Master's Program in Behavioral Science Programme description

The Master’s Program in Behavioral Science comprises 120 ECTS credits in accordance with § 3 of the National Regulations Relating to Requirements for a Master’s Degree, appointed by the Ministry of Education and Research on December 1st, 2005. A successfully completed program leads to the degree Master of Behavioral Science /master i atferdsvitenskap.

The study program is established in accordance with the Act Relating to Universities and University Colleges of April 1st, 2005 and Regulations Relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University June 26th, 2012.

The program teaches modern behavioral science. The term behavioral science has no agreed-upon definition and may refer to different things in different settings. When used as part of the current program, the term should be understood in the context of the idea that a natural science approach to human behavior is both interesting and important to explore. Aspects of natural science relevant for this master´s program in behavioral science include a focus on empirical investigation, the use of experimental methods, and resulting empirically defined units of analysis. Behavioral science aims to explore and develop a natural science approach in several domains, including in conceptual development and philosophy, in experimental analysis and other parts of basic science, and in the application of scientific principles to generate desirable change. A type of behavioral science called behavior analysis is central to the program. Behavior analysis is concerned with investigating systematic relationships between the environment and behavior and considers both public and private events. Behavior analysis may be viewed as a selectionist science taking into consideration both phylogenetic, ontogenetic, and cultural phenomena. The knowledge, skills and competence from the program are useful when designing, implementing, managing and documenting processes of change for individuals and in systems. Interventions taught in the program are empirically based and well suited for measuring and assessment of outcomes.

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

Master’s Program in Behavioral Science

The program aims to give students a comprehensive overview of the science of behavior analysis. The study consists of courses designed to provide general knowledge of the conceptual framework and philosophy of behavior analysis and complementary fields. The program has a 70 ECTS compulsory course package, with 20 ECTS elective courses (two courses each worth 10 ECTS) and a master’s thesis worth 30 ECTS. The concepts of behavior analysis are generic, and not exclusively relevant for specific target groups or populations. Behavioral interventions in such diverse fields as behavioral economics, concept formation and complex human behavior, teaching special needs-students, organizational behavior management, clinical behavioral treatment, and behavioral safety and risk management provide practical applications of behavioral principles. These topics are included in elective courses to demonstrate the value of the behavioral approach. The theoretical grounding and practical applications provide a strong knowledge base for students to write their thesis, that usually describes the design, implementation, and evaluation of an intervention conducted under the time constraints and practical considerations of a one-semester workload. Except for two compulsory seminars in research ethics, there is no attendance required. However, this is a demanding and exacting program, and students are advised to follow lectures and to participate in a research or lab group preparation of their thesis.

Career opportunities and post-graduate studies

Graduates of the program will usually have a set of professional skills from their undergraduate studies, and the program enhances and adds value to those skills. Graduates have found rewarding work in a variaty of settings both in the private and public sector. Former studentens are working in the fields of:

• general, special, and higher education
• health and social services
• leadership and human resource management
• scientific research

(The list is not exhaustive).

The program prepares the graduates for Ph.D. studies.

The master program is accredited by Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI).https://www.abainternational.org/accreditation.aspx

Graduates who wish to sit for the certification exam by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board must complete a specific BACB-approved course sequence. http://bacb.com/

Prospective students have a bachelor's degree and an interest in the science or philosophy of behavior, and recognize the need for effective behavioral interventions.

Admission to this study program is processed in accordance with current Regulations Relating to Admission to Master’s Degree Programs at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University.

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent from an accredited university or university college. The Admissions office makes the decisions on applications for admission.

For more information, see Forskrift om opptak til studier ved OsloMet (in Norwegian) or Regulations related to Admission to Studies at OsloMet (in English).

Admission to individual courses

Many of the courses in the programme are available for students outside the programme and can be applied to individually. Applicants to freestanding courses in the master’s program must have a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent from an accredited university or college. The grade C requirement does not apply to admission to individual courses. Applicants to freestanding courses do not have to document proficiency in the Norwegian language in order to be eligible for admission. For courses with progression requirements those have to be approved before admission to the course. More information about admission to individual courses can be found on the programme’s website.

