Psychosocial Support (BA)

Undergraduate BA programme in PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT
Degree (and type) of the programme: Bachelor of Arts (BA) study programme
Duration: 3 years (6 semesters), 180 ECTS
Classification: SOK: 7, EOK: 6, EOVK: first level
Mode of study: part-time studies
Place of studies: Ljubljana and Nova Gorica (study is implemented if there is sufficient number of enrolled candidates at the particular location)
Professional title: Bachelor of Psychosocial Support, abbreviated: BA in Psychosocial Support

Do you wish to help people in difficult life situations?
Do you wish to promote personal growth and strengthen self-confidence?
Do you wish to become a psychosocial counselor with a sense for society and fellow human beings?

A graduate in Psychosocial Support (BA) is an expert in providing basic psychosocial support and non-directive counselling. This includes: counselling in difficult life situations, emotional relief, deepening insight into current problems, strengthening self-confidence, empowerment for independent problem solving, developing social skills, encouraging personal growth In order to implement such assistance students, during their studies, gain knowledge and skills to establish a counselling relationship, implement non-directive interview, recognize symptoms of mental disorders and refer the person to the appropriate expert or the relevant institution.

The general objective of the undergraduate study programme in Psychosocial Support (BA): is to develop professional competence of candidates in the interdisciplinary field of psychosocial support that covers basic knowledge and basic competence for providing support in the psychosocial field. After completing the studies in Psychosocial Support in the first level, the graduates can engage in creative work processes in organizations working in the fields of social protection, psychosocial rehabilitation, or wherever they offer different forms of psychosocial support, including the commercial sector, public, private or non-governmental organizations, or they can continue their studies at Masters level.

CONTENT

ENROLLMENT CONDITIONS

Enrolment into the 1st year

The following individuals enroll into the first year of the Psychosocial Support  study program (BA):

  • A) Anyone who has completed matura examination,
  • B) Anyone who has completed the vocational matura examination or final exam in the corresponding program for obtaining secondary professional education,
  • C) Anyone who has graduated from any 4-years secondary school program before 01.06.1995.

Enrolment requirements are also fulfilled by those who have completed equivalent education abroad.

Selection criteria in case of limited enrolment
In the case of limited enrolment, the candidates from paragraphs A, B, and C are selected according to the following criteria:

  • Overall success at the final exam, vocational matura examination, or general matura examination – 60% points,
  • Overall score in the third and fourth year of school – 40% points.

Enrolment into the 2nd year according to the criteria for transitions

Progress directly into the second year of the study programme of Psychosocial Support (BA) is possible for:

  • a) Graduates who have successfully completed a post-secondary professional programme (višješolski strokovni), adopted after the 01.01.1994, if they meet the conditions for the enrolment into a Higher professional/BA study programme.

Candidates must pass the differential exams prescribed by the competent body at SASS in the range of maximum 30 credits (ECTS) on the basis of recognized differences between the two programmes. At each transition with which a candidate enrols in the second year, he/ she must necessarily complete at least the Interpersonal Communication Techniques and Mental Health and Personal Growth  courses.

  • b) Candidates who (due to transition) enrol on the basis of recognized exams previously passed in other (Bologna) study programmes of the same level.

Enrolment into the 3rd year according to the criteria for transitions

  • a) Graduates who have successfully completed post-secondary (višješolski) education programs adopted before 01.01.1994, if they meet the conditions for the enrolment into a Higher professional/BA study program.
  • b) Graduates who have successfully completed high professional (visoka strokovna) adopted before 11.6. 2004 if they meet the conditions for the enrolment into Higher professional/BA study program.
  • c) Graduates of (Bologna) higher professional and university education programs on the first level if they meet the conditions for the enrolment into Higher professional/BA study program.
  •  

Differential exams are additionally payable (check the price list), and they should be paid before registering for the exam. DIFFERENTIAL EXAMS MUST BE TAKEN BEFORE ENROLLMENT!

For all foreign students enrolled in this study program, a B2 level of knowledge of the Slovenian or English language is strongly recommended for inclusion in the study process. It is expected that the knowledge of Slovenian/English language is further improved during the course of study.

ENROLMENT INSTRUCTIONS

Enrollment information and application deadlines for the academic year 2024/25 are published on the link.

