Go to the strategic level in the corporate sector with a Masters Degree in Business & Organizational Psychology from Coventry University offered by CIRP School of Psychology
Business psychology and organizational psychology are two important sub- fields in psychology. “Business psychology” is an applied science that investigates how to make people and organizations more effective. This branch in Psychology is a budding field in Sri Lanka which has been introduced by Colombo Institute of Research and Psychology. It uses social scientific research methods to study people, workplaces and organizations in order to better align their multiple and sometimes competing needs. “Organizational psychology” is the study of psychology within organizations, particularly on the job.
The blending of the two subfields in psychology will enable the competent and skillful middle / senior management corporate professionals of Sri Lanka to deliver strategic optimal results within and outside the periphery of their prestigious organizations.
Acquiring knowledge in terms of business and organizational psychology will enable corporate professionals to excel in careers linked with corporate training coaching, business consultancy, psychometric testing, consumer, human resources and market research or to practice as a business psychologist. Organizational psychologists, through the acquisition of such knowledge, may offer management training and study group dynamics.
This is a 180 credit programme which will run for a year consisting of eight compulsory modules. The compulsory modules of this course are Work & Well- being, Consumer Psychology, Project Planning & Research Skills, Critical Thinking for Business P s yc h o l o g y, L e a d e r s h i p, Engagement & Motivation, Learning, Training & Development, Psychological Assessments at Work and Literature Review & Business Plan. The aim of this programme is to increase the corporate professional’s knowledge and research in business and organizational psychology and to promote a critical approach to the subject.
The primary goal of this programme is to provide professional training to corporate leaders interested in finding an upward path of mobility in the corporate ladder. This is a part time course designed for your ease where teaching takes place during weekends. There are two intakes each year and the next intake is in February 2018. At the end of this course you will receive an internationally accredited master’s degree from Coventry University, UK.
Work and Wellbeing module provides an introduction to employee engagement and well- being. The main aim is to introduce theoretical and applied concepts that relate to ways in which employees are engaged within the organisation. The module will include how work is structured (work and non-work) the negative aspects of work including stress, work-place bullying and the roles of emotions. Mental and physical health will be considered including symptoms and disorders as well as potential interventions to increase wellbeing.
Psychological Assessment at Work module provides an introduction to the principles and methods of recruitment, selection and assessment. The module is designed to provide students with an understanding of issues surrounding the selection process in order that they can make informed choices of methods when developing selection processes. Theories, methods and legal issues concerning selection and assessment will be discussed so that the student can apply theory to practice.
Lear ning, Training and Development module provides students with an understanding of theory and conceptual approaches to design, implementation and evaluation of training programmes. Students will gain an indepth and applied understanding of the training cycle and how approaches to training can be applied according to the context and requirements
Project Planning and Research Skills module also provides the preparation for the literature review by supporting students in developing a viable project proposal and developing the skills to conduct a systematic review. Students will develop the ability to plan and conduct psychological literature review projects. This includes a range of skills such identifying relevant topic areas, developing key word search terms and locating literature using relevant sources. This module provides a preparation in the skills required to successfully complete an independent literature review in business psychology.
Consumer Psychology module provides an introduction to understanding the function of marketing, competitor analysis, market research methodologies, and approaches to marketing including the marketing mix, market segmentation, measuring the effectiveness of marketing, thinking and creativity. This module also provides an introduction to consumerism and buyer behaviour linked to psychological concepts of consumer decision making. This will include advertising psychology, brand management, the selling process and time management. This module will focus on how to reach consumers effectively, through an exploration of their behaviours and attitudes.
Leadership, Engagement and Motivation module provides an overview of theories and empirical research of work motivation, and its relationship to performance appraisal and performance management. The module covers the concepts of leadership, power and influence and their impact on employee engagement. Issues of positive and negative responses to work will be outlined ( organisational citizenship and derailment).
Critical Thinking module provides an opportunity for students to reflect on the nature of knowledge. The module offers a thoughtful inquiry into different ways of knowing, and into different kinds of knowledge. Purposive questioning is at the heart of this module, stimulating reflection, thought and debate.
Business Psychology Literature Review and Business Plan module forms two parts: the first part is to conduct a systematic review of contemporary literature on a Business and Organisational Psychology topic of their choice. Where students work in a business setting they will be encouraged to choose a topic that was related to their business work/ practice. Students will be expected to complete a critical and evaluative review of the relevant literature, predominately peer reviewed journal articles, to produce a literature review in a format that would be suitable for publication in an appropriate review journal.
The second part of the module will be to create a business plan that is drawn from the conclusions of the literature review. It will be the applied application of knowledge
Learning occurs both in the classroom and the student’s corporate setting. A range of teaching styles are utilized in the classroom in order to maximize the learning opportunities. These include didactic teaching to the entire class, small group exercises and corporate skills workshops.
Students have two assessments where they will need to complete a coursework assignment and an examination for each of the specific modules. Depending on the module the coursework will vary, while the examination will comprise of different types of questions such as multiple choice, short answer and essay questions.
This is especially geared towards middle/senior managers in the corporate sector to improve their professional skills in business and organizational psychology to enhance the quality of service they provide to business stakeholders.
Those with an undergraduate degree in any discipline or an equivalent qualification with reasonable and relevant work experience required to understand the strategic aspect of human behavior can apply for this programme.
How could I get more information?
You could visit Colombo Institute of Research and Psychology at 230, Galle Road , Bamabalapitiya, Colombo 04 or Call 0112 50 70 71 or 50 70 72 to talk to a student guidance officer. You could also email inquries@cirp.lk