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Professional Leadership
Master of Arts
Course Details
Course Code | SG_HPROF_M09 |
---|---|
Level | 9 |
Duration | 2 years |
Credits | 90 |
Method of Delivery | Online |
Campus Locations | Sligo |
Mode of Delivery | Part Time |
Course Overview
Professional leadership moves beyond more traditional leadership and management ideas to acknowledge that change is needed, that leaders now, more than ever, must be authentic, ethical, financially aware, strategic, and ambitious for their organisation. All of which has been considered within ATU Sligo`s new Masters in Professional Leadership.
The MA in Professional Leadership covers both core and elective learning. Learners will get the opportunity to gather core knowledge, skills and competencies in Leadership; Organisational Psychology; Strategy; Financial Management and Research Methods. The learner can also choose one elective each term. The award will cumulate in a Research Project where students are given the opportunity, under supervision, to explore and examine ways to implement their learning within a real-life context.
Overview
The MA in Professional Leadership is delivered fully online and part-time over two years. In year one, live lectures occurs weekly. In year two, students work with their supervisor to complete their Research Project.
Course Details
Year 1
Semester | Module Details | Credits | Mandatory / Elective |
---|---|---|---|
1 |
Organisational PsychologyThis module on organisational psychology deals with issues related to individuals, industry and capital, a further component is maintaining and enhancing employee wellbeing and performance. Understanding these concepts can facilitate business effectiveness and profitability. Students will be introduced to relevant psychological theories, tools and workplace interventions. Learning from this module will develop research focused critical thinking, while also being of practical relevance for professional practice. Some of the key areas that we will be covering are: motivation, leadership, learning and development, organisational change, workplace wellbeing. Learning Outcomes 1. Examine issues related to individuals’, industry and capital, to facilitate business effectiveness and profitability. 2. Understand and evaluate theory and research on employee motivation,the employment contract andemployee diversity. 3. Critically evaluatedifferent approaches to managing and leading people at work. Human resource management focuses on theory and practice of the management ofpeople, while leadership focuses onthe perspective of leaders and followers. 4. Explore the role ofgroup dynamics, teamwork and organisational change. 5. Identify the role andinterplay betweenorganisational culture and dynamics, while understandingpsychological, social and organisational aspects of working. |
05 | Mandatory |
1 |
Financial ManagementAs a leader, the ability to understand and interpret financial information for decision-making purposes is essential. Leaders cannot afford financial illiteracy. In this module, students will learn the language of business, which will allow them to communicate with both internal and external stakeholders of their organisation. The student will develop their ability to analyse and interpret the financial statements of varying organisations, apply management accounting techniques and appreciate the role they play in the planning, control and decision-making process and develop an understanding of the role of financial strategy in the finance and resource allocation decisions within an organisation. The importance of aligning with an organisation's Sustainability Development Goals will be considered throughout the students learning. Learning Outcomes 1. Build an understanding of the financial statements of for profit and not for profit organisations, what is in them and how they are a valuable resource of assessing an organisations financial health. 2. Assess the relationship between finance and accounting, evaluate the role of the finance function within a business and the importance of good ethical practice in accounting. 3. Interpret the financial statements, appraise the financial performance of an organisation, including the working capital needs of different organisations and the importance of good working capital management. 4. Evaluate the nature and purpose of management accounting and apply the main principles of management accounting for planning, controlling and decision making. 5. Discuss the primary sources of finance available to a business, includingthe importance of sustainable finance for investors and lenders.Appraise the suitability of the different sources in the context of an organisations’ size, financial requirements and legal status and evaluate different capital structure options available to a business. |
05 | Mandatory |
1 |
Understanding LeadershipThis module explores the specific styles and strategies of effective leadership, relevant to today's work environment both public, private, third sector etc. It examines leadership legitimacy and reputation using concepts and ideas of impression management, Goffman's notion of self-presentation and more recent words on authentic leadership. It will take the opportunity to examine their place in management and leading teams to effectively and ethically achieve goals. Additionally, the module will focus on the leaders' role in managing change, managing power, understanding and working within and changing, if needed, organisation culture. The module requires the learner to reflect on their own leadership style and plan for more professional and strategic leadership into the future. This module very much complements learning from within the organisational psychology module. Ideas of a flipped classroom will be used to support a comprehensive understanding and engagement with this module. Learning Outcomes 1. Explore leadership theories and their potential application within organisations. 2. Consider ideas of strategic leadership and its place within the professional environment. 3. Critically appraise the role of leadership in a change management process. 4. Critically examine the relationship between leadership, power and influence. 5. Examine and critically evaluate transdisciplinary working to determine its relevance and application to professional leadership. |
05 | Mandatory |
2 |
