Executive MBA (Psychology)

Course structure

Three years – university-based study blocks

Each module involves a three-day study block and self-managed study time. You complete
• year one – four modules
• year two – three modules plus work-based project
• year three – one module plus dissertation or consultancy project

This flexible attendance means that the course has minimal impact on your work or personal time and you can be based anywhere in the UK or overseas.

Starts February
If you would like to discuss the start date options, please email the course leader, Dr Steven Pattinson s.pattinson@shu.ac.uk

Typical modules may include

Course structure

Year one
• managing strategy • strategic marketing management and decision making • two options

Year two
• strategic global human resource management and decision making • developing personal and professional leadership practice • two options

Year three
• research and consultancy methods • dissertation or organisational project

Psychology options

• introduction to organisational psychology • human factors/design of the work environment • individual differences, training and development • the psychology of leadership and change

Module descriptions – MBA core modules

Developing personal and professional leadership practice
This module will help you to develop and enhance the qualities and transferrable skills necessary for your studies, career progression, professional and personal development. You will develop and practice the skills required to critically reflect on learning and on your ability to apply learning to real world complex issues within the work place; citing actions and barriers to implementation.

Strategic global human resource management and decision-making
This module is designed to enhance your knowledge and develop your understanding of organisational behaviour and human resource management theory and practice. It will develop and expand your knowledge and perspective of the complexity of the interrelationships between people, organisations and the environment, in the contexts of contemporary international organisations.

Strategic marketing management and decision making
This module will help you to understand what it means to be a marketing oriented organisation and how to develop marketing strategies that meet corporate objectives and deliver sustainable competitive advantage.

Managing strategy
The module explores the theory of strategic management and financial concepts, in a range of industries, organisational and global contexts. You will develop the critical, theoretical and practical skills to examine past strategies and current positions, and develop proposals on how organisations might develop in the future with consideration of the global business environment.

Research methods
To provide you with a sound and wide ranging introduction to research methods, in order to underpin your dissertation.

Dissertation or organisational project
Undertake critical research and/or analyse specific business problems and provide new insights.

Module descriptions – psychology options

Introduction to organisational psychology
This module provides an introductory academic framework for the spectrum of organisational psychology and promotes the application of critical thinking to theory and evidence. You will begin to integrate theories and methods of organisational psychology and engage in sophisticated analyses of organisational inefficiencies or dilemmas, appreciating how organisational psychology theory helps illuminate such dilemmas and inform appropriate action.

Human factors/design of the work environment
The aim of this module is to introduce the field of human factors and ergonomics, to describe the main areas of interest and contemporary issues in this area, and to explore examples of applied research. You will consider the relevance of work environment components in determining work system efficiency, safety assurance, and employee wellbeing. You will be introduced to the idea of the human as an information processor and understand the complexities of employees’ interactions with computers, machines and fellow humans.

Individual differences, training and development
In this module you will be introduced to the concept of individual differences and psychometric testing. You will critically examine theories of workplace training and development and consider the application of psychological assessment and approaches to workplace training and development within the context of organisational fairness and justice.

The psychology of leadership and change
This module aims to expand and develop knowledge and understanding of the complexity of leadership and organisational change from a psychological perspective. It will help you critically appraise the role of leadership, and the challenges of effective leadership in organisations. You will also examine processes of organisational change and consider emergent themes in the management of change. Linked to this, you will explore organisational culture and consider a range of implications linked to leadership, change and wider organisational culture.