HUMAK UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
NGO AND YOUTH WORK UNIT
The NGO and Youth Work Unit The NGO and Youth Work Unit is part of HUMAK University of Applied Sciences, which operates through a nationwide network. The Unit is the largest educational institution in the field of youth work in Finland. There are about 800 students and 50 teachers and 15 RDI-staff in NGO and Youth Work Unit at HUMAK. The Unit offers both bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Bachelor’s programmes are offered on several campuses across Finland: in Nurmijärvi (south), Joensuu (east), Äänekoski (Central Finland) and Tornio (north). New students are admitted annually into both youth and adult programmes. In the master’s programmes, new students are admitted in alternate years into Finnish- and English-language programmes. The home campus of HUMAK’s master’s programmes is located in Helsinki. In addition, the Unit carries out research, development and innovations projects that support the field of NGO and youth work.
Bachelor’s programme Degree Programme in Civic Activities and Youth Work Bachelor of Humanities, Community Educator Offered mainly in Finnish The scope of the Degree Programme in Civic Activities and Youth Work is 210 ECTS and its duration is 3.5 years. The programme can also be completed as an adult programme while working full-time. The length of this programme, which consists of blended learning, is about 1–2.5 years, depending on the student’s personal study plan. The degree title is Bachelor of Humanities, Community Educator. The degree programme covers, for example, the following key areas: civic activities and NGO work, social reinforcement in youth work, international and multicultural activities, participatory working methods, and versatile interaction skills. Community educators are NGO and youth work professionals, who work in expert and management positions at local governments, NGOs, government agencies and public bodies, as well as businesses. They work, for example, as youth workers, NGO and leisure instructors, instructors in child welfare organizations, project managers and secretaries, planners, trainers and entrepreneurs.
ERASMUS and other exchange students For exchange students, the Degree Programme in Civic Activities and Youth Work offers the opportunity to complete bachelor’s studies in English during an entire academic year. Each autumn semester, the module Adventure Education (30 ECTS) is arranged on the Tornio Campus in northern Finland. Each spring, the module Young People and Social Inclusion (34 ECTS) is arranged on the Nurmijärvi Campus in southern Finland. A good command of both spoken and written English is required, as the official language of the modules is English. Adventure Education (30 ects) Adventure Education course suits well for 3rd or 4th year students, whose study lines are youth work, social studies, education, leisure or activity studies or sport. During the course • Students will gain experiences is adventure education and understanding of the theories in experimental learning and adventure education. • Students will learn skills and knowledge that they can develop in adventure education. • Students will gain the understanding of the importance of technical skills and educational knowledge in order to lead and facilitate safe and purposeful adventure activities. • After the course students will understand the purpose of adventure education as a tool for improving personal growth and methods for strengthening group dynamics.
Young People and Social Inclusion (34 ects) Young People and Social Inclusion course suits well for 3rd or 4th year students, whose study lines are youth work, social studies, education, leisure or activity studies. During the course students e.g. • acquire competences, both in theory and practice, for working with young people and promoting social inclusion, active citizenship and equality • learn to evaluate the role of civil society and their own role as promoters of active citizenship and equality • learn to use different methods for youth empowerment and early intervention. • learn to evaluate the effectiveness of the methods from different viewpoints (sociology, psychology, educational science, social policy, social pedagogy) • are introduced to the European structures and legislation related to young people, inclusion and equality For more information on the degree programmes, application deadlines, and how to apply, visit www.humak.fi/en/studies/ studying-humak/erasmus-studies
