Comparative Social Work – (M.A.)

Objective
In the Barents region, social problems and welfare issues have and continue to change, which presents new challenges. Therefore, the need for comparative and international social work has increased in the region. The mobility of labour force presupposes understanding of cultural backgrounds and multicultural social work skills.

Studies
The studies include compulsory and elective studies, a course on language and culture of the neighbouring country, as well as a course on international legislation connected with social work and social policy, which will provide tools for broader than national views in social work.

In addition, there are courses on web environments, intensive courses by visiting lecturers, a summer and winter school, student visits, and a period of practice training abroad to acquire experience on multicultural social work in the neighbouring country. The programme courses and supervision are conducted in English, and Master´s thesis research projects will have jointly organised supervision.

Degrees awarded
One degree of the home university, a diploma supplement and a BCBU certificate

Graduating students will be awarded degree qualifications by the university where they are accepted and registered. The degree qualifications are a Master of Social Sciences from the University of Lapland, and a Master of Social Work from the Pomor State University.

Work prospects
* In different positions in international projects and tasks, as well as social workers.
* The need for experts who have skills to understand international contexts of social issues, as well as a perspective with a comparative approach to different cultural context has increased.
* Therefore, work prospects do not await graduates only within the region, but also in international tasks round the world.
* Graduates will also have the possibility to continue studies for a PhD and to perform comparative research.In so doing, graduates will be in the front line of promoting scientific research.