For more information contact Students office:
Phone: +38659073461
E-mail: vpisi@fuds.si

You can also visit our staff in person at the address Gregorčičeva ulica 19 in Nova Gorica, every Monday and Wednesday from 9.00 am to 11.00 am and every Tuesday and Thursday from 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm.

TUITION FEE

Price: EUR 3.399.00 per year.

Terms of payment: Tuition fee can be paid as a single payment or in instalments (from 1 to 5 instalments) with the following due dates: at the time of enrolment; at the latest on 30.11.; at the latest on 31.1.; at the latest on 31.3.; at the latest on 31.5. of the current academic year. In the case of payment of tuition fees in installments, an increased tuition fee is charged for each installment in the amount of the administrative cost of processing the installment payment, which amounts to EUR 30.00.

**Payment in installments is possible for citizens from Slovenia and other EU Member States and EEA members. Foreigners from non-EU and non-EEA countries must pay the whole tuition fee by the time of the enrollment. In case of payment of tuition fee in installments, the administrative costs of processing the installment payment in the amount of EUR 30.00 will be charged for each installment.

MODE OF STUDY

The higher professional programme Psychosocial Support (BA) is implemented as a part-time study. 

In the part-time study, the organization and timing of lectures, seminars, and exercises are adjusted accordingly. For the implementation of contact hours, the faculty also applies a variety of modern forms of information and communication technology (online classroom, etc.).

A study year is generally implemented in one academic year, and it is divided into two semesters. During the semesters, students attend lectures, seminars, and other forms of organized activities. Exams are generally implemented during (three) examination periods – the winter, summer, and autumn examination period.

The schedule of lectures:
In Ljubljana, the lectures and seminars are generally organized in the afternoon hours during weekdays. In Nova Gorica lectures and seminars are generally held on Friday afternoons and on Saturdays throughout the whole day.

* In exceptional cases (medical emergencies, illness, etc.) we reserve the right to make minor changes.
**In case there are not enough first-time enrolled students at the part-time study location, as specified in the enrollment notice, the faculty may decide to conduct the study in the form of consultations or not to conduct the study.

Implementation of the study process for foreign students: consultations in English are organised for subjects in which at least 1 foreign student is enrolled. When enrolling, foreign students must mark on the enrollment form whether they want consultations in English, and in this case their participation in the consultations is also expected. For foreign students who purchase the above-standard Study+ service, recordings of the consultations will be available, as long as at least 1 student will participate in the consultations. In addition to consultations, some subjects require the presence of foreign students at certain other dates of lectures/exercises, of which foreign students are informed in advance in the timetable.

The schedule and materials are available via Web office (spletni referat) or online classroom after the candidate is registered.

STUDY+ PACKAGE

By purchasing the STUDY+ package, in addition to the friendly staff at the faculty who are always ready to support you in your studies, you will receive the following benefits or services that will be of great help to you: the possibility of direct participation in most lectures and tutorials via ICT resources (Zoom); the possibility of viewing recordings of most lectures and tutorials throughout the year; the possibility of taking exams via ICT tools (Zoom or Moodle online classroom). The package costs 399eur* (*per academic year) and is ordered and paid in a one-time amount upon enrollment or at any time during the year.

You can obtain the list of subjects that require obligatory physical presence despite purchasing the Study+ package on the following email address: urniki@fuds.si
 

CURRICULUM

The (new) curriculum includes changes to the study program adopted at the Senate session that took place on 23 November 2020. The new curriculum is valid for the students enrolled in the 1st or 2nd year of study programme in the academic year 2022/23. For students enrolled in the 3rd year of the study program in the academic year 2022/23, the previous curriculum of the study program or the conditions that were valid at the time of enrollment apply, if the students regularly progress in their education. From the academic year 2023/24 onwards, the previous curriculum is no longer running (PREVIOUS CURRICULUM).

NOTIFICATION: On 10th of September 2021 and 28th of January 2023, the FUDŠ Senate adopted updates to some curricula. All current curricula are published on the website.

Explanation of Acronyms:

  • ECTS – European Credit Transfer System

Practical training
Practical education is of great importance in the study of psychosocial support due to the applied orientation of the programme. SASS will organize a working or professional practice. Due to the nature of the work of psychosocial counselors, it is essential that students get in touch with practice in the work environment relatively early in the course of their studies, as this enables them to learn about the challenges, processes, and modes of working that arise in this activity. Further, practical training enables them to apply the knowledge obtained during the study programme.

