Centre for Continuing Education. Palmenia

Centre for Continuing Education Palmenia eacher qualifications

2 3 Content 3 hree main routes of becoming a teacher 4 Central terms related to teacherhood 5 eacher Qualifications 6 Crediting of pedagogical studies taken in open university 7 Degrees Varied eacher Qualifications 8 Kindergarten teacher qualifications 9 Kindergarten special needs teacher qualifications Pre-primary teacher qualifications Pre-primary special needs teacher qualifications 10 Class teacher qualifications 11 Subject teacher qualifications (basic education and upper secondary school) 12 Special needs teacher qualifications in basic education 13 Guidance counsellor qualifications in basic education, upper secondary school and vocational education 14 Vocational studies teacher qualifications in vocational schools and adult education 16 General studies teacher qualifications in vocational schools Special needs teacher qualifications in vocational schools 17 Polytechnic teacher qualifications 18 Principal qualifications eacher qualifications in liberal adult education 19 eacher degrees taken outside Finland 20 Recognition of teacher degrees Class teacher degree taken in another Nordic country 21 eacher training in an EU or EEA country 22 eacher training outside EU or EEA 23 Language skill requirements hree main routes of becoming a teacher O One can achieve teacher qualifications in three principal ways: 1. Anyone who is starting his/her studies may directly apply for teacher training where students are at the same time granted degree rights in a specific field and study rights in pedagogical studies. 2. Any university basic-degree student, whose major subject includes the option of subject teacher training, may apply for pedagogical studies leading to subject teacher qualifications, and have these studies included in his/her degree as minor subject studies. he practices on this issue vary from university to another, however. 3. After taking a degree it is possible to apply for pedagogical studies. o obtain class teacher qualifications, one has to take multidisciplinary studies in the subjects taught in basic education. his may also be done by completing some chargeable complementary training courses. After taking a degree, vocational teacher qualifications may be acquired once sufficient work experience has accumulated. All teacher studies feature aptitude tests as part of the application process. he foundation of Finnish teacher training is research. his means that teacher degrees are part of university degree systems and follow the quality criteria set to university studies. Mentored internship is an essential part of teacher training. he vocational teacher education schools also offer pedagogical studies based on teacher s role as a researcher. he main task of vocational teacher education is to provide the students with the knowledge and skills needed in directing the learning processes of different students and to prepare them to later act as developers of their field, who are able to consider the changes in working life and occupations.

4 5 Central terms related to teacherhood eacher qualifications Pedagogy (or pedagogics) is a wideranging term with several meanings and uses. It may refer to pedagogy itself or to didactics. It may also be linked to many trends in alternative education, or it may stand for different teaching methods or teaching skills. Vocational pedagogy may be used to refer to the goals, content and methods, as well as materials of teaching and learning. When narrowly interpreted, it may mean educating or training a person to certain occupation. eacher s pedagogical studies are used to refer to the university studies of 60 ECS credits (or 35 study weeks) leading to teacher qualifications. he aim of pedagogical studies is to provide the students with the knowledge and skills needed in planning, carrying out, evaluating, and developing the teaching. Didactics is a field of pedagogy, a science studying teaching. From the normative viewpoint, the term didactics is used to refer to planning and carrying out of teaching. In practice, didactics therefore guides the teacher to understand how different solutions in planning, carrying out and evaluating of teaching may influence the pupil s/ student s learning. Subject didactics is a field of didactics where the contents, methodical solutions, and processes related to learners studying and learning are looked at from the perspective of a certain subject. he fields of science behind each individual subject have great influence on what the subject didactics is like. Pedagogical subject command means the teacher s knowledge and skills related to teaching of a certain subject. eacher not only has sufficient command of the subject s contents but also information on how pupils learn that subject. Good pedagogical subject command promotes the pupils learning within a subject or thematic entity. eaching requires subject command in which the teacher has an idea of how information is composed in the subject taught, and pedagogical knowledge on how the essential content of the taught subjects is brought to the learners level. Oeacher qualifications means the right to teach certain contents or act as principal (school rector). Qualifications requirements are set by law (Decree 986/1998, Decree 865/2005 and Decree 352/2003). eachers salaries are determined on the basis of both the qualifications and level of degree. Also unqualified persons may work as teachers. It is however impossible for an unqualified person to be appointed teacher permanently. Also, an unqualified teacher will not be paid the full salary. he main rule is that in order to achieve teacher s qualifications one should, in addition to a higher university degree, have done teacher s pedagogical studies 60 ECS credits (35 study weeks). Pedagogically, these studies provide the students with wide qualifications for work in various school levels and schools. Other studies will further define on what level and what subjects one can teach. In basic education, a minimum of 60 ECS credits in basic and subject studies in the taught subject is required, while in upper secondary school a minimum of 120 ECS credits with advanced studies in one taught subject is required. eacher s pedagogical studies are offered in universities and vocational teacher education schools (polytechnics). It is possible to acquire additional subject qualifications by studying, according to university degree requirements, either 120 ECS credits (55 study weeks) or 60 ECS credits (35 study weeks) in a taught subject. Acquiring additional subject qualifications does not require re-studying the pedagogical part.

