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Applications are open for the innovative new UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School MSc in Management Online programme.
“The new programme offers students all the benefits of a comprehensive management education without putting their career on hold thanks to its highly flexible online delivery mode, and innovative curriculum and materials,” says assistant professor Dr Tedi Skiti.
“It is particularly suited to professionals in demanding careers and those with caring responsibilities for whom time flexibility is important. It is also suited to people based outside of Dublin who want to study at UCD.
“Time and geography are no longer obstacles: people can avail of a UCD Smurfit programme at a time and place suitable for them. By offering this flexibility, we enable our students to connect in new ways that better suit their preferences and professional commitments.”
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The programme is primarily aimed at non-business graduates who are seeking to move into management positions. “Based on what we have seen from the in-person programme, it will interest people in a range of sectors including healthcare, manufacturing industry, technology, and the public sector,” says Dr Skiti.
There will be lots of asynchronous content for students to access in their own time as well, but programme content will be mostly synchronous
While programme delivery is entirely online, the course will commence in September with an on-campus orientation week to introduce students to each other, the programme team, the online learning environment and the digital tools they will use. The orientation will be streamed online for those unable to attend in person.
A strong emphasis is placed on replicating the in-person learning experience, with class participation and interaction a key aspect of the programme. Online synchronous ‘live’ classes will be held every second Saturday morning during each semester.
“There will be lots of asynchronous content for students to access in their own time as well, but programme content will be mostly synchronous,” Dr Skiti says.
Students on the programme will gain a comprehensive understanding of important management ideas, frameworks and models, he adds. “We assume no previous experience of management. Students will learn to full range of skills they require for a switch into management including accounting, digital innovation, strategic management, supply chains, marketing, and HR.”
Other modules include Global Leadership and Teams, which focuses on the behaviour of individuals and groups in organisations; Corporate Finance, which is designed to give students a basic understanding of financial decision-making within a business; Global Strategic Management, which focuses on identifying and analysing the sources of profitability available to a firm and on developing strategies to access these sources of profitability; and Economics and Markets, which provides a high-level introduction to contemporary micro and macro dealing mainly with microeconomics and examining how markets work and what happens if they fail to function.
The course concludes with a business simulation project which gives students an opportunity to put into practice the skills and knowledge gained during the programme. There is an element of gamification to the project, as Dr Skiti explains.
“Software enables teams of students to run their own companies. They will make decisions on production, pricing strategies, entering new markets, investment in new technologies, and much else besides. They will also compete against other students. There needs to be a competitive and fun element to it.”
Students also have the option of availing of Smurfit School’s highly rated Global Leadership Programme (GLP) and UCD Advantage Award.
The GLP offers students the opportunity to engage in a diverse range of co-curricular activities which are aimed at helping them become impactful leaders with a global mindset. The UCD Advantage Award offers students the opportunity to get recognition from UCD for the skills, knowledge and experience they have gained through participation in co-curricular activities.
Software enables teams of students to run their own companies. They will also compete against other students. There needs to be a competitive and fun element to it.
Students on the MSc in Management Online programme also have access to high level support. “A dedicated programme manager is available to support and advise students on all course matters through our email, video-conference, telephone, and drop-in support service,” says Dr Skiti. “Also, if students want to meet with faculty members at any time we are always here. We can meet in person, by Zoom, or chat on the telephone. Although fully online, we are always available to meet in person or virtually. We are very proud of the level of support we offer our students.”
Graduates of the programme will be well-placed to accelerate their career either with their current employer or in taking up new opportunities, Dr Skiti adds. And they will be supported in their future endeavours by the UCD Smurfit Career Development Centre team, which will work with them to define their career path and support them in developing the career-related skills, know-how and confidence to pursue their post-MSc career goals.
To learn more about the course and the application process, email smurfit.admissions@ucd.ie