This is the programme description for the Bachelor’s Programme in Social Work. The programme is offered at the Faculty of Social Sciences, Department of Social Work, Child Welfare and Social Policy. The bachelor’s degree is awarded in accordance with the Regulations Relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University.

The Bachelor’s Programme in Social Work is a full-time programme over three years that qualifies students for the professional title of social worker. Students who complete and pass the programme are awarded the degree of Bachelor of Social Work, cf. Section 2-3, 1a. The Norwegian name of the degree is ‘Bachelor i sosialt arbeid’.

The programme description is based on the Regulations on National Guidelines for the education of social workers, which entered into force on 1 July 2019, from and including the 2020–2021 academic year: https://lovdata.no/dokument/SF/forskrift/2019-03-15-409

The social work programme shall, in line with the Regulations, result in learning outcomes in the following competence areas:

Framework for and perspectives on social work

Knowledge about and work on social problems

The programme forms the basis for specialisation at further education level and/or master’s degree level and on to PhD level.

The programme description is approved for one academic year at a time.

The Higher Education Entrance Qualification.

Applicants who do not have the Higher Education Entrance Qualification can apply on the basis of prior learning and work experience. At least five years of relevant work experience is then required, and the applicant must be 25 or over in the admission year, cf. the Regulations on admission on the basis of prior learning and work experience at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University.

Transcript of police records

Students must present a transcript of police records on admission to the Bachelor’s Programme in Social Work. The transcript of police records should preferably be submitted electronically at the start of the programme. Read more about the transcript of police records here:

https://student.oslomet.no/politiattest

After completing the programme, the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The candidate:

• has broad knowledge of the theoretical foundation of social work
• has broad knowledge of evidence-based knowledge and user knowledge
• has knowledge of methods that target individuals, families, groups and society at large
• has broad knowledge of the different life challenges of individuals and groups
• has broad knowledge of how social structures and processes can create and maintain social problems
• has knowledge of how social work contributes to achieving the Global Sustainable Development Goals
• has broad knowledge of inclusion mechanisms and conditions for social participation
• has broad knowledge of the support system, different services and benefits in the field of welfare
• has knowledge of interprofessional cooperation and coordination of services and benefits in the public, private and voluntary sector
• has broad knowledge of communication, relationships and interaction with children, young people, adults and older adults at the individual, group and societal level
• has knowledge of legal method, principles of administrative law and relevant legislation
• has knowledge of human rights and important conventions, minorities and the rights of the Sami people and their special status as an indigenous people

Skills

The candidate:

• can apply knowledge about social problems, life crises and life transitions to promote coping and change in cooperation with individuals, families, groups and collaborative partners
• can exercise judgement in interactions with people in different professional and institutional contexts
• can apply various methodological approaches at the individual, group and societal level in various service areas
• can apply rules of law and exercise judgement in a legal and social work context in interactions with individuals, families and groups
• can apply knowledge to identify resources and give hope in cooperation with people in vulnerable life situations
• can promote social justice in cooperation with people in vulnerable positions
• masters relevant methods for mapping, documentation, analysis and decision-making
• can critically assess and use research, experience-based knowledge and user knowledge in professional practice

General competence

The candidate:

• has insight into the professional ethics of social work
• has insight into power structures and exercise of power that contribute to social inequality
• has insight into and can reflect critically on their own professional role in encounters with institutional and political requirements in their service provision.
• can plan and carry out work tasks in complex situations
• can plan, implement and coordinate interprofessional collaboration between different services and service levels
• can communicate knowledge from a social work perspective and exchange points of view and experience with partners
• can contribute to innovation and development of good practice
• is familiar with the importance of digital communication in professional practice and cooperation
• can reflect on the consequences of digitalisation in a life course perspective
• can reflect on their own role, ethical issues and guidelines, human rights, values and attitudes in cooperation with different user groups in different phases of life
• can acquire research-based knowledge about relevant measures at the individual, group and societal level and reflect on these measures

The Bachelor’s Programme in Social Work at OsloMet is based on the diversity, challenges and opportunities inherent in a big city. The social work programme is an academic and practice-oriented programme whose purpose is to educate professionals who can help individuals, families and groups to prevent, reduce and resolve social and health problems. Social workers work to prevent social inequality and promote inclusion in society. The programme qualifies students for work in welfare services in the public, private and voluntary sector. It gives students the special expertise required to help individuals back into working life in close collaboration with those who need it. Social work with vulnerable children and families and preventing and providing assistance in connection with neglect, violence and abuse are also key parts of the programme.

