Institute of Public Administration - IPA

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.

Entry requirements

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

Duration

Two academic years.

Delivery Method
A blend of distance learning and weekend seminars at the IPA campus in Dublin.

Careers or further progression

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.

Further enquiries

Tel: +353 1 240 3600
Email: postgrad@ipa.ie

Subjects taught

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.

Comment

Accreditation: National University of Ireland
Place on NFQ: Level 9 (Major Award).
Award: Master of Arts
Interim Award: Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management

Assessment method

Students are assessed on the basis of assignment, examinations, and a minor dissertation.

Application date

Apply Online from August 2020, students can apply online at www.ipa.ie.

Apply by Post
Please complete the application form and return it to the IPA, together with:

• One copy of your degree or relevant qualification
• One passport-type photograph
• The semester fee
or
• A letter from your 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.

Course fee

The cost of the programme is €5,000 per annum (includes all matriculation and examination fees, all seminars, textbooks and course material), payable in two instalments.

Enrolment and start dates

Commences: September 2020.

Application Weblink

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