Master of Commerce in Industrial Relations

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to broaden the leaners Industrial Relations knowledge within a business framework so as to develop a thorough understanding of Industrial Relations theory as well as the skills necessary to apply the theory.

Rationale

The qualification will prepare leaners for entry into, or development of existing careers in Industrial Relations in the private and public sectors.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution accepts the principle underlying outcomes-based, source-based and life-long learning, in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a significant role, and subscribes to the view that Recognition of Prior Learning, whether acquired by formal education curricula at this or another institution or informally (by experience) is an indispensable element in deciding on admission to and awarding credits in an explicitly selected teaching-learning qualification of the institution.

An applicant who falls outside of the formal qualifications system, but who can demonstrate (through the production of substantial and satisfactory evidence) experiential or work-based learning or a non-formal qualification (or a combination), may be considered for admission and/or for the Recognition of Prior Learning for the achievement of the qualification in part or in full. An applicant who after such assessment, is deemed to have sufficient potential, but is in need of further academic development, must be directed to other suitable learning qualifications prior to admission or to parallel qualifications after admission.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Commerce Honours in Industrial Relations, Level 8.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 9 totalling 192 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 176 Credits

• International Human Resource Management, 16 Credits.
• Strategic Human Resource Management (HRM), 16 Credits.
• Labour Economics, 16 Credits.
• Advance Labour Law, 16 Credits.
• Advance Res Methodology in HR Management, 16 Credits.
• Research Dissertation, 96 Credits.

Elective Modules, 30 Credits (Choose one)

• Change Management, 16 Credits.
• Human Resource Information Systems, 16 Credits.
• Management Development, 16 Credits.

1. Demonstrate in writing their understanding of Industrial Relations (IR) theories and principles.
2. Apply IR theory in practice. Such assessment will be done according to the leaners problem analysis and reporting.
3. Identify and diagnose IR problems in both real and hypothetical organisations.
4. Collect, analyse, and report on IR information gathered from organisations in order to develop solutions to problems.
5. Develop practical solutions, making recommendations based on their findings and conclusions.
6. Participate in group work discussions.

• Work together to develop a solution to problems identified.
• Write reports that will require group development of solutions to management problems involving various organisational stakeholders.
• Make verbal presentations on the outcomes of individual and group work.

Integrated Assessment

Each module will be assessed through an integrated individual written assignment, in addition to a range of oral and written, group and individual class assignments in order to give leaners the opportunities to demonstrate a variety of competencies. The final module assignment requires leaners to apply their learning in an integrated way to analyse a specific area related to their work context in a work-based assignment and to apply the theoretical frameworks to recommend solutions to identified problem areas.

The practitioner research project assesses the ability of leaners to integrate themes from different modules appropriately to a real scenario. Participating in group work. All modules in the qualification include at least one group-based assessment where members of the group must work together to develop a solution to problems identified. Leaners will be required to write reports that will require group development of solutions to management problems involving various organisational stakeholders making verbal presentations on the outcomes of individual and group work.

Integrated individual written assignment, in addition to a range of oral and written, group and individual class assignments in order to give leaners the opportunities to demonstrate a variety of competencies. The final module assignment requires leaners to apply their learning in an integrated way to analyse a specific area related to their work context in a work-based assignment and to apply the theoretical frameworks to recommend solutions to identified problem areas. The practitioner research project assesses the ability of leaners to integrate themes from different modules appropriately to a real scenario.