Organizational Psychology

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This course focuses on the psychological aspects of organizational functioning. Many students on the course are already working in HR or management and wish to advance their career with an academic qualification. Others are looking to make a career change, or simply want to understand organizations better. This course gives you the opportunity to gain professional recognition and progress your career in the direction you choose.

The course uses current and classic theory and research to enable you to understand organizations, and to develop ways of improving them. Such improvements come in many forms: from selecting, training and motivating people, to maintaining and enhancing their well-being.

Fully supported online learning

You're assigned a personal tutor, so support from academics is just an email away. You take part in online tutor-supported seminars, and an online facility for submitting essays and mock exams for assessment is provided. Workshops are held once a year in London and Hong Kong, and a student cafe for interaction and networking with other students is available as a virtual forum.

Prestige

The course has been developed by academics within the Department of Organizational Psychology at Birkbeck, the oldest and largest department of its kind in the UK. It is a major provider of academic and professional training in organiztional psychology and career management.

Career opportunities

Graduates of this course go on to become trainers, motivators, careers advisers, managers and consultants within large multinational companies, government departments, or in any organization where advanced knowledge of organizational psychology may be useful.

Continuing Professional Development

Single modules are an ideal option if you're keen to update your professional knowledge, enhance your career or sample the programme. If you meet all the necessary entrance requirements you may later apply to register for the MSc and gain credits for the modules you have already passed.

Programme Structure

MSc: 10 modules (2 compulsory core modules plus 8 further modules)

Compulsory core modules

* Organizational analysis [6000010]
* Organizational research [6000010]

Further modules

* Selection and assessment [6000100]
* Organizational change [6000110]
* Life career development [6000120]
* Career counselling theory and practice [6000130]
* Work and well-being [6000140]
* Motivation and performance at work [6000150]
* Training and development [6000160]
* New technology at work [6000170]
* Dissertation [6000500] (MSc only, equivalent to two modules)
* [previously known as 'Research project']

Notes:

· Selection of the 'Dissertation' is subject to the approval of the Programme Director.
· Not all modules will necessarily be available in every year.
· With the exception of 'Organizational analysis', 'Organizational research' and the 'Dissertation', all modules can be taken as Short courses. You can register for up to three modules at any one time. The anticipated number of study hours per module is 150 hours.

How you study

When you register we will send you an individual study pack containing a range of specially written materials to help you plan your studies and prepare for examinations including:

* a course handbook
* a subject guide for each module studied
* a resource pack for each module studied
* textbooks for certain modules
* past examination papers
* CD-ROM based learning materials
* details of how to access the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

In subsequent years of your registration you will receive updated handbooks, subject guides, resource packs, examination papers and/or reports and textbooks for any additional modules you begin studying, and any revisions to the subject guides and resource packs that you have previously received. If necessary, you may also receive updates to the learning environment on CD-ROM.

The Virtual Learning Environment provides an opportunity, through the Internet, for students to interact through tutor-supported computer conferencing. Using the conferencing system you will discuss topics in tutored groups of normally 12 to 15 students. Computer conferencing for each module takes place at specific times of the year. The VLE also provides access to the entire package of learning materials for each module including:

* reflective questions
* formative exercises
* online tutorial activities
* sample examination questions
* access to an appropriate range of online resources

The programme for External students is self-taught using the study materials provided. These are fully comprehensive: with the exception of the Research project, students are not required to purchase or obtain any other materials. All of the necessary reading material to obtain the MSc or Diploma is supplied.

Students are also able to receive support through academic staff, who mark and give feedback on essay questions and mock examination questions between 1 March and 30 August each year. Although these essays are not compulsory and the marks obtained do not contribute to the overall assessment, students often find it helpful to receive academic feedback on their work to ensure that they are reaching the standard required for the Diploma or MSc. In addition, writing essays can be a useful aid in preparing for examinations.

Assessment

Each module (with the exception of Organizational analysis, Organizational research and the Research project) is examined by a one-hour unseen written paper. You do not have to come to London to take your examinations. Examinations are held once a year, usually in October, in local overseas centres around the world as well as in London. Examinations overseas are arranged mainly through Ministries of Education or the British Council. You will be charged a fee by your local examination centre (this fee will vary).

If you fail an examination at the first sitting you will be allowed one further attempt, after which your registration will cease.

Organizational analysis and Organizational research are assessed jointly by a 6,000 word Research proposal. These two modules are not available to Occasional students. The Research project is assessed by a 10,000 word scientific report. The Research project is available to MSc students only.

AcademicA good honours degree or equivalent, in any subject, from an institution acceptable to the University.English languageA high level of English language ability in reading, writing and study skills. The University reserves the right to request that you take a test of English proficiency acceptable to the University before offering you a place on the programme.OtherTo be admitted for this course you will also need to have a computer with access to the Internet*. The minimum specification is a 133Mhz, Pentium PC (266 Mhz recommended) or equivalent running Windows 95 or later, with 32Mb RAM and a screen resolution 800x600 colour or higher with a CD-ROM Drive and Sound Card and Speakers (or G3 Macs and later running at least Mac OS 7.0). The computer should have at least 1Gb of free hard disk space.You will also need the following software: * Internet Explorer version 5.5 or above, JavaScript and cookie enabled (Mac users will need the latest version of Internet Explorer) * Adobe Acrobat Reader 5 or above * QuickTime 6.0 or above * Flash plug in * Anti-virus software * A word processor and spreadsheet such as MS Word 97 and MS Excel 97 or above are also required. * Please ensure that the computer you intend to use when accessing the VLE can accept cookies (students using a corporate or other network should check with their network administrator). Students who wish to use the VLE's offline capability must be able to install software on their computer.Students are required to have access to a laserjet printer that can print a minimum of six pages per minute. Short courses Students applying for Short courses should satisfy the entrance requirements for the Postgraduate Diploma or MSc. However, if you do not hold such qualifications, the University may still consider your application but will require evidence of your ability to undertake advanced study.