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Open University in Ireland

Human Rights & Development Management

This certificate will appeal to an international audience with an interest in human rights law and development in the context of business practices. It is designed to facilitate constructive and informed decision making, giving you a thorough grounding in all areas of corporate social responsibility in domestic to global contexts. You will develop the skills needed to help and encourage organisations to respect human rights, avoid harm to people and the environment, and maximise their positive contribution to sustainable development.

Key features of the course
• Builds your understanding of the complex processes labelled 'development', and how to manage those processes more effectively
• Offers a critical examination of the concepts of corporate responsibility and human rights
• Focuses on assessing and finding solutions to complex situations in fast-changing business and institutional environments
• Makes links between academic learning and professional practice, to the benefit of both..

This certificate is part of a progressive programme of courses that also includes the Postgraduate Certificate in Development Management (C48), Postgraduate Certificate in Conflict and Development (C67), Postgraduate Diploma in Development Management (D37) and MSc in Development Management (F11).

Learning outcomes, teaching and assessment
The learning outcomes of this qualification are described in four areas:
• Knowledge and understanding
• Cognitive skills
• Practical and professional skills
• Key skills

Entry requirements

You should normally hold a bachelors degree from a UK university (or equivalent), or have experience in this field. If you are a non-graduate we suggest that you contact us for advice before registering on your first module.

Your spoken and written English must be of an adequate standard for postgraduate study. If English is not your first language, we recommend that you will need a minimum overall score of 6 and minimum score of 5.5 in each of the four components: reading, writing, speaking and listening under the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please see the IELTS website for details.

Duration

Minimum - 6 months.

Most students study this qualification in one year, by studying the two six-month modules in succession. The minimum time to complete is six months (by studying two modules at the same time); we do not recommend this, but it might suit you if you have no other major time commitments during that period. There is no maximum time to complete but we cannot guarantee that the same selection of modules will continue to be available.

Number of credits

60 credits

Careers or further progression

Career relevance
In the past decade, the social expectations from business actors and the social engagement of these actors have changed dramatically. There is also evidence of an increased demand for those skills and expertise that could help business organisations fulfil their re-defined social role. This certificate provides invaluable professional expertise required for influencing the decision making processes related to business engagement in society. The modules making up this certificate combine to give a good overview of the complex issues raised by such an engagement and to allow practitioners to make a full contribution to organisational strategy formulation.

Careers and Employability Services have more information on how OU study can improve your employability.

Further enquiries

Tel: (01) 678 5399
Fax: (01) 678 5442
Email: ireland@open.ac.uk

Subjects taught

Modules
If you plan to study development management beyond this certificate, we recommend that you read the following qualification descriptions before choosing your first module:
• Postgraduate Diploma in Development Management (D37)
• MSc in Development Management (F11)

To gain this qualification, you need 60 credits as follows:
30 credits from this list:
Optional modules
Development: context and practice (T877)
Capacities for managing development (T878)

Or, subject to the rules about excluded combinations, the discontinued modules TU870, TU871, TUXX870, TUXX871

Plus
Compulsory module
Business, human rights law and corporate social responsibility (W822)

You should note that the University's unique study rule applies to this qualification. This means that you must include at least 20 credits from OU modules that have not been counted in any other OU qualification that has previously been awarded to you.

The modules quoted in this description are currently available for study. However, as we review the curriculum on a regular basis, the exact selection may change over time.

Comment

On completion
On successful completion of the required modules, you will be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Human Rights and Development Management entitling you to use the letters PG Cert HRDM (Open) after your name.

Recognition in your country
If you intend to use your Open University qualifications to seek work or undertake further study outside the UK, we recommend checking whether your intended qualification will meet local requirements for your chosen career. Read recognition in my country.

Credit transfer
For this qualification, we do not allow you to count credit for study you have already done elsewhere.