An informed appreciation of the theories, debates and legislation that dominate HRM practice is a huge advantage to any manager or administrstor. The IPA's MA – Human Resource Management is a two-year part-time programme that explores the key issues in human resource management, with a focus on the Irish public sector. It seeks to raise the level of analysis in public sector human resource management and to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for the effective management of people.
On completing the first year of the programme, students receive the interim award of a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management. The second year of the course is divided into two semesters. In the first of these, students study three key topics in human resource management. In the second, students write a dissertation on a specific human resource management issue.
Year two will normally only commence in the autumn of each year. Students that do not wish to take all three subjects in any particular semester may choose to study one or two on a phased basis.