Master's Degree Programme in Educational Sciences
Kuvaus
The Master’s Degree Programme in Educational Sciences is a 2-year programme comprising 120 ECTS credits. The aims of the programme are to prepare highly competent educators and to enhance the quality of education in the diversifying contexts of a globalized world in which education is the key to the success of both individuals and societies. As globalization interconnects different countries, their education systems, and the people working in them, an international orientation and understanding are among the key factors in shaping the future of education and our learners. The programme offers both theoretical and practical skills across a wide selection of topics in the field of education, ranging e.g from early childhood education to learning in old age.
During the Master’s Degree Programme in Educational Sciences, students will gain a broad understanding of the field of education, including awareness of international issues in education. Students will also gain insights into the Finnish education system and Finland’s international connections. Alongside the teaching on national and international issues in the programme, the most prominent daily contribution to internationalization will be made by the multicultural student body and its members’ knowledge and expertise on own cultures, histories, politics, societies, social and political histories, economies, religions, etc. In addition, we aim to provide students with inspiring contacts to broaden their perspectives and to give them opportunities to participate in academic debate both locally and globally.
Students will have the opportunity to specialize in the areas of education that they find the most relevant and interesting. Students will acquire scientific expertise in the field of education and will be able to work with theories and analyse and develop educational practices. The overriding aim is to enable students to acquire the relevant skills and knowledge to be able to work in highly digitalized and technology-based learning environments and cultures. Research-based teaching facilitates students’ development as competent and critical members of today’s digitalized information and knowledge society. The Master’s Degree creates a foundation for producing scientific knowledge and applying scientific methods in practice in the field of education.
Graduates of the programme will be well prepared for work in a variety of educational settings, for example, as educational consultants, coordinators, teacher educators, researchers or educational planners. Contemporary and future-oriented digital solutions will be applied in both teaching and evaluation, as well as in communication in general. Workplace skills will be built in cooperation with education practitioners, and students understanding of these relevant qualifications and skills will be strengthened through guidance on such topics as expertise, professional identity and the development of professional agency at both the individual and societal level. The programme is grounded in the responsibility and commitment of the student, strengthened by an entrepreneuristic attitude. Studies are built to connect with the present-day working life of educational specialists. Student’s understanding of changing work competences is supported by the integration of theory and practice. Digital solutions are integrated into the programme as both tools of teaching and learning.
Our mission is to produce visionary graduate educators able to educate, develop and empower people and systems with research-based knowledge, humane values, appropriate skills and responsible attitudes that can make a difference in a changing world. Our vision is a programme that provides the kinds of competencies that graduates can utilize in becoming globally good educators who are able to work in various changing and even challenging environments. Our strategy in seeking to implement our mission and vision is informed by our learning culture, pedagogy and curriculum. After completing the programme and receiving the degree of Master of Arts (Education), graduates are eligible to apply for doctoral studies.
Osaamistavoitteet
The Faculty of Education and Psychology implements a phenomenon-based curriculum. Our objective is to prepare highly competent educational professionals, having all-round competences, in the diversifying contexts of a globalised world. The aim is to educate students in the phenomena related to education by combining theory and practice in different ways. The variety of different perspectives offered contributes to a deeper understanding of the discipline. Graduates, with their professional expertise, are highly employable in a wide variety of educational settings, depending on their specialisation studies, such as Early Childhood, Inclusive Education, Guidance and Counselling, Foreign Language Pedagogy, Educational Leadership, and Current Issues in Education and Psychology. The phenomenon-based curriculum facilitates learning through real-life phenomena, studied in an authentic environment.
The aim is to understand education-related phenomena by combining different theoretical and practical components. These phenomena, which include Learning and Guidance, Competence and Expertise, Scientific Knowledge, Interaction and Cooperation, and Education, Society and Change, and are integrated into the course content to enable a more profound understanding of the discipline.
