Master of Commerce in Employment Relations

The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with

• Highly specialized and advanced intellectual and professional skills
• The opportunity to show evidence of highly specialized and advance independent and original scientific work across the field of study,
• The opportunity to display competence in the application of related research methodology, and proper written and/or oral communication of the research process and findings on a advanced level,
• The opportunity to reflect on the highly specialized research process and findings,

To prepare the learner for entry to doctoral studies and further research; and to research-based occupations.

Learners accessing this qualification should demonstrate their ability to read, analyse and reflect on study material and relevant literature on a honours level (NQF 7). Learners should be able to communicate effectively using academic Afrikaans /English in written and oral form. Learners must be able to manage their own study programme and time effectively. Learners must have acquired highly specialized applied competence in Employment Relation context and be able to assess advanced employment relations decisions impacting this sector. Learners must have acquired in-depth knowledge in the complex area of Employment Relations. Learners must be able to reflect on specialized employment relation decisions and applications.

Learner access will be provided to the learner who is in possession of an honours baccalaureate degree on NQF level 7 in Economic Sciences. The Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences may refuse a learner admission to the master's degree on NQF 7 if of the opinion that the learner's academic background is insufficient. The proposed topic and promoter for the dissertation must also be approved by the Executive Committee of the Senate on recommendation of the Faculty Board.

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 competence 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 there studies at this University.

The learners should be able to

1. Analyse, evaluate and apply highly specialised ERM concepts and principles in unpredictable contexts that expand or redefine existing knowledge; identifying and analysing abstract issues and problems relating to ERM strategies and policies, and proposing and implementing alternative courses of action and solutions;
2. Work in a team with a variety of the role players in the ERM field and accept complete accountability for determining, achieving, evaluating and applying all personal and/or group output to reflect on academic leadership;
3. Act responsibly with respect to, and accept responsibility for, activities undertaken in the course of his/her specialised study;
4. Plan and undertake, through independent study and teamwork, highly specialised study and research in the ERM field characterized by intellectual independence, including gathering, analysing, integrating and interpreting related information;
5. Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, with different role players in the ERM field, applying principles of communication and reflecting on the communication skills applied.
6. Utilise the management technology appropriate to the ERM field, by independent analysis of new and abstract data and reflect on the implementations made with production of detailed, critical and coherent reports
7. Explain the importance and role of ERM on a macro- and micro-level; develop an interdisciplinary and multi disciplinary vision of ERM to show mastery of the theoretically sophisticated field and to apply knowledge of the filed internationally and nationally; be able to reflect on the applications made;
8. Explore specialised learning strategies to acquire comprehensive knowledge and improve the various skills and capabilities required of an ERM specialist; reflect on the applications made;
9. Make a contribution to the level of professionalism and expertise in, and effectiveness and efficiency of, the ERM field; thus positively impacting on the economy and contributing to the redress of poverty, skills deficiency and improvement of living standards in the country;
10. Demonstrate responsible citizenship through a positive approach to different communities and sensitivity for the social, economic and cultural differences and needs, particularly with respect to Employment Relations, within these communities;
11. Seek employment and entry into the ERM field, as a technical or research specialist, and thus establish for himself/herself a specialised and advanced career in the field;
12. Organise and co-ordinate, effectively and responsibly, resources and opportunities, including own advanced study and research activities; taking into consideration the financial implications thereof.

1. The learner must demonstrate an ability to identify, analyse and solve issues and problems, demonstrating critical and creative thinking about ERM concepts and principles, in specialised contexts. The learner must evaluate and, where relevant, correctly apply advanced theoretical concepts and approaches to ERM field problems, strategies and policies; thus proposing and implementing alternative course of action and solutions. The learner must be able to reflect on the application made and assess the success, or otherwise, thereof.
2. The learner must be able to display team work abilities. The learner must demonstrate an acceptable level of social sensitivity in his/her relationships with others and work effectively in a management team by implementing the relevant theory and reflecting on the implementation made. Finally the learner must display a thorough, specialised knowledge and understanding of the various role players involved in, or affected by, the ERM field.
3. The learner must display an ability to act responsibly and honestly in interactions with other role players in the ERM field. The learner must also display an ability to accept responsibility for any activities required of him/her in his/her application of various ERM concepts and principles.
4. The learner must demonstrate the ability to plan and execute research in the field of ERM, including the correct gathering, analysing, integrating and interpretation of information on ERM management and policy issues, by utilising relevant theoretical research principles and reflecting on the research undertaken. The learner must also be able to show that he/she can plan and undertake such research through independent study and teamwork, both across the ERM economic discipline and on an interdisciplinary basis.
5. The learner must effectively and professionally, in an academic and practical-oral and/or written manner (including the usage of visual/graphic aids) - communicate with the different role players in the ERM management and policy fields by applying the theoretical principles of communication and reflecting on the application made.
6. The learner must demonstrate an insight into and ability to operate necessary management technology, in particular specified computer hardware and software including Interner and databases. The learner must use a computer skilfully and be able to use ERM-related databases. The learner must show that his/her command of the management technology is sufficient to support advanced research.
7. The learner must analyse and explain the importance and role of the ERM field, and the regulation thereof, internationally, regionally, nationally, provincially, and locally. The learner must also discern between analyse, and explain, the roles of ERM at these various macro- and micro-levels.
8. The learner must show that he/she is able to identify and continue to develop the different and specialised skills and capabilities necessary in the execution of the activities and responsibilities of an ERM specialist and to explore different effective learning strategies to acquire and improve these skills and capabilities
9. The learner must analyse and explain the link between the number of ERM professionals and level of professionalism in the ERM field, and the effectiveness and efficiency thereof and therefore of the economy. The learner must evaluate the role which a more effective and efficient ERM field will have in the economy and the impact which this will in turn have on the living standards of the population of the country (e.g. the redress of poverty, improved mobility)
10. The learner must demonstrate a positive and specialised approach towards various different communities and sensitivity for the social, economic and cultural differences within these communities. The learner must analyse the particular ERM needs of different communities, taking into consideration their various social, economic, and cultural differences and therefore their differing needs and requirements with respect to the ERM field. The learner must show an ability to apply ERM concepts and principles, to make proposals that will improve the circumstances of these communities.
11. The learner must demonstrate acceptable employment seeking skills for entry into the ERM field by applying theoretical principles of employment seeking and career-paving and reflecting on the application thereof. The learner must demonstrate an ability to undertake academic leardership, advanced, research, research-based, professional practice, and/or senior managerial occupations. The learner must also demonstrate that he/she has acquired specialised and advanced competencies, in his/her chosen field of ERM career.
12. The learner must display an ability to effectively and responsibly plan, resource, organise, coordinate and optimise the resources, opportunities and processes engaged in, particularly in the field of ERM, by applying relevant theoretical aspects and reflecting on the application made. The learner must also demonstrate an acceptable level of responsibility and organisational ability with respect to his/her own activities. Finally, the learner must demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the financial applications of all organising and coordinating activities undertaken.

Formative assessment practices that will be implemented

The learner must attend compulsory discussions with his/her promoter according to a prescribed programme. If the learner is not making satisfactory progress and not meeting the requirements of the Department of ERM, the Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences shall cancel his/her registration on recommendation by the Departmental Chairperson.

Summative assessment practices that will be implemented

Integrated assessment, focusing on the achievements of the exit-level outcomes, will be done by means of compulsory discussions with his/her promoter according to a prescribed programme. If the learner is not making satisfactory progress and not meeting the requirements of the Department of ERM, the Dean of the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences shall cancel his/her registration on recommendation by the Departmental Chairperson.