Diploma in Public Management - Part-Time - NFQ Level 6

This is a two-year, part-time programme. The first year is the Certificate and the second year allows students to take a subject in an area of particular relevance to them. Students take four subjects from a choice of six streams: 

  • Public Management  
  • Healthcare Management 
  • Human Resource Management
  • Local Government 
  • Law and the Administration of Justice 
  • Management 
  • Human Resource Management  

If students do not wish to take all the subjects in one year, they can study on a phased basis. The Diploma is both a stand-alone qualification and the second year of the four-year BA (Hons) programme. 

Is This Programme For You?

This programme is suited to those working across the wider public service who would like to extend their understanding of public management issues and take a subject especially relevant to a particular sector. The first year provides a solid appreciation of the fundamentals of economics, law, government and management, which the second year builds upon. 

Entry Requirements

Applicants require a Leaving Certificate with a minimum grade C in two higher level papers and grade D in four other subjects. The papers passed must include Irish, English and a third language.

OR

Mature students (students over 21 on January 1 of the calendar year of entry) may enter a programme without the above qualifications.

Programme Subjects

Year One: Certificate in Public Management

The first year is both a stand-alone qualification and a stage in this programme and the degree. See the Certificate in Public Management page for more information.

Year Two

Economics

This course builds on the fundamentals of economics explored in the Certificate year by exploring both micro and macroeconomics in greater depth. Students will learn about the economic rules and theories that relate to the operation of markets, the distribution of wealth, the allocation of resources, labour supply and inflation.

Organisation and Management

An organisation’s structure is a determining factor in its operation. This course explores current thinking on organisational structure and the role of management in the creation and maintenance of the most appropriate structure. Among the specific topics addressed are the different schools of organisation theory, the design of effective organisations and the significance of the internal culture and the external environment to an organisation’s work.

European Studies*

Ireland’s membership of the EU is plainly of huge importance to public management. This course explains the key facts of EU membership, addressing the history of the EU, the power and responsibilities of its institutions, the decision-making process, key EU policies, and different perspectives on the EU’s development and reform.

* This subject is not taken by students in the Law and the Administration of Justice and Healthcare Management Streams 

Students Choose Another Subject(s) From One of the Following Streams:

Public Management

Social Policy:

This course explores the history, organisation and management of Ireland’s social infrastructure. It considers such matters as expenditure trends in social services, EU social policy and the factors that influence domestic social policy.

Healthcare Management

Health Policy and Planning:

This course offers an overview of policy and planning in the Irish health system. It examines the historical development of the system, the impact of demographic changes, and current structures for governance, service delivery and regulation. It also examines the roles of key stakeholders, important policy developments and the challanges in planning and implementing health policy. 

Social Policy:

This course explores the history, organisation and management of Ireland’s social infrastructure. It considers such matters as expenditure trends in social services, EU social policy and the factors that influence domestic social policy.

Local Government

Local Government:

This course examines the powers, responsibilities and organisation of local authorities in Ireland. Students explore the laws that determine the activities of those authorities, the policy aspects of local government and the key services that local authorities are mandated to deliver.

Law and the Administration of Justice

Social Policy:

This course explores the history, organisation and management of Ireland’s social infrastructure. It considers such matters as expenditure trends in social services, EU social policy and the factors that influence domestic social policy.

European Law:

EU law plays a hugely significant role in public management in Ireland. This course explains the sources of EU law, the main legal instruments that the EU uses, the EU institutions that uphold the law, the fundamental freedoms that EU law protects and how EU law relates to Irish domestic law.

Management

Business and Company Law:

All transactions in the State,whether public or private, are governed by commercial law. In this course, students will examine the laws that pertain to the creation, performance and dissolution of contract, the formation of companies, the acquisition of shares and the liquidation of businesses.

Human Resource Management

Organisational Behaviour:

Human behaviour is the critical element in organisational success. This course explores the theories that have developed about how people behave in an organisational setting and how management can respond to those behaviours. It considers such topics as motivation, leadership, group behaviour and organisational culture.

Assessment

The programme is assessed by means of assignments and final examinations.

Progression

Students can progress to the relevant stream of the BA (Hons).

Course Practicalities

Duration:

Two academic years: Course begins in September

Accreditation:

National University of Ireland

Fees:

The cost of the programme is €2,980 per annum (includes all matriculation and examination fees), payable in one or two instalments.

For further information or Application:

Persons interested in pursuing this course/programme should contact either: Sinead McNamara; Email: smcnamara@ipa.ie or Phone: (01) 240 3616 or Maragaret Morrin ; Email: mmorrin@loetb.ie or Phone: (057) 862 3161
*Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board reserves the right to refuse course admission and/or completion.

Qualification Award

NFQ Level 6 (Minor Award)

Venue

Portarlington FETC

Bracklone Street

Portarlington

County Laois

Facilities

  • Study Room
  • Free Parking
  • Disabled Parking
  • Canteen

Centre Opening Times

Monday 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Tuesday 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Wednesday 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Thursday 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Friday 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

* Bank Holidays and Public Holidays – Closed

Location

Contact

Margaret Morrin, Centre Director

Email:

mmorrin@loetb.ie

Phone

(057) 8623161

Address

Portarlington Further Education Centre, Bracklone Street, Portarlington, County Laois, R32 CX71,Ireland

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