Postgraduate studies in social work
Social work can be continued at the Kuopio campus of the University of Eastern Finland after a Master’s degree in social sciences on to a licentiate or a Doctoral degree. Examination regulations provide that the eligibility for postgraduate studies is a person who has completed a basic degree (Master’s degree) in the education in question or who has completed an equivalent domestic or foreign degree and whom the Education Unit has deemed to otherwise be sufficiently equipped with knowledge and skills.
Licentiate degree
A Licentiate degree in social work can be completed in two ways:
a scientific Licentiate degree or a professional Licentiate degree 120 credits).
A professional Licentiate degree in social work (120 credits) is a specialized training for professional social workers. The Finnish National University Network for Social Work SOSNET coordinates the Doctoral degree graduate school, professional licentiate training, and social work training in areas close to Finland. Information on how to apply for the graduate school and professional Licentiate degree can be attained from Temp. Professor Riitta Vornanen (riitta.h.vornanen@uef.fi)
Doctoral degree
A Doctoral degree requires:
- scientific postgraduate studies
- doctoral dissertation, which is defended in public
After a Master's degree it is advisable to take on a Doctoral degree directly instead of a Licentiate degree. However, a Doctoral degree requires all studies related to a Licentiate degree except a licentiate thesis.
A joint Social Work and Social Pedagogy research seminar meets during the semester at a separately agreed time. It is led by professors PauliNiemelä (pauli.niemela@uef.fi) and Juha Hämäläinen (juha.e.hamalainen@uef.fi). Temp. Assistant Leena Leinonen (leena.leinonen@uef.fi) acts as a liaison.
