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University College Cork

Project Management

The MSc in Project Management, delivered in conjunction with Velopi, provides candidates with both internationally-recognised academic and professional accreditation in project management. The modules equip participants with a broad perspective of project and programme management including technical, managerial and business dynamics. The programme is supported by academic and expert-practitioners who deliver a curriculum that is relevant, current and research-informed. Using interactive seminar and workshop formats, participants engage in case studies, group and individual exercises in order to develop their decision-making and problem-solving skills. This ensures that project management is understood in its organisational context by emphasising strategic alignment and the management of resources.

On successful completion of the MSc programme, students should be able to:
1.Demonstrate advanced analytical and problem solving skills associated with effective project management practice.
2.Apply practical tools, techniques and conceptual models in order to maximise the value of the project management process.
3.Critically appraise how projects contribute to an organisations ability to realize its strategic goals and business benefits.
4.Appreciate the use of management and leadership skills in the conduct of projects of various size, scope, and complexity.
5.Critically appraise current issues, trends and challenges in Project Management theory and practice.
6.Prepare a viable research proposal for further research.
7.Differentiate between academic and applied research.
8.Evaluate the scholarly literature on project management theory and practice.
9.Plan and implement a research design framework that addresses a current research problem.

Entry requirements

Applications are invited from experienced managers and professionals with:
A NFQ Level 8 qualification in any discipline (Honours Degree or Higher Diploma) or an appropriate professional qualification. AND
At least 2 years significant professional experience/responsibility in a related field such as engineering, construction, software development and operations. Candidates without an NQF Level 8 award are eligible to apply if s/he holds significant senior professional responsibility/experience in a related field such as engineering, construction, software development and operations.

Applications will also be considered from graduates with a NFQ level 8 qualification in any discipline who do not meet the professional experience requirement. In these instances, the teaching team will arrange suitable workplace access for students to complete assignments. Please note that such candidates will not be required to sit the PMP examinations. A Selection Committee may seek to interview applicants to determine if they meet the professional criterion.

English Language Requirement: All applicants whose first language is not English should have attained IELTS Level 6.5 or the equivalent TOEFL score with no individual section lower than 6.0

Duration

24 months part-time
Classes are scheduled on Fridays (2-6pm) and Saturdays (10am-2pm) from September to June each year. Full day (9am-6pm) workshops will also be scheduled on occasional Fridays (on average every 6-8 weeks). For the thesis module in year 2 part 2, students will also attend 24hrs of seminars and online tutorials, as well as an additional 8hrs of thesis supervision with a dedicated supervisor.

Further enquiries

Programme Academic Director:
Dr. David McKevitt
School of Management and Marketing
2.69 O' Rahilly Building
University College Cork
E: dmckevitt@ucc.ie
T: 021-4902940

Course Co-ordinator:
Katie Nolan
ACE
The Laurels
Western Road
Cork
E: katie.nolan@ucc.ie
T: 021-4904700

Subjects taught

Students will complete 90 credits as follows:

Note 1: Students who successfully complete year 1 may opt to exit the programme with a Postgraduate Certificate in Project Management.

Note 2: Students who successfully complete year 1 and year 2 part 1 may opt to exit the programme with a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management

Year 1 Modules:
◾MG6810: Project Management (10 credits)
The five project management process groups:
i. Initiating
ii. Planning
iii. Executing
iv. Monitoring
v. Closing.
◾MG6811: Strategy, Leadership and Change (10 credits)
- Contemporary issues and debates in leadership studies
- The relationship between leadership and effective change strategies and processes.
◾MG6812: Innovative Problem Solving and Decision Making (10 credits)
- Problem solving cycle
- Decision making
- Ethics in decision making
- Evaluating decision outcomes
- Fostering innovation
- Tools and techniques for innovation.

Year 2 Modules:
◾MG6813: Current Issues in Project Management (10 credits)
To distinguish between properly managed projects and successful projects; the merits of technological support for project management; project management extrapolated to the organisational context; cultural diversity in virtual teams; the recovery of trouble projects.
◾MG6814: Realising Strategy Through Programme Management (5 credits)
- Program Management lifecycle
- Relationship between strategy and programme management
- Benefits management
- Governance and stakeholders.
◾MG6815: Management and Organisation (5 credits)
- Organisational design
- Organisational transformation
- Institutions, power, conflict and politics
- Contemporary career theories.
◾MG6816: Research Methods (5 credits)
- Usefulness of theory
- Quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods research
- Research proposals
- Research design, methods and analysis.
◾MG6817: Project Bootcamp (PMP Certification) (5 credits)
To apply successfully to sit the PMP exam; become familiar with the knowledge areas of the Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge; recognise the different types of PMP question; obtain the PMP credential.
◾MG6818: Project Management Dissertation (30 credits)
Students are required to complete and submit a 12,000 - 15,000 word dissertation related to project management, utilising principles and analytical techniques learned during the programme's taught modules.

Comment

Unique Aspects of the Course
The MSc in Project Management programme is unique to the marketplace. It combines university-level modules on Project Management, in addition to preparing candidates for PMP® professional accreditation. Students will be exposed to cutting edge research, critical thinking and toolsets. This Masters is designed to provide candidates with a unique mix of technical and people focused project management knowledge, skills and abilities. The course provides learners with a balance of technical, managerial and interpersonal skills that maximises the impact of project managers in private, public and non-for-profit organisations.

Assessment method

This programme is assessed through a variety of continuous assessment methods including individual and group projects, presentations, etc. Students must also complete a minor thesis of circa 15,000 words.

Application date

How Do I Apply?
Adult Continuing Education now welcomes online applications for ACE programmes from Certificate to Masters level. Students can register and pay online quickly and securely by simply clicking the apply now button within course description, and filling out the online application form. Once you are registered on UCC360 you can apply for additional courses without needing to register each time.

ACE also welcomes applications by post and an application form can be downloaded and printed from within each course description (on web).