Basic Concepts

National Fields of Study and the Respective Educational Units of JAMK

1. Humanities and Education: Teacher Education College
2. Culture: School of Health and Social Studies, School of Business and Services Management
3. Social Sciences, Business and Administration: School of Business and Services Management
4. Natural Sciences: School of Business and Services Management
5. Technology, Communication and Transport: School of Technology, ICT
6. Natural Resources and the Environment: School of Technology, Institute of Natural Resources
7. Social Services, Health and Sports: School of Health and Social Studies
8. Tourism, Catering and Domestic Services: School of Business and Services Management

Degree Programme

Degree-awarding education is organized through degree programmes. A degree programme is a systematic, extensive study entity, oriented to a specific professional field and its development. The extent of degree programmes is specified in ECTS credits: bachelor's degree programmes consist of 210, 240 or 270 credits and master's degree programmes 60 or 90 credits.

Specialisation Option

Some degree programmes consist of optional study entities, i.e. specialization options, emphasising different areas of expertise. The applicants of certain degree programmes can directly apply for admission to their chosen specialization option.

Curriculum

The curricula at JAMK are based on competence and learning. They describe the competence produced by the degree and its development in the course of the studies. The development of competence is assessed in relation to the level of competence targeted by the degree.

The learning outcome of each degree is divided into clear and descriptive competence areas based on the needs of working life. Chosen competences are developed within each competence area. Competence areas may consist of elements such as courses, projects, entrepreneurial training, practical training and/or the master's or bachelor's thesis. Courses in each competence area can be either compulsory or optional. The minimum scope for a single course is 5 credits.

Competence

According to the European Qualification Framework (EQF), competence refers to a demonstrated ability to use knowledge, skills and personal, social and/or methodological abilities in work or learning situations, as well as for professional and personal development.

Course

Education is organized through courses. The courses make up more extensive modules. There are obligatory, optional and elective courses.

Credit (cr)

The average workload of 1 600 hours needed for full-time studies in one academic year corresponds to 60 credits (ECTS). One credit corresponds to the workload of circa 27 hours. This work consists of e.g. lectures, assignments, online courses, supervised practical training, group work, and independent work, such as reading literature and completing the tasks given.

Personal Learning Plan (PLP)

Personal Learning Plan (PLP) (HOPS in Finnish) consists of career plan and study plan. Please see further information below. Those starting their studies in autumn 2011 and later will complete their Personal Learning Plans (PLP) at the Kyvyt service, which you log in to through Optima. The PLP plans of those who started their studies earlier were made in ASIO.

Career Plan

The students define the aims of their education and choice of career, estimate their own possibilities, and make conscious decisions on career choice and study methods. They also make choices related to internationalization, entrepreneurship, and the creation of networks in working life. The career plan is a plan for the development of the students’ personal skills and knowledge in order to raise their labour market value.

Study Plan

The students use the personal study plan to define the set of studies (courses) leading to the expertise and degree they are aiming at. The plan is based on the curriculum of the degree programme in question, on the courses offered by other degree programmes and schools of JAMK, as well as by other institutions of higher education. The plan will be constantly checked and updated in the course of the studies. It is always to be approved by the head of department or a person authorized by the head of department.

ASIO Student Management System

The student management system of JAMK is called ASIO (user identifier required). The system includes various operations used for different purposes by the Student Services, heads of department, teachers, and students.

Students use the ASIO e.g. to enrol for attendance, to register for courses, to update their contact information, to browse their record of credits, or to print attendance certificates and transcripts of records.

The Student Services assist students on the use of the ASIO.

Director of Unit

Each educational unit has a director who is responsible for his/her own school/unit.

Head of Department

The heads of department are responsible for the objectives, instruction, tutoring and development of one or more degree programmes. They are also responsible for the students of their programmes and the reporting on them. The heads of department, or those authorized by them, also approve the students’ personal study plans and their updated versions, courses completed outside JAMK, the applications for degree certificates, and the requests for assessment review.

Education Coordinator

Education coordinators are in charge of special topics within a specialization option, cooperating with the head of department.

Principal Lecturer

Principal lecturers are responsible for the contents and development of education, research and development in their field of expertise.

Counsellor

Counsellors support students individually and in groups in problems concerning studies and learning, as well as personal life and relationships affecting studies. They cooperate with career tutors and the Student Health Services.

Career Tutor

Every student is assigned a personal career tutor. Career tutors, who are usually teachers, have a deep understanding of working life and the students’ professional objectives, being able to counsel them on their personal career and study plans.

Study Psychologist

The study psychologist provides students with support and guidance on problems related to studies, motivation and learning. The aim of the guidance services is also to promote mental wellbeing, and thus learning.

Student Services Secretary

The student services secretary advises and helps students on matters related to studies, registration, study entitlement, credits, and degrees.

Secretary of Student Financial Aid Committee

The secretary of JAMK’s Financial Aid Committee advises students, as well as staff, on student financial aid. The secretary issues statements related to financial aid applications to Kela Centre for Student Financial Aid and acts as presenting official at the meetings of the Financial Aid Committee and as executor of its decisions.

Student Tutor

Student tutors assist the staff of JAMK in guidance, counselling and marketing. They help the new students to adapt themselves to their new environment, including the degree programme, the school, the institution, and the city of Jyväskylä. Student tutors also participate in the guidance of international students, the marketing of education, visits to other schools and trade fairs, etc.

Practical Training Tutor

Practical training tutors are the primary tutors and counsellors of students on matters related to the practical training.

Practical Training Coordinator

Practical training coordinators are in charge of the coordination of the practical training practices implemented with the students of their units. They are also responsible for the appropriate use of practical training financial aid, reporting on it to the Career and Recruitment Services.