Marginalisation and outsiderness, exclusion and inclusion are perspectives that permeate the programme. The programme places emphasis on equality and non-discrimination regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion and beliefs, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and age.

Several of the fields of work require further education. On completion of the bachelor’s degree programme, there are good opportunities for taking further studies on the university’s master’s degree programmes and doctoral degree programmes.

Ethical principles and values

Respect for human value and rights, as they are described in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and other relevant international conventions, is the starting point for the establishment of common ethical values across national and cultural borders. The practice of social work is based on humanitarian and democratic values. Social workers’ social mission is to assist people who need help to secure living conditions and a quality of life that are fit for human beings.

Therefore, solidarity with vulnerable groups, combating poverty and advocating social justice and social change are key elements of the professions’ education and professional practice.

Social work builds on a positive view of humanity, with a basic belief in people’s inherent abilities. Social work is intended to help to motivate and mobilise these abilities. A social worker’s tasks include ethical assessments, critical reflection on one’s own practice, and choices and actions based on professional methodology. Social workers focus on and work to counteract social exclusion and unworthy living conditions. This should be reflected in each professional’s attitude and actions towards users of the service and partners.

Everyone who works in counselling and facilitation in the fields of personnel, welfare and the labour market will meet ethical challenges. Being able to reflect on these challenges is an important element for developing the quality of the services, ensuring that the users’ needs are well addressed and improving the services’ reputation. During the course of the programme, the students will therefore be introduced to different levels of ethical issues/questions relating to the topics covered by the programme.

Personal competence

Developing personal competence is very important for future professional practice. This is a lifelong learning process that starts with personal qualification in the programme. Personal qualification is therefore included as an important element throughout the programme in different ways: through personal feedback during practical training periods, seminar teaching, project work, skills training and also through forms of teaching communication and interaction.

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, in particular Chapter 8 . 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 person at the university. The university conducts visits to the practical training establishment as necessary. The university offers free supervisor training within the university’s geographical area.

Duties

Students are to carry out duties of a type that social workers at the practical training establishment 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. They are also expected to be familiar with the professional ethical principles and guidelines for social workers 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.

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 on how this can be done.

The course SOS3110 Specialisation in social work – placement training must be completed and passed in order for the student to be allowed to take the course SOS3910 Bachelor’s Thesis.

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 social worker.

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

The student is responsible for preparing the content of 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. They will also receive more extensive feedback from their supervisor halfway through the practical training period and on its conclusion. To what degree the student has met the learning objectives in the programme 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 supervisor will submit an evaluation report, cf. the Regulations relating to Studies and Examinations at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University. 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 and includes a recommendation for approved/not approved practical training. The practical training supervisor will, in addition to evaluating the student’s academic development during the practical training placement, report whether the student has

met the attendance requirements at the practical training establishment

complied with the norms and rules that apply in working life

complied with the ethical principles that apply in social work

The report must include the following sentence: ‘This is an internal feedback document and cannot be used as an employment reference.’ If the practical training supervisor does not advise that the practical training placement is approved, see the separate subsection ’Doubt regarding approval/non-approval’.

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, or advise not to, approve practical training. 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 in to 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 whether the case has been sufficiently documented, and acquires additional information as necessary. The practical training committee then makes the final decision. The decision must be explained in writing.

Complaints

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.

Also see the section ‘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.

Students at OsloMet – Oslo Metropolitan University have the opportunity to take parts of the programme abroad. The Faculty of Social Sciences has a well-established cooperation with a number of universities, university colleges and institutions in countries both in and outside Europe. A period of study abroad can make an important contribution to academic and personal development; it will provide new challenges in the field, new international contacts, better language skills and insight into other cultures. Students may apply to take their practical training in the fifth semester abroad.

There are specific requirements for taking parts of the programme abroad.

Compulsory assignments and coursework to be read by partner institutions abroad must be written in English.

Exchange students from partner universities can apply to take their practical training in and around Oslo. They must first have completed at least one year of the programme at their institution.