Major subject – Social Policy
Our society is constantly changing and the changes result in often unknown but long-term social consequences. Social Policy studies these consequences and their effects on welfare and social security in society. Through your studies you will gain excellent competence for a critical analysis of issues that concern, for example, the labour market, sociopolitical decision-making, income distribution, poverty and equality in society. You will also learn how to find solutions to social problems. In addition to knowledge about the origin, development, functioning and influence of Social Policy, and the interaction between different actors in the Finnish society, you will also gain insights into social policies at the Nordic and global level.
If you have chosen Social Policy as your major subject, you have excellent opportunities to make yourself a unique professional profile for working life in accordance with your own interests. Apart from your major subject studies, language studies and elective courses, you can freely select one or more minor subjects offered at Åbo Akademi University. Social Policy is also a useful minor subject for students majoring in, for example, Development Psychology or other major subjects.
The subject’s professor, Mikael Nygård, writes study handbooks in social policy with a focus on both Nordic and European perspectives. These are aimed at a broad audience and are used in education in both Finland and Sweden.