Curricula

Descriptions

Humak’s curricula are competency-based and they consist of study modules. The path studies in intepreting and linguistic accessibility (60 ECTS) consist of basic studies (12 ECT) and optional studies (48 ECTS). This curriculum sets out the basic content of the path studies. If the student has previous knowledge of sign language or interpreting and communication guidance, the path studies will be tailored to the student's previous knowledge.

Development

The curriculum has been developed together with presentatives of the world of work, teaching staff and students to better correspond to future competence needs. The information given by student surveys and alumni networks will be taken into account in teaching.

Students can, during their studies, study in different learning communities. These are: online, campus, international environments, world of work, and within RDI (i.e. research, development and innovation projects).

Curriculum work has focused on developing student coaching and guidance. During their studies, each student has the possibility of receiving personal coaching and building their independent, student-driven learning path flexibly.

Further information

At Humak, teaching is based on coaching pedagogy. The key elements of coaching pedagogy are learning based on the world of work, collaborative learning and interaction. Students' learning is built on practical experiences, such as real-life work projects and work placements.

As the studies proceed, coaching pedagogy challenges students to set themselves increasingly demanding tasks, and, simultaneously, the course objectives are deepened. On the basis of depth and difficulty, the courses are classified under three levels: learner, explorer, and innovator. In the beginning of the studies, students are learners. They then proceed to explorers and integrators, before they, in the final phase of the studies, become research-oriented and participative developers.

Already when applying to Humak's Interpreter (UAS) degree programme, students choose their specialization studies: Sign language interpreting or Interpreting and communication instruction.

The option Sign languge interpreting focuses on Finnish Sign Language and interpreting. Also deaf students are admitted. The studies challenge the students to learn a new language and a new culture, which is rewarding, but also requires active contribution from the student.

The graduates from Interpreting and communication instruction are experts in supported communication. They can interpret for customers of different ages with speech or communication difficulty. In addition to this, their strong pedagogical skills create a foundation for developing interaction policies. An intepreter with this specialization can work with communication instruction, counselling and coaching.

In the final phase of the studies, students can deepen their competencies in either linguistic accessibility, pedagogy, speech-to-text interpreting, or interpreting for the deafblind. Students can strenghten their international competencies f.ex. through student exchange, a work placement abroad, a study trip or an international project. It is also possible to take Humak courses common to all in English.

Objective

The competency objectives of common studies in Humak's degree programmes are based on competencies common to all UAS degree programmes. These are learning to learn, navigating the world of work, ethics, internationality and multiculturalism and foresightful development. These competencies lay the foundation for navigating the world of work, for collaboration, and for becoming an expert.

The competency objectives of Interpreter (UAS) are based on the field specific competences of the Interpreter (UAS). The competences are divided into four themes: interpreters’ professional competence, interpreting skills and working language skills, communication and interactions skills, multicultural competence and competences related to work environments.

Interpreter (UAS) is a vocationally oriented university-level bachelor's degree. It meets the criteria for UAS degrees set by the Finnish national qualifications system and is on level 6 in the European and national framework of qualifications and other competence modules.