6 7 Crediting of pedagogical studies taken in open university Khere are several specialisation or major subject options in pedagogy such as pedagogy, adult education, pre-primary education, primary education and special education. eacher s pedagogical studies is one specialisation option. Pedagogical studies are offered in universities for degree students and in open universities. However, studying pedagogy, adult education, pre-primary education, primary education or special education does not make anyone a qualified teacher. o achieve teacher qualifications, one has to study teacher pedagogical studies or special teacher studies either as part of one s degree or independently. More information on the different possibilities is available later on in this brochure. Open university studies in pedagogy, adult education, pre-primary education, primary education or special education do not produce degrees or qualifications. Degrees are only granted by university faculties. All open university studies can be utilised later, however, should one apply to university as a degree student. University faculties decide on crediting of earlier studies. Anyone considering this should check that the open university studies are as specified in the faculty degree requirements. University practices in crediting vary. Open university education is available to all interested applicants and they are designed so that one can study alongside a day job. In pedagogical degrees (class teacher training, special needs teacher training, as well as in crafts teacher, home economics teacher and guidance counsellor studies) teacher s pedagogical studies are included in the degree. In subject teacher training, pedagogical studies are done side by side with studies in the taught subject. It is also possible to do pedagogical studies after taking the degree as so-called separate studies. Kindergarten teacher degree does not include teacher s pedagogical studies. Degrees Yniversity degree reform was launched in August 2005. Credits are now marked as ECS credits (in Finnish: opintopisteet, often shortened to op ) instead of the previously used study weeks (in Finnish: opintoviikko, often shortened to ov ). he amount of work in one full academic year (1,600 hours) is worth 60 ECS credits which means that one ECS credit is the equivalent of 27 hours of work. Also, the degree system was made two-cycle: students first take Bachelor s degree and then Master s degree. U Bachelor s 180 ECS Basic and subject studies, BA thesis and maturity test, Studies in one or more minors, Language and communication studies, Optional studies, Possible to complete in three years Master s 120 ECS After completing the lower degree (Bachelor s), Advanced studies in major subject, MA thesis (pro gradu), Possibly other studies, Possible to complete in two years otal scope 300 ECS he teacher s pedagogical studies (60 ECS credits) of degree students taking a basic degree are structured so that they may be split between the Bachelor s degree (25 ECS credits) and Master s degree (35 ECS credits) or be included in total in the Master s stage (minimum of 60 ECS credits) or as separate studies after taking the Master s degree. hese studies include a minimum of 20 ECS credits worth of mentored teacher internship. Varied teacher qualifications his guide will outline teachers qualifications according to laws and decrees valid in 2007. hose who have obtained their qualifications based on the transfer regulations fall outside this presentation. Before applying for a position or entering any training programme it is recommendable to check the qualifications requirements in valid legislation.