Master’s programmes The NGO and Youth Work Unit offers a multidisciplinary master’s programme built around the key duties of HUMAK, with guaranteed labour market relevance. The programmes focus on the development challenges of the labour market and the field, and emphasize a research-based and development-oriented approach. Their goal is to allow students to develop their own work and their field, as well as to evaluate the processes of change in the labour market also in international environments. Degree Programme in NGO and Youth Work Master of Humanities, Community Educator Offered mainly in Finnish The degree programme focuses on the development of communities. Graduates of the programme will be able to work in demanding management and development positions in different types of communities. The programme offers students the capabilities, professional competence and methods required in developing their own work and their professional field at a national level. It also provides a perspective on working in international and multicultural environments. The programme consists of blended learning (90 ECTS). It is completed in two years while working full-time. A personal study plan (PSP) is prepared for each student, taking into account the student’s prior learning. Contact instruction is provided in Helsinki on about three days per month. In addition, the programme includes independent study, exams, written assignments, e-learning and working life development assignments. The admission requirements of the programme include
Research, development and innovation (RDI) a bachelor’s degree in the same or a related field, and at least three years of work experience in the field after graduating with a bachelor’s degree. Degree Programme in Youth Work and Social Equality Master of Humanities Offered in English The degree programme focuses on perspectives of European youth policy and various youth work methods and models used in Europe. Graduates of the programme will be able to work in demanding positions in the field – especially in management and development positions in different types of international and multicultural communities. The programme offers students the capabilities, professional competence and methods required in developing their own work and their professional field also in international and multicultural environments. The programme consists of blended learning (90 ECTS). It is completed in two years while working full-time. Contact instruction periods are arranged about once a month. In addition, the programme includes study periods completed abroad at partner universities, independent study, exams, written assignments, e-learning and working life development assignments. The admission requirements of the programme include a bachelor’s degree in the same or a related field, and at least three years of work experience in the field after graduating with a bachelor’s degree. There are no tuition fees in the degree programme, but students are responsible for covering any travel and accommodation expenses related to participation in contact instruction.
In the field of youth work, the RDI activities of the NGO and Youth Work Unit focus on 1) the professional development of youth work, 2) new operating environments and media, and 3) the development of local youth work. In the field of NGO work, the corresponding focus areas are 1) the development of NGO work in general, and 2) the development of operational preconditions and environments for professional NGO work. There are separate development projects under each focus area. HUMAK is cooperating with national and international partners in these projects. HUMAK will continue to seek new partners in each focus area, with the objective of participating actively in international networks in the field. Please do contact in Youth work development projects RDI-manager Eeva Sinisalo-Juha eeva.sinisalo-juha@humak.fi tel.+358 (0)20 7621 263 NGO development projects RDI-manager Pekka Kaunismaa pekka.kaunismaa@humak.fi tel. + 358 (0)20 7621 238
HUMAK is a social influencer and an active developer of the civil society. (HUMAK mission) HUMAK is a university of applied sciences structured as a nationwide network, which focuses on interaction – learning and working together. In the everyday life of students, this translates into a positive and encouraging atmosphere. HUMAK operates in the field of the humanities and pedagogy, and cultural management. It is the leading educator and expert in both fields in Finland. HUMAK develops the fields of youth work, NGO work and civic activities, cultural management, as well as sign language. HUMAK maintains a close relationship with employers operating in these fields, which ensures that its programmes are relevant to the labour market and are developed in accordance with the changing needs of the professional fields. HUMAK offers three bachelor’s degrees: Bachelor of Humanities (Community Educator), Bachelor of Culture and Arts (Cultural Manager) and Bachelor of Humanities (Sign Language Interpreter). After appropriate work experience, graduates of the degree programmes are able to pursue a master’s degree at HUMAK. In total, HUMAK offers eight programmes leading to a degree. In addition, HUMAK offers open university instruction, specialization studies, as well as extension studies subject to tuition fees. There are about 1,500 students and 160 full-time staff members at HUMAK. The HUMAK website (www.humak.fi/en) provides more information, for example, on course offerings, programme structures and HUMAK campuses.
For additional information on contacts, admission deadlines and curricula, as well as ongoing research and development projects, visit the HUMAK website. Also, don’t hesitate to contact us directly – we would love to tell you more about HUMAK. HUMAK Co-ordinator for International Affairs Timo Sorvoja timo.sorvoja@humak.fi tel. + 358 (0)20 7621 352 HUMAK NGO and Youth Work Unit, International Affairs Sari Höylä sari.hoyla@humak.fi tel. + 358 (0)20 7621 376 Annankatu 12 A 17 FI-00120 HELSINKI
www.humak.fi