Master of Arts in Human Resource Management

Purpose

The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with applied competence on an advanced (executive) level in the mastering, analysis, interpretation and understanding of organisation development and human resources management principles and methods. The qualified could put the learner in a position to register as Personnel Practitioner with the South African Board for Personnel Practice. It also equips the learner to work as an organisational development specialist or human resource manager at an advanced level in organisations. The qualification will further make it possible for learners to work as consultants as well as consulting business ventures.

Learners accessing this qualification should demonstrate their ability to read study material with understanding and interpret relevant literature on a post-graduate level. Learners must be able to communicate effectively using academic Afrikaans/English in written and oral form. Learners must be able to study independently and to manage his/her own studies, applying effective time planning.

The learner should have developed applied competence in acquisition and application of Organisation Development, Organisation Behaviour and Human Resource Management principles. The learner should be able to take strategic decisions in the context of Human Resource Management, and be able to reflect on the decisions made.

A potential learner should possess an Honours Degree in Industrial Psychology or Human Resource Management on NQF Level 7. An undergraduate level (NQF6) course in statistical methods or analytical techniques and/or a course in research methodology at honours level (NQF 7) could be a recommendation. Alternatively, any other qualification or related experience that is considered relevant and sufficient by the Department of Human Resource Management (RAU) may be considered.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning in the case of learners not complying with the formal entry requirements will be conducted in accordance with the policy and guidelines of the University concerning the recognition of other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. Recognition takes place only where prior learning corresponds to the required NQF-level, and in terms of applied competencies relevant to the content and outcomes of the qualification. Through recognition of prior learning learners may gain access, or advanced placement, or recognition of status, on condition that they continue their studies at this University.

1. Demonstrate their competence at applying the advanced theoretical principles of problem identification and solving in the field of economic, business and people management and reflecting on the application made (problem-solving skills).
2. Plan and exercise advanced research in the field of economic, business and people management, including the gathering, analysing, synthesising and interpretation of information on economic and business management issues correctly by utilising the relevant theoretical research principles and reflecting on the research undertaken (research skills);
3. Communicate effectively orally and in writing at an advanced level with the different role players in the field of economic, business and people management by applying the theoretical principles of communication and reflecting on the application made (communication skills);
4. Be accountable for developing an advanced theoretical and practical macro vision, taking into account socio-political and multi-cultural factors of economic, business and people management internationally, nationally, provincially/regionally and locally (development of macro vision);
5. Effectively and responsibly organise and coordinate resources and opportunities in the field of economic, business and people management by applying advanced relevant theoretical aspects and reflect on the application thereof (entrepreneurship);
6. Accept the responsibility for their own activities in the field of economic, business and people management (entrepreneurship, self-responsibility skills);
7. Practice acceptable social sensitivity in the relationships with others and work effectively in a team by implementing relevant theory on an advanced level and reflecting on the implementation thereof (teamship);
8. Utilise appropriate management technology (e.g. computer, internet and e-mail) effectively in the economic, business and people management environment (technological and environmental literacy);
9. Explore different effective learning strategies to acquire different skills within the field of economic, business and people management (explore learning strategies);
10. Promote responsible citizenship through their approach towards the holistic application of advanced management capabilities within the field of economic, business and people management both at local and national level (promoting citizenship);
11. Practice acceptable social, cultural and aesthetic sensitivity towards the different role players in the economic, business and people management industry by applying the appropriate theoretical principles and reflecting on the application made (cultural and aesthetic sensitivity);

And

1. Acquire acceptable employment seeking skills for entry into the different sectors of the economic, business and people management industry by utilising the theoretical principles and reflecting on the application thereof (employment seeking skills).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes

1. Do the learners demonstrate their ability to identify to and solve problems in the field of economic, business and people management in general and more specifically by affecting change in organisations, by applying the advanced theoretical and practical principles and reflecting on the application made? (Problem solving skills);
2. Are the learners able to plan and exercise advanced levels of diagnosis, investigation and/or research in the fields of economic, business and people management, including the gathering, analysing, synthesising and interpretation of information on economic, business and people management issues, correctly by using the relevant theoretical principles and reflecting on the outcome of their findings? (Research skills);
3. Can the learners communicate effectively orally and writing at an advanced level with the various role players in the field of economic, business and people management by applying the theoretical principles of communication and reflecting on the application and reflecting on the application made? (Communication skills);
4. Have the learners developed an accountable and advanced effective theoretical practical macro vision of economic, business and people management internationally, nationally, provincially/regionally and locally? (Development of macro vision);
5. Are the learners able to effectively and responsibly and organise and coordinate resources and opportunities in the field of economic, business and people management by applying advanced relevant theoretical aspects and reflecting on the application thereof? (Entrepreneurship);
6. Are the learners able to use initiative and accept the responsibility for their own activities in the field of economic, business and people management? (Entrepreneurship, self-responsibility skills);
7. Can the learners practice acceptable social sensitivity in relationships with others and working effectively in team by implementing the relevant theory and reflecting on the implementation thereof? (Teamship);
8. Are the learners able to utilise appropriate management technology (e.g. computer and e-mail) effectively in the economic, business and people management environment? (Technological and environmental literacy);
9. Are the learners able to explore different effective learning strategies to acquire different skills within the field of economic, business and people management? (Explore learning strategies);
10. Are the learners able to promote responsible citizenship through their approach towards the holistic application of management capabilities within the field of economic, business and people management? (Promoting citizenship);
11. Are the learners able to practice acceptable social, cultural and aesthetic sensitivity towards the different role payers in the economic, business and people management industry by applying the appropriate theoretical principles and reflecting on the application made? (Cultural and aesthetic sensitivity);
12. Do the learners demonstrate acceptable employment seeking skills for entry into different sectors of the economic, business and people management industry by applying the theoretical principles of employment seeking and reflecting on the application thereof? (Employment seeking skills).

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment practices that will be implemented

Continuous assessment

Learners are continuously assessed via written assignments that will be utilised as an entry requirement for exam purposes. The formal assessment by lecturers will contribute at least 40% is required for entry into summative assessment.

Self-assessment

Learners will participate in self-assessment of written assignments and participation in discussion forums, which will count not more than 10% of their final mark for a particular module.

Summative assessment practices that will be implemented

Integrated assessment, focusing on the achievement of the exit-level outcomes, will be done by means of a written examination for modules 1-5 and 7-13 and 14 or 15. The examination may take various forms such as take-home format. The format of the examination will be negotiated with learners at the outset of each module. A final mark will be calculated on the average of the modular and exam mark for modules 1 - 5 and 7 - 13 and 14 or 15. Module 6 will be assessed as a project and the mark for modules 1-5 and 7-13 and 14 or 15. Module 6 will be assessed as a project and the mark allocated will be deemed the final mark for the module. The individual project in organisational context - module 16 or the research project - module 17 (depending on the elected option of the learner) will be submitted for external examination.