Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resources Management

Purpose

Human Resource Management deals with people at work. This includes relationships among employees and relationships between an organisation and its employees. A qualification in Human Resource Management prepares the successful learner to enter a wide range of careers, including Human Resource Manager, Human Resource Consultant, Industrial Relations Manager and Industrial Relations Consultant. The curriculum aims to equip qualifying learners with the knowledge and practical skills required to perform effectively in a Human Resource Management role as well as with an appropriate knowledge base as preparation for further learning.

The Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resources Management is an undergraduate qualification that provides an overview of management practice in a national and international context. The qualification aims to develop conceptual understanding, synthesis and application of management and management theory for learners wishing to progress in management careers.

The qualification is directed towards persons occupying or intending to occupy junior and middle management positions in private and business sector organisations and who are also aspiring towards senior management positions. It is directed primarily at school leavers to enable them to develop and improve their management skills. Such learners would not have had previous exposure to the theoretical underpinnings of management and management theory.

Rationale

As the Human Resource (HR) industry evolves so the demand for talent increases. The changing corporate climate, coupled with an evolving HR industry, is creating a strong demand for business-minded, HR professionals across South Africa. Business-educated, key HR professionals have become instrumental in the commercial environment in which we now find ourselves. HR professionals in the current era need to be armed with a set of strategic and commercial skills that differ quite substantially from the type of administrative-focused HR practices of the past. Twenty years ago, solid interviewing and policy administration skills were considered sufficient for an effective Human Resources Manager.

Today, we are more likely to find human resource professionals actively involved in strategic planning and formulating training and development initiatives. Rapidly changing technology, increasing competition and diverse customer needs have thrown the spotlight on Human Resources, where companies continue in the battle to recruit and retain highly qualified personnel. The Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resources Management was developed to address this challenge and in keeping with its mission of offering affordable, accessible and accredited management qualifications relevant to the South African market, Regent Business School seeks to offer.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Applicants wishing to be admitted to the qualification through RPL are required to submit a portfolio of evidence comprising, inter-alia, a detailed curriculum vitae specifying work-related experience, formal and informal learning experiences, testimonials from line managers, work records, videos of practice (dependent on feasibility) and performance records. All such evidence would be considered and evaluated according to the institutional RPL Policy by senior academic members, where after the recommendations are considered and moderated by the Dean (Chair of the RPL Committee). Based on the moderator's recommendations, learners may be requested to do a formal assessment and/or participate in an interview (either in person, telephonically or via Skype) with the RPL Committee.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entrance requirement is

• Senior Certificate (SC) with endorsement.

Or

• National Senior Certificate (NSC) allowing entry to Bachelor's Degree studies.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational (NCV) allowing entry to Bachelor's Degree studies.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Levels 5, 6 and 7 totalling 360 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 5: 60 Credits

• Business Management 101, 20 Credits.
• Economics, 20 Credits.
• Business Communication, 20 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 6: 140 Credits

• Business Management 102, 20 Credits.
• Statistics, 20 Credits.
• Financial Accounting, 20 Credits.
• Commercial Law, 20 Credits.
• Recruitment, Selection and Talent Management, 20 Credits.
• Performance and Compensation Management, 20 Credits.
• Training and Development, 20 Credits.

Modules at NQF Level 7: 160 Credits

• Human Resource Information Systems, 20 Credits.
• Labour Relations, 20 Credits.
• Organisational Development, 20 Credits.
• Change Management, 20 Credits.
• Contemporary Human Resource Management, 20 Credits.
• Strategic Human Resource Management, 20 Credits.
• International Human Resource Management, 20 Credits.
• Organisational Psychology, 20 Credits.

1. Apply fundamental Human Resource Management principles in a work-based context.
2. Communicate with clear rational consistency and persuasive power within the human resources management profession.
3. Manage information in a business management context.
4. Display in-depth knowledge of human resource management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• The essentials of recruitment policy in the employment of personnel are applied.
• Employment policies that comply with the relevant legislations are developed, monitored, reviewed and applied.
• Training and development programmes are evaluated, reviewed and applied

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Effective communication practices in business and everyday life are applied.
• The various types of group communication within the organisation are described.
• The relevance of intercultural communication in organisations is discussed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• The basic concepts of developing, implementing and maintaining an HR information system are explored.
• The operational, managerial and strategic roles of information systems are explained.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• An understanding of contemporary human resource concepts, principles and theories is demonstrated.
• A range of current issues affecting the recruitment and management of human resources within organisations is analysed.
• The strategic importance of human resource management is critically evaluated.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment centres on

• The extent to which the learner has grasped the concepts.
• The application of theory to a practical context.
• The methods of research used.
• A balance between theory and practice and its relevance to the level of the qualification.
• The use of appropriate technology to ensure effective communication of ideas.

Assessment methods measure the extent to which the learner has achieved competence in the different areas of study.

These assessment methods include

• Case studies.
• Report writing.
• Interpretative and analytical problem solving.
• Work based assignments.