Welcome to an international programme that gives you the opportunity to investigate how outdoor environments can be designed and used as a way of promoting health and well-being. The in-depth courses will teach you how different locations work for different groups of people and how humans perceive, use and are affected by nature and other elements in the outdoor environment. Would you like to gain knowledge useful in planning for an attractive outdoor environments that activate children, young people and the elderly? Then this is the programme for you!
Environmental psychology and landscape architecture are the starting points of this programme, which provides essential knowledge for urban planning and for the design of outdoor environments for healthcare services, schools, housing and public environments.
With a Master’s degree in environmental psychology you will have the skills needed to take on strategic roles in the development and more active use of physical environments in public domains, as well as adapting them to specific user groups, for example schools and healthcare environments.
This programme is a distance-based education, meaning admittance to this program will not make you eligible for a residence permit in Sweden.
The programme includes 2-4 online meetings per course.
Name:Outdoor Environments for Health and Well-being - Master's Programme
Level:Master
Language:English
Programme scope:2 year, 120 credits
Next start:Autumn semester 2025
Tuition Fees:Citizens of countries outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland are required to pay application and tuition fees.
First semester:SEK 70500
First semester half time:SEK 70500
Total:SEK 282000
Application deadline for international students:2025-01-15
Application deadline for Swedish students:2025-04-15
Study location:Location independent
Pace of study:Full-time
Teaching form:Distance learning
Application code for Swedish students:81149
Application code for international students:81150
Study location:Location independent
Pace of study:Half-time
Teaching form:Distance learning
Application code for Swedish students:81151
Application code for international students:81153
Requirements:
To be eligible for the Outdoor Environments for Health and Well-being – Master’s Programme, the requirements are: - General entry requirements: a Bachelor’s degree (undergraduate cycle) corresponding to a minimum of 180 credits
In addition, knowledge corresponding to English 6 (Swedish secondary school) is required. This is according to a local SLU decision fulfilled by those who have a degree comprising at least 180 credits at first cycle level from a Swedish higher educational institute or 120 credits completed studies at SLU. English 6 can also be achieved in other ways, which are specified at universityadmissions.se.
The requirements for special eligibility as stated above can also be fulfilled by those who have equivalent knowledge through a foreign degree or if equivalent knowledge has been obtained in another way.
For admission to the courses included in the program, the requirements for special qualifications are stated in the syllabus for each individual course.
It is further recommended that at least 15 credits have been taken within any of the behavioral disciplines, health care, education, design, environmental science, landscape architecture, gardening or forestry.
Degree:
Degree awarded on completion of the programme
Outdoor Environments for Health and Well-being – Master’s Programme aims at a Degree of Master of Science with a major in Environmental Psychology, a general qualification. See SLU:s internal directives for grading systems and examination rights.
Students who fulfill the qualification requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) will be provided with a degree certificate upon request. The degree certificate will specify the qualification as Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Environmental Psychology.
Degree requirements
A Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Environmental Psychology will be awarded on completion of the course examinations (Pass grades) to the value of 120 credits, with the following requirements:
a minimum of 30 credits courses shall concern in-depth study within Environmental Psychology (A1N, A1F),
a minimum of 30 credits shall concern independent work (degree project) within Environmental Psychology (A2E).
First-cycle courses can constitute a maximum of 30 credits, provided these credits were not included in a qualifying Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
There is additional requirement of a completed Degree of Bachelor, Professional Degree of a minimum of 180 credits or a corresponding overseas qualification.
Admission: There are two admission rounds for this Master's programme. The first admission round is open to all international applicants at www.universityadmissions.se. SLU strongly encourage all international students to apply in this first admission round.
CONTENT
This programme is aimed at students from various academic or professional fields. It provides scientific perspectives and concepts within the relevant subjects in an interdisciplinary context which can be used both to understand and explain the interactions between people and the physical outdoor environment, and to apply the acquired knowledge in different societal contexts.
Examples of interdisciplinary subjects include nature-assisted therapy and health promotion, and the role of outdoor environments for learning and development, e.g., outdoor education and rehabilitation. It also includes broader perspectives such as spatial planning or landscape design informed by environmental psychology. Special attention is given the importance of outdoor environments for individual development, quality of life, well-being and health.
