UTS course code: C04186
Testamur title: Master of Arts in Training and Human Resource Development
Abbreviation: MA
Course Coordinator: Dr Robert Pithers
Course fee: varies by subject¹
Total credit points: 48

Footnote:
1. Differential fees are charged for core subjects and elective subjects.

Overview
Course aims
Admission requirements
Advanced standing
Attendance
Course duration
Course program
Assessment
Articulation and progression
Other information

Overview

This course is offered by block and flexible delivery to students who are training professionals or human resource development (HRD) professionals. The course is appropriate for people who are managing and working in strategic positions or aspiring to higher level positions in adult education, training and human resources departments. This course is for people who wish to gain recognised qualifications in this area and to further develop their knowledge and competence in the theory and practice of HRD.

Course aims

The course aims to provide participants with an increased knowledge to make informed judgments on adult education and human resource development issues. The course content and teaching/learning practices aim for you to:

• develop expertise in understanding and managing adult learning and organisational learning
• acquire new and more advanced knowledge in designing, implementing and evaluating training programs for employees and organisations
• develop an understanding of the psychological, social, political and economic context of training and HRD
• expand and evaluate the personal capacity to be self directed in learning
• understand the emerging roles of HRD, in relation to your personal strengths and interests
• understand the relationship of adult education and training theory and organisational practices in order to implement training and to make career and organisational interventions that enhance organisational effectiveness, and
• acknowledge the multiple perspectives that individuals bring to any learning situation as a result of their work experience, gender, ethnicity, class and age.

Admission requirements

Undergraduate qualifications are required together with current workplace experience.

Advanced standing

Advanced standing for formal study is considered with appropriate documentation.

The Faculty of Education's Recognition of Prior Learning policy allows for the consideration of entry into a Master's program based on life and work experiences including non-degree qualifications. The criteria for judging equivalence are as follows:

1. successful completion of approved non-degree courses: for example, non-graduates who are deemed to be graduate equivalent cannot double count their non-degree qualification for exemption purposes
2. relevant work experience: this experience (at least one year) should be in a field of practice relevant to the focus of the Master's degree
3. evidence of written language competence that matches the academic writing requirements of the Master's degree
4. evidence of research skills that match the research requirements of the Master's degree.

If you have not undertaken any of the approved non-degree courses, then criteria 2, 3 and 4 have more weighting.

Attendance

The course is offered by block and flexible delivery mode, which includes:

• a two-day seminar for each core subject at or near the beginning of each semester
• use of computer-mediated learning to enable one-to-one communication for students and teachers
• provision of a distance learning study package for each subject which includes learning activities and readings communication for students and teachers
• study groups.

Course duration

The course comprises eight semester-long subjects structured for part-time study over a two-year period.

Course program

Autumn semester
013319 Educational and Organisational Leadership: Theory, Practice and Research 6cp
013368 The Psychology of Adult Development 6cp

Spring semester
013202 Human Resource Development in Organisations 6cp
013203 Developing People in Organisations 6cp

Assessment

Assessment is criterion-referenced. This means that you are assessed on whether you meet certain criteria, and graded Pass or Fail accordingly. All work is judged against the following criteria:

• clarity of argument
• depth of analysis and degree of synthesis
• organisation of ideas
• use of literature and other materials to support argument
• use of accepted referencing procedures.

Articulation and progression

Students who enrol in 013348 Research Perspectives and 013349 Research Design are eligible to apply for the Master of Education (Honours) or Doctoral programs in the Faculty.

Other information

A minimum cohort of 30 students is required for commencement.

For further information about this course, contact:

email hkma@hkma.org.hk