Minor subjects

Educational psychology investigates

1. the mental development, learning and social interaction of human beings, as well as the laws governing these processes and the crises people face when these processes are disrupted
2. the possibilities and methods of educators, teachers and support persons to promote favourable learning and development.
   

Educational psychology applies the theories of psychology to the concrete educational work and teaching and the problems that occur in education.

The studies will provide students with skills and tools to guide learning and teaching processes. We focus on the mental growth and development of contemporary people and the related crises they face in different phases of their life courses. We also dwell on the significance of interpersonal and interactional skills during personal growth, when development is disrupted, and when correcting these disruptions.

Educational psychology has expanded to cover all age groups from early childhood to old age, as well as all educational institutions. The discipline can be applied e.g. in day care, the entire school system from comprehensive school to higher education, adult and continuing professional education, work and organisations. The studies will also support students' self-knowledge and self-education and aim to improve the way they manage their lives and studies.

Please note that the studies are taught in Finnish.

Gender Studies at our university focus particularly on education, work and northern life from the perspectives of gender, generation, sexuality and the Arctic. In addition to practical analysis we offer our students the chance to embark on a theoretical and philosophical adventure to the fundamentals of science.

Gender Studies offer courses in English. Please check the Admissions pages for further information.

Unit for Gender Studies >

The English-taught Global Education minor studies help teacher trainees, teachers and other educators, working in increasingly multicultural environments, apply education as a change agent in their work for positive social transformation.

The need for such transformation is obvious, when we observe that we live in global, historical and critical turning-point in human evolution. Global Education means empowering world citizens to contribute to positive transformations towards a sustainable and inclusive global future.

Minor studies in Global Education form a coherent sequence of four courses, a total of 25 cr. The courses and materials are in English, so you are expected to have a relatively good command of the English language. However, you can get study support in Finnish during all courses.

Read more about the studies on the Global Education website >

In the minor studies Media and Digital Technology in Teaching and Learning you will examine the educational use of information and communication technology from the teaching, studying and learning perspectives. The studies examine the theoretical starting points and terminology of the field, as well as the possibilities of using ICTs in education and the related social issues. You will also become familiar with the research in the field and gain competence to work in research themselves.

We offer some courses locally at our university and others online in collaboration with the University of Helsinki, University of Eastern Finland and University of Turku. The studies include independent and collaborative online study, as well as planning and carrying out hands-on projects. We utilise virtual learning environments (Moodle and Optima) and social media.

The module is first and foremost aimed at students studying at the Faculties of Education of our partner universities.

Check our Admissions webpage to see the courses offered in English.

Special education is a field of education that investigates the learning, education and training of those individuals and groups whose needs, for some reason or another, are not met by the arrangements that serve the majority of pupils and students. We aim to understand individual and group-level phenomena related to learning, teaching and the organisation of teaching, and the structural factors connected to them.

By studying special education you will gain new perspectives to learning, development and the related ethical considerations. The studies will also support your other education studies and your readiness to face diversity.

Check our Admissions webpage to see the courses offered in English.