Expand+Application Deadline mid-September 2017

How Do I Apply?

Applications for this course are accepted through our online application centre. To apply for the degree, you will need to:

◾Satisfy the entry requirements for the programme
a...

Hide-Application Deadline mid-September 2017

How Do I Apply?

Applications for this course are accepted through our online application centre. To apply for the degree, you will need to:

◾Satisfy the entry requirements for the programme
◾Provide a range of documents to support your application
◾Submit a personal statement explaining why you want to apply

What Supporting Documents Will I Need?

You will need to provide us with a range of documents as part of your application. These are:

◾Proof of identity. Common examples included scanned copies of a driving license or passport (for international applicants).

◾Employment Validation: Formal confirmation that you are working for more than 10 hours a week in a qualifying service is required. Please use the employer validation form we have provided for download below.

◾Educational Transcripts: These are copies of previous educational achievements that confirm you satisfy the course entry requirements. They could, for example, include a copy of your leaving certificate or a scan of a level 5 certificate. It is particularly important that applicants wishing to transfer from another course, or be considered for Advanced Entry, provide transcripts confirming they have completed a Level 6/7 course worth at least 60 credits (NFQ) or more in Social Care or Social Studies within the last 10 years.

◾Personal Statement: This document essentially explains why you want to take the course and how you see it helping you achieve your professional and personal goals. You can learn more about it below and download a simple document that will help you write it.

◾International Applicants: International applicants are required to provide documentary evidence of proficiency in English and eligibility to study in Ireland before beginning an accredited course. A document explaining why it is necessary and what documents are required for a successful application can be found below.

What is a Personal Statement and Why is it Important?

A personal statement briefly describes:

◾Who you are

◾What you do

◾What you hope to achieve in your career on both a personal and professional level

◾How you think the course will help you achieve your goals

Personal statements are particularly important for us when assessing individual applications. We believe in selecting students not just based on their previous academic achievements but on how a particular educational programme can help them achieve their personal and professional goals. Personal statements help us understand why you want to take the course and if it is the right one for you.

Expand+Applicants need to have successfully completed the Open Training College Higher Certificate in Applied Management OR currently hold at least a Level 6 cognate* management qualification of 120 credits (NFQ) or more within the last 10 years.

Applica...

Hide-Applicants need to have successfully completed the Open Training College Higher Certificate in Applied Management OR currently hold at least a Level 6 cognate* management qualification of 120 credits (NFQ) or more within the last 10 years.

Applicants are expected to be currently working in human services, community or not for profit sector and be able to apply their learning to a work setting.

Applicants wishing to transfer from another course will need to meet certain criteria. Click here to determine if you are eligible to transfer.

International applicants must provide appropriate documentary evidence of proficiency in English (e.g. IELTS 6.0).

Expand+The BA in Applied Management (NonProfit/Human Services) is a QQI accredited (Level 7) 3-year degree programme created by, and for people working in the human services and non-profit sector. It provides participants with the knowledge and skills requi...

Hide-The BA in Applied Management (NonProfit/Human Services) is a QQI accredited (Level 7) 3-year degree programme created by, and for people working in the human services and non-profit sector. It provides participants with the knowledge and skills required to manage for the good of:

◾Services users
◾The organisation, and
◾People who work with it

In so doing, they become advocates for change and key influence makers capable of initiating, leading and delivering change that will result in empowerment and improved, quality service provision.

Key Features

Sector-Specific
The course is exclusively aimed at people working in human services and non-profit organisations. It was put together by people with extensive first-line experience who fully understand the sector and the problems that come with attempting to balance work, life and learning when you work in it.

Student-Centred
The course is designed to accommodate the pressures and responsibilities that you face. Its mixture of workshops, tutorials and online learning will allow you balance you work, life and college commitments. Remember: our active learning community (made up of students, tutors and learning support staff) is always there to support you as you learn.

The B.A. in Applied Management is a level 7 Award on the National Framework of Qualifications (60 credits). The programme is accredited by QQI.

Relevant
We work in partnership with over 120 organisations from the human services and non-profit sector. Together we ensure that the B.A in Applied Management always reflects the:

◾Current regulatory and public policy environment
◾Challenges driving the sector, and
◾Contemporary best practices for managing them

Practical
It is an applied programme addressing real world challenges. The course materials deal with management issues specific to human services and the nonprofit sector. That makes it much easier to apply what you learn. Similarly, our assignments tackle issues that you are likely to face in the workplace. While undertaking them you will have access to our expert tutors and a community of people who are almost certainly trying to deal with the same issues. As such, successfully completing the course will provide you with a unique opportunity to address real world challenges and improve the quality of service your organisation delivers.

