This document provides information for students in the Degree Programme in Social Services (DSS) at Diaconia University of Applied Sciences. It outlines the study advisors and their contact information, details of the 210 ECTS Bachelor of Social Services qualification, requirements regarding personal study plans and recognition of prior learning. Regulations related to registering for classes, duration of study rights, practical training and assessment of studies are also summarized. Key points include qualifications earned, required structure of studies, importance of consulting advisors, and deadlines for assignments.

1. DIAKONIA-AMMATTIKORKEAKOULU
Diaconia University of Applied Sciences

2. STUDY ADVISORING IN DSS
HANNA LAMBERG dss study advisor (a39dss, a41dss),
lecturer. No office in the Study Office. Appointments via
email or phone. Room always confirmed prior to the
meeting.
hanna.lamberg@diak.fi, tel. 0400 923445
SANNA WESANKO dss study advisor (all other study
groups in dss)
http://www.diak.fi/en/studies/Pages/Student-services.aspx

3. Degree Programme in Social Services DSS
Bachelor of Social Services (AMK) 210 ECTS
1 ECTS = 27h of work
Qualification:
Social service worker (sosionomi) in Finland
Act on qualification requirements for social welfare professionals
/ Laki sosiaalihuollon henkilöistä 817/2015 (8 §) Act on
Qualification Requirements for Social Welfare Prof
No qualification as a kindergarden teacher, social worker or
Deacon in Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland (in Finland)

4. PERSONAL STUDY PLAN /
HENKILÖKOHTAINEN OPINTOSUUNNITELMA (HOPS)
ISSUES TO BE DISCUSSED WITH THE STUDY ADVISOR:
- PLACEMENT PATH (INTERNATIONAL PLACEMENT)
- SCHEDULE OF STUDIES
- PERSONAL ISSUES IF NEEDED (any challenges in studies...)
- AHOT / RPL
- ANYTHING ELSE
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT FOR THE DISCUSSION AS ADVICED!
DISCUSSIONS CAN BE DONE FLEXIBLY DURING FIRST SEMESTER. NO
RUSH IF NO URGENT RPL ISSUES FOR FIRST SEMESTER!
STUDENT IS ALLOWED TO BE ABSENT FROM THE CLASS DURING THE
PERSONAL STUDY PLAN DISCUSSION

5. STRUCTURE OF THE DEGREE PROGRAMME
Link to DSS Curriculum which each student should read:
http://www.diak.fi/en/forapplicants/degreeinsocialservices/en
socialservices/Pages/default.aspx

6. DEGREE REGULATIONS
Path to Diak´s degree regulations:
Fronter / VSS / Degree regulations
https://fronter.com/diak/main.phtml
Each student should read the degree regulations!

7. §11 Registering as present or absent
In order to keep their right to study, students must register as present or absent each
school year in the manner instructed by the university of applied sciences.
Students starting their studies on 1 August 2015 or later may, after accepting the place,
register as absent if they intend to undertake any of the following activities during their first
academic year:
1) service under the Conscription Act (1438/2007), Non-Military Service Act (1446/2007), or Act
on Women's Voluntary Military Service (194/1995)
2) maternity, paternity or parental leave
3) incapacitation by personal illness or injury (Act 325/2015).
For reasons other than the above, students may register as absent for two semesters,
maximum, during their studies. Such absences are not counted as study time.
Only students registered as present are entitled to study and have completed studies
entered into the study register. Students registered as absent are not entitled to complete
any studies. Students registered as absent are not entitled to obtain student benefits,
subsidised meals or any benefits related to student union membership such as discount on
travel.

8. §12 Duration of the Right to Study
§12
These degree-oriented studies are arranged so that full-time students can complete
their studies within the normative duration of such studies (Decree 423/2005, Section
3).
Full-time students are entitled to take the normative duration plus one year to
complete their studies.
For students starting their studies on 1 August 2015 or later, time spent in service
under the Conscription Act, Non-Military Service Act, or Act on Women's Voluntary
Military Service, and time spent on maternity, paternity or parental leave, are not
counted as study time.
In addition, absences of a maximum of two semesters for which the student has
registered as absent are not counted as study time. (Act 351/2015, Section 30.)

