Study programme code

STLKM.YK

Study programme administrator

Ingrid Sindi

MER study programme code

238942

version code

STLKM/24-t.YK

School / college

YK - School of Governance, Law and Society

Study programme title in Est.

Lastekaitse

study programme title in Engl.

Child Welfare

Language of instruction

Estonian

Study level

Master's studies

ECTS credits

120

Study domain

Health and Welfare

Study programme group

social services

Study programme subgroup

Social work and counselling

Nominal study period (in semesters)

4

Access conditions

Bachelor's degree in social work or social pedagogics, Diploma of Professional Higher Education or a corresponding qualification in these specialities. Since 2023 admission, show more...
only the applicants who have completed Bachelor's curriculum in speciality other than Social work are admitted in condition that they have completed the prerequisite compulsory courses (min 25 ECTS from TLU Social work BA programme) before their applying. A list of compulsory courses for each academic year is available on TLU homepage. The courses can be passed via TLU Open Academy (fee required) or via recognition of prior learning process based on the regulatory process of TLU.

Degrees conferred

sotsiaalteaduse magister

Study programme aims and objectives

- to equip with advanced and systemic knowledge and skills of main modern theories, show more...
models and methods to work effectively in the field of child protection in local government, professional organizations or Social Insurance Board in managing and leading child welfare, including developing child welfare system on local and national level;
- to facilitate the development of reflexive and critical analysis skills to develop the capacity for knowledge-informed practice in relation to the complex issues that arise in the field of child protection with an interdisciplinary scope;
- to develop in-depth knowledge and awareness of the legal, ethical, and practice issues underpinned by a child-centred philosophy and supportive safeguarding framework and practice for children and their families;
- informed by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), to develop in-depth knowledge and skills needed in the field of child advocacy based on the principles of protecting the rights, well-being and interests of children;
- to develop research skills to carry out an independent research in line with current research ethics norms and knowledge in applying these in practice;
- to form the ability to evaluate the need for self-assessment in the context of professional growth, including continuing studies at doctoral level.
The programme is geared towards the Estonian child protective services to support professional competencies, but will at the same time safeguard international perspectives.

Learning outcomes of the study programme

- has knowledge about main leading theories, models and methods show more...
in the context of contemporary policy and practice developments in the field of child protection with the ability to contribute to policy and practice at local, national and international levels
- is able to critically evaluate and analyse values and skills necessary to respond effectively to complex problems confronting children and families in the Child Protective Services system within and across professional and disciplinary boundaries
- is able to critically to analyse normative and ethical challenges faced by the Child Protective Services, understand and take a child-centred approach in addressing the protection of children and their families

- has an advanced in-depth knowledge of the legal framework for understanding the child's best interest, human rights and children's rights to practice professionally sound child protection
- is able to analyse scientific-theoretical topics relevant to child protection and welfare based on the current research ethics norms
- is able to implement acquired knowledge in child welfare practice and
assess own role as child protective worker and/or leading manager in Child Protective Services in the context of the profession's core values while analysing and evaluating central work and decision processes

Graduation requirements

In order to graduate, the student shall complete the study programme in the given volume, show more...
which includes passing all compulsory courses and compiling and defending the Masters´ thesis. Students who have not graduated from upper secondary schools where Estonian is the language of instruction, or who have graduated from schools where Estonian is only partly the language of instruction, are required to have Estonian language proficiency at C1 level. Students are required to pass during the studies at least one course which uses a foreign language as the language of instruction.