Advanced Certificate in Management Practice

Purpose

The purpose of the Advanced Certificate in Management Practice is to provide junior and early middle managers with the operational context and knowledge to optimise operations management in the workplace. The qualification aims to equip successful graduates with the skills and knowledge needed to become effective managers able to identify organisational problems and ascertain opportunities. In addition, learners will be taught to design and implement appropriate management solutions and actions.

Rationale

Many junior and middle managers are in possession of prior qualifications at Degree or Diploma Level and yet may not have the functional management needed to operate effectively as managers in a business. The Advanced Certificate in Management Practice addresses this need by providing a qualification just slightly above entry level in the key functional areas relevant to management practice.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

This qualification may be obtained in whole or in part through the Recognition of Prior Learning.

Where prior learning is recognised for advanced standing, credit will be given for prior certificated learning in accordance with established practice at South African higher education institutions. The amount of 'specific' credit granted is dependent on the match between prior learning and award towards which the intended qualification leads.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entrance requirement is

• Higher Certificate in Management or equivalent qualification.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 6 totalling 120 Credits.

• Foundations of Systemic Management, 30 Credits.
• Business Acumen, 30 Credits.
• Organisational Change and Development, 30 Credits.
• Action-Learning Report, 30 Credits.

1. Evidence the ability to use action-learning methods in innovative ways to create new knowledge in the context of the work of a manager.
2. Develop key skills in the management of change and diversity.
3. Effectively present the results of research to a varied audience using appropriate registers as required.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Techniques for effective decision-making are mastered.
• Effective time and stress management are implemented.
• Skills and techniques for effective implementation of change are mastered.
• Innovative techniques in a business context are applied.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• The impact of change in a business is systematically considered.
• Tools to implement change effectively in a workplace are developed.
• The concepts of workplace culture and organisational structure are familiarised with.
• Procedures needed to assess, support and manage teams effectively are put in place.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• The ability to identify a specific business problem is demonstrated.
• The implications of each approach for solving a problem identified are assessed.
• The environmental risks in a problem identified are assessed and managed.

Integrated Assessment

Both formative and summative modes of assessments are used. Different assessment methods to measure the extent to which the learners have achieved competencies in the different areas of study are used. These methods include: Case Studies, Report Writing, Work based assignments and, self-assessment activities in the course material.