KNOWLEDGE ASSESMENT AND GRADING

Knowledge assessment is part of the study process of teaching and learning, and it takes place during the course of the study process and after the completion of the individual courses of the study programme. At the same time, students are expected to pass ongoing activities. The intention and objective of knowledge assessment is to acquire regular and quality information about how students are achieving the planned general and course-specific competences, and obtain information on the achievement of the goals of the study programme.

The method of knowledge assessment and grading is determined for each individual course and specified in its syllabus. They are adjusted to verify the achieved objectives at individual courses, anticipated achievements of the study, and development of general and subject-specific competencies. Methods of knowledge assessment and grading vary because of different teaching methods, which ensure criteria of validity, reliability and objectivity, but also take into account the quality of the structure and organization of knowledge.

  • Assess knowledge and skills of students,
  • Assess output produced in the course of the study work,
  • Offer quality feedback on the progress and achieved results, aiming to motivate students to acquire additional knowledge and skills,
  • Enable integration into continuing education, and
  • Obtain data for the evaluation of conducted pedagogical work.
 

Criteria for knowledge assessment is based on the objectives of the study programme and anticipated achievements of students, identified in individual syllabuses. Students are informed about elements of knowledge assessment and grading criteria in written form, as part of curriculum, and at the start of each course (at the beginning of each semester). Moreover, higher education lecturer informs students on the syllabus of the course, study obligations, shares of individual components of knowledge assessment that contribute to the final grade at the course, and relevant literature.

  • Colloquiums,
  • Oral exams,
  • Written exams,
  • Seminar papers or essays,
  • Oral presentations,
  • Practical assignments or portfolio, journals,
  • Solving real problems (case studies),
  • Projects, peer reviews,
  • Written report on professional practice;
  • Undergraduate/Diploma thesis.

ADVANCING THROUGH THE PROGRAMME

To progress from the first to the second year, the student must acquire at least 45 ECTS from the first year.

To progress from the second into the third year, the student must meet all the requirements from the first year and acquire at least 45 ECTS from the second year.

Exceptionally, students can enrol in the next year, even if all the requirements set by the study programme for enrolment in the next year were not met, if he/she has justifiable reasons, such as maternity, prolonged illness, exceptional family and social circumstances, participation at top professional, cultural and sports events.

  • for a student who completes a first-cycle study program at the end of the academic year in which he/she completed his/her studies,
  • if the student does not complete the study in the first or second cycle study program within 12 months after the end of the last semester,
  • if he/she does not enroll in the next year or semester during his studies,
  • if he/she withdraws,
  • if it has been excluded.

Seniority (absolventski staž), or an additional year, is a term that applies to the time after the end of the last semester, when the student may retain his/her status, if he/she did not graduate. The student asserts this right by enrolling into additional year or the Seniority. The student may use this right only immediately after finishing the last semester, provided that:

  • He/she does not graduate at the study programme of the first level within 12 months after the end of the last semester (unless the student repeated the year during the study or changed the study programme or module – then his/her status is ceased at the end of the last semester).

A student who has previously studied in another study programme of the same or higher level at a higher education institution in the Republic of Slovenia or abroad may, prior to the start of studies or during studies, apply for the recognition of exams which are equivalent (in content and scope) to those exams that he/she already passed. SASS many also recognize the knowledge that corresponds to the learning contents of the courses in the enrolled study programme, and has been acquired in different forms of education. Recognition of knowledge and skills acquired prior to the enrolment is decided by the course holder upon a written request of the student (completed form), attached certificates or other documents proving the successfully acquired knowledge as well as the content and scope of this knowledge and the student’s input. The exam may be recognized in full, in part or is not recognized. The Commission for Study and Student Affairs decides on the recognition of elective courses that are not implemented at the faculty.

Students also have the opportunity to apply for recognition of professional practice.

ACQUIRED COMPETENCES

After completing the study programme Psychosocial Support (BA), graduates are qualified to provide psychosocial support to different populations, such as young people, the elderly, patients, migrants, people with mental health problems, drug addicts, the unemployed, homeless, offenders, workers and managers in enterprises and institutions … During the studies, students gain competences which enable them to perform the assigned work tasks.

