MA Equality and Diversity Management

Summary 2012/13

• Extend your practical and critical skills in professional equality and diversity on this flexible, innovative programme;
• Engage critically with equality and diversity management as a means of augmenting your generic management practice;
• Learn from a teaching team with a unique combination of hands-on experience and conceptual and theoretical skills in the area of equality and diversity.

Please note, this programme is suspended for September 2012 entry.

This programme addresses the theory and practice of equality and diversity management. It adopts a dual focus on participation and engagement and the use of evidence in decision making, covering:

• Legal and policy developments that are shaping equality and diversity practice;
• The development of a strategic approach to mainstreaming;
• Different kinds of organisation and management approaches;
• Skills and tools for management and leadership;
• The development of community / public engagement practice.

The programme will develop your capacity to view these themes critically in an interdisciplinary environment.

2012 Entry Requirements

You will need either a bachelor degree or postgraduate qualification. Alternatively, you may be able to provide evidence of experience and/or prior learning through which you can demonstrate the ability to write an extended piece of work clearly and apply reflective thinking.

Summary 2013/14

• Extend your practical and critical skills in professional equality and diversity on this flexible, innovative programme;
• Engage critically with equality and diversity management as a means of augmenting your generic management practice;
• Learn from a teaching team with a unique combination of hands-on experience and conceptual and theoretical skills in the area of equality and diversity.

Please note, this programme is suspended for September 2012 entry.

This programme addresses the theory and practice of equality and diversity management. It adopts a dual focus on participation and engagement and the use of evidence in decision making, covering:

• Legal and policy developments that are shaping equality and diversity practice;
• The development of a strategic approach to mainstreaming;
• Different kinds of organisation and management approaches;
• Skills and tools for management and leadership;
• The development of community / public engagement practice.

The programme will develop your capacity to view these themes critically in an interdisciplinary environment.

2013 Entry Requirements

You will need either a bachelor degree or postgraduate qualification. Alternatively, you may be able to provide evidence of experience and/or prior learning through which you can demonstrate the ability to write an extended piece of work clearly and apply reflective thinking.

Details

Who is this course for?

The programme has been designed for public sector professionals, those working in larger voluntary and private sector organisations and in related professions; for example, commissioners and private sector providers.

The course provides theoretical and critical reviews of current management thinking, balanced with an environment for improving management practice and performance in the context of constant political and social change.

What will I gain from this programme?

The courses are for professionals who want to:

• Develop an in-depth and critical understanding of equality and diversity policy and practice through the understanding and application of relevant theoretical approaches;
• Engage critically with equality and diversity management as a means of augmenting their generic management practice;
• Develop core skills and knowledge in equality and diversity policy and practice;
• Engage in professional development and potentially enhance promotion prospects;
• Develop their personal and professional competencies.

How we will support you

You will be encouraged and supported to develop the necessary skills to become an independent, self-directed and reflective learner. Additionally, you will be assigned a personal tutor who will be a member of the programme team and who will provide guidance, advice and support and a link to the University systems and support structures.

What will I study?

The Postgraduate Certificate offers four modules which explore different dimensions of equality and diversity management. You will be given the opportunity to explore contemporary themes in equality and diversity; the relationship between equality politics, law and management frameworks; conflicting priorities between equality strands; a critical approach both to producing evidence to support policy making and to its use in developing high quality policy as well as decision making and the development of effective stakeholder engagement strategies.

If you decide to progress to the Postgraduate Diploma you will learn about different research methods and be given the opportunity to critically examine a specific organisation in detail.

Progression to the Masters Degree will see you writing a dissertation on a suitable topic that interests you and relates to your management studies.

How will I study?

The programme is delivered via day schools and online learning, discussion and support. These day schools will provide you with stimulation through presentations, seminars and workshops that will engage with the topics and develop your understanding. At the end of each of the days there will be the opportunity of either a question and answer session or tutorial support.

In addition to the day schools there will also be face-to face and online tutoring and online learning sets where you will be able to work, discuss and exchange ideas. For each of the modules there is an online study pack that provides an introduction to the topic with learning exercises and associated reading. These will be provided online through the University.

You will be required to either attend an induction day or induction with a personal tutor where you will be registered for the programme and the individual modules, learn about the programme and be introduced to the various facilities that will be available to you.

Who will be teaching me?

The modules will be led by staff from Edge Hill Business School who possess considerable expertise in conducting research, working with equality and diversity, and teaching to Masters Degree level. Additional teaching contributions will be made by other staff from CLPS, who will share their expertise through presentations, and by visiting lecturers who will bring a range of applied knowledge to the programme.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment is based on coursework. There is a wide variety of assessments associated with the programme. These include essays, the writing of a reflective journal, production of an audit or impact assessment for the agency you work for, writing of a policy paper, production of a portfolio and the writing of a dissertation.

What are my career prospects?