Course Overview

The course is based on:

◾Our expertise in contemporary management principles and practices in the human services and non-profit sector
◾Ongoing feedback from course participants
◾Input from employers, professional bodies and regulatory authorities on staff training requirements

This is reflected in the choice of learning objectives, course contents and the approach that have developed to deliver the course.

Learning Objectives

After successfully completing the course you should:

◾Describe how leadership and the role of the leader is understood in contemporary management

◾Appreciate the importance of leadership skills in managing change within an organisation

◾Use a range of leadership and change management models and tools in your organisation

◾Understand the role, function and importance of the human resources function in the human services and non-profit sector

◾Explored the legal context of Irish HRM operations

◾Examined how the HRM function’s role in determining and delivering staff upskilling in a diverse organisation

◾Explain what ‘critical thinking’, emotional intelligence and action learning are’ and outline their uses in the sector

◾Apply these principles, processes and practices to improve your management capabilities and benefit your organisation, team and service users

◾Understand how organisational objectives and the wider organisational environment determine how you work as a supervisor or first line manager

◾Appreciate the role organisational structure and culture play in: ◾Normal day-to-day operations

◾Defining relationships between co-workers

◾Determining the quality of service

◾Understand empowerment as an organisational concept, objective, challenge and resource

◾Understand the financial management requirements, challenges and issues animating the operation of organisations in he human services and non-profit sector

Studying with the Open Training College

We Are A Learning Community

The course uses a ‘blended’ approach. Each module combines online learning, tutorials (telephone, online, virtual) and face to face workshops. Learning materials are explicitly designed to accommodate the pressures that come with trying to balance work, life and learning. They make it possible to build study time around your work schedule.

Regular online tutorials will expand your knowledge of the topic and answer any questions you have as you study. Each one-day seminar focuses on how the module topic is impacting the sector, will deepen your understanding of the subject matter and help you apply it in your working practice.

Underpinning all of this is our learning community. This is made up of tutors who have extensive first-line experience, learning support staff who understand the human challenges people can face when attending college and our students who are defined by their commitment to supporting each other. We believe this creates a learning experience that is unique to the Open Training College, one that meets the specific requirements of people working in our sector and improves the quality of service our users receive.

This is known as the Supported Open Learning Model.

Expand+Year 1: Certificate in Applied Management

First year provides a grounding in general management theory and practice and how it applies to the human services and non-profit sector. You will also also have the opportunity to acquire and develop the ...

Hide-Year 1: Certificate in Applied Management

First year provides a grounding in general management theory and practice and how it applies to the human services and non-profit sector. You will also also have the opportunity to acquire and develop the core skills required to effectively perform a first line management role. During it you will:

◾Examine the principles and practices of first line management

◾Explore Person Centred Human Services as a management issue

◾Begin developing practical management skills including: communication skills, team building, conflict management and motivation

◾Be introduced to the legislative and policy environment in which human service and non-profits operate

◾Start looking at the financial management of sector-specific organisations

Modules
◾Principles of First Line Management
◾Professional Development & Ethics
◾Key Management Skills – Teamwork, Leadership & Communications
◾An Introduction to Employment Law
◾An Introduction to Not for Profit Finance & Economics
◾Managing Service Quality

Year 2: Higher Certificate in Applied Management (Nonprofit/Human Services)

During the second year you will develop your practical skills and competencies while exploring in greater detail, the fundamental management issues driving the sector. You will:

◾Learn to lead a human services or non-profit team

◾Explore change and empowerment as management issues

◾Examine Human Resource Management (HRM) and the legislative, operational and organisational context in which it operates in a human services and non-profit organisation

◾Develop advanced management competencies including: engaging in ‘critical thinking’, developing ‘emotional intelligence’ and utilising ‘action learning’

◾Investigate how organisational factors determine your ability to perform your management role

◾Examine in greater detail the financial management requirements, challenges and issues animating the operation of organisations in he human services and non-profit sector

Modules
◾Managing the Organisational Culture & Objectives
◾Resource & Financial Management
◾Creative Problem Solving & Action Learning
◾Human Resource Management
◾Leadership & Change Management

Year 3: B.A. (Ordinary) in Applied Management (Nonprofit/Human Services)

The final year provides the opportunity to enhance your research, analytic and advanced management skills to become an effective leader, one capable of achieving measurable change leading to improved quality of service provision. You will learn to:

◾Understand the political and legislative context in which human services & non-profit organisations operate

◾Critically analyse the current state of your organisation and map out potential futures for your organisation

◾Understand and resolve conflict within your organisation

◾Undertake project management to achieve change that tangibly improves the quality of service your organisation delivers

◾Design, deliver and oversee an individualised service informed by best practice and committed to quality

Modules
◾Project Management
◾Social Policy & Administration
◾Conflict Resolution & Mediation
◾Leading within the Learning Organisation
◾Managing the Individualised Service