8 9 Kindergarten teacher qualifications (Law 272/2005 7 ) Minimum: Bachelor of Education degree 180 op Including kindergarten teacher education, i.e. a minimum of 60 ECS credits in studies preparing for early childhood education and pre-primary education tasks MUnlike other teacher qualifications, kindergarten teacher qualifications are covered by the Act on Qualification Requirements for Social Welfare Professionals (Law 272/2005 7 ). Kindergarten teacher training is to be included in a degree, either the lower or the higher university or polytechnic degree. Separate studies carried out independent of a degree will not result in kindergarten teacher qualification. Kindergarten teacher works in day care services with children aged 0 to 6 years. Kindergarten teacher training is offered by Helsinki, Joensuu, Jyväskylä, Oulu, ampere and urku universities and by Åbo Akademi. All those who were qualified for kindergarten teacher tasks under the previous decree (Decree 804/1992, 4) are still qualified. L asks requiring Bachelor of Education degree abachelor s or Master s degree or the former post-secondary level kindergarten teacher degree, with orientation in early childhood education. Social and health care polytechnic degree Including 60 ECS credits of studies with orientation in early childhood education and sociala pedagogy Kindergarten teacher tasks A polytechnic degree, suitable for the task, taken before the law came into force, post-secondary level social and health care degree (Social Educator, Bachelor of Social Services (polytechnic) Kindergarten teacher qualifications+ completed specialisation training Kindergarten special needs teacher qualifications (Law 272/2005, 9 and Decree 608/2005. 2 ) Eindergarten special needs teachers or early childhood education teachers work in tasks within special needs teaching and education and with children in need of special care. hese children may have special needs in physical, mental, emotional or social areas of development. Kindergarten special needs teacher qualification requirements include kindergarten teacher qualifications and a completed specialisation. Specialisation training may be included in the degree, but it can be done as separate studies as well. hese studies are defined in laws and decrees, comprise a minimum of 60 ECS credits and provide the required knowledge and skills for work in special needs teaching. raining is offered by Helsinki, Joensuu, Jyväskylä and urku universities and by Åbo Akademi. K Pre-primary teacher qualifications (Asetus 986/1998, 7 ) Ehere are two kinds of pre-primary teacher qualifications: qualifications granting the right to teach all pre-primary groups (group may include school children, too) and qualifications granting the right to teach six-year-olds (group does not include primary education pupils). Pre-primary teacher qualifications are achieved through studies that lead to class teacher or kindergarten teacher qualifications. Pre-primary teacher works with a pre-primary group of six-year-olds. Before year 2004, pre-primary education qualifications were granted also to those with Social Educator or Bachelor of Social Services degrees. Social Educators, Instructors in the social field, and Bachelors of Social Services who were qualified for pre-primary teacher tasks before the law was amended will, under certain conditions, remain qualified. hese conditions are detailed in decrees 327/2000 and 865/2005. Pre-primary special needs teacher qualifications (Decree 327/2000, 8 ) Basic education special needs teacher qualifications (special needs teacher, special class teacher) Pre-primary teacher qualifications (applicable higher education degree (Bachelor of Education/Bachelor of Social Services), degree of Kindergarten teacher, Social Educator, or Instructor in the social field + special needs teacher studies * hose who have taken a higher education degree but have not completed special needs teacher studies, may work as assistant teachers..

10 11 Class teacher qualifications (Decree 986/1998, 4 ) Lhe major subject in class teacher education is pedagogy (in Helsinki university also educational psychology). Class teacher qualifications are achieved by taking a Master of Education degree, completing teacher s pedagogical studies, and completing multidisciplinary studies in the subjects taught in basic education. Also, a subject teacher who has completed the said multidisciplinary studies will be granted class teacher qualifications. eacher s pedagogical studies are didactically emphasised and include mentored teacher internship. Class teacher training is offered by Helsinki, Joensuu, Jyväskylä, Oulu, Lapland, ampere and urku universities and by Åbo Akademi. Master of Education degree (class teacher training) Including teacher s pedagogical studies, 60 ECS credits (35 study weeks) including multidisciplinary studies in the subjects taught in basic education, 60 ECS credits (35 study weeks) Subject teacher qualifications + multidisciplinary studies in the subjects taught in basic education, 60 ECS credits (35 study weeks) Master of Education degree (other Master of Education training programme) + teacher pedagogical studies, 60 ECS credits (35 study weeks) either included in the degree or as separate studies + multidisciplinary studies in the subjects taught in basic education, 60 ECS credits (35 study weeks) Basic education Higher university degree (subject teacher training) a minimum of 60 ECS credits (35 study weeks) of studies in subject teacher training in all taught subjects; including