9. Study right
Diak does not have to organise equivalent studies, if they do not take place any
longer, when student returns after being absent from the University.
Definitions of the study periods:
1) Normative time required for studies (210 cr = 3,5 years)
2) Normative time required for studies + one year (student does not need to
apply for extended study right)
3) Normative time required ror studies + one year + any additional study time
(student needs to apply for extended study right from study advisor. Vice
rector as decision-maker) NOTICE! Student cannot have more than 60 cr
(one academic year) studies left to complete.

10. §18 Identification and Recognition of Prior Learning
(RPL)
Students have a right to request recognition and
accreditation of studies and prior learning (RPL) from the
study advisor for learning outcomes achieved by formal
education; and for learning outcomes achieved by other than
formal education, from the teacher responsible for the study
module or course.
Students are responsible for providing evidence and all
relevant information concerning their prior learning. The
recognition and accreditation of prior learning as well as the
related application and decision-making procedures are
described in the RPL instructions (AHOT in Finnish) in the
student intranet (Vopa) at https://fronter.com/diak.

11. §18 Identification and Recognition of Prior Learning
(RPL)
Student evaluates own skills, knowledge and competences against the aims of the study unit
in Curriculum
Student refers the RPL/AHOT application with necessary attachments & portfolio to Study
Advisor / Responsible Teacher BY GIVEN DEADLINE – decision within 4 weeks
Student has the right to appeal for decision within 14 days after RPL/AHOT decision
RPL/AHOT can be discussed in personal study plan -discussion with the study advisor
RPL/AHOT DOES NOT APPLY TO FINAL THESIS
FURTHER GUIDELINES & SCHEDULE: Fronter / VSS / Study Counselling & Tutoring /
AHOT (RPL) process https://fronter.com/diak/main.phtml
Student applies for RPL/AHOT during previous semester, i.e. application for autumn
semester studies in January / application for spring semester studies in August. First
year students can apply for RPL/AHOT in September.

12. §20 Practical Training
The objective of practical training is to familiarise students in a controlled
manner with the most essential practical duties in view of their professional
studies and the ways of applying their skills and knowledge to practice in
working life.
Students who fail to complete their practical training cannot begin the next
practical training without special permission. Respectively, students who fail to
complete the studies required for the previous semester can be denied the
right to participate in the next practical training. Practical training may be
conducted when school is out of session, provided this is specified in the
student's personal study plan and follows Diak's practical training guidelines.

13. Practical training
Request of Criminal Record when practical training is with minors
Ammattikorkeakoululaki 351/2003
More information: Legal Register Center
http://www.oikeusrekisterikeskus.fi/en/index/rekisterit/rikosrekisteri.html
INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE POSSIBLE AT LEAST DURING 4TH
AND 5TH SEMESTER. MORE INFORMATION BY DIAK´S
INTERNATIONAL OFFICE.

14. OTHER RELEVANT SECTIONS
§21 Language Studies
§25 Studies in International Exchange
§26 Participation in Instruction & Guidance Sessions
§27 Assessment of Study Achievements
§29 Renewals & Upgrades of Study Achievements
§35 Discipline

15. OTHER INFORMATION
 Returning pending assignments (2.9., 7.10., 28.10., 18.11., 16.12.)
 Returning assignments late downgrades the assignment by one grade
 Online elective courses must be completed in the given schedule. Otherwise
must re-new the whole course
 Assessment scales (fail -5 / pass-fail / excellent – good - satisfactory)
 Teachers assess the assignment within four weeks from the deadline
 Failure can be renewed twice; grades cannot be upgraded
 Right for re-assessment or correction
 Check own study register from Wilma (grades also in Fronter)

16. Enjoy Your Studies at Diak!
Thank You!
DIAKONIA-AMMATTIKORKEAKOULU
www.diak.fi