This programme is designed to meet the continuing professional development needs of professionals and managers in the public, voluntary and private sectors who are responsible for delivering services and developing policy to meet the needs of diverse communities. It will be of interest to those seeking to work in the management of services and for those wishing to pursue a career in equality and diversity management.

Related Programmes

MA Voluntary and Third Sector Management

A Great Study Environment

Edge Hill University’s stunning £8m Business and Law building provides state-of-the-art teaching and learning facilities for students in the Business School and Department of Law and Criminology. The three-storey building offers modern seminar and meeting rooms and social learning areas which encourage a more informal and interactive style of learning. A roof garden and atrium are other attractive features along with a 100-seater lecture theatre.

Based in 160 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, the Ormskirk Campus is a unique and inspirational place to study. Industry standard resources and cutting edge technology combine to make an interactive and highly advanced teaching and learning environment. Everything you could want is on one site with fantastic modern spaces in which you can study and socialise and 25 acres of sport and leisure facilities.

The University library gives you access to thousands of books, journals, online resources and extensive PC and media provision. You'll get all the support you need to succeed, reflected in Edge Hill University being ranked in the top two in England for students' personal development, and the top three in the country for assessment and feedback, in the 2011 National Student Survey. The University is also featured in the top four in England for graduate employment.

How do I apply?

Apply online at www.ukpass.ac.uk.

Visit www.edgehill.ac.uk/applyukpass for more information on the application process.

Fees and Finance

Academic Year 2011/12

Tuition fees are £460 per 20 credit module for UK and EU students in academic year 2011/12. 180 credits are required to complete the MA.

Edge Hill graduates joining an eligible postgraduate programme at the University in academic year 2011/12 could benefit from a 20% reduction in tuition fees. If you're a UK or EU student and will be paying the fees yourself, you might be eligible to receive this discount. See www.edgehill.ac.uk/reducedfees for more information.

Academic Year 2012/13

Part-time postgraduate students in academic year 2012/13 will pay £250 per 10 credit module, £500 per 20 credit module and £1,500 per 60 credit module. 180 credits are required to complete the MA. Information for UK and EU students only.

Edge Hill graduates joining an eligible postgraduate programme at the University in academic year 2012/13 could benefit from a 20% reduction in tuition fees. If you're a UK or EU student and will be paying the fees yourself, you might be eligible to receive this discount. See www.edgehill.ac.uk/reducedfees for more information.

Not got the entry requirements?

If you do not have a degree, postgraduate qualification or any evidence of experience and/or prior learning you will need to demonstrate an understanding of, and engagement with, equality and diversity. You will also need to demonstrate the ability to write an extended piece of work set by the programme team which shows your ability to think reflectively.

Where can I find out more?

If you would like any further information about the MA in Equality and Diversity Management then please contact:

• Dr Julian Clarke, Programme Leader, Edge Hill Business School, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire L39 4QP
• Tel: 01695 584613
• Email: clarkej@edgehill.ac.uk

Or

• Carole Brocken, Administrator
• Edge Hill Business School, Edge Hill University, St Helens Road, Ormskirk, Lancashire L39 4QP
• Tel: 01695 657290
• Email: brockenc@edgehill.ac.uk

Modules

Most of the following modules are new professional management development modules. They have been written especially for equality and diversity professionals.

Managing Equality and Diversity in the Public Sector. Public sector diversity and equality management is at critical point. There has been considerable change (and some progress) since the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry, but the future is uncertain. This module will examine the current state of equality and diversity management and reflect critically on key issues, particularly the changes in the relationship between the law and different management frameworks and the implications for public service organisations

Engagement, Challenge and Stakeholder Involvement. Local control, knowledge of community and engagement are all on current political agenda. This module will examine the challenges for organisations in responding to, and generating meaningful and effective engagement by, customers and service users.

Evidence Based Processes for Equality Management. The recent thrust of equality and diversity management is towards developing policy and practice on the basis of evidence. This module explores both the theoretical and practical problems of pursuing evidence-based processes including equality impact assessment, self-assessment, monitoring, satisfaction surveys and performance indicators.

Equality and Diversity – Evidence, Theory and Policy. The relationship between evidence and policy making is not straightforward. The course confronts the strategic challenge of deciding how to produce evidence and then turning that evidence into high quality policy and decision making.

Research Methods will provide you with the research knowledge and skills to complete a postgraduate diploma or to develop a proposal for, and undertake, a research-based dissertation at Masters level. It will also support and enhance your understanding of research methods that can be applied in the context of evidence-based policy and in community engagement strategies.

Work Based Learning provides the opportunity to explore critically and in detail the management practice in a specific organisation. You will face the challenge of analysing your organisation and applying knowledge to reflect on organisational achievement, change, policies and practice.

Dissertation. If you enrol on the Masters programme you will be given the opportunity to undertake independent research in a relevant area of your choice (subject to approval of the programme team). The module will allow you to draw on and synthesise the skills and knowledge you have acquired on the other modules in a way that will demonstrate your effectiveness as an independent learner and researcher and disseminate this to different audiences.