Strategic Human Resource Management: University of Westminster

Introduction

This course is run in ‘block mode’ over four weekends a year, and the next course begins in October 2010 with the remaining three weekend blocks in December 2010, February and April 2011.

The course is aimed at practising managers with significant work experience at middle or senior management within HRM or a related business area. It is aimed at managers who have reached a stage in their career where they have to address issues related to the strategic direction of their organisation.

The course will provide a conceptual framework in which to explore these issues. Providing as it does a higher degree qualification in a well established management area, the course enables you to enhance your career prospects and marketability in the professional practice of HRM at senior level.

Course Content

The full course comprises three modules:

• Managing Culture and Change
• Strategic People Management and Development
• Research Dissertation
• Plus the opportunity to attend the annual one-day Westminster Business School HRM Conference

Course Aims

To develop you as a strategic human resource practitioner and adviser on the basis of your understanding and appreciation of:

• knowledge of how the theory and practice of organisations and strategic human resource management both influence and are influenced by the nature of organisational strategies, structures, processes and cultures
• the influence of the external environment within which the strategic human resource practitioner operates
• complex problems in an uncertain environment during periods of rapid change
• contemporary debates, policies and practices in strategic HRM theory and practice
• alternative paradigms within management knowledge, their basic assumptions and ranges of validity
• symptoms and underlying causes in the analysis of strategic HRM issues

Teaching and Assessment

The assessment strategy enables you to demonstrate analytical, critical and practical skills, to show an awareness of how HRM practice is informed by theoretical presuppositions upon which analysis and critique can be exercised. Assessment is by work-based academic reports for Strategic People Management and Development and Managing Culture and Change, and a work-based academic dissertation of 20,000 words preceded by a proposal of 2,000 words. There are no formal examinations on this course.

Entry Requirements

You should have one of the following standard qualifications:

• Diploma in Personnel Management (DPM)
• MA in Personnel and Development (MAPD)
• Diploma in Management (or Management Studies)
• MBA
• Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
• Other equivalent level postgraduate qualification in a management or business related discipline. Non-UK academic qualifications will be assessed against accreditation by the British Council/NARIC
• If your first language is not English, you require an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent.