ObjectivesThe course critically considers both the practical and theoretical perspectives of global CSR issues from a boardroom viewpoint. It focuses on the decision-making and the legacies and unanticipated consequences relatively partisan and simple decisions can have. The programme analyses and evaluates the complex factors which lead or contribute to good corporate social responsibility (CSR) practice in both a national and international context and the ways in which we can improve these processes to support ethical and societal agendas.
Entry requirementsThe programme is particularly relevant for those working at or aspiring to work at board level or those wishing to develop expertise and a career in advising on or managing critical CSR issues in this fast-growing profession. It has specific relevance to those seeking to develop their career in NFP, NGO or the public sectors. The programme is ideal for those who recognise that in order to address many of the problems that face the world today, management skills need to be supplemented with knowledge of the board issues and how to ethically address them.
Academic titleMSc Corporate Social Responsibility
Course descriptionThe award is made up of three taught strands comprising of three fundamental modules, two Boardroom Common Core modules and one Specialist Route option.
Strand one - the fundamentals, comprises:
Entrepreneurial Leadership, which is designed to enable you to critically examine your personal capabilities in context to leadership and management styles and clear identification of your personal development needs.
Financial Management, which provides you with an understanding of financial management techniques including the development of business planning within an enterprise to support effective decision making.
Strategic Management, which enables you to examine the strategic planning process; conduct risk evaluations and identification of critical success factors (CSF) to ensure effective business performance.
Strand two - the boardroom common core, comprises
The Board and Good Governance, which allows you to critically evaluate the legal duties of directors and the board and considers essential differences between the directors, managers, and owners of a business.
Corporate Stakeholder and Engagement Management, which enables you to evaluate essential differences, issues and complex relationships between organisations and diverse stakeholder groups including clients, customers and employees.
Strand three - the specialist route, comprises:
Corporate Social Responsibility, which provides you with knowledge, understanding and critical awareness of the different perspectives of the corporate social responsibility. It develops your awareness of individual and organisational ethical and social responsibