Bachelor Programme in Child Care and Welfare Programme description

Se emneplan under for beskrivelse av studiet.

The programme was established under the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges and the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University.

Candidates who pass the programme will be awarded the degree Master of Health Sciences (Norwegian: Master i helsevitenskap) in accordance with Section 3 of the Regulations concerning Requirements for the Master's Degrees. A specialisation in one of the following 15 specialisations forms part of the master’s degree programme:

Specialisations for applicants with backgrounds in health or social care:

• Health Sciences
• Empowerment and Health Promotion
• Mental Health and Addiction
• Rehabilitation and Habilitation

Specialisations for applicants who are authorised health personnel in the specified professional fields:

• Nutrition for Health Personnel
• Occupational Therapy
• Physiotherapy for Children and Adolescents
• Physiotherapy for the Older Adult
• Physiotherapy for Musculoskeletal Health
• Psychomotor Physiotherapy
• Advanced Nursing Practice
• Public Health Nursing
• Cancer Nursing
• Nursing – Clinical Research and Professional Development

Specialisations for applicants from the professional field of nutrition:

• Public Health Nutrition

The specialisation will also be stated on the diploma alongside the name of the degree: Master of Health Sciences.

The master’s degree programme has a scope of 120 ECTS credits. Some of the specialisations are taken full-time over two years, while others are taken part-time over three or four years.

The programme comprises compulsory common courses, compulsory specialisation courses and elective courses, in addition to the master’s thesis. A more detailed overview of the programme’s structure for each specialisation is given under the section Content and structure.

According to the UN Agenda 2030, a prerequisite for achieving sustainable development is that everyone is able to live healthy lives. The Master’s Degree Programme in Health Sciences is primarily aimed at the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, Good Health and Well-being, while SDGs 4, 5 and 10 on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, and achieving gender equality and reducing inequality, are also relevant. The 17 SDGs must be seen as a whole, however, where each goal is seen in conjunction with the others. The purpose of the programme is therefore to educate candidates who are qualified to help to ensure good health and promote quality of life for everyone, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, education, sexuality and functional ability, while also attempting to address considerations relating to sustainability, including life-long learning.

The students taking the programme can choose a specialisation in health promotion, illness prevention, treatment, palliative care and (re)habilitation work. The programme teaches the students to handle professional problems at the individual, group and system level in close cooperation with other professions, patients, users, next of kin and other services. The candidates should also be able to contribute to safe, effective, holistic and integrated services with good use of resources, and to innovation, improvement work and systematic user involvement.

Relevance to working life

Possible fields of work and careers after completing the programme include:

• research and development in the health sciences
• teaching, development and advisory functions in the guidance, administration and dissemination of knowledge in the health professions
• clinical work that is based on specialised expertise
• health and social care management positions

Relevance to further education

Students taking the Master's Degree Programme in Health Sciences who choose to write a master’s thesis worth 50 ECTS credits can apply for admission to the research programme for health sciences while taking the master’s programme. This is taken in parallel to and as an extension of the master’s programme. The research programme develops researcher expertise over and above that provided during the master’s programme and results in a research work that can later form part of a PhD-level work.

Candidates with a Master's Degree in Health Sciences are qualified to apply for admission to PhD programmes, including the PhD Programme in Health Sciences at OsloMet.

Specialisations

The Master's Degree Programme in Health Sciences has a number of specialisations that candidates can choose. Applicants must choose and apply directly for the specialisation they wish to take when applying for the master’s programme. The specialisations are subject to different admission requirements. However, the students will take a significant part of the programme together with students from the other specialisations, partly through compulsory common courses and partly through elective courses across the specialisations. More information about this is found in the section Content and structure.

MAPFY: Psychomotor Physiotherapy

The Specialisation in Psychomotor Physiotherapy is based on an understanding of the body as both concrete and biomedical, as well as relational and communicative. Norwegian Psychomotor Physiotherapy (NPMP) forms the core of the specialisation. In this approach of physiotherapy, physical problems and symptoms are assessed in relation to the overall muscle tensions and mobility in the body. The goal of the treatment is to give the patient new insights into themselves, their body and physical habits, and in this way help to make changes in the patient’s life that can lead to improvement. The specialisation forms part of the basis for the right to increase fees for psychomotor physiotherapy through the Norwegian Health Economics Administration (Helfo) (helsedirektoratetet.no). The specialisation includes practical training with access to patients who are going to receive psychomotor physiotherapy. The students will perform 200 patient treatments and 72 hours’ of group guidance in their practical training throughout the programme.

The target group is students with a bachelor’s degree in health or social care who want to work on professional development and/or participate in research in their field, and potentially conduct clinical work in their chosen specialisation. The programme is a relevant additional education to a number of health and social care programmes.

Admission takes place directly to the chosen specialisation. The requirement for admission to the Master’s Degree Programme in Health Sciences is a bachelor's degree or an equivalent degree within a specified field, with an average grade of at least C. However, an average grade of C does not guarantee admission. If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of places on the programme, the applicants will be ranked according to the applicable ranking rules.

Admission to individual courses

For admission to individual courses, the admission requirements are described in the course description. The grade C requirement does not apply to admission to individual courses. More information about admission to individual courses can be found on the programme’s website.

Reference is made to the Regulations relating to Admission to Studies at OsloMet. The specialisations and individual courses will only be run if a sufficient number of qualified candidates apply.

Admission requirements for the Specialisation in Psychomotor Physiotherapy

A bachelor's degree or an equivalent degree in physiotherapy. Applicants must also hold Norwegian authorisation as a physiotherapist. Applicants with an internship license can also be admitted.

A maximum of one additional point is awarded for further education within psychomotor physiotherapy.

Applicants who accept an offer for a place on the programme must submit a transcript of police records.

Learning outcomes at the programme level for the Master's Degree Programme in Health Sciences

The student’s overall learning outcomes for the Master’s Degree Programme in Health Sciences fully cover the description of master’s degree level (level 7) of the Norwegian Qualifications Framework.

A candidate who has completed his or her qualification should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The candidate

• has advanced knowledge of health-related services and health-promoting work within their field of specialisation
• can analyse academic problems on the basis of the history, traditions, distinctive character and place in society of the health sciences
• has knowledge of different perceptions of body, health, illness, function and functional impairment
• has in-depth knowledge of the individual’s right to autonomy and user participation, and of important considerations in the development of equitable health services and health-promoting work
• has insight into the role of interprofessional cooperation in achieving results in health-related services and health-promoting work
• has insight into the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3, Good Health and Well-being, and an understanding of the connection between health and sustainable development in society
• has thorough knowledge of the theory of science, research methods and ethics of particular relevance to health sciences and the area of specialisation

Skills

The candidate

• can understand, motivate and cooperate with individuals and next of kin undergoing health-related learning, coping and change processes
• can analyse existing theories, methods and interpretations in the field of health sciences and work independently on practical and theoretical problem-solving
• can adapt health services and health-promoting work to different groups in society
• can contribute to the expedient and correct use of technology to improve the quality of the health services
• can use knowledge of quality improvement and implementation to improve the services
• can analyse and deal critically with various sources of information and use them to structure and formulate scholarly arguments
• can use relevant methods for research and scholarly and/or professional development work in an independent manner
• can carry out an independent, limited research or development project within their specialisation under supervision and in accordance with applicable norms for research ethics

General competence

The candidate

• can analyse the relationship between the individual, service and societal levels when designing health-related services and in health-promoting work
• can contribute to innovation and quality improvement that builds on relevant knowledge of nursing gained from research and experience, and knowledge of users
• can work in interprofessional teams in order to more efficiently address complex health challenges
• has an international perspective in their field of specialisation
• can assess their own research design and research method based on a specific research question
• can disseminate relevant problems, analyses and research results to specialists and the general public in a way that meets research ethics requirements
• can contribute to new thinking and innovation processes in the health services and in health-promoting work

Specialisation in Psychomotor Physiotherapy

The following additional learning outcomes apply to candidates taking the Specialisation in Psychomotor Physiotherapy:

• has specialised knowledge of psychomotor physiotherapy as a treatment approach and its theoretical and empirical basis
• can apply principles of psychomotor physiotherapy in an independent manner in clinical practice both individually and in groups
• can analyse, discuss and disseminate relevant academic problems and research related to psychomotor physiotherapy

Practical training is an important part of the programme and will contribute to integrating the learning outcomes in relation to knowledge, skills and general competence. The practical training is designed to support students’ achievement of the learning outcomes. The scope of practical training is 24 weeks, of which a minimum of 20 weeks is in authentic work situations.