  • The knowledge and understanding of basic concepts and methods, acquaintance with innovations in the field of study;
  • Acquaintance with research methods, procedures and processes, the ability to collect and interpret data, the development of critical and self-critical assessment, the ability to apply knowledge in practice and to solve problems;
  • Development of communication skills and abilities, especially communication in an international environment;
  • Ethical reflection and commitment to professional ethics;
  • Cooperation, group work (in international environment);
  • The ability to use  sources and cite them properly;
  • The ability to document and present data to professional and the general public;
  • Critical reading of expert speech (discourse or epistemological analysis) and their effects in the context of the assistance process;
  • Sensitivity to diversity and social inequality;
  • The ability to critically reflect on theoretical arguments and deduction on specific problems in interactional, personal, cultural and social structural systems.
  • The knowledge and understanding of basic concepts and methods within the scope of social support in psychology, medicine and psychiatry, as well as statistics and scientific methodology;
  • The knowledge and understanding of general theoretical and clinical principles of counselling approaches and specific ones for the selected approach;
  • The knowledge and understanding, as well as evaluation of research methods relevant for all approaches and those that are specific for the selected approach;
  • The ability to apply knowledge and methods of psycho-social counselling in concrete situations of working directly with clients;
  • The ability of argumentation and respectful discussion and problem solving;
  • The ability to autonomously use resources for learning specific contents;
  • The knowledge of group dynamics when working with a group and/or co-counselors;
  • The use of critical reflection and regular supervision to assess both one’s own work and the work of others;
  • The ability to research and reflect upon one’s personal involvement in the processes of counselling and psychosocial support, in which they participate;
  • The ability to take a critical attitude towards his/her own approach, to assess its limits, and to compare it with other alternative approaches;
  • The ability to understand the critical evaluation of implications of cultural problems, problems of race, gender, sexual orientation in one’s counselling work;
  • The ability to collect and interpret relevant data necessary to form critical assessment (e.g. regarding the necessary psychosocial intervention), that also consists of reflection of underlying social, professional and ethical aspects;
  • The ability of learning and professional development with a high level of autonomy;
  • The ability to recognize and take into account the context of a counselling situation, its limitations, and the capability to adapt with the right approach;
  • The ability of autonomy in  implementing individual tasks in one’s professional practice;
  • The ability to undertake ethical and professional responsibility to be a counsellor.
  • Ability to solve concrete social and work problems using social science scientific methods and procedures,
  • Development of skills in the application of knowledge in the field of social sciences by solving theoretical or empirical problems,
  • Capacity for various forms of assistance in the process of community care and for creating social change,
  • Organisational and leadership skills essential for operations within organisations, as well as an understanding of individual values and collective value systems, and proficiency in dealing with professional and ethical questions,
  • Communication with experts from different areas of economy and social life, as well as with different interest groups,
  • They understand digital marketing as a part of integrated marketing.

The stated competencies are valid for students enrolled in the 1st year of the study program in the academic year 2021/22. Students enrolled in the 2nd and 3rd year of the study program in the academic year 2021/22, and all students enrolled in the study program up to and including the 2020/21 academic year, are subject to the previous competencies of the study program if students progress regularly. (PREVIOUS COMPETENCES OF THE STUDY PROGRAM)

CONDITIONS FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE STUDIES

In order to finish the studies, student has to successfully complete all study obligations prescribed by the study programme in the range of 180 credits (ECTS).

The student who enrols into the second year of the Psychosocial Support(BA) programme after graduating from a post-secondary professional (višješolski strokovni) study programme adopted after 01.01.1994, must complete all prescribed differential exams and regular study obligations from the second and third year in the range of minimum 120 ECTS credits.

The student who enrols into the third year after graduating from a post-secondary programme adopted before 01.01.1994, must complete all prescribed differential exams and regular study obligations from the third year in the range of minimum 60 ECTS credits.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR GRADUATES

Opportunities for the profession: The graduate is an expert in providing basic psychosocial support and non-directive counselling. These include: assistance in difficult life situations, emotional relief, deepening insight into current problems, strengthening self-confidence, empowerment for independent problem solving, developing social skills, encouraging personal growth In order to implement such assistance students, during their studies, gain knowledge and skills to establish a counselling relationship, implement non-directive interview, recognize symptoms of mental disorders and refer the person to the appropriate expert or the relevant institution.

After completing the study programme, the graduate of the Psychosocial Support programme is qualified to provide psychosocial support to various populations, such as children and adolescents, the elderly, patients, migrants, people with mental health problems, addicts, the unemployed, the homeless, offenders, etc.

Graduates can implement these activities in appropriate public or private institutions, non-governmental organizations or private practice.