Master's Programme in Health Sciences - specialisation in Public Health Nursing Programme description

Målgruppen for videreutdanning i andrespråkspedagogikk (30 studiepoeng) er lærere som underviser på 1.–10. trinn i grunnskolen.

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 or single courses will only be run if a sufficient number of qualified candidates apply.

Admission requirements for the Specialisation in Public Health Nursing

A bachelor's degree or an equivalent degree in nursing. Norwegian authorisation as a general nurse. At least one year’s relevant work experience

A maximum of one additional point is awarded for relevant education beyond the minimum requirement. By relevant education is meant higher education in health and social care subjects, teaching-related subjects and psychology.

A maximum of one additional point is awarded for relevant work experience beyond the minimum requirement. By relevant work experience is meant all clinical nursing experience.

A further one additional point is awarded for nursing practice at departments/institutions where children/adolescents are the only patient group. 0.25 points per half year are awarded for such particularly relevant work experience.

Fifty per cent of places on the programme are reserved for applicants competing for admission on the sole basis of minimum admission requirements (without additional points).

Up to 1 point is also awarded in addition to the under-represented gender.

Applicants who accept 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 Public Health Nursing

The following additional learning outcomes apply to candidates taking the Specialisation in Public Health Nursing:

• has advanced knowledge of health promotion and preventive work at the population, group and individual level in the public health nurse's area of expertise
• has thorough knowledge of the work methods used at children's health clinics, in the school health service and at youth health centres
• can assess and give grounds for different forms of guidance in interaction, at the population, group and individual level, from a health-promoting and preventive perspective

I begge emner vil arbeidskrav være knyttet til faglig refleksjon, praksiserfaringer og kunnskapsdeling på egen skole, og arbeidskravene vil kunne tilpasses den aldersgruppa elever som lærerne på kurset har på sin skole. Fagdidaktiske problemstillinger er en viktig del av studiet, dessuten det å bruke og drøfte ulike læringsmiljøer, undervisningsmetoder, hjelpemidler og lærebøker.

I tillegg til undervisning blir samlingene brukt til diskusjoner og erfaringsdeling, blant annet med utgangspunkt i praksisopplegg deltakerne gjennomfører på egen skole. Mellom samlingene vil studenten få ulike arbeidskrav som knytter samlingenes tema til utvikling av kompetanse og erfaringsdeling på egen arbeidsplass. Studentene skal delta i refleksjonsoppgaver knyttet til egen praksis. Arbeidskrav kan være både muntlige og skriftlige, individuelle og i grupper.

Studentene arbeider i faste grupper gjennom hele studieåret og vil gjennom studiet arbeide med digitale læringsressurser og prøve ut og reflektere over bruk av slike ressurser i andrespråkslæring. I begge emnene vil det bli lagt vekt på relevante og læringsfremmende vurderingsformer for andrespråkselever. Videreutdanningen vil ha en tydelig praksisforankring der målet er læring gjennom kompetanseutvikling på egen arbeidsplass, utvikling av læringsfellesskapet studentene imellom, samt utvikling av studentens profesjonalitet og rolle som lærer for elever med norsk som andrespråk.

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.

Different forms of assessment are used on the programme that are adapted to the learning outcomes of the various courses. The forms of assessment used are intended to support learning and document the students’ level of competence in relation to the expected learning outcomes. In general, the following forms of assessment are used in the programme:

Supervised individual examination

Taken at the university’s examination premises over a set number of hours.

Home examination

Taken over a set period of time at the end of the course, normally with a set question/assignment text unless otherwise stated in the course description.

Project examination

Taken over the whole or large parts of the course, normally with a topic decided by the students themselves unless otherwise stated in the course description.

Oral examination

Can take place individually or in groups. It can either be an independent form of assessment or used to adjust the grade awarded for another examination.

Practical examination

The assessment of specific practical skills either at the university or in the field of practice.

Assessment of practical training

Supervised practical training, assessed in accordance with the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University Chapter 8.

The assessment of examinations and practical training is carried out in accordance with the applicable rules set out in the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges, the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet and the Guidelines for Appointment and Use of examiners at OsloMet.

The forms of assessment and criteria are described in each course description. All examinations taken and the title of the master’s thesis will be stated on the diploma.

Examinations

All courses conclude with an examination. The assessment is based on the learning outcomes for the course, and the degree to which the student has achieved the stipulated learning outcomes is assessed. In theoretical courses, the grades used are pass/fail or letter grades from A to F, with A being the highest grade and E the poorest pass grade. The grade F means that the student has failed the examination. The grades pass/fail are used for the assessment of practical training.

Resit and rescheduled examinations are carried out in the same manner as the ordinary examination unless otherwise specified in the course description. In special cases, resit and rescheduled examinations in courses with group examinations may be held as individual examinations.

For examinations where a percentage of the examination papers are selected for assessment by an external examiner, the external examiner's assessment should benefit all the students.

The grade awarded for a written examination can be appealed, cf. Section 11-10 of the Act relating to Universities and University Colleges and the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet. It is not possible to appeal the grades awarded for oral and practical examinations. In connection with group examinations, the result of an appeal will only have consequences for the candidate(s) who submitted the appeal. The other students will keep their original grade.

External programme supervisor

An external programme supervisor scheme is in place for the programme as required by the Guidelines for Appointment and Use of Examiners at OsloMet. The external supervisor will write an annual report on their work that will be included in the faculty’s area of the university’s quality assurance system.

Suitability assessment

The suitability assessment is a continuous overall assessment that takes place throughout the study programme. A student must be suitable for professional practice in order to receive diploma/certificate for the study programme.

If it appears that a student may pose a potential danger to the lives, physical and mental health, rights or safety of patients, clients and users during practical training or in future professional practice, it should be asked whether the student is suitable for the profession. University staff, personnel in practical training establishment, as well as students can submit a notification of doubt. The students concerned should be informed as soon as possible if such a notification of doubt has been sent. They should receive guidance and advice on how they can improve or be advised to withdraw from the programme.

https://student.oslomet.no/en/suitability-assessment

Suitability assessment is used in specialisation in Public Health Nursing, specialisation in Cancer Nursing and in Interdisciplinary Specialisation in Mental Health and Addiction.

Programme description considered by the Academic Affairs Committee at the Faculty of Health Sciences on 12 February 2020 and finally approved by the vice-dean on 13 March 2025.

Adopted by the University Board 9 september 2020

Faculty of Health Sciences

The programme description applies to students starting the programme in 2025