Strategy and PracticeStrategy and Practice deals with the challenges leaders face in seeking to achieve their organisation's mission by aligning and deploying their internal assets, capabilities, and people to best effect in the face of changing, uncertain and ambiguous environmental and competitive conditions. This complex task requires a sophisticated blend of analytical, behavioural and political skills. This module is designed to introduce students to the comprehensive nature of strategy in business and provides an insight into the main tools of analysis available to the strategist. Learning Outcomes 1. Describe and evaluate the main theories and frameworks relevant to strategy 2. Think strategically about leading and developing a company’s business positionand integrate ideas, and knowledge from other business disciplines into their competitive reasoning 3. Critically assess and apply fundamental theories and frameworks in strategy to real life competitive scenarios 4. Appreciate how ethical principles, core values, socially responsible leadership and management practices and sustainability matter greatly in the conduct of a companys business. 5. Work and communicate effectively as an individual and as part of a team to evaluate competitive scenarios and formulate strategies. |
05 | Mandatory |
2 |
Research Design & DevelopmentThis module will provide the learner with the necessary research skills to undertake a level 9 research project. Learners will critically review literature, engage with their ontological and epistemological position; the paradigms and methodologies of the research study; methods of data collection and data analysis. The learner will gain the knowledge, skills and competencies to determine the appropriateness of individual methods in given research contexts. Issues of research ethics, validity and reliability of chosen paradigms and methods will also be discussed and debated. Learners will develop research project management skills that are applicable not only to conduct a significant research project but also to their future leadership activities. A number of research methodologies and methods of data collection will be explored as part of this module allowing students to enhance their research and professional leadership capacity and capability simultaneously whilst also drawing on strands of leadership from taught modules. Learning Outcomes 1. Critically evaluate existing knowledge and its application to the student’s chosen research area. 2. Develop a critical awareness of current problems and/or new insights, generally informed by the forefront of research in their chosen area. 3. Analyse paradigms of research enquiry and explicate where chosen paradigms fit within their research area of interest. 4. Expertly discuss and propose a range of data collection and analysis tools and techniques relevant to their study. 5. Judge the importance of ethics to any research study and incorporate this within their research proposal. 6. Demonstrate a critical understanding of appropriate project management skills to ensure successful completion of level 9 research project. |
05 | Mandatory |
2 |
Emerging Trends in Leading and LeadershipAs the world changes and organisations grapple and change in response to it, leaders have to respond but not be reactionary. How does the today and tomorrow leader do this, how do they keep themselves informed, how do they adapt and have the breadth of knowledge to do the right thing, how do they manage their own self during this time. This module will explore leadership in the modern world and worldwide problems and examine and explore how leaders might best respond and perform during times of contemporary problems and changes. The module will examine contemporary questions in real-time and consider ways to best address these as effective professional leaders. Topics may include examining entrepreneurship, strategic talent management, green leadership, or examine the healthy leader, the digital work of work, or networking for leaders. It is therefore envisaged that this module will change and evolve with the issues current at any given time and address new dimensions of leadership. The 'Indicative Syllabus' is therefore indicative of the trends that may impact on Leadership as they emerge. Learning Outcomes 1. Critically review contemporaryproblems that a leader may expect to experience. 2. Analyse and plan strategies to address challenges and adapt to uncertaintyin the world of work. 3. Evaluate and become critically aware of emerging issues and trends in the field of Leadership 4. Demonstrate detailed research of international and domestic best practice across a range of domains, including engagement with national government policy |
05 | Elective |
2 |
Corporate GovernanceThe aim of this module is to develop the learners' awareness and understanding of corporate governance issues in relation to professional work in the public, private and third sector. The module will investigate corporate governance issues within and throughout privately-held firms, publicly-held corporations and government-controlled organisations. It will explore links between management and governance through both theoretical analyses and empirical investigations in support of the learners understanding of rules, codes, principles, practices, processes, mechanisms, structure and relationships. Learners will get the opportunity to explore the application of knowledge to real-life case scenarios. Learning Outcomes 1. Appreciate the corporate governance and ethical issues pertaining to organisations. 2. Evaluate corporate governance theories and frameworks application to various corporate governance structures. 3. Critically evaluate the key factors shaping the debate on the recent development of corporate governance regulations and codes. 4. Criticallyreview approaches to corporate governance internationally. |
05 | Elective |
2 |
Business Sustainability and Human RightsThis module will provide the learner with a comprehensive and critical engagement with Business Sustainability and human rights. Modern business is defined by various responsibilities, which today include being socially and environmentally responsible, sustainable and ethical. Therefore, the demand made on contemporary business is not alone to be the best in the world but also the best for the world. Learners will acquire the theories, analytical expertise, and ethical tools, to respond to a growing array of engagements, including ethical investment, sustainable development, community and workforce engagement, global supply chains, diversity in talent and opportunities, non-financial reporting, and with modern human rights. Learners will develop a Business Sustainability statement and engage with processes of accountability and benchmarking strategies to integrate processes of Business Sustainability into their everyday commercial practice. Learning Outcomes 1. Critically explore and evaluate the emergence of Corporate Social Responsibility, and various sustainability theories in the commercial and business domain. 2. Evaluate and engage with frameworks that promote diverse and responsible workplaces, with healthy corporate values and principles 3. Demonstrate detailed research of international and domestic best practice across a range of domains, including engagement with national government policy 4. Apply and embed responsible practices, through creating a Business Sustainability policy for industry and the marketplace with impact on business sustainability and social engagement. 5. Evaluate and appraise methodologies of accountability to benchmark Business Sustainability best practice. |