Learning and Guidance is a multi-layered phenomenal entity that can be analysed in a variety of ways. The starting point is the diversity of learners and learning processes, which also contributes to the complex nature of learning guidance. As well as on the individual level, learning can be examined on the level of communities and society, and from the perspective of interaction between these levels. Learning is always context-bound: something learned in one context is not necessarily transferable to another context or situation. Learning is lifelong, life-wide, and can be formal or informal. Because all learners are different, it is essential to identify and take account of their individual qualities in providing them with guidance not only on learning but also on learning to learn. Learning is bound to the societal missions of education and training: it ensures the continuity and transformation of culture and communities. Therefore, education, training and learning are also political issues. Educational policies, including the drafting of national core curricula, involve power struggles and interest-based negotiations.
Competence and Expertise are complex phenomena that have been explored from the perspectives of psychology, sociology and various other disciplines. In psychologically oriented research, expertise has especially been studied as the development of high-level competence, whereas a social sciences orientation has focused on expertise as a communal and societal phenomenon. Themes related to expertise and its development include, for example, learning at the interfaces of education and working life, learning in different communities and networks, professional identity and agency, and the management and development of organisations. The study of these themes is integrated with the development of students’ own expertise in educational sciences and scientific thinking.
Scientific Knowledge is a central element of expertise, particularly in the academic professions. The construction of scientific knowledge has been analysed, for instance, in the philosophy of science, in the study of scientific thinking and – more generally – of higher education and learning, and in the study of cognitive development in adults. The phenomenon is thus related to such themes as psychological and social development, learning in adulthood, scientific thinking, the essence of scientific knowledge, professional ethics, and the responsible conduct of research. Education is analysed as a discipline in relation to other disciplines.
Interaction and Cooperation are phenomena in which people are examined in relation to each other. These intertwine with pedagogical education and the pedagogical expertise that develops (1) as competence, (2) in participation and inclusion, and (3) in spaces of encounter. In studying these phenomena, the three perspectives overlap and complement each other, in both the formal and informal learning environments of childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Interaction and cooperation as competence focus on the knowledge, skills and attitudes associated with the interactive relations that people need to promote learning, growth, development, change and wellbeing in individuals and communities. Competence in interaction and cooperation implies the ability to act in an interactive educational and guidance relationship with children, adolescents and adults. Participation and inclusion focuses on both encounters and non-encounters, dialogues and monologues, and the tensions between them. This perspective emphasises the relationships between individuals and groups, and group dynamics and teams. Spaces of encounter are concrete and physical, abstract and invisible, as well as virtual. This perspective takes account and analyses cultural conditions of different encounters.
The field of phenomena called Education, Society and Change focuses on the dynamic societal factors that provide opportunities and set the marginal terms for education, training and, more broadly, for the entire socialisation process. Education and training simultaneously support and maintain as well as renew the structures and activities of society – tradition creates a tension between stability and change. Therefore, education and training are examined through temporality, which opens the perspectives of the past, the present and the future. The practices of education and training are also connected to the prevailing sociohistorical situation, culture, politics, ideologies and power structures. These factors determine the social and structural terms of education. In addition, issues related to social justice, inclusion, equality, diversity, otherness and growing social inequality are reflected on within this field of phenomena. Societal change is represented, for example, by different forms of modernisation, such as individualisation and globalisation, the differentiation of lifestyles and values, and increasing freedom of choice.
