Doctoral Programme in Social Sciences, 240 cr

After completing the doctoral programme, students

- can conduct scientific research independently

- have profound understanding of their field of study and are aware of the current debates and discussions in this field

- have a wide grasp of the approaches in their field of study and are able to apply and modify the theories and research methods of a specific discipline

- can discuss the social effectiveness of their field and the significance of their own research

- know their own field to such an extent that they can understand, follow and advance research and scientific development in it, as well as act as experts in a variety of different and changing environments

- have command of good scientific practice, know philosophy of science and can apply both to research

- can source and identify reliable information for research purposes and know the conventions of data management

- can think and reason independently, critically, constructively and share the results of research both orally and in writing

- understand the demands of professional research and know how to act as an active member in the international scientific community

The Doctoral Programme in Social Sciences provides you with versatile abilities to successfully perform expert tasks that require extensive and in-depth understanding of the interaction between society and individuals, and to work in academic research and teaching positions in Finland and abroad. Doctoral education concentrates on your own area of speciality, but it also provides an extensive understanding of the operation of society and people in our changing world. The postgraduate studies strengthen your theoretical and methodological skills, prepare you for acting in a multidisciplinary research environment and expert groups, as well as helps you to develop skills in research ethics and abilities required in working life.

The purpose of doctoral education is to adopt scientific thinking, which aims at the truth and includes adopting a critical stance, as well as learning ethically sustainable scientific practices, and mastering the diverse skills of a researcher. As a researcher with a doctoral degree, you are familiar with the theories and methods in your own research tradition and have an extensive grasp of social research and related research questions. You are also able to apply different approaches and methods in your research, reporting and administrative work as well as in expert and management tasks in the public and private sectors. As an expert with a doctoral degree, you understand the greatest social changes of our time and are able to seek solutions to social problems and ask questions which have not been posed yet. Doctors graduating from the Doctoral Programme in Social Sciences find jobs in research, education, development, planning, and supervisory tasks. It is easy for them to find employment.