05 | Elective |
2 |
Strategic Leadership and PlanningThis module explores the specific styles and strategies of implementing strategic change to scale up existing enterprises successfully. Additionally, the module will focus on the leaders' role in managing and leading change in complex business environments. The module also requires the learner to reflect on their leadership approach, and the dynamic capabilities leaders require in a rapidly changing digital business ecosystem. Learners will also reflect on the importance of the role of financial management to enterprise scaling up and strategic innovation Learning Outcomes 1. Explore the major theories of strategic change and strategic leadership. 2. Illustrate the importance of managing change in complex business environments. 3. Critically examine and demonstrate an understanding of emerging technologies and how they can be applied in practice to maximise performance and efficiency. 4. Engage with and critically evaluate the key dynamic capabilities required for existing and future leaders. 5. Understand the critical role of financial management to enterprise scaling up and strategic innovation. |
05 | Elective |
2 |
Leading and Managing Remote TeamsThe purpose of this module is to provide the learner with an understanding of managing and leading remote teams in a virtual working environment. The module addresses the challenges associated in managing geographically dispersed teams in the virtual organisation and the factors which are critical to successful remote working. It also investigates how leaders can support collaboration in a virtual environment and address the key issues of how to train virtual workers and how to manage cultural diversity in globally dispersed virtual teams. Students will also reflect on the importance of leadership styles and competencies important for those who are managing remote workers. The students will be introduced to the current legislation governing remote working and the potential legislative implications of sourcing and recruiting virtual workers from a global talent pool to fill skills gaps. Learning Outcomes 1. Explore the major theories and concepts from the virtual team and remote working literature associated with managing and leading remote teams. 2. Illustrate the importance of diverse leadership styles and the competencies necessary for leaders managing in a virtual environment. 3. Critically examine and demonstrate an understanding of the Critical Success Factors (CSF) necessary for remote working. 4. Engage with and critically evaluate organisational solutions on how to train geographically dispersed virtual workers and how Top Management manage cultural diversity in a borderless workforce. 5. Analyse the current legislation governing remote working and the legislative implications to the organisationwhen recruiting from a global talent pool. |
05 | Elective |
Year 2
Semester | Module Details | Credits | Mandatory / Elective |
---|---|---|---|
Year |
Research ThesisThe objective of the research thesis is to provide an independent and critical appraisal of an issue. The research project will allow the learner to investigate a real-life professional leadership issue/area of interest, using knowledge skills and competencies acquired at earlier stages of the Masters Programme. Learners will demonstrate their ability to successfully complete a Level 9 Research Project. Learners will select, modify and apply research skills, to critically analyse, research independently and formulate responses to unpredictable, complex and problems, in order to develop new knowledge, ideas, processes, procedures. They will decide a work plan, examine and define the issue(s), undertake a critical review of existing literature, decide the methodology and method appropriate to undertake the project, evaluate evidence-based conclusions and prepare and present their findings. The work will cumulate with the submission of a research thesis, where the learner will be required to present their project and partake in a viva voce examination. Learning Outcomes 1. Discuss and critically debatethe effectiveness of any research approach identified. 2. Critically examine literature and draw inferences from this body of knowledge. 3. Select and applya range of standard and specialised research or equivalent tools and techniques of enquiry to the research project. 4. Interpret, critique andsynthesisedatathat isstate of the art in arelevant leadershiparea. 5. Demonstrate the validity of the research process undertaken. 6. Carry out the research project in an ethical manner. 7. Produce a research project in a format appropriate to level 9 award. |
55 | Mandatory |
Recommended Study Hours per week
Examination and Assessment
On-Campus Attendance Requirement
Progression
Students may decide to progress to Doctoral studies in ATU Sligo or other Higher Education providers.
Download a prospectus
Entry Requirements
Applicants should normally hold a 2.2 honours degree award in any discipline.It is preferable applicants will have a minimum of 3 years of postgraduate experience.For applicants with no formal third level qualification but do have significant experience of leadership in organisations then ATU Sligos formal RPL process can be used to assess the suitability of applicants for entry into the programme. RPL is a process that may allow you to gain admission to a programme or to receive exemptions / credit from some parts of a programme based on demonstrated learning that you may have achieved through another programme of study or through your work and career. Further information is available through www.atu.ie/recognition-of-prior-learning which is our dedicated RPL portal.
Careers
This programme has wide appeal for both early career leaders and more established professionals, attracting students from many industries both nationally and internationally. The programme has attracted students with significant management experience who wish to pursue an academic award to assist with career progression, demonstrate a commitment to continued learning, gain a competitive edge and to expand knowledge and skills in professional leadership and those who are changing/ diversifying in their career.
Further Information
Who Should Apply?
This programme is suitable for those seeking career progression for both early career leaders and more established professionals, attracting students from many industries and sectors including public, private and NGO.
Contact Information
Admissions Office
T: 353 (0) 71 931 8511
E: admissions.sligo@atu.ie