basic and subject studies teacher s pedagogical studies of 60 ECS credits (35 study weeks) Subject teacher qualifications (basic education and upper secondary school) (Decree 986/1998, 5 ) An subject teacher training, the major subject is any applicable subject taught in comprehensive school or upper secondary school (e.g. biology, history, mother tongue and literature, ethics, etc.) and one minor subject is teacher s pedagogical studies. he names of the subjects in which one may achieve subject teacher qualifications vary between universities. If you are aiming at teacher qualifications, it is advisable to check when applying that the subject you wil study is listed as one included in subject teacher training. Crafts teacher and home economics teacher studies lead either to Bachelor of Education degree or Master of Education degree and teacher s pedagogical studies are included in the degree. As their major subject crafts teacher students may have craft science, pedagogy or craft education. he universities educating craft teachers and home economics teachers are Helsinki, Joensuu, and urku, together with Åbo Akademi. he major subject of a home economics teacher is either home economics science or pedagogy and the universities offering this education are Helsinki and Joensuu, together with Åbo Akademi. he degree of physical education teachers is Master of Sports Science. Physical education teachers study in Jyväskylä university and their major subject is sports pedagogy. eachers of health education are trained in Jyväskylä university and in Åbo Akademi, urku. Subject teacher training in various taught subjects is arranged by Helsinki, Joensuu, Jyväskylä, Lapland, Oulu, ampere and urku universities and Åbo Akademi, Sibelius Academy, University of Art and Design Helsinki and the heater Academy. I Upper secondary school education Higher university degree (subject teacher training) a minimum of 120 ECS credits / 55 study weeks of studies in subject teacher training in one taught subject (advanced studies); and, in all additional subjects, a minimum of 60 ECS credits / 35 study weeks; including basic and subject studies teacher s pedagogical studies of 60 ECS credits (35 study weeks) Basic education/upper secondary school education /after taking a degree Higher university degree (e.g. M.A., M.Sc. echn.) a minimum of 60 ECS credits / 35 study weeks (for basic education) or 120 ECS credits / 55 study weeks (for upper secondary school education) in one subject taught in basic education or upper secondary school, additional subjects: 60 ECS credits / 35 study weeks; including basic and subject studies + separate teacher s pedagogical studies of 60 ECS credits (35 study weeks)

12 13 Special needs teacher qualifications in basic education (Decree 986/1998, 8 ) A Lteacher of children with slight learning and integration problems (special needs teacher) is required to have completed one of the following: special needs teacher training (300 ECS credits/160 study weeks) or class teacher qualifications and special needs teacher studies (60 ECS credits/35 study weeks) or subject teacher qualifications and special needs teacher studies. Anyone with an applicable university degree may work as a teacher of pupils with a mental disability. raining leading to special needs teacher qualifications is offered in Helsinki, Joensuu and Jyväskylä universities and in Åbo Akademi. Slight learning and integration problems (special needs education alongside other education) (special needs teacher) Special needs teacher studies (300 ECS credits/160 study weeks): Special education as major subject + teacher s pedagogical studies and special needs teacher studies, either included in the major subject or completed separately Special needs teacher training + multidisciplinary studies in the subjects taught in basic education 60 ECS credits (35 study weeks) Special class teacher qualifications (see below) Pupils transferred to special education (Special class teacher) (When possible, special needs education alongside other education; or in special class, or in other applicable place and manner) Class teacher qualifications +separate special needs teacher studies 60 ECS credits/35 study weeks Other special needs education of mentally disabled pupils Class or subject teacher qualifications + separate special needs teacher studies 60 ECS credits/35 study weeks An applicable university degree (e.g. applicable higher or lower university degree; lower or higher polytechnic degree in social, education and/or health field) +separate special needs teacher studies 60 ECS credits/35 study weeks Higher university degree + separate special needs teacher studies 60 ECS credits/ 35 study weeks Subject teacher qualifications +separate special needs teacher studies 60 ECS credits/35 study weeks + multidisciplinary studies in the subjects taught in basic education 60 ECS credits (35 study weeks) Guidance counsellor qualifications in basic education, upper secondary school and vocational education (Decree 986/1998, 6 and 11, 15 ) Ouidance counsellor studies are offered in Joensuu and Jyväskylä universities and in Åbo Akademi, as well as eacher Education Colleges in Hämeenlinna and Jyväskylä. G Guidance counsellor in basic education, upper secondary school, and in vocational education Master of Education, guidance counsellor studies teacher s pedagogical studies 60 ECS credits/ 35 study weeks guidance counsellor studies 60 ECS credits/ 35 study weeks Guidance counsellor in basic education, upper secondary school, and in vocational education Master of Education degree, or other higher university degree + guidance counsellor studies 60 ECS credits/ 35 study weeks Guidance counsellor in vocational education, upper secondary school, and basic education Vocational teacher qualifications + guidance counsellor studies 60 ECS credits/ 35 study weeks (university or eacher Education College) Guidance counsellor in vocational education, upper secondary school, and basic education General studies teacher qualifications in vocational education + guidance counsellor studies 60 ECS credits/ 35 study weeks (university or eacher Education College)

