Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management

The aim of the Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Management is to provide students who already have a degree, or extensive applicable experience, with advanced theoretical and applied knowledge in Human Resource (HR) Management.

The programme offers a blend of theoretical and practical learning, with an emphasis on applied knowledge and skill. High importance is placed on the development of soft skills for management (such as communication, presentation, interpersonal and problem solving skills) in addition to the development of specific business knowledge.

You will learn:

• Problem solving, both independently and as part of a team, 
• Employment relations
• Organisational behaviour and change management
• Business Ethics
• To develop and critically evaluate HR policy in areas such as recruiting, organisational departmental planning, performance management and employment compliance.

You will also get hands on experience or undertake a research project. Elective papers are available in contemporary topics such as change management, health and safety and employee relations.

Compulsory Papers – complete all of the following:

MGT607 (MGT202) Employment Relations (15 Credits)

Building on student’s knowledge of employment relations, this paper introduces students to employment relations theory, legislation, resolution processes, and expands their knowledge of the complex legal environment in which business operations occur and the implications of this on organisations.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: 

• Critically examine employment relations theory and contemporary employment systems.
• Explain and address the applications of employment-related legislation.
• Explain the framework governing processes such as dispute resolution and negotiation, along with functions of specialist employment institutions and processes.
• Identify and propose methods to resolve employment relations issues.

MGT702 Research Methodology (15 credits)

Note: This paper must be completed prior to completing HRM730 or HRM731 and requires a final weighted grade of B- or higher to pass the paper.

This paper will introduce students to the skills required to complete a research project.  It will cover advanced research skills, various methodologies available to gather and present primary and secondary information and data, and it will take students through the literature review process.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

• Select a suitable topic on which to base a research project, or similar piece of written work, and identify any possible ethical issues.
• Source and critically analyse suitable secondary research from a variety of sources both online and in hard copy and select a methodology for gathering primary data.
• Understand the requirements of a ‘literature review’ and how to construct this using an appropriate referencing style.
• Write a proposal to complete a research project, or similar, outlining how all the key elements will be met within a specified timeframe.

MGT710 (MGT312) Advanced Human Resource Management (15 credits)

Students will develop an understanding of the ways in which Human Resource Management supports an organisation in achieving its strategic goals.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: 

• Critically assess demographic trends in Aotearoa/New Zealand’s workforce and the implications for organisations and the Human Resource function.
• Design a recruitment and selection process linked to an organisation’s human resource strategy and business strategy.
• Evaluate current approaches to employee professional development and assess how they support an organization in meeting its strategic objectives.
• Critique current schools of thought in the area of reward and discuss the link between business strategy and reward.

MGT723 The Dynamics of Employment Relations (15 credits)

Critically examines employment regulations and institutions in New Zealand. The course used contemporary issues to explore the genesis and shaping of legislation through the socio/political policy making process. The role and impact of policy, regulations and legislation on parties to the employment relationship is also explored.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

• Critically analyse the key elements and dynamics of the employment relationship.
• Research and evaluate the current legislative framework covering employment relations in Aotearoa/New Zealand.
• Critically assess the relationship between employment relations outcomes, enterprise performance and the demands of a global economy
• Critically discuss the legal requirements for the human resource management function related to current employment legislation.

MGT724 Management Skills for a Diverse Workforce (15 credits)

This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the increasing importance of diversity in organisations. We study a range of theories and focus on how to apply those theories to real-world situations. This course emphasises the development of the skills and knowledge required for successful managerial performance in diverse organisations. It focuses on such areas as developing self-awareness, creative problem-solving, supportive communication, the use of power and influence, motivation techniques, and managing conflict.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

• Critically analyse leadership and management theories and assess their application or relevance in culturally diverse workplaces.
• Critically evaluate common skills required for managerial effectiveness within diverse environments.
• Research and evaluate the dynamics of human behaviour to assess their impact on the effective management of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Critically evaluate your own values, behaviours and perceptions to understand how they influence your interpersonal behaviour and organisational practice.

Compulsory – choose either 730 or 731:

HRM730 Management Research Project (Human Resource Management) (30 credits)

This paper provides students with an opportunity to conduct advanced research into an aspect of management theory or practice by integrating the body of knowledge learnt in management papers.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to select a current management issue or applied management problem and formulate an appropriate research objective and research question, plan, organise and implement a research project, select and apply appropriate research methodologies, collect, analyse and interpret research data, write a research report to a professional standard, make an oral presentation of the management-related research project and answer relevant questions raised. 

