Master of Business Administration

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare learners with the knowledge, attitudes, insight and skills required for middle and senior management positions. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) graduate will be able to competently apply and integrate theoretical principles, evidence-based techniques, practical experience, and appropriate skills to their particular industry in an independent manner in a variety of settings.

The compulsory modules represent core areas of management and provide a learner with knowledge to underpin management decision-making in a modern developing economy. The module Research Methodology and Research Report provide the graduate an opportunity to interrogate and analyse management problems and devise strategic and functional management solutions. The specialist elective module allows the graduate to align the MBA with their own field of expertise or interest and provides opportunity for in-depth development of specialist knowledge.

The consequences of managerial incompetence are dire for both the organisations and the economy as a whole. In this regard, this qualification will contribute to the personal development and growth of learners by offering them the opportunity of gaining a world-class education in the key functional areas of an organisation with a view to enhancing their efficiency and effectiveness as managers in a dynamic and complex environment. Thus, the qualification will positively impact not only on a learner and their respective organisations, but, the economy as a whole.

Rationale

Arising from both formal and informal interactions with entrepreneurs and large organisations in KwaZulu-Natal, as well as with senior managers from local municipalities and the provincial government, the need for the institution to offer an accredited Master of Business Administration (MBA) qualification became evident. Furthermore, many learners from KwaZulu-Natal are compelled to register for an MBA qualification with institutions outside KwaZulu-Natal, due primarily to the limited intake of learners by University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN's) academic institutions. In this regard, the Faculty of Management Sciences, with its well-qualified and experienced academic staff, is ideally positioned to make a meaningful contribution to the development of the requisite skills and abilities of managers for commerce, industry and the public service in Kwazulu-Natal and beyond. In an era characterised by reduced Department of Higher Education Training (DHET) subsidies and the "Fees must fall" campaign, it is envisaged that the MBA qualification will, in the long-term, make a positive contribution to the financial position of the Institution.

This qualification is targeted at graduates with management/business-related and non-management/business related qualifications who are occupying managerial positions both within the public and private sectors.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has a RPL policy in place that allows candidates access to higher education by recognising their prior learning (short courses and work experience). RPL applications for the institution are received by the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT). 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 one's work-based 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 learning outcomes. Challenge assessments, in the form of written examinations, may be conducted. The candidates will have to demonstrate competence at the applicable exit level. Successful candidates will then be accepted into the qualification.

Entry Requirements.

The minimum entry requirements are

• An appropriate Bachelor Honours Degree.

Or

• An appropriate Postgraduate Diploma.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Levels 7 and 9 totalling 196 Credits.

Compulsory module at Level 7: 16 Credits

• Research Methodology, 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules at Level 9: 164 Credits

• Financial Management, 16 Credits.
• Leadership and Strategic Management, 16 Credits.
• Corporate Governance and Business Ethics, 12 Credits.
• Managerial Economics, 16 Credits.
• Innovation and Change Management, 16 Credits.
• Globalisation, 12 Credits.
• Emerging Markets (Business in Africa), 16 Credits.
• Research Report: 60 Credits.

Elective Modules at Level 9: 16 credits (Select one module)

• Health Care Management, 16 Credits.
• Supply Chain Management, 16 Credits.
• Disaster and Risk Management, 16 Credits.
• Local Government Management, 16 Credits.
• Higher Education Management, 16 Credits.
• International Maritime Law Policy and Law, 16 Credits.
• Sport Management, 16 Credits.

1. Apply a wide range of business administration principles to identify, conceptualise, design and implement methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging problems in business management, generally and in a specialised field, in a developing economy, and have an ability to understand the consequences of decisions relating to these enquiries.
2. Evaluate and critique business administration theories and principles in the work environment with a view to choosing the appropriate practice to apply to complex management problems.
3. Make independent ethical decisions about complex organisational issues and contribute significantly to the development of corporate governance and ethical standards in a business and management environment.
4. Communicate academic, professional and technical general management information effectively, both orally and in writing, using appropriate technology, language, structure, style and graphical support.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Identify, diagnose and solve management problems and assess the consequences in one of the specialised fields.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Select and apply relevant principles to own work environment.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Apply the principles of corporate governance and ethics in a business context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Communicate effectively to a range of audiences using advanced and appropriate techniques.

Integrated Assessment

Both formative and summative assessment methodologies will be used.

Assessment practices will be open, transparent, fair, valid and reliable and ensure that no learner is disadvantaged in any way whatsoever. A wide range of formative and summative assessment tools will be used to assess combinations of practical, applied, foundational and reflective competencies. Continuous assessment will be undertaken through:

• Portfolios.
• Simulations.
• Workplace assessments.
• Written assignments.
• Written tests.
• Case studies.
• Peer group evaluation.
• Face to face contact with learners.