Students will study national and international approaches to integration of green environments in an urbanisation/densification context, focusing on public health through access to natural environments. The health aspects will cover promotion as well as illness prevention and treatment. These concepts include an understanding of the influence of green environments with indirect (e.g., increased physical activity) as well as direct (e.g., reduced negative effects of stress) health effects.
The programme also addresses the specific role of public space in relation to emotions and restorative mechanisms that are important for public health. Students are given assignments to practise various methods used to survey the use, experience and effects of different outdoor environments such as gardens, parks, forests and other types of natural environments and public spaces, including the role of animals in everyday life.
Each course combines compulsory online meetings with independent and group tasks.
The programme can be studied either full-time or part-time.
The skills and knowledge acquired on this programme are of strategic use in the development of sustainable societies in which plants, animals and other elements of nature are actively used to counteract stress and to support integration, rehabilitation and the development of healthy lifestyles. The programme prepares students for strategic roles in the development and more active use of physical environments in public domains as well as adapting them to specific user groups, for example schools and healthcare settings.
Degree awarded
Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a Major in Environmental Psychology.
Programme Code: LM007
Finalized by: Utbildningsnämnden, 2015-02-11 Revised: 2022-12-07 Revised By: Programnämnden för utbildning inom landskap och trädgård SLU ID: SLU.ltv.2022.3.1.1-340 Education plan valid from: Autumn 2024 Responsible programme board: The programme board for education in landscape and horticulture
Entry Requirements
To be eligible for the Outdoor Environments for Health and Well-being – Master’s Programme, the requirements are:
General entry requirements: a Bachelor’s degree (undergraduate cycle) corresponding to a minimum of 180 credits
In addition, knowledge corresponding to English 6 (Swedish secondary school) is required. This is according to a local SLU decision fulfilled by those who have a degree comprising at least 180 credits at first cycle level from a Swedish higher educational institute or 120 credits completed studies at SLU. English 6 can also be achieved in other ways, which are specified at universityadmissions.se.
The requirements for special eligibility as stated above can also be fulfilled by those who have equivalent knowledge through a foreign degree or if equivalent knowledge has been obtained in another way.
For admission to the courses included in the program, the requirements for special qualifications are stated in the syllabus for each individual course.
It is further recommended that at least 15 credits have been taken within any of the behavioral disciplines, health care, education, design, environmental science, landscape architecture, gardening or forestry.
Content
Programme description
The program is for students interested in the sustainable development of outdoor environments and outdoor activities contributing to peoples’ development, well-being and health. Environmental psychology is the primary source of knowledge on the interaction between people and the physical environment. A broader field of landscape studies provides perspective on our relationship with nature and the particular role of animals and natural elements for the function of place. In focus are people´s need for outdoor recreation in terms of rest as well as activities, and the different physiological, psychological and social processes associated with these.
Training is given in methods for investigating place and to study people’s relationships to particular places and landscapes surrounding them in everyday life. The focus is on proficiency to carry out documentation, analysis and evaluation and the ability to develop research-based applications adapted to local circumstances and particular user groups. Relevant fields for application include outdoor environments in healthcare, residential areas, schools and workplaces, as well as parks, playgrounds and other public places and outdoor recreational settings.
Through specific course choices and choice of subject for the independent project it is possible to specialize in a specific area. More or less focus can be placed on knowledge about the design of the physical environment or about the activities engaging people in different types of outdoor environments. A third option is focusing on issues related to the role of strategic planning in promoting outdoor stay and people’s contact with nature.
The independent project will provide additional skills on how to investigate the relationship between people and their physical environment and provides opportunities to delve further into the subject area while addressing an important problem. Links to previous studies at bachelor level can benefit the independent project. Vital during the education is the development of sensible judgement regarding ethical considerations, methodologies and applications, with the ability to critically and constructively evaluate projects and proposals.
The program prepares students for strategic tasks in planning and development work, evaluation and research.
The program is taught in English, with the possibility of written submissions in Swedish in some assignments.
The program consists of eight courses as well as an independent project. Upon admission to the program, students are admitted to the course "Environmental Perception and Experience". Fulltime students are also admitted to the course "Place, Activity, and Human Development". An independent project of 30 credits (Environmental Psychology, A2E) is mandatory for the Degree of Master (120 credits).