14 15 Vocational studies teacher qualifications in vocational schools and adult education (Decree 986/1998, 13, 29 ) Vocational teacher qualifications in general Business and administration, social and health Communication and visual arts, heater and dance Degree programmes and other vocational further training An applicable higher university degree, or an applicable polytechnic degree, or the highest degree in the taught field as decided on by whoever arranges the training, and teacher s pedagogical studies is what is required for achieving vocational studies teacher qualifications. In fields other than social and health care, and business and administration, until the end of year 2009 if not longer, an applicable college-level degree or higher vocational degree (engineer) together with teacher s pedagogical studies will also grant vocational studies teacher qualifications. In addition, a teacher is expected to have some working experience. It is possible to do teacher s pedagogical studies in university, eacher Education College. eacher education in Finnish is provided by eacher Education Colleges operating in polytechnics in Helsinki, Hämeenlinna, Jyväskylä, Oulu and ampere. Education in Swedish is offered in Åbo Akademi, urku. A Applicable higher university degree/ applicable polytechnic degree/the highest degree in the taught field as decided on by whoever arranges the training/until end of 2009: applicable college-level degree or higher vocational degree + a minimum of 60 ECS credits/35 study weeks of teacher s pedagogical studies Also qualified: persons employed as teachers on the condition that within three years of employment they will complete teacher s pedagogical studies. + a minimum of three years of work experience in the taught field + qualifications or licence/right to practice a profession within the health care as a certified professional when such a procedure is required in order to work in the field Applicable higher university degree / applicable polytechnic degree + a minimum of 60 ECS credits/35 study weeks of teacher s pedagogical studies Also qualified: persons employed as teachers on the condition that within three years of employment they will complete teacher s pedagogical studies. + a minimum of three years of work experience in the taught field + qualifications or licence/right to practice a profession within the health care as a certified professional when such a procedure is required in order to work in the field Applicable higher university degree/ applicable polytechnic degree/the highest degree in the taught field as decided on by whoever arranges the training/or at least three years of applicable studies in a domestic or foreign institution and artistic or other professional merit in the taught field + a minimum of 60 ECS credits/35 study weeks of teacher s pedagogical studies Also qualified: persons employed as teachers on the condition that within three years of employment they will complete teacher s pedagogical studies. + a minimum of three years of work experience in the taught field or a minimum of three years of applicable studies in a domestic or foreign institution and and artistic or other professional merit in the taught field If there are special grounds, persons who, through a completed degree programme or through training or work experience have acquired a high level of expertise, are also deemed qualified special grounds = for example, when there is no higher education available in the taught field or area (e.g. diver) + a minimum of three years of work experience in the taught field

16 17 General studies teacher qualifications in vocational schools (Decree 986/1998, 14 ) Yhe term general studies refers to studies in mother tongue, Swedish, foreign language, mathematics and science, humanities and societal issues, physical education, health education, and arts, that complement one s professional skills or are vital for one s professional skill. hese subject names are listed in more detail in the National Core Curricula of the Finnish National Board of Education. eaching of mother tongue, second national language, foreign language, mathematics and science, humanities and societal studies, physical education, arts, and health education Arts, humanities and societal studies, information and communication technology Higher university degree, including a minimum of 120 ECS credits/55 study weeks or similar studies in one taught subject and a minimum of 60 ECS credits/35 study weeks or similar studies in other taught subjects, or the degree of M.Sc. echn. in an applicable training programme + a minimum of 60 ECS credits/35 study weeks teacher pedagogical studies An applicable university degree Polytechnic teacher qualifications (Decree of the Council of State 352/2003, 23 and 24 ) Senior teacher Lecturer Exceptions Special needs education teacher qualifications in vocational schools (Decree 986/1998, 16 ) I An vocational education, the required qualifications of a special needs teacher include vocational studies teacher qualifications or general studies teacher qualifications, together with a minimum of 60 ECS credits/35 study weeks of special needs teacher studies. Also, special needs teacher studies constructed according to university degree requirements will provide students with special needs teacher qualifications in vocational schools. Vocational school special needs teacher studies are offered at eacher Education Colleges in Hämeenlinna and Jyväskylä. Vocational or general studies teacher qualifications + a minimum of 60 ECS credits/ 35 study weeks of vocational education special needs teacher studies or special needs teacher studies constructed according to university degree requirements or special needs teacher training completed in university Licentiate degree or Doctor s degree taken as an applicable post-graduate degree If the position mainly includes arranging of vocational studies, a minimum of three years of practical experience in tasks within a field of the degree + a minimum of 60 ECS credits/35 study weeks of teacher s pedagogical studies; studies should be completed within three years of appointment, if they are not already completed An applicable higher university degree If the position mainly includes arranging of vocational studies, a minimum of three years of practical experience in tasks within a field of the degree + a minimum of 60 ECS credits/35 study weeks of teacher s pedagogical studies; studies should be completed within three years of appointment, if they are not already completed If there are special grounds, a person with higher university degree may be appointed senior teacher and a person without higher university degree may be appointed lecturer, if the person is equipped with remarkably good skills and knowledge of the field. he positions of senior teachers or lecturers in the fields of crafts and design, communication and visual arts, theater and dance, or music, may instead of the above requirements call for proof of artistic merit seen as necessary in these tasks Similar qualifications requirements apply for teachers, too (when possible)

18 19 Principal qualifications (Decree 986/1998 2 ) Rhe requirements for principal qualifications in basic education and upper secondary education are: higher university degree and teacher qualifications on the respective education level, together with a certificate in educational administration, or studies in educational administration, or sufficient knowledge of educational administration acquired otherwise. Basic education, upper secondary school Higher university degree teacher qualifications on the respective education level sufficient teacher experience A degree in educational administration / a minimum of 25 ECS credits/15 study weeks of university studies in educational administration / sufficient knowledge of educational administration acquired otherwise Vocational education and vocational adult education Higher university degree or applicable polytechnic degree; in vocational adult education also other applicable university degree teacher qualifications on the respective education level; not required in vocational adult education sufficient teacher experience; in vocational adult education other work experience also accepted A degree in educational administration / a minimum of 25 ECS credits/15 study weeks of university studies in educational administration / sufficient knowledge of educational administration acquired otherwise eacher degrees taken outside Finland I On Finland, the teaching profession is a so-called regulated profession which means that teacher qualifications requirements and (competence) are governed by decrees. Qualifications requirements to various teacher positions are enacted in decree (986/1998) Asetus opetustoimen henkilöstön kelpoisuusvaatimuksista annetussa asetuksessa. eacher qualifications constitute the right to give education with certain content, or to work as school principal. Qualifications requirements must be met if one intends to apply for a teacher s position. One can work as a teacher without the qualifications, too, but qualified teachers (i.e. who meet the qualifications requirements) are better paid and better employed. In order to achieve teacher qualifications in Finland, one has to have been a qualified teacher in one s country of origin or home country. he teacher degree has to be an official university degree and the university (state or private) that granted the degree should be supervised by state authorities. Decisions on recognition of teacher degrees taken outside Finland are made by the Finnish National Board of Education (FNBE). When making a decision, FNBE will evaluate: eacher qualifications in liberal adult education (A 986/1998, 18 ) Veacher qualifications in liberal adult education (e.g. folk high schools, adult education centres) require an applicable university degree and teacher s pedagogical studies. eacher s pedagogical studies are also provided with focus on adult education. Applicable university degree + a minimum of 60 ECS credits/35 study weeks of teacher s pedagogical studies 1) the level of the degree; done by comparing the scope of the degree/studies with the corresponding Finnish degree/studies, and 2) the field of the degree, i.e. degree content: what kind of qualifications the degree taken or the studies completed grant in the country of origin, and, on the other hand, what the content of the studies is in comparison with the content of Finnish studies.