MSc Human Resource Management and Development

Programme Outline

The scheme has been designed to meet the aims of the online MSc in a flexible manner and can be tailored to the individual preferences of each student. The MSc requires you to complete four courses plus a final dissertation. The programme consists of the following modules:

Introductory

Not-for-credit

Induction

This is the first module of the programme which gives an orientation to the course and the online learning style. It does not carry credits and students are encouraged to go through the material in this module at their own pace and get accustomed to the online medium.

Stage 1

120 credits, four taught modules

Core

• Developing Strategic Leadership Skills
• Employment Relations and Law
• Human Resource Management and Development in a Global Context
• Resourcing for High Performance

Research Methods Live Class

One week intensive live lectures online to prepare for your final dissertation.

Stage 2

60 credits, Individual dissertation

Dissertation Work

A conventional dissertation of 12,000 to 15,000 words, consisting of research question, aims and objectives, rationale for undertaking the study, literature review, research methodology, analysis of findings, conclusions and recommendations.

Module Descriptions

There are no average courses within our MSc programme. We are bound to provide an exceptional learning experience, and there is no better way to achieve this aim than with outstanding courses. They have been carefully crafted by experienced professors and are all meant to make you a more successful and efficient manager.

There are no old-fashioned exams. Instead you are given real-life case studies and essays, which allow you to think critically about your company and your own career. All this might seem too glossy but there is one catch: we do not accept average candidates. Only individuals as outstanding as our values can find their way toward admission at the Robert Kennedy College.

Induction

Not-for-credit module

A not-for-credit induction module will be the starting point of the programme. The induction process is designed to familiarise you with the programme design, requirements and resources, as well as with the way online interaction, learning and grading will take place. After the induction you should be familiar with academic life, including academic writing, library services and library access, OnlineCampus access, and academic support services.

Developing Strategic Leadership Skills

In addition to understanding how you may organise and manage people, it is essential to develop a critical self-awareness and understanding of different leadership styles and skills and how these can be applied to a range of situations. This module will develop your self-awareness and understanding of leadership skills and behaviours and how these can motivate and engage employees - including those from different cultural contexts - and secure their commitment in times of both stability and change. This will include learning how to manage inter-personal conflict and how to create cohesive and effective teams for the benefit of both organisations and employees through the use of different strategies such as flexible working.

Employment Relations and Law

On this module, you will compare and contrast different approaches to handling employment disputes in different national settings, examining the role of trade unions and other non-union groups in different countries. You will look at employment law in a variety of national contexts, and how this impacts on multinational organisations, reviewing contemporary industrial disputes for how these have affected organisations’ processes including employee engagement, diversity management, employee communication and involvement and participation and change management.

Human Resource Management and Development in a Global Context

This module is designed to prepare students to undertake the role of a HR manager in an international context. To enable you to do this, you will examine the changing nature of organisations in a global context, and the debates around whether HR policy and practice is becoming truly global or whether national and cultural sensibilities prevent this. You will also be equipped with the skills needed to apply theoretical concepts relating to organisation design and development in practice.

Resourcing for High Performance

You will look at the changing nature of the workforce and the way in which increasing diversity can be an organisational asset. You will develop your strategic skills, looking at analysis of trends, developing effective, legally compliant resourcing and retention strategies and evaluating process, policies and practices for recruitment and performance. As you develop your interviewing skills, you will be encouraged to reflect on your own performance. You will use class-based performance management scenarios with fellow students to analyse real-world performance management scenarios and discuss different approaches to handling performance conversations. An important part of this module looks at a critical understanding of performance and performance management, including high performance work practices, and the boundary between motivation for performance and abuse. You will also consider how to advise business managers in their setting of performance priorities, objectives and targets.