ENT5900 Master's thesis Course description

The master's thesis is a final independent, limited research project that shall be based on the knowledge, skills and competence the student has acquired during the programme. Preparations for work on the master's thesis should begin at an early stage of the programme but is attended to mostly in the fourth semester. The master's thesis is an independent project in groups of two-three students. Students may be allowed, on application, to write an individual thesis.

The master's thesis should be an analytical work with relevance to the subject areas in the programme. The students must choose a topic that will be highlighted through systematic use of qualitative and/or quantitative methodologies. The research question can be of either a theoretical or an empirical nature. The master's thesis is submitted in the form of a monograph.

Language of instruction is Norwegian and English.

All compulsory courses included in the master's degree and all four elective courses - total 90 ECTS - must be passed before the student may submit the master's thesis for assessment.

Relational skills, interdisciplinary cooperation and counselling functions are key aspects of social educators’ professional practice. This course emphasises the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation.

The course will also give students knowledge of mental healthcare, different diagnoses and consequences for users’ everyday lives. Various forms of evidence-based treatment measures are also emphasised.

Students must submit a project description for their master's thesis. Each group of students is then assigned an academic supervisor. However, it is not uncommon for students to have been in contact with one or more potential supervisor while preparing the project description in the third semester.

After having been assigned a supervisor, the students will receive approximately 10 hours of individual or group-based supervision. This supervision helps students to acquire the necessary knowledge and assures the quality of the collection and processing of data and their compliance with research ethics.

The following coursework requirements must have been approved in order for the student to take the exam:

• Coursework 1: A project plan of 10 pages (+/- 10 per cent) must be approved before work on the master’s thesis begins in the fourth semester. The project plan must describe the literature, the research question and the plan for the thesis. It also forms the basis for the assignment of an academic supervisor.
• Coursework 2: Attending a first mandatory seminar in the beginning of the fourth semester.
• Coursework 3: Attending a second mandatory seminar later in fourth semester.

All required coursework must be completed and approved by the given deadline in order for the student to take the exam. If the project plan is not approved, the student will be given one opportunity to submit an improved version by the given deadline.

The course comprises lectures, self-study and group work. During group work, students will make a video recording documenting basic counselling skills. All the groups must present their video to the lecturer.

The students will also be divided into seminar groups. The seminars total approximately eight hours, and participation is compulsory. Here, the students will present their assessments relating to specific cases, examples of ethical dilemmas, and facilitate discussions. It is up to the groups to request supervision from the lecturer.

The following required coursework must be approved before a student can receive a final assessment:

• participation in group work with skills exercises (1)
• one individual subject/reflection note to be submitted via Canvas. Scope: 2 pages (1)
• participation in a group presentation of an individual video (1)
• participation in group work (2)

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.;;

A grade scale with grades from A to E for pass and F for fail is used