Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration

Purpose

The purpose of this postgraduate diploma is to equip a student with the skills, knowledge and attributes needed to become more marketable for employment purposes, and better equipped academically to pursue further study. Graduates with this qualification may follow a career in general management and business administration.

The curriculum and design of the programme is designed to ensure that the Postgraduate Diploma: Business Administration programme equips present and future business leaders to develop their careers and the sectors of the South African economy in which they operate. The Postgraduate Diploma: Business Administration student body will therefore also reflect the diversity of our population and address the transformational needs of the South African economy. Milpark Business School's Postgraduate Diploma: Business Administration programme aims to contribute towards fulfilling the need of upgrading the skills levels of staff in a business environment.

Rationale

The Postgraduate Diploma: Business Administration is designed to perform two functions. The first is to cap a Bachelor of Commerce degree with the skills and knowledge required to operate at a more senior level in the business environment. The second is to provide an academic bridge to further study at Master's level. Postgraduate Diploma: Business Administration will thus provide an advanced business qualification or application in their chosen careers while enabling them to pursue further studies in the area of business administration and/or management.

Employers actively seek graduates with effective skills across a number of aspects of business administration. The Postgraduate Diploma: Business Administration addresses this need by providing more in-depth knowledge and higher level skills in the areas of importance to business administration.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning access: mature age applicants and applicants with non South African school leaving qualifications or previous tertiary education experience, may be considered. However, recognition of prior learning assessment will be considered only on condition that it is assessed as equal to a formal 360 credit Bachelor's qualification.

Access to the Qualification

The minimum level of learning required for a student to enter and complete the Milpark Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration is an appropriate NQF Level 6/HEQF Level 7 qualification.

Further, given that the language of instruction is English, a student entering the programme must be competent in the use of English at a level appropriate for a graduate with a first degree. Foreign applicants whose first language is not English may be required to provide proof of proficiency in English to obtain admission to the qualification.

Level, total credits required, credits and learning components assigned to the qualification

• The Postgraduate Diploma: Business Administration programme is on HEQF Level 8.
• The total number of credits is 130, all at HEQF Level 8.

1. Demonstrated ability to read and interpret introductory, functional and advanced literature in the field of management science.
2. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, using graphical and language skills in the modes of oral and or written presentation.
3. Demonstrated understanding of the business world as a set of open systems in which each element is embedded in an array of interrelated elements.
4. Demonstrated ability to collect, organise, analyse, and critically evaluate relevant information to enhance management decision-making.
5. Demonstrated initial research skills.
6. Demonstrated ability to identify and solve problems in the field of Business Management, using critical and creative thinking.
7. Demonstrated awareness of the economic, social and political factors which affect public managers and business people.
8. Demonstrated practical ability to apply the conceptual knowledge and practical skills in a specific work context, either working alone or in teams.

Critical Cross Field Outcomes

Qualifying learners will be required to demonstrate competence in the following Critical Cross Field Outcomes

Identify, systematically examine, critically evaluates and solves problems in which responses display that responsible decisions have been made, using critical and creative thinking:

> Solve problems by methodically exploring the issues and reflecting on given data to establish a variety of possible solutions to problems in the business management contexts.

> Consider the current and alternative circumstances in which problems should be solved.

> Interpret relevant data/information to apply appropriate problem solving skills (using mathematical, communication and industry specific skills) and arrive at appropriate solutions.

Organize and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively

> Develop clear planning and logical organisation abilities to achieve the learning outcomes within specified timeframes.

> A high level of attention to detail in carrying out tasks methodically.

> Deadlines are met and solutions reached through the effective use of available and allocated resources.

Collect, analyse, organizes and critically evaluates information

> Data and information is accurately evaluated for purpose, clarification and understanding and this is reflected nit he responses submitted.

> Data and information is analysed in order to effectively identify key facts and/or elements.

> Critical and reflective thinking is used to interpret and organize information and data appropriately.

Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing that problem solving contexts do not exist in isolation:

> Behaviour and actions are sensitive to the various cultures, working environments and sectors.

> Actions are conducted with honesty and integrity through the adherence of a code of conduct and within the framework of the legislation and ethical provisions relating to financial planning.

Self manage skills development from the range of experiences and learning opportunities available

> Gain learning and understanding from others including tutors, workshops and fellow students.

> Complete tasks, assignments and activities to maximise the benefit (completion of this qualification).

Transfer skills and continuous learning to organizational setting

> Successful application of knowledge, understanding and inference of information into the workplace/practical environment, activities and processes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

Competence is evident when the candidate is able to

• Articulate a coherent and critical understanding of the principles and theories of management.
• Analyse, compare and critique management theories as it relates to the various disciplines.
• Discern authoritative sources and authors.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

Competence is evident when the candidate is able to

• Create various types of business related documents using electronic, multimedia and other appropriate equipment.
• Obtain data from a variety of sources and use it constructively to produce relevant information.
• Present and communicate academic/professional work effectively catering for a range of audiences by using a range of different genres appropriate to the context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

Competence is evident when the candidate is able to

• Identify input, transformation and output elements of organisations as open systems.
• Integrate all parts of the whole when conceptualising business strategies.
• Extrapolate basic managerial economics and the impact of the economic environment on business.
• Integrate social scientific analysis of the global, African region and South African environments of business.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

Competence is evident when the candidate is able to

• Illustrate integrative general management approaches to combine the various functional disciplines (human resources, finance, operations, marketing and strategy) to create value.
• Synthesise and independently evaluate quantitative and/or qualitative data to support effective decision making.
• Demonstrate a holistic management approach for the day to day running of a department, division or company.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

Competence is evident when the candidate is able to

• Engage with current research and scholarly literature in management science field.
• Understand generic research methods, techniques and technologies and an ability to select these appropriately for a particular research problem.
• Produce a Strategic Report by applying the appropriate research methodology and completion of a literature study.
• Present and communicate academic work effectively in terms of reaching conclusions and making recommendations.
• Utilise academic writing and referencing skills.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

Competence is evident when the candidate is able to

• Make sound theoretical judgments based on evidence and an ability to think epistemologically.
• Identify, analyse and deal with complex real world problems and issues using evidence based solutions and theory driven arguments.
• Initiate and manage the process and structural approaches to innovation.
• Institutionalise business process re-engineering, resource planning and project planning, computer integrated manufacturing, work methods, measurements and standards.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

Competence is evident when the candidate is able to

• Articulate the legal, political and regulatory controls that define promote and limit business practice opportunities.
• Analyse socio-economic growth and development within an international environment.
• Describe the fundamental interactions of law, politics, ethics and corporate social responsibility.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8

Competence is evident when the candidate is able to

• Apply a structured approach to managing organisations and people in terms of motivation, group dynamics, organisational communication processes, leadership, power, authority, team and organisational development, and inter and intrapersonal dynamics for achievement of corporate goals.
• Develop strategies by applying basic tools for the strategic analysis of the external and internal environment of the organisation.
• Understand financial literacy as generalist users of accounting and financial information for the purposes of business decision making and control.

Integrated Assessment

The quality of the assessment is vital in order to provide credible certification and recognition of achievement. The institution makes every effort to ensure credibility in assessment through the application of clear and rigorous procedures and practices. These procedures and practices are controlled by the principles of fairness, validity, reliability and practicability. By implementing these principles, all parties concerned (including students, employers and learning institutions) may be assured of the credibility of the assessment process. It is in this way that accurate information about the student's performance against the assessment criteria may be provided.

Integrated Assessment is used extensively across the qualification, particularly in the case studies. Self and formative assessment takes place through case studies, assignments, including the writing of proposals and financial plans. Summative assessments are integrated into the learning in that they take place at the end of each of the constituent modules of the programme.