Practical training, first year of the programme: In order to take part in practical training, students must have passed an exam corresponding to at least 20 credits from the autumn semester of the first year.

Practical training, third year of the programme: Students must have completed and passed the second year of the Bachelor Programme in Child Care and Welfare.

The students will have two longer periods of practical training in different fields of work that are relevant to child welfare officers, in addition to some shorter placements. Through the practical training, the students will experience establishing contact with children and families in different arenas, and of assessments/investigations, evaluation and decision-making processes in child welfare cases. The students will participate in cooperation meetings and become familiar with interdisciplinary work at the individual and system level.

Students will be supervised by professional practitioners during practical training. A plan containing learning outcomes will be drawn up for each student. Supervision is used, among other things, to develop understanding of the relationship between theory and practice in child care and welfare work. The students will develop their capacity for practical, ethical and critical reflection. They will be followed up by contact lecturers from the university during their period of practical training.

Practical training regulations

The periods of practical training must be completed and approved in accordance with the applicable regulations. Reference is made to the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University, Chapter 8 in particular. Supervised practical training. Number of attempts. A diploma will not be issued until the external practical training has been approved. Students who have not completed the whole programme can be issued a transcript of the exam records for the exams and parts of the programme they have completed.

The student and supervisor are assigned a contact lecturer at the university. The university college conducts visits to the practical training establishment as necessary. The university offers free supervisor training in the university’s geographical area.

Duties

Students are to carry out duties of a type that child welfare officers at the workplace normally do. The work duties should be varied. On the basis of the daily tasks, the students are encouraged to see the connection between the institution's tasks and general issues regarding its purpose, framework and work methods. The student's learning objectives must be formulated in a learning contract entered into between the student, supervisor and practical training establishment (see below).

The student must comply with the ordinary norms and rules that apply in working life. Reference is made to the applicable agreements and provisions set out in the Working Environment Act. If the practical training establishment has its own personnel regulations, the student must act in accordance with the sections regulating conduct on duty. The students must familiarise themselves with the duty of confidentiality and submit a written declaration of confidentiality on arrival at the practical training establishment. The student is expected to be familiar with the professional ethical principles and guidelines for child welfare officers and comply with them.

Working hours and attendance requirements at the practical training establishment

The student must comply with the practical training establishment's working hours. At workplaces where employees work in shifts, there should be a reasonable balance between daytime work and evening work. Night shifts are not to be included in the students’ working hours unless otherwise agreed.

The period of practical training is compulsory, and an 80% attendance requirement applies. Absence of up to 20% is only accepted in connection with illness, holding an office or approved leaves of absence. Any absence in excess of this must be made up for, and an agreement must be reached with the university and the practical training establishment about how this can be done.

Supervision

Every student must have a practical training supervisor at the practical training establishment. The supervisor should preferably have a social care education at university or university college level, and should preferably be a child welfare officer.

The student must receive at least one supervision session per week. Supervision can take place in groups, normally in combination with individual supervision at the beginning, midway and upon completion. The times and dates of supervision sessions should be decided as soon as possible after the student starts the period of practical training.

The supervision will be organised such that it enables the student to actively reflect on academic and ethical issues, and on what personal competence is in the context of practical social work. The supervisor follows the student's learning process and takes active responsibility for ensuring the required progress. Planning duties/learning objectives, their follow-up and assessment and any adjustments to duties/learning objectives fall under progress in the learning process.

The student is responsible for preparing content for the supervision sessions, with the help of the supervisor. The student will receive continuous feedback about how they are doing at the practical training establishment. The student will also receive more extensive feedback from their supervisor halfway through the practical training period and on conclusion of the placement. To what degree the student has met the learning objectives in the course description will be assessed, and whether they have met the learning objectives set out in the cooperation between the student, supervisor and practical training establishment.

The practical training supervisor's evaluation

On completion of the practical training period, the student submits a self-evaluation report. The report is a written evaluation of the student’s learning progress and completion of the practical training period, based on the learning objectives formulated in the learning contract. In the same document, the supervisor will confirm any absence and give a recommendation to approve/not approve the practical training period.

