MA in Strategic HR - FREE Taster Session

Try before you buy....

Come along to this FREE Taster Session to find out more about the MA in Strategic HR modular programme. You will learn about what each module covers and involves and have the chance to ask questions and speak to a previous participant who will share their 'real' experience.

The MA in Strategic HR has been designed to enable experienced Human Resource and Human Resource Development (HR) practitioners to update their knowledge and skills in line with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) Code of Practice for Continuous Professional Development (CPD). The programme is studied in part time mode typically over one academic year and provides 90 Masters (M) level credits. This Masters is a specialist ‘top up' degree and is designed to build upon prior knowledge, skills and experience within the HR subject area.

The Programme

The programme has been shaped to provide a stretch opportunity for HR practitioners, to focus on developing a strategic approach to their work and critically reflect on their practice and their understanding of organisational processes.

The programme draws heavily on and develops the individual's own resources and skills. Whilst the personal benefits of attending the programme are clear, the programme makes a direct link between individual and organisational learning and the work based research project will have to demonstrate impact on the organisation.

Programme Aims

To enable experienced HR practitioners to ‘become' critically reflective by supporting and encouraging them in questioning and confronting the internal and external forces which provide the context of their work.

To enable practitioners to take a critical perspective on current, and future, developments in order to support change at an individual, professional and organisational level.

Learning activities and attendance

The learning activities are designed to facilitate the development of critically reflective practitioners able to undertake research into their own practice and thereby develop and deepen their knowledge and understanding of the subject area and their professional practice.

Three two-day workshops provide an initial introduction to the programme and input on HR strategy, strategies and research methodologies. The emphasis during the workshops is to critique current theory and its relevance to practice. The focus of the initial learning activity is to enable practitioners to develop as independent learners and to develop their own research interest. This research interest will form the focus of the enquiry into practice and will culminate in the production of a dissertation.

Six action learning sets support the development of the dissertation. The sets are facilitated by tutors and enable practitioners to share experiences, support each other and to develop their understanding of research into practice. The action learning sets also support the development of critically reflective practitioners, students and academics, and the development of a ‘community of research into a community of practice'.

Should you enrol it is important that you attend all workshops and action learning dates as these are integral elements of the programme.  Please put the dates below in your diary now.

Assessment

Learning outcomes are assessed formatively through contributions to discussions during the workshops and the action learning set meetings. Summative assessment will be through the production of three assessments including a critical review of relevant literature; a research proposal and a dissertation. The first two are designed as preparation for the final dissertation. All the assessments are work based, requiring the students to undertake research into work problems or issues.

Admission Requirements

All candidates must be able to demonstrate an ability to benefit from and contribute to the programme. Given the nature of the assessment students must be in a position to undertake masters' level research within an employing organisation. Therefore work references must be supplied. Candidates also need to demonstrate that they have achieved 90 M level credits in a relevant subject area. Normally this will be demonstrated by candidates having achieved chartered membership of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), having achieved the CIPD qualification via a programme of study at M level.

Exceptionally candidates may not be chartered members of the CIPD. In these circumstances the programme team will access the candidates' ability to benefit from and contribute to the programme. University guidelines will be applied regarding the accreditation of prior certificated learning (APL) and prior experiential learning (APEL). Under current regulations a maximum of 60 M level credits can be achieved via APEL.

NOTE: Could you please bring along a copy of your CV in support of eligibility for the programme and if possible a confirmation from your employer saying they will support you on the programme should you wish to join up.

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