Postgraduate Diploma in Sport Management

Purpose

The Postgraduate Diploma in Sport Management is designed to strengthen and deepen the candidate's knowledge in sport management. It will enable sport management professionals to undertake advanced reflection and development by means of a systemic survey of current thinking, practice and research methods in administration, marketing and management of sport as an area of specialisation.

This qualification demands a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence, as well as the ability to relate knowledge to a range of contexts in order to undertake professional or highly-skilled work within the sport industry. This qualification includes conducting and reporting research under supervision with a research proposal as an outcome.

Learners who complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Sport Management qualify for access into a Master's Degree in the field of sport, fitness and recreation.

Rationale

The 2012 South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) report on South Africa sport academies revealed the following challenges faced by sport federations and organisations:

• Lack of clearly defined and administered policies.
• Poor monitoring and evaluation of qualifications, events and activities.
• Lack of capacitated sport administrators`.

This qualification will bridge the current skills gap to positively impact the management of sports organisations, integrate sports within the community to promote healthy lifestyles and prepare candidates to be ready to host events globally. The Postgraduate Diploma in Sport Management will equip enthusiastic individuals and sport professionals who are interested in contributing to effective running of sport organisations and businesses. Possible careers that graduates of this qualification will access include: sport administrators, sport co-ordinators, sport officers, sport managers and sport marketers entrepreneurs.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

As per institutional policy, credits towards this qualification may be obtained by means of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Candidates who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements but who can demonstrate satisfactory levels of competence in the field, may apply for Recognition of Prior Learning and may be granted entry to the qualification on this basis.

Entry Requirements

• Advanced Diploma in Sport Management or a equivalent qualification at Level 7.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 8 totalling to 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits

• Tourism Management V, 30 Credits.
• Business in Sport, 30 Credits.
• Project Management, 30 Credits.
• Advanced Research Methodology, 30 Credits.

Elective Modules, 30 Credits each (choose one)

• Event Planning V.
• Tourism Development V.
• Adventure Leadership V.

1. Use advanced management tools and principles in the strategic management of sport organisations and enterprises.
2. Apply advanced knowledge of business management principles and practices in the sustainable running of a sport, fitness or recreation business.
3. Manage sport projects to meet the goals and objectives of sport organisations.
4. Develop a research proposal with a topic related to issues within the field of Sport Management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Demonstrate the ability to integrate Total Quality Management in the management of sport organisations and enterprises is shown.
• Develop current business scopes and integrate business plans for sport organisations and enterprises.
• Evaluate the role of proper management of university and college sport in the South African context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Evaluate sport businesses both nationally and globally together with the Laws that govern sport business.
• Develop an elaborative business plan to make informed decisions for business direction, modification and future growth and sustainability of sport, recreation and fitness business.
• Evaluate the application of management accounting and measuring of financial performance within a sport business and the business development within marketing and sales of a sport business.
• Evaluate the operations and production of a sport organisation to ensure efficient and effective integration of business principles, corporate social responsibility and sport governance in the South African sport context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Show insight into the context of project management as a business tool.
• Manage quality into the project process and implement control measures.
• Analyse the project management of financial, commercial, human and legal resources within a project.
• Develop a research proposal with a topic related to issues within the field of sport management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Develop a quality research proposal that meets the requirements for access into a Master's Degree.

Integrated Assessment

Formative assessment strategies are continuous and aimed at giving learners feedback on their progress in the achievement of Exit Level Outcomes as well as to integrate theoretical and practical competence. Such strategies include informal assignments, discussions, case studies, informal tests and tutoring.

Some of the criteria may be assessed through observation of the learners during classes. Summative assessment strategies are aimed at judgement of the learning in relation to the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification. Such strategies include examinations, reports, projects or equivalent such as a portfolio of evidence which is representative of a selection of the outcomes.

The outcomes of the formal assignments and tests will contribute to a cumulative class mark as per pre-arrangement with the learners. In the formal assignments and tests, and in the respective examinations learners will have to demonstrate the ability to communicate and integrate knowledge of the key issues, highlighted in the respective modules, and identify and resolve typical problems in the subfields as indicated. This will require critical and creative thinking as well as the ability to make practical applications of the learning outcomes as indicated in the module descriptors.