Assessment of practical training

Assessment is conducted in accordance with the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University Chapter 8. Approval/non-approval of the practical training period is an individual decision pursuant to the Public Administration Act. The formal assessment is related to completed and approved coursework requirements, including attendance requirements for practical training and completion of supervision sessions. The faculty decides whether to grant approval.

Doubt regarding approval/non-approval

The practical training supervisor, contact lecturer and/or department can raise doubt regarding whether to approve practical training, or advise not to. When there is doubt regarding approval, or if a recommendation has been made not to grant approval, the department must be notified immediately via the person responsible for the course.

If there is doubt regarding whether to approve the practical training, the student must be notified of this in writing as soon as possible and no later than three weeks before the end of the practical training period. Before the student is notified, the affected parties (student, programme representative and practical training establishment representative) must be called to attend a meeting. The initiative to hold such a meeting must be immediate and the university is responsible for inviting the parties and holding the meeting. Minutes are to be kept. The parties must be given the opportunity to comment on the minutes. Any comments must be in writing and sent to the university by care of the dean within a week of the minutes being circulated.

If the grounds for doubt concerning approval permit, a written plan for correcting the factors on which the doubt is based must be prepared. The plan must in such cases contain specific measures and specify the division of responsibility for implementing such measures. The parties must agree on a date for an evaluation meeting to assess the effect of the corrective measures. If doubt is raised concerning approval, the student must demonstrate satisfactory progress during the remainder of the practical training to pass.

If the university decides that the practical training period should not be approved, the student must be informed of this and of the grounds for the decision in writing as soon as possible. The case must then be submitted to the practical training committee as soon as possible. The practical training committee decides if the case is sufficiently documented, and acquires additional information as necessary. The practical training committee then makes the final decision. The decision must be explained in writing.

Appeals

Decisions to not approve the practical training cannot be appealed unless a formal error has been made. This means that it is not possible to appeal against the assessment on which the decision to deny approval is based. For appeals against formal errors, the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University apply. The Appeals Board at OsloMet is the appeals body.

New period of practical training

See the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University, and the section on Rules for study progress.

Exclusion

A student who has acted in a grossly reprehensible manner during practical training may, if the Board of the university so decides, be excluded from the programme for up to three years, cf. the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges.

Case processing requirements

The decisions are, as mentioned, individual decisions and are subject to the case processing requirements that apply to such decisions at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University.

Varied and student-active teaching methods are used in the programme. Good learning outcomes are first and foremost dependent on the students’ own efforts. The number of hours of adapted teaching at the university will be relatively low. Own effort means both benefiting from teaching and academic supervision and following this up with independent work in the form of theoretical studies and, if relevant, practical skills training. Normal study progress requires students to make great personal efforts. The most important work and teaching forms used in each course in the programme are described below. The individual course descriptions state which work methods each course employs. Practical training is described in a separate chapter; see below.

Web-based work and teaching methods

Several forms of digital learning resources are used in the programme, such as digital textbooks, digital lectures, video clips, podcasts, tests, learning pathways and assignments. These resources can be used to prepare for teaching sessions, during seminars using the flipped classroom method, and as part of self-study. This form of teaching requires the students to meet prepared for the scheduled teaching sessions. Interaction can also take place digitally, in the form of Skype meetings, webinars etc.

Self-study and student cooperation/group work

Learning requires a high degree of own activity and self-study, including both individual work and cooperation with fellow students. Through activities such as exchanging ideas, presentations, discussions, writing assignments and problem-based assignments, students will be stimulated to learn by communicating knowledge and experience, expressing their own opinions and, together, reflecting on their own attitudes, actions and understanding of the field. Students are encouraged to take initiative to schedule and actively participate in study groups to promote learning.

Lectures

Lectures are primarily used to introduce new subject matter, provide an overview and highlight main elements and links within different topics, and also to communicate relevant issues.

Seminars

Seminars emphasise dialogue and discussion between the subject teacher(s) and students in order to stimulate the student's academic development. Verbal presentations by students and discussions are emphasised.

In connection with the master's thesis, seminars are held where the master's theses are presented and discussed. The students receive feedback from their fellow students and teachers, which enables them to learn from each other. Research-related issues, methods and academic supervision are among the topics discussed in the seminars. Seminars can also take place on digital collaboration platforms.