Upon completion of the Master’s degree, students will be able to apply the following skills in five different phenomenon areas and beyond:
Phenomenon area - Expected skills
Learning and Guidance:
- ability to analyse different processes of learning and guidance and relate these to the diversity of learning environments
- awareness of the diversity of the concepts of knowledge, learning and the human being and their relation to learning cultures
Competence and Expertise
- ability to evaluate and document one’s own professional growth
- ability to develop the competencies needed in working life
- ability to develop the work environment by searching for scientific and practical knowledge in the area
Scientific Knowledge:
- ability to critically analyse scientific research
- ability to develop one’s own thinking based on research
- ability to conduct scientific research in the field of education
Interaction and Cooperation:
- intercultural knowledge and competence and the ability to apply them in practice
- ability to work competently as part of a team in a multicultural environment
Education, Society and Change:
- understanding of and ability to critically analyse educational phenomena in an international context by integrating scientific, experimental and practical aspects
- understanding of the field of education as promoting human rights and equity
Tutkintorakenne
- Arvosteluasteikko
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- 0-5
- Osaamistavoitteet
- Upon completion of the Advanced Studies the student will be able to apply following expected skills in five different phenomenon areas and beyond. Expected skills for each Phenomenon area are following:
Learning and Guidance
- analyse different processes of learning and guidance and relate them to the diversity of learning environments
- be aware of the diversity of concepts of knowledge, learning and the human being and their relation to learning cultures
Competence and Expertise
- evaluate and document one’s own professional growth
- develop the competencies needed in working life
- develop the work environment by searching for scientific and practical knowledge in the area
Scientific Knowledge
- critically analyse scientific research
- develop one’s own thinking based on research
- conduct scientific research in the field of education
Interaction and Cooperation
- gain intercultural knowledge and competence and apply them in practice
- work competently as part of a team in a multicultural environment
Education, Society and Change
- understand and critically analyse educational phenomena in an international context by integrating scientific, experimental and practical aspects
- understand the field of education as promoting human rights and equity - ³§¾±²õä±ô³Ùö
- Phenomena based curriculum facilitates learning through real life phenomenon, which are studied in an authentic environment. The aim is to understand the phenomena related to education by combining different theoretical and practical aspects. The variety of different phenomena include: Learning and Guidance, Competence and Expertise, Scientific Knowledge, Interaction and Cooperation, and Education, Society and Change. These phenomena are integrated into the course content and are offered to develop a deep understanding of the discipline.
- EDUS1010 Intercultural Competence and Collaborative Learning (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- EDUS1020 Finnish Education in Practice (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- EDUS1030 International Education Policies and Practices (5Ìý´Ç±è)
Advanced Studies in Educational Sciences (75 - 77Â op)
- Sisällön valinnaisuus
- Valitaan 25 ´Ç±è¾±²Ô³Ù´Ç±è¾±²õ³Ù±ð³Ù³Ùä
- Sisällön valinnaisuus
- Valitaan 0-25 ´Ç±è¾±²Ô³Ù´Ç±è¾±²õ³Ù±ð³Ù³Ùä
- EDLS550 Educational Change and School Reform (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- EDLS350 Pedagogical Leadership and Leadership as Resource (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- KLAS1509 Identity and Agency in Professional Work (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- EDLS1020 Creativity and innovation in education and educational leadership (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- KLAS1519 Educational Leadership (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- EDLS1010 Managing Finances and Administrative Practices (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- Sisällön valinnaisuus
- Valitaan 0-20 ´Ç±è¾±²Ô³Ù´Ç±è¾±²õ³Ù±ð³Ù³Ùä
- VKTS1019 Children and Childhood in Society (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- VKTS1029 Children’s Social-emotional Development and Well-being in Early Childhood (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- VKTS1039 Contemporary Perspectives on Play and Learning (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- KLAS1609 Family and Upbringing - Key Concepts and Approaches (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- ERIS318 International Perspectives on Special Education (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- ERIS310 Co-teaching in School Community (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- ERIS301 Neurokognitiivinen näkökulma tukemiseen oppimisvaikeuksissa (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- ERIS303 Yhteiskuntatieteellinen vammaistutkimus ja pedagogiikka (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- ERIA3010 Special Education Learning Environments (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- EDUS1050 Teaching in Multilingual and Multicultural Settings (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- Sisällön valinnaisuus
