One of the best programmes of its kind in Europe Adopting a strategic approach to HR issues Creating a high performance culture

dublin city university business school

MBS in Human Resource Strategies

MBS in Human Resource Strategies at Dublin City University Business School

The Programme for HR Leaders

Established in 1997, the MBS in Human Resource Strategies (MHRS) programme at DCU has developed a reputation as the leading programme in Ireland for managers and professionals who are interested in pursuing a strategic approach to human resource issues within their organisations and in creating a high performance culture. The programme attracts a wide variety of participants including human resource professionals, training and development professionals, and employee relations specialists, in addition to line managers and those involved in managing their own companies. Organisations that have sponsored individuals to attend the programme include ESB, AIB, VHI and Intel, as well as a variety of public sector organisations such as the HSE, the Defence Forces, An Garda Sochna, and the Civil Service. The MBS in Human Resource Strategies programme is fully accredited by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) for graduate membership of the Institute. It has been described by the CIPD as one of the best of its kind in Europe.

This is an excellent programme. Its key strength lies in helping participants transfer the academic insights gained on the programme into practice. In terms of personal development and its impact on personal effectiveness, I believe this programme is second to none. Barry McKimm, HR Director, Coyle Hamilton Willis

The MBS in HR Strategies Programme

The MBS in HR Strategies Programme equips managers and professionals with the competencies required to take on the challenging roles demanded in turbulent times. The competencies include business acumen, human resource expertise, change and process mastery, and personal capability. These are built into the MBS programme in the following ways: Business Acumen: Modules in Strategic Management, Finance and Ethical Decision Making, Economics, Marketing, and Law. Human Resource Expertise: Modules in Strategic International HRM, HR Strategy in Practice, and Coaching. Change and Process Mastery: Modules in Organisational Behaviour and Change, the Learning Company, Managing Change, and Managing for High Performance. There is also a major change management project instead of a traditional dissertation. Personal Capability: The MBS in HR Strategies has been designed to develop the sets of skills and behaviours that have been described as meta-qualities or meta-abilities. These are competencies that drive other skills and abilities and include creativity, mental agility, balanced learning habits and self-knowledge. These higher level competencies

enable managers to understand how and when to utilise the knowledge and skills that they have acquired over time. These competencies are particularly critical for success at senior management level and are crucial to establishing personal credibility. The acquisition of meta-abilities is based in growth and personal development. The participant in the MBS in HR Strategies is therefore not embarking simply on an education programme but is also engaging in a management development process that is designed to enhance personal learning and development. The tools and techniques that are used during the programme enable participants to gain insights into and feedback on their own strengths and weaknesses in an environment that is removed from the political issues that predominate in their own work organisations. These tools include measures to explore learning styles, creativity and innovation, systems thinking, leadership profiles and team-working.

MBS in Human Resource Strategies at Dublin City University Business School

Developing The HR Strategist

Leadership Development
Leadership plays a central role in successful HRM. The LInK Learning, Innovation and Knowledge Research Centre at DCU is involved in ongoing research into management learning and development. One of the projects has focused on charting the impact of the MBS in HR Strategies on participants leadership capabilities. The research has shown statistically significant changes in leadership style over the course of the programme with participants demonstrating increased preference for developmental styles, in particular embracing the need for change, challenge, risk and excitement under conditions of freedom and scope for personal choice. These leadership competencies are crucial in organisations facing conditions of uncertainty and rapid change. This change process has proven to be very successful for managers completing the programme and has resulted in positive career moves and promotions.

Learning Climate within the Programme

In order to develop the range of competencies required to undertake HR roles, participants are exposed to a series of learning opportunities over the course of the programme that are based on an adult learning model that emphasises the importance of:
n Self-directed inquiry n A collaborative learning environment n A problem-centred approach n The use of experiential techniques

Thus, participants learn with others by sharing information and understanding; they focus on work-based problems and issues; they engage with work-based problems that require the understanding of, and taking action on, appropriate solutions. The lecturers involved in delivering the modules on the programme see themselves as tutors and facilitators of a learning process driven by the participants, and the course is process rather than information driven.

MBS in Human Resource Strategies at Dublin City University Business School

Programme Structure
Year One: Exploring Organisational Issues
The first year of the programme is devoted to exploring organisational issues from a number of contrasting perspectives and at a number of different levels. Analytical frameworks from diverse disciplines (law, government, economics, organisational psychology, human resource management, marketing, finance, ethics and research methodology) are utilised in this process. Issues are explored at the level of the individual, the level of the organisation and at a macro level. Thus, by the end of the first year, participants will have at their disposal a wide range of analytical and conceptual tools for the analysis and understanding of organisational problems.

in-depth knowledge of their subject areas underpinned by research and publications. They act as tutors and facilitators of a learning process driven by the participants themselves. Healthy Mind, Healthy Body We have linked up with DCU Sports Centre and DCU School of Health and Human Performance to provide a unique feature in our programme. We believe this will assist our students in achieving their desired work/life balance, not just during the MHRS programme but also into the future. DCU School of Health and Human Performance has an international reputation for its teaching and expertise. Faculty from this School, together with experts from the DCU Sports Centre, will deliver a seminar once during each semester on work/life balance, managing stress, nutrition and other relevant topics. Each student can also, if desired, avail of the DCU Sports Centre facilities for the duration of their programme. This is a state-of-the-art sports facility that includes a gym, swimming pool, sports arena and specialist classes. Students can opt to have a personal plan developed by DCU Sports Centre experts.