You are expected to: 
Identify and Investigate a current management issue based on personal interest, benefit to an organisation, popular topic or a gap in research you have identified

Approach

• Select a current management issue or applied management problem and formulate an appropriate research objective and research question.
• Select and apply appropriate research methodologies.
• Collect, analyse and interpret research data.
• Write a research report to a professional standard.
• Make a research poster to present your research work
• Undertake an oral defence presenting key points from your research report and answer relevant questions raised.

Assessments

1. Introduction and Literature Review
2. Final Research Report
3. Research Poster
4. Oral defence (via Skype)
5. Reflective Journal

Total Word Count
Approximately 12,000 words

HRM731 Internship (Human Resource Management) (30 credits)

This paper provides students with an opportunity to become familiar with the micro and macro operating environments of an organization and to apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the course of their degree study.  Using knowledge and skills gained in the first two years of the degree, students will be enabled to present a development/problem-solving proposal in an area relevant to the internship organization. Students will also gain reflective skills through the reflection on the internship and how their personal and professional managerial skills have developed and broadened.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to, critically evaluate an organisation’s corporate direction, main activities, and identify and evaluate the internal environment of the internship organisation, evaluate the organisation’s operating environment and the role of the internship organisation within the industry, assess and rationalise to all stakeholders significant issues confronting the internship organisation, specifically an aspect of concern or interest to the organisation’s operation or management, conduct and critically evaluate primary research regarding the specific aspect to be stated, distinguish between critical and non-critical factors impacting on the problem/development, evaluate information and make recommendations for specific development/problem, consider and assess issues for implementing recommendations, critically assess the dilemmas, challenges and problems faced, and how these issues were resolved during the internship, critically evaluate how the knowledge and skills acquired during the degree programme were adapted into practical situations.

You are expected to:
Identify and Investigate a current management issue within your internship organisation

Approach

• Find an internship placement (this can be in your existing workplace)
• Collect both primary and secondary information to investigate a significant management issue within the organisation
• Make recommendations based on the findings and present a development/problem solving proposal
• Present the reflections and evaluations of the internship project and answer relevant questions raised.

Assessments

1. Introductory Report (based on the organisation)
2. Proposal Report including Negotiation Evidence
3. Research and Strategy Report
4. Journal
5. Presentation (via Skype)

Total Word Count
Approximately 12,000 words

Elective Papers - complete one of the following elective papers:

MGT608 (MGT215) Organisational Behaviour (15 credits)

This paper provides students with a strong background and understanding of organisational and motivational theories and the application of these in the development of internal and external environmental analyses for an organisation.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: 

• Analyse the behaviour of individuals and groups in organisations in terms of key factors that influence organisational behaviour.
• Assess the potential effects of organisational-level factors on organisational behaviour.
• Critically evaluate the potential effects of important developments in the external environment on organisational behaviour.
• Analyse organisational behavioural issues in the context of organisational behaviour theories, models and concepts.

MGT609 (MGT219) Change Management (15 credits)

This paper provides students with an understanding of change management and the managing of the change process within an organisational context, supported by an understanding of leadership theory and solvency analysis in relation to management in organisations.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: 

• Debate current schools of thought that contribute to change management in organisations.
• Examine methods for managing the change process in an organisation.
• Analyse the relationship of leadership theory in organizational management.
• Demonstrate and apply knowledge of organisational change theory in a business environment.

MGT611* (MGT222) Health and Safety in Employment (15 credits) (*requires access to a workplace or organisation to assess Health and Safety systems, processes and procedures)

This paper presents students with an overview of health and safety in employment situations and the development of strategies to reduce the incidence and severity of work-related injury and illness.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to:

• Identify sources and analyse health, safety, and wellbeing information within a specific organisation.
• Locate and examine key health and safety legislation.
• Analyse progamme strategies to reduce the incidence and severity of work-related injury and illness within a specific organisation.
• Develop and apply engagement strategies to communicate health, safety and wellbeing information to stakeholders (internal and external) at all levels of a specific organisation.