Written assignments and academic supervision

Through written assignments and the master's thesis, students will formulate research questions for assignments and work on them over time, either individually or in cooperation with other students. They will learn theory and develop skills in using and referencing sources, analysis, discussion and written and oral communication. The primary purpose of this is to develop their ability to reflect critically, see elements in context and develop a deeper understanding of a subject.

Developing academic writing skills is a key aspect of all parts of the programme. Supervision is an important component of the work on the master's thesis. The supervision is intended to ensure that the project complies with research ethics principles and help students to formulate the research question and ensure quality in the collection and analysis of data.

Five of the specialisations in the master’s programme have compulsory practical training in order for students to acquire skills needed in their professional practice. These specialisations are:

• Advanced Nursing Practice
• Public Health Nursing
• Cancer Nursing
• Mental Health and Addiction
• Psychomotor Physiotherapy

The field of practice is an essential qualification arena for acquiring action competence in the specialisation. Through practical training, the students further develop their communication and interaction skills and develop an important basis for theoretical analysis and discussion.

Supervision and assessment

Practical training is supervised. Pursuant to the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges, the university is responsible for the final assessment of the student. Reference is also made to the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University Chapter 8. Supervised practical training. Number of attempts.

Detailed information about practical training

For more detailed information about attendance requirements, scope, the practical training arena and other details related to practical training, see the course descriptions for the specific specialisation.

The increasing globalisation of the labour market makes international experience and knowledge of languages and cultures increasingly important. Internationalisation contributes to raising the quality of education and strengthens the academic community relating to the master’s programme, at the same time as it strengthens the students as global citizens.

The programme has a focus on multicultural and global problems. This approach contributes to an increased understanding and improves the students' ability to work in a professional capacity in a multicultural society. The students gain access to specialist terminology in English through the syllabus, which comprises both textbooks and international research literature.

The staff’s network, research collaboration and cooperation with colleagues in other countries contribute to internationalisation. The programme is represented in international networks.

OsloMet has exchange agreements with educational institutions in Europe and worldwide.

Courses adapted to incoming exchange students

The following courses have been adapted for incoming exchange students:

• MAFAR4100 Innovation within Healthcare, 10 ECTS credits
• MAVIT4700 Food, Health and Sustainability, 10 ECTS credits
• MAVIT5100 Health Communication, 10 ECTS credits
• MAPSY4400 Mental Health of Migrants and Minorities, 10 ECTS credits

The courses listed above will be taught in English if international students have registered for them. Otherwise, courses will generally be taught in Norwegian.

Semesters adapted to outbound exchange students

Students who wish to take courses at an educational institution abroad as part of their master’s degree normally go on an exchange in the third semester. Students admitted to a specialisation that as a norm has a master’s thesis worth 50 ECTS credits can apply to instead write a master’s thesis worth 30 ECTS credits. The students are responsible for finding relevant courses at partner institutions and must apply to have them approved in advance. An international coordinator can provide guidance in relation to selecting a course.

Reference is otherwise made to the criteria that apply to student exchanges and the information about stays abroad.

Coursework requirements are all types of work, tests and compulsory attendance that are requirements for being permitted to take the examination. Coursework requirements can be individual or in groups. Required coursework is assessed as approved/not approved. The coursework requirements for each course are described in the relevant course description.

The primary purpose of coursework requirements is to promote students' progress and academic development and to encourage them to acquire new knowledge. The programme's main coursework requirements are in the form of compulsory attendance, written assignments and tests.

Compulsory attendance

Attendance is compulsory in areas where the student cannot acquire knowledge and skills simply by studying literature.

If a student exceeds the maximum limit for absence stated in the course description or do not participate in a group presentation, the lecturer will consider whether it is possible to compensate for absence by meeting alternative requirements. This can e.g. be written assignments or oral presentations, individually or in groups. If it is not possible to compensate for the absence, the student must take the course the next time it is taught. Whether or not it is possible to compensate for absence depends on the extent of the student’s absence and which activities he/she has missed.

Written assignments

Several courses have compulsory written assignments or reports as part of their coursework requirements. Written work that is not approved must be improved before re-submission. If the work is not approved on re-submission, the student cannot take the ordinary examination/assessment.

The students are entitled to a third attempt before the resit/rescheduled examination. If an assignment is not approved the third time it is submitted, the student must re-take the course with the next class.