- Valitaan 0-25 ´Ç±è¾±²Ô³Ù´Ç±è¾±²õ³Ù±ð³Ù³Ùä
- EDUS390 Introduction to Guidance and Counselling (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- EDUS391 Guidance and Counselling Interaction (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- EDUS392 Career Guidance and Counselling (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- KLAS1309 Cultural Diversity in Education and Pedagogy (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- EDUA290 Information Communication Technology in Guidance and Counselling (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- Sisällön valinnaisuus
- Valitaan 0-25 ´Ç±è¾±²Ô³Ù´Ç±è¾±²õ³Ù±ð³Ù³Ùä
- OJUP1030 Varieties of English (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- OJUP1040 The Language of Education and Pedagogy (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- OJUP2010 Content and Language Integrated Learning (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- OJUP2020 Issues in International and Intercultural Education (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- OJUP2030 Language, Literature and Culture (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- OJUP1060 Foreign Language Pedagogy (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- Sisällön valinnaisuus
- Valitaan 0-20 ´Ç±è¾±²Ô³Ù´Ç±è¾±²õ³Ù±ð³Ù³Ùä
- MCE0220 Issues in Education (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- EDUS1060 Entrepreneurial Learning and Project Management in Education (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- ERIS301 Neurokognitiivinen näkökulma tukemiseen oppimisvaikeuksissa (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- KLAS1409 Learning and 21st Century Competencies: Collaboration, Creativity, and Technology (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- KLAS1709 Let’s Talk Theory! Social Theory and Societal Perspective on Education and Educational Research (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- KLAS1209 Educator's Professional Ethics and Moral Education (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- KLAS1309 Cultural Diversity in Education and Pedagogy (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- OKLS1409 Syventävät ilmiöopinnot 3: Itsenäinen työskentelyjakso (ped) (6Ìý´Ç±è)
- EDUS1040 Educational Research (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- EDUS1070 Dialogic Theory and Dialogic Pedagogy (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- EDUS1080 Theory and Practice of Comparative Pedagogy (5Ìý´Ç±è)
- EDUS1090 Instructional Design – Creating an educational media product (5Ìý´Ç±è)
Specialisation Studies (25Â op)
Specialisation Studies are offered in six different study modules: Early Childhood Studies, Inclusive Education, Guidance and Counselling, Foreign Language Pedagogy, Educational Leadership, and Current Issues in Education and Psychology. Students are to choose minimum of 20 ECTS credits from one specialization study module. 5 ECTS credits can be chosen freely from different modules or from the additional courses, General Advance Studies offered by the faculty.
In addition, students can choose courses from the Contemporary Issues in Psychology programme. Available courses will be specified annually in the Study Programme.
Educational Leadership (0 - 25Â op)
Early Childhood Studies (0 - 20Â op)
Guidance and Counselling (0 - 25Â op)
Guidance and counselling cover a wide range of services and activities targeted to people at different ages and life situations who are seeking help with problems and questions regarding their life and career decisions. The following courses provide students with an overview of a selection of important fields of guidance and counselling. In addition to international perspectives, the courses deal with elements that characterise the Finnish guidance and counselling approach, including e.g.
- humanistic and constructivist approach
- multiprofessional and systemic approach
- importance of a strong future-orientation
- life-long learning
- social and gender equality.
If student chooses this Specialisation Studies module, student must complete minimum of 20 ECTS credits from this module.
Foreign Language Pedagogy (0 - 25Â op)
Current Issues in Education and Psychology (0 - 20Â op)
- Sisällön valinnaisuus
- Vähintään 4 ´Ç±è¾±²Ô³Ù´Ç±è¾±²õ³Ù±ð³Ù³Ùä
Optional Studies (vähintään 4 op)
For Optional Studies you can choose courses of your interest from the wide range offered in different faculties within our university. Note that you can also choose more studies from Specialisation Modules or General Advanced Studies as optional studies.