Year One

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management
Interim Award
The first year of the MA programme is divided into two semesters and each semester is devoted to the study of three key subjects in public management.

Semester One
- Economics
- Managing Human Resources
- Finance

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

Year Two

Semester One

Human Resource Strategy
This module will appeal to anyone interested in the theory and practice of human resource management from a strategic perspective. It explores a wide range of issues around the strategic development of human resources, including recruitment and selection, training and development, performance and competencies appraisal, industrial and employee relations, reward management, evolving organisational environment, and contemporary employment trends in the Irish context.

Managing People
The effective management of people – ensuring that they both enjoy their work and contribute to organisational success — is a central concern for all managers. This course considers, among other things, individual diversity, attitudes and behaviour, perceptions, values and ethics, managing motivation and rewards, leadership and group dynamics, inter-group effectiveness, stress and conflict management, and work-life balance.

Employment Law
There is a very significant body of legislation and case law governing employment. Managers should have a solid understanding of the central legal requirements that employers and employees must meet, including the contract of employment, individual protection, discrimination and harassment, health and safety, unfair and wrongful dismissal, redundancies, trade union legislation, arbitration and tribunals.

Semester Two
In the second semester of year two students write a dissertation on a particular human resource management issue. Students must successfully complete the taught courses before moving to the dissertation phase.