi Hauta
e-mail: essi.hauta(a)seamk.fi
Phone: +358 (0)40 830 1262

Coordination of Practical Training

The degree programme does not contain practical training

Coordination of international mobility

Tiina Välimäki, 040-830 4127, tiina.valimaki(at)seamk.fi,
for students planning an exchange period in Europe
Maria Loukola, 040-830 2240, maria.loukola(at)seamk.fi,
for students planning an exchange period outside Europe

outgoint(at)seamk.fi

Student services

Tel. 020 124 5055, opiskelijapalvelut(at)seamk.fi