REGULATIONS FOR MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT DEGREE (MHRM)

1.0   PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMME

Given that employees are a key resource in the search for improved organisational performance, the programme provides an understanding of contemporary theoretical foundations and analytical issues in the management of human resources. The programme prepares students to develop a critical appreciation of how to manage, evaluate and advise on human resource and employment issues. The programme is designed in an integrated way and encourages critical awareness which is a pre-requisite for creative thinking.

2.0   ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Normal Entry: An Honours degree in human resource management, Human Resource Development or Employment Relations, any relevant social science degree or qualification with a pass of an upper second class (2.1) or better.

Applicants possessing lower degree class may be considered on condition that they submit verifiable evidence of a minimum of two years of working experience.

3.0   PROGRAMME CHARACTERISTICS

The programme is 18 months long and intends to equip students with both academic and practical skills that enable them to work in the Human Resource Management (HRM) field through research and academic studies.

4.0   CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND FURTHER STUDY

Human Resource Manager, Human Resource Development Manager, Arbitrator, Human Resource Consultancy, Academia, Labour Officer, Occupational Health and Safety Officer, Industrial Relations Manager/ Officer, Training Officer, Payroll Administrator, Human Resources Administrator

Further Education: DPhil studies in HRM, Labour Relations and Human Resource Development

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

 

Level 1 Semester 1

Code               Module Description                                                Credits

MHRM 731     Strategic Human Resource Management                    18

MHRM 732     Employment Relations                                              18

MHRM 740     Research Methodology and Statistics                         18

MHRM 733     Organisational Theory                                              18

 

Elective Modules (choose one)

MHRM 735     Ethics and Corporate Governance                              18

MHRM 734     Marketing Management                                            18

MHRM 736     Sociology of Work and Employment                         18

MHRM 737     Managerial Economics                                             18

 

Level 1 Semester 2

MHRM 738     Reward Management                                                18

MHRM 739     Organisational Analysis and HR Strategy                   18

MHRM 741     Business Finance                                                      18

MHRM 745     Human Resource Information System                        18

 

Elective Modules (choose one)

MHRM 742     Leadership                                                               18

MHRM 743     HR Consultancy                                                       18

MHRM 744     Management of Change                                            18

 

Level 2 Semester 1

MHRM 831     Strategic Human Resource Development                               18

MHRM 832     Dissertation                                                              90

 

MODULE SYNOPSES

MHRM 731 Strategic Human Resource Management

The module considers the overall significance of HRM in moulding profitable organisations. It will cover the basic concepts underpinning HRM such as commitment, teamwork, and the evolution of HRM, the HRM Practices, the philosophy of HRM and the local and international context of HRM. It will also explore some topical contemporary issues in HR such as performance management, knowledge management and high-performance work systems.

MHRM 732 Employment Relations

The module considers an overview of employment relations in Zimbabwe. It looks at the definition of employee relations, the challenges facing employee relations in Zimbabwe, employee relations in a transitional environment, the Labour Act, Institutions for managing employee relations in Zimbabwe, the role of employee relations in Organisational effectiveness, the integrations of Human Resource Management with other HR functions, regional employee relations (SADC) and International employee relations.

MHRM733 Organisational Theory

The module examines industrial conflict, discipline and power in organisations, new forms of surveillance, corporate cultures, organisational structures and how they impact on employee performance and relations in organisations.  This module lays a foundation for Organisational analysis and HR strategy taught in level 1.2 by introducing students to the fundamental theoretical perspectives of organisations.

MHRM 734 Marketing Management

The module exposes the students to the main concepts and theories of marketing management. Topics will include the marketing concept, the marketing environment, market segmentation, marketing planning, consumer and industrial strategies, product life cycle, advertising, sales promotion, personal sales management and the role of an HR Practitioner in marketing management.

MHRM 735 Ethics and Corporate Governance

The module explores the concept of ethics in management. It will analyse the question of ethics in all HR activities, the link between ethics in HR and employee relations, and the link between ethics in corporate governance and organisational performance.

MHRM 736 Sociology of Work and Employment

The module examines industrial conflict, discipline and power in organisations, new forms of surveillance, corporate cultures, organisational structures and how they impact employee performance and relations in organisations.

MHRM 737 Managerial Economics

The module explores the theory of Economics, Microeconomics, Labour Economics, the link between Economics and HR Strategy, International economics, and International political economy and their impact on international Human Resource Management. It also analyses the role of Government economic policy in Human Resource Management.

MHRM 738 Reward Management

The module analyses the concept of Reward, the Total Reward model, the link between Performance and reward, the Reward Strategy, Reward management in a hyper-inflationary environment, and International issues in reward management.

MHRM 739 Organisational Analysis and HR Strategy

The module analyses issues to do with Strategic Human Resource Management. It will analyse the concept of Strategic HR, its significance and its influence on Overall Organisational strategy. It also analyses the contribution of HR to overall organisational performance and some generic HR Strategies.

MHRM 740 Research Methodology and Statistics

The module serves as a thorough grounding for practical research in Social Sciences. It will encompass computers in the analysis of research findings. Students will gain a deeper appreciation of qualitative ethnographic research methods and quantitative statistical analysis. Students will be exposed to various types of research such as evaluation research, action research, case studies, ethnography etc. Students will also gain insight on how to publish research findings.

MHRM 741 Business Finance

The module seeks to provide a good grounding on the key principles and approaches in financial management necessary for financial decision-making. It will also look at the role and significance of the HR function in financial management in an organisation and vice-versa.

MHRM 742 Leadership

The module analyses the concept of leadership, the role of and significance of leadership in an organization, the various leadership styles, international and contemporary issues in

Leadership.

MHRM 743 Human Resource Consultancy

The module explores trends and principles of ethical and profitable Consultancy in Human Resource Management.

MHRM 744 Managing Change

To expose participants to the nature of Organisational Change and the role that HRM plays in the Management of Change and complexity in organisations.  The module is divided into two parts, Organisational Change and the role of HR in the Management of Change.  Organisational Change is largely concerned with the various models that will guide the student in the understanding of change, the process of managing change and the associated barriers/obstacles.  The other part of the module is concerned with the role of HR in facilitating change in organisations.  Finally, the student will be expected to demonstrate using Organisational Cases an understanding of the practice of Managing Change in Organisations.

MHRM 745 Human Resource Management Information Systems

The module explores the impact of information technology in modern Human Resource Management. It further looks at the shift to paperless HR Information Systems and analyses in-depth current commercial HR Information Systems and Packages.

MHRM 831 Strategic Human Resource Development

The module starts by reviewing elementary Human Resource Development concepts such as learning theories, Career Management, and Succession Management. It then focuses on the strategic role of HRD in the form of HRD Strategy, organisational development, managing learning and contemporary and international issues in Human Resource Development.

MHRM 832 Dissertation

Students carry out research on a topic of their choice concerning pertinent issues in Human Resource Management under the guidance of a Supervisor. Research issues should focus on contemporary issues that add value to industry at large, with industrial harmony, increased productivity, worker engagement, performance and other areas.