Master of Arts in Industrial Psychology

The primary purpose of this qualification is to develop applied competence of the learner on an advanced level in the mastering, analysis, interpretation and understanding of industrial psychological principles and methods. It puts the learner in a position to register as Personnel Practitioner with the South African Board of Personnel Practice and to work on an advanced level in the field of Human Resource Management and Industrial Psychology. It will prepare the learner for further study in Industrial Psychology of the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a professional psychologist after obtained a doctorate and having completed an internship.

This programme will prepare the learners to reflect on their own industrial psychological applications to assess the effect thereof in the holistic context of Industrial Psychology psychology within their everyday lives.

Lastly it will prepare them for further study in Industrial psychology.

A potential learner should possess an Honours Degree in Industrial psychology on the NQF level 7and have studied statistical methods or analytical techniques undergraduate NQF level 5 or 6 and have passed a course in research methodology at honours NQF level 7. Alternatively any other qualification or related experience which is considered relevant and considered relevant and sufficient by the Department of Human Resource Management (Rau) will be assessed.

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

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

A potential learner should possess an Honours Degree in Industrial psychology on NQF level 6 and have studied statistical methods or analytical techniques undergraduate level and have passed a course in research methodology at honours NQF level 7. Alternatively any other qualification or related experience which is considered relevant and sufficient by the Department of Human Resource Management (RAU) will be assessed.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of prior learning in 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 experience. Recognition takes place only where prior learning corresponds with 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.

The learners should be able to

1. Demonstrate their competence at applying the highly advanced theoretical principles of problem identification and solving in the field of industrial psychology / human resource management correctly and reflect on the application made (problem solving skills);
2. Plan and exercise highly advanced research in the fields of industrial psychology / human resource management, including the gathering, analysing, synthesizing and interpretation of information on industrial psychology/ human resource management issues, correctly by utilising the relevant theoretical principles and reflect on the outcome of their findings? (research skills);
3. Communicate effectively orally and writing at an advanced level with the various role players in the field of industrial psychology / human resource management by applying the theoretical principles of communication and reflecting on the application made? (communication skills);
4. Accountable develop a highly 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 industrial psychology / human resource management by applying relevant highly advanced theoretical aspects and reflect on the application thereof (entrepreneurship);
6. Accept the responsibility for their own activities in the field of industrial psychology /resource management? (entrepreneurship, self-responsibility skills);
7. Practise acceptable social sensitivity in the relationships with others and work effectively in a team by implementing highly advanced relevant theory and reflect on the implementation thereof (team ship)
8. Utilise appropriate management technology (e.g. computer and e-mail) effectively in the industrial psychology / human resource management environment (technological and environmental literacy;
9. Explore different effective learning strategies to acquire different skills within the field of industrial psychology / human resource management (explore learning strategies);
10. Promote responsible citizenship through their approach towards the holistic application of highly advanced management capabilities within the field of industrial psychology / human resource management both on the local and national level (promoting citizenship;)
11. Practise acceptable social, cultural and aesthetic sensitivity towards the different role players in the industrial psychology / human resource management industry by applying the appropriate highly advanced theoretical principles and reflect on the application made (cultural and aesthetic sensitivity); and
12. Acquire acceptable employment seeking skills for entry into the different sectors of the economic, business and people management industry utilising the highly advanced theoretical principles and reflect on the application thereof (employment seeking skills).

1. Can the learners demonstrate their ability to identify and solve problems in the field of industrial psychology / human resource management correctly by applying the highly advanced theoretical principles correctly and reflect on the application made? (problem solving skills);
2. Are the learners able to plan and exercise highly advanced research in the fields of industrial psychology / human resource management, including the gathering, analysing, synthesizing and interpretation of information on industrial psychology/ human resource 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 on a highly advanced level with the various role players in the field of industrial psychology / human resource by applying the theoretical principles of communication and reflecting on the application made? (communication skills);
4. Have the learners developed an accountable highly advanced effective theoretical and 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 organise and coordinate resources and opportunities in the field of industrial psychology / human resource management by applying advanced relevant theoretical aspects and reflect on the application thereof? (entrepreneurship);
6. Are the learners able to accept the responsibility for their own activities in the field of industrial psychology /human resource management? (entrepreneurship, self-responsibility skills);
7. Can the learners practice acceptable social sensitivity in the relationships with others and work effectively in a team by implementing the relevant highly advanced theory and reflect on the implementation thereof? (teamship);
8. Are the learners able to utilise appropriate management technology (e.g.) computer and e-mail) effectively in the industrial psychology / human resource 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 industrial psychology / human resource 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 industrial psychology / human resource management (promoting citizenship)
11. Are the learners able to practise acceptable social, cultural and aesthetic sensitivity towards the different role players in the industrial psychology / human resource management industry by applying the appropriate highly advanced theoretical principles and reflect on the application made? (cultural and aesthetic sensitivity);
12. Do the learners demonstrate the acceptable employment seeking skills for entry into the different sectors of the economic, business and people management industry by applying the highly advanced theoretical principles of employment seeking and reflect on the application thereof? (employment seeking skills);

Formative assessment practices that will be implemented

Learners are continuously assessed via written ad hoc modular tests which will be utilised as an entry requirement for exam purposes. A minimum modular mark of 40% is required for entry into summative assessment.

Learners will also need to complete a written research paper, which will count 50% of their final mark. Learners will assess themselves in the writing of their research article and the subsequent assessment thereof by their supervisor. Further editing and re-writes may be necessary.

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 3 hour examination per module. A final mark will be calculated on the average of the modular and exam mark.