Year 1
Environmental Perception and Experience, 15 hp (MP, A1N) Place, Activity, and Human Development, 15 hp (MP, A1N) Landscape Analysis for People and Environment Studies, 15 hp (MP/LK, A1N) Research Methods for People and Environment Studies, 15 hp (MP/LK, A1N)
Year 2(mandatory courses in bold)
Outdoor Environments for Children and Youth, 15 hp (MP/LK, A1N) Nature Based Interventions, 15 hp (MP/LK, A1N) Health Promoting Outdoor Environments, 15 hp (MP/LK, A1F)
*Nature and Animal Assisted Interventions, 15 hp (MP, A1N)
*Independent project in Environmental Psychology, 30 hp (MP, A2E)* or Independent project in Landscape Architecture, 30 hp (LK, A2E)
The courses offered may change during the course of the programme. Decisions on the courses offered are taken well in advance of the next academic year.
Each course combine tasks carried out independently and/or in groups with mandatory online meetings.
Course syllabus – detailed information is available on the SLU student web.
Objectives
Objectives for a Degree
In accordance with the annex to the Ordinance for the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, for a Degree of Master (120 credits) the student shall have:
Knowledge and understanding
demonstrated knowledge and understanding in the main field of study, including both broad knowledge of the field and a considerable degree of specialised knowledge in certain areas of the field as well as insight into current research and development work, and
demonstrated specialised methodological knowledge in the main field of study.
Competence and skills
demonstrated the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and analyse, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations even with limited information,
demonstrated the ability to identify and formulate issues critically, autonomously and creatively as well as to plan and, using appropriate methods, undertake specialised tasks within predetermined time frames and so contribute to the formation of knowledge as well as the ability to evaluate this work,
demonstrated the ability in speech and writing both nationally and internationally to report clearly and discuss his or her conclusions and the knowledge and arguments on which they are based in dialogue with different audiences, and
demonstrated the skills required for participation in research and development work or autonomous employment in some other qualified capacity.
Judgement and approach
demonstrated the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant disciplinary, social and ethical considerations and also to demonstrate awareness of ethical aspects of research and development work,
demonstrated insight into the possibilities and limitations of research, its role in society and the responsibility of the individual for how it is used, and
demonstrated the ability to identify the personal need for further knowledge and take responsibility for his or her ongoing learning.
Qualification Requirements
Degree awarded on completion of the programme
Outdoor Environments for Health and Well-being – Master’s Programme aims at a Degree of Master of Science with a major in Environmental Psychology, a general qualification. See SLU:s internal directives for grading systems and examination rights.
Students who fulfill the qualification requirements for the Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) will be provided with a degree certificate upon request. The degree certificate will specify the qualification as Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Environmental Psychology.
Degree requirements
A Degree of Master of Science (120 credits) with a major in Environmental Psychology will be awarded on completion of the course examinations (Pass grades) to the value of 120 credits, with the following requirements:
a minimum of 30 credits courses shall concern in-depth study within Environmental Psychology (A1N, A1F),
a minimum of 30 credits shall concern independent work (degree project) within Environmental Psychology (A2E).
First-cycle courses can constitute a maximum of 30 credits, provided these credits were not included in a qualifying Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
There is additional requirement of a completed Degree of Bachelor, Professional Degree of a minimum of 180 credits or a corresponding overseas qualification.
Transitional Provisions
Transitional regulations
Up to and including the 2019 autumn semester, the Outdoor Environments for Health and Well-being Master´s programme aimed at a Master´s degree with landscape architecture as the main field of study.
For students admitted to this programme up to and including the 2019 autumn semester, it will still be possible to be awarded a Master´s degree with landscape architecture as the main field of study. For these students, courses classified as environmental psychology only can be credited towards the main field of study landscape architecture. Students will be offered the possibility of doing an independent project in landscape architecture up to and including the academic year 2024/25.
For students admitted to the Outdoor Environments for Health and Well-being Master´s programme up to and including the 2019 autumn semester, courses previously classified as landscape architecture only can be credited towards the new main field of study environmental psychology.
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