Leadership & Strategy

The MA – Leadership and Strategy is a two-year, part-time programme that explores the theory and practice of effective leadership and strategy formulation. Both public and private sector organisations need leaders with expertise in the HR, strategic and financial components of organisational life. This programme sees students undertake a dissertation in the leadership and strategy field, a dissertation that may well take an aspect of their professional life as its starting point.

Is This Programme For You?
This programme has wide appeal, but it is particularly relevant to those whose professional life involves making and executing decisions. In addition to their study of core economic, financial and HR subjects, students will undertake supervised research on a leadership or strategy issue.

Year One
The first year of the programme is divided into two semesters,
and each semester is devoted to the study of three subjects:

Semester One
- Economics
- Managing Human Resources
- Finance

Semester Two
- Organisation and Strategy
- Research Methods
- Managing Service Delivery/ Managing in Europe

Year Two
Semester One
Leadership in Context
Leadership does not occur in a vacuum; it is influenced by the dominant ideas and developments of the age. This module places leadership in several contexts: social, organisational, psychological, economic, political, and philosophical.

Strategic Management and Analysis
Formulating and implementing a strategy is a central management responsibility. This course explores the core theories, principles and practices that researchers and practitioners have developed to explain managerial behaviour and decisions and organisational performance. Topics addressed include external environment analysis, stakeholders, and the management of innovation.

Leadership & Strategy Implementation
Among the topics explored in this module are leadership and the decision process, public and private sector leadership, implementing strategy in a global context, social responsibility, and the effective management of organisational change.

Semester Two
In the second semester of year two, students write a dissertation on a specific leadership and strategy topic. Students must successfully complete the taught courses before moving to the dissertation phase.

Admission Requirements
Applicants for Postgraduate Diplomas, Postgraduate Certificates, MA, MEconSc and MSc programmes must have a primary degree or equivalent qualification.

How to Apply
By Email (preferred method)
Please download and complete the application form on
www.ipa.ie and email it, along with the items listed below, to postgrad@ipa.ie

By Post
Alternatively, you can complete the application form at the end of this prospectus and, including the items listed below, return it by post.

What to Include (email or post)
Students must include the following with their application:
• Their full name (this is the name that will appear on any
• future award parchments).
• A copy of their degree or relevant qualification
• One passport-type photograph
• The semester fee

or
• A letter from their employer confirming that fees will be paid directly to the IPA

Places on the programmes are limited and demand for places is likely to exceed the number available. Consequently, you are strongly advised to apply as early as possible.

Doctorate In Governance Applications
In addition to the application form, applicants should
also provide:
• A copy of their CV
• Copies of degree certificates
• A covering letter detailing their reasons for applying
• Two references (one academic, one professional), which
• must be sent in sealed envelopes, signed on the back by
• the referee
• A letter confirming that the course fees will be paid by the
• student or a third party, e.g. the applicant's employer.

Two academic years.

Delivery Method
In the first year of the programme, students attend seminars/webinars on three weekends in each semester. In the second year, they attend three seminars/webinars in the first semester and then, in the second, prepare, under expert supervision, a minor dissertation. They are supported in their studies by a range of resources, including bespoke course material and module textbooks.

Progression
Students may enter the first year of the MA (Postgraduate Diploma) in September or January. Those who enter in September can, on successful completion of the academic year, proceed to the second year. Those who enter in January can finish within the calendar year and proceed to the second year the following September.