Advanced Diploma in Management Sciences

Purpose

The Advanced Diploma in Management Services is a vocational qualification that builds on the skills and competencies acquired in the Diploma in Management Services. The qualification has been designed to meet the needs of the public and private sector for employees with the appropriate critical, analytical and organisational skills in the following key management and business disciplines: Marketing, Retail, Public Relations, Operations, Quality Management, Human Resources, Business Law and Business Administration.

Rationale

As the current Bachelor of Technology (B Tech) qualifications are not aligned with the Diploma qualifications, the need arose to replace the B Tech qualifications with Advanced Diploma qualifications; hence, the re-circulation of the Advanced Diploma in Management Sciences.

Furthermore, in view of the dramatic changes that have occurred in the business environment over the last two decades, many B Tech qualifications have become outdated. This, coupled with the shortage of persons both in the public and private sectors with the requisite management knowledge and skills to execute their duties efficiently and effectively, presented an ideal opportunity to develop a more relevant curriculum. In this regard, the Advanced Diploma in Management Sciences is targeted at persons in junior and/or middle management positions, as well as those aspiring to these positions and who wish to increase their promotion prospects by acquiring this qualification.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has a RPL policy in place that allows learners' access to higher education or grant credits by recognising their prior learning (short courses and work experience). The Institution's RPL processes and procedures will be followed. The candidates are required to complete a RPL application document. Accompanying the RPL application must be certified copies of all previous qualifications and a comprehensive portfolio reflecting on extensive work learning. Once the institution's RPL coordinator has deemed the RPL application as being complete, the portfolio will be sent to the relevant Academic Department for assessment. The department's RPL committee will assess the candidate's portfolio thoroughly against the relevant Exit Level Outcomes.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• A Diploma in Management Sciences, NQF Level 6, 360-Credits.

Or

• A 360-Credit qualification in one of the following (or related) areas: Management, Business Administration, Marketing, Retail, Operations, Public Relations, Business Law, or Human Resources Management, NQF Level 6.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 7 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory modules, 60 Credits

• Project Management, 20 Credits.
• Organisational Behaviour, 20 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 20 Credits.

Elective modules, 60 Credits per specialisation (Select One Specialisation)

Specialisation in Business Administration

• Corporate Governance and Business Ethics, 20 Credits.
• Advanced Strategic Management, 20 Credits.
• Advanced Financial Management, 20 Credits.

Or

Specialisation in Operations Management

• Advanced Operations Management, 20 Credits.
• Advanced Operations Management Techniques, 20 Credits.
• Finance for non-financial managers, 20 Credits.

Or

Specialisation in Quality

• Quality Management Systems, 20 Credits.
• Quality Auditing Techniques, 20 Credits.
• Statistical Quality Techniques, 20 Credits.

Or

Specialisation in Marketing

• Applied Marketing Research, 20 Credits.
• Manage the Strategic Marketing Process, 20 Credits.
• Marketing and Retail Financial Management, 20 Credits.

Or

Specialisation in Retail

• Retail Supply Chains, 20 Credits.
• Advanced Strategic Retailing, 20 Credits.
• Marketing and Retail Financial Management, 20 Credits.

Or

Specialisation in Public Relations and Communication Management

• Advanced Public Relations, 20 Credits.
• Advanced Media Studies, 20 Credits.
• Advanced Strategic Communication, 20 Credits.

Or

Specialisation in Human Resources Management

• Advanced Labour Law, 20 Credits.
• Strategic Human Resources Management, 20 Credits.
• Advanced Industrial Relations, 20 Credits.

Or

Specialisation in Business Law

• Corporate Governance and Business Ethics, 20 Credits.
• Advanced Labour Law, 20 Credits.
• International Trade Law, 20 Credits.

1. Apply knowledge of Organisational Behaviour in the work environment to improve employee performance and productivity.
2. Acquire the knowledge and competencies to resolve work-based problems in a scientific manner.
3. Apply appropriate processes and tools to manage projects in the business environment.
4. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of the key business principles, theories and practices.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Identify and implement strategies to effectively manage demographic and cultural diversity in the workplace.
• Evaluate major theories of motivation, and select an appropriate theory/theories for motivating employees in a specific context.
• Discuss the determinants of job satisfaction and their consequences on individual and group performance.
• Develop the differences between groups and teams, and develop strategies to transform groups into teams.
• Present strategies to effectively manage conflict and negotiations in the workplace.
• Identify, evaluate and implement appropriate measures to effect organisational change in a specific context.
• Evaluate the influence of organisational structure and organisational culture on organisational behaviour.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Identify problems impacting organisational performance, develop case study analysis, and a problem statement.
• Clarify the nature of the aim and the objectives of a study as well as the relationship between them.
• Discuss the differences between quantitative and qualitative research paradigms.
• Apply guidelines and techniques for conducting a literature search and review.
• Apply the Harvard referencing method.
• Discuss the guidelines for constructing a reliable measuring instrument.
• Discuss and evaluate various sampling techniques.
• Discuss and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of various data collection methods.
• Discuss the descriptive and inferential statistical measures for analysing and interpreting data.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Evaluate key Project Management theories and principles.
• Compare project management approaches and methodologies.
• Apply relevant project management techniques and methodologies to improve cost, quality and delivery.
• Utilise appropriate project management software to resolve work-based problems.
• Conceptualise, design and implement an appropriate schedule and budget for a project.
• Identify and apply key performance metrics for measuring project success.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Evaluate classic and contemporary principles and theories pertaining to Marketing, Business Law, Public Relations and Communication Management, Management/Business Administration, Operations Management, Quality, Human Resources Management and Retailing.
• Evaluate contemporary practices pertaining to Marketing, Human Resources Management, Retailing, Management/Business Administration, Business Law, Quality, Operations Management, and Public Relations and Communication Management critically, to improve them.
• Identify, analyse and evaluate using case studies, complex problems pertaining to Marketing, Human Resources Management, Retailing, Business Administration/Management, Business Law, Operations Management, Quality, and Public Relations and Communication Management.
• Propose and evaluate alternate solutions to the complex problems identified in Marketing, Human Resources Management, Retailing, Management/Business Administration, Business Law, Operations Management, Quality Management, and Public Relations and Communication Management.
• Implement the optimal solution/s to the problems identified in Marketing, Human Resources Management, Retailing, Management/Business Administration, Business Law, Operations Management; Quality, and Public Relations and Communication Management.

Integrated Assessment

The teaching methods used to deliver the qualification will include participative lectures, group work, individual seminars and presentations, assignments, projects, case studies and case presentations. Peer assessments will also be used as a learning strategy. All teaching methods will use the current evidence in the field as a spring board wherein e-learning strategies will assist in keeping learners up to date on trends and practices nationally and internationally.

The assessment practices will be open, transparent, fair, valid, and reliable. Integrated assessment methods will make use of a range of formative and summative assessment tools to assess practical, applied, foundational and reflective competencies. Continuous assessment will be provided through: portfolios, simulations, written assignments, written tests, case studies, peer group evaluation and face to face contact with learners.