Year Two: Strategic Analysis

In second year, the programme moves to considering HR issues in the light of the new insights gained in year 1 and takes the analysis to a strategic level with courses on strategy, coaching and the capstone change management project.

Leading Faculty

The lecturers involved in the MBS in HR Strategies programme are drawn from both the lecturing staff of DCU Business School as well as business and industry. They blend their extensive experience of management education with

MBS in Human Resource Strategies at Dublin City University Business School

The Classroom Learning Experience

DCU Business School is committed to an active, interactive and participative learning experience that is facilitated by our Faculty. The MHRS programme seeks to engage participants in high level strategic analysis and to assist them in developing the personal attributes critical to leadership success. To this end, we believe that the classroom and wider learning experience must be inculcated by a spirit of inquiry, group learning, and active engagement and participation by all participants. We seek to maximise peer-to-peer learning. To achieve this learning, we believe that classes must comprise small numbers of students. We therefore limit classes to 25 students. We recognise that the DCU MHRS alumni community of business leaders is a valuable network for our MHRS students and we facilitate interaction between current and past students.

DCUs modern campus offers excellent student facilities, which include four restaurants, The Hub student centre, The Helix performing arts centre, a world-class sports complex, retail outlets and banking facilities. The entire DCU campus is wireless enabled.

Support Services
The MHRS is an intensive learning experience and a significant commitment for part-time students. During the two-year programme, students are supported by the Administrative Team in The Centre for Executive Programmes. This team is very experienced in dealing with the needs of managers who are working full-time and attending our programme on a part-time basis. They deliver a very high quality customer service. The team is led by the Head of Operations for the Centre and is specially trained in customer care. Academic direction is the responsibility of the academic teaching staff and the programme director.

Programme Delivery
Students attend the programme on a weekly basis (one day per week) when classes are delivered from 2pm to 8pm. Each semester runs for 12 weeks. Semester One each year is from September to December, while Semester Two is from February to April.

The DCU Environment

The DCU MHRS programme is delivered in the new purposebuilt executive education facility housed in DCU Business School. This facility has been customised to meet the needs of post experience students. It is bright and spacious, with classrooms that facilitate maximum participation and class interaction. Within DCU Business School, students have access to small study rooms for group assignments and for collaborative study; computer rooms; a coffee shop and restaurant; a large open space with a balcony that facilitates networking and social interaction; and full wireless Internet access. The award-winning John and Aileen OReilly Library is a modern study facility with private study space, collaborative study rooms, and an extensive collection of business books and journals. MHRS students have access to our extensive online library resources. These resources can be accessed off campus and allow for downloading of academic material and company information. This facility is very useful for executive part-time students and assists them to complete assignments and to study while off campus.

Getting to DCU
By car
DCUs location in Glasnevin, north Dublin, makes it very convenient to the M50 and the M1 motorways and to Dublin City Centre. There is a multi-storey car park on campus.

By bus

Buses that stop close to the campus include 3, 4, 11, 13, 16, 17A, 33 and 41.

By rail

Drumcondra Railway Station is close to DCU. The 17A bus links DCU with Howth Junction DART Station.

MHRS Candidates
The minimum entry requirements are:
n An honours degree or professional qualification n At least three years managerial/professional work

Fees
See www.dcu.ie/dcubs for current fees.

experience in the broad area of human resource management (including areas such as training and development, employee relations, etc.) or extensive experience in managing human resource issues.

Enquiries
We encourage you to contact us for further information or to visit us at DCU. If you would like an informal discussion on how the DCU MHRS programme might fit with your career, or if you need any further information about the programme, please contact: Bernadette McCulloch Head of Operations DCUBS Centre for Executive Programmes Telephone +353 (0) 1 700 8915 Email bernadette.mcculloch@dcu.ie

Applicants must be in a position to undertake and implement project-based assignments within their work organisations. Selection of applicants may include an interview.

Applications
To apply for the MBS in Human Resource Strategies visit the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC) at www.pac.ie to complete an online application. The PAC Code for the programme is DC503. See www.dcu.ie/dc503 for closing dates for application.

Having worked for 6 years in HR at the time of commencing the programme, it was great to see the full range of HR issues and challenges pulled together in a consistent way and set in the context of business strategy. Much of what had been observed in practice was borne out in theory. At the end, I felt as knowledgeable in HR as anyone I would encounter a great source of enhanced self-confidence. Michael Loughnane, Manager, Leadership & People Development, ESB