Postgraduate Diploma in Security Management

Purpose

This qualification is aimed at learners who wish to pursue careers as security supervisors and security managers and who seek to develop and recieve recognition for the essential skills needed, by senior management in the security sector. Qualifying learners will have the competencies to apply their acquired security management, security risk management and corporate investigation knowledge and skills at an advanced specialised level. The emphasis, besides additional advanced specialised knowledge and information is on the practical application of already acquired knowledge.

The qualification targets learners who work in the public and private sector security industry and related fields of asset protection, loss prevention, security risk management and corporate investigation.

A qualifying learner will be able to demonstrate knowledge and skills of competent security managers in the private and public security industry. This qualification will also assist in promoting good governance, professionalism and expertise in this specific sector of the South African economy. It further lays a foundation for higher career advancement and further post-graduate studies in Security Management.

Rationale

The Postgraduate Diploma in Security Management will allow progression from the Diploma in Security Management and the Advanced Diploma in Security Management to the Masters qualification at NQF Level 9.

It has become necessary for the continued specialisation and professionalisation of the private security industry and to provide a progression pathway in terms of career building. Moreover, this relatively young discipline, Security Management incorporating Security Risk Management is currently experiencing an exponential growth in knowledge creation, information collection and specialisation areas.

The main objective of the Postgraduate Diploma in Security Management is to establish a core of professionals that will serve the interests of all sectors of the security services industry (private and public) and the South Africa community at large.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

All admissions through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) must be in accordance with the principles set out in the Institution's RPL Policy.

This qualification can be achieved in part (50%) through Recognition of Prior Learning. The Institution must provide full details of processes and procedures relating to the assessment and accreditation of learning from prior experiences to RPL candidates. Evidence can be presented in a variety of forms, including international or previous local qualifications, reports, testimonials mentioning functions performed, work records, portfolios, videos of practice and performance records. All such evidence should be judged in line with the general principles of assessment described in the notes to assessors.

Credits can also be awarded through RPL for relevant formal and informal learning acquired prior to enrolment for this qualification.

Entry Requirements

In order to gain access to this qualification, an applicant is required to have

• Advanced Diploma in Security Management, at NQF Level 7.

This qualification is made up of five compulsory 24-Credit modules at NQF Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Modules

• Applied Research Methodology in Security Management.
• Advanced Security Technology and Information Security.
• Advanced Security Risk Control Measures.
• Advanced Security Risk Management.
• Advanced Corporate Investigations.

• Apply research methodology and undertake fieldwork research in the field of Security Science.
• Manage security technology and information.
• Implement security risk control measures.
• Conduct investigations in the security service industry.
• Manage the security service environment and security risks.

The following Assessment Criteria are applied in an integrated way to modules and specialised learning areas, where applicable, to determine competence in the Exit Level Outcomes:

• A comprehensive and systematic understanding of knowledge regarding the security service environment and security risks is demonstrated.
• Acquired knowledge is applied in practical terms to the analysis of a selected and specific case study for Security Management and Security Risk Management.
• The security needs of different specialised security sectors are assessed and evaluated.
• A coherent understanding of security technology and information is displayed.
• Learned knowledge is applied in practical terms to the analysis of a selected and specific case study for Security Technology and Information Security.
• An in-depth grasp of knowledge in relation to security risk control measures is demonstrated.
• Acquired knowledge is applied practically to the analysis of a selected and specific case study for Security Risk Control Measures.
• A sound understanding of how to conduct investigations in the security services sector is displayed.
• Acquired knowledge is used in the preparation for and planning of an investigation project in the corporate environment and applied in the analysis of a selected and specific case study for corporate investigation.
• An understanding of the different research approaches, different data collection methods, and data analysis methods is demonstrated.
• Practical field research is undertaken.
• A research-based report is compiled.

Integrated Assessment

For the qualification to be awarded, a learner must have successfully achieved the outcomes of every module that constitutes the qualification, and have completed an approved research proposal and research report under guided supervision in an elected area of specialisation. This in turn will indicate an integrated competence in the Exit level outcomes of the qualification.

Evidence of learning competency (knowledge, skills, attitudes and expertise) and of the learner's ability to achieve the purpose of the qualification as a whole at the time that the qualification is awarded is required by means of comprehensive and integrated assessment (constituting a range of formative and summative assessments). Continuous formative and summative assessment methods are used in the form of written assignments and exams, and the supervision of a research project. Formative and summative assessment will be conducted within the guidelines of the Institution's Assessment Policy. The learner's summative assessment mark will comprise a year mark that will be gained from the specified number of compulsory assignments and a written examination in each module.

Assessors should assess and give credit for evidence of learning that has already been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. Lecturers responsible for the module and external markers (assessors) will act as assessor practitioners in accordance with the Institution's Assessment Policy.