Department of Applied Sciences of Education

Studies

Research-based teaching at the heart of teacher education

We research what we teach and we teach what we research. The research-based approach is integrated into every course and courses in research methods are introduced from the very beginning of the studies. The degree reform has also implied a reform of the curricula for different teacher education programmes. The research-based approach has been even more emphasised in the new curricula starting from 2005 and reviewed in 2008. Another central aim of the teacher education in Helsinki is to achieve a balanced development of the teacher's personality in which the teacher’s thinking is essential.

The core aspects of the teacher degrees are knowledge and understanding of the nature of children and young people, in-depth knowledge of the field, as well as social and global consciousness. The bases of teachers’ expertise are study skills, skills for researching and developing own work, and skills for producing new knowledge. In the study programmes emphasis is also put on general skills, such as co-operation, communication and ICT-skills as well as language skills and cultural knowledge.

Degrees:

• Bachelor of Education
• Master of Education
• Licentiate of Education
• Doctor of Education

The qualification requirement for teachers is Master's degree except for kindergarten teachers who do a Bachelor's degree. All Master’s graduates are eligible for postgraduate studies. It takes three years to complete the Bachelor of Education degree comprising 180 ECTS credits and an additional two years to complete the Master of Education degree comprising 120 ECTS credits. One study point is considered to require 27 hours of work.

Degree programmes:

• Degree programme in class teacher education (education/educational psychology)
• Degree programme in special education (special education)
• Degree programme in kindergarten teacher education (early childhood education)
• Degree programme in education (early childhood education)

In addition to these degree programmes, the Department offers study modules such as pedagogical studies for subject teachers and studies for special teachers.

Teacher Training Schools

The Faculty of Behavioural Sciences has two Teacher Training Schools. Most of the teacher students' practical studies are done in these schools.

Teacher Training School  (Helsingin normaalilyseo)
Viikki Teacher Training School (Viikin normaalikoulu)

The Department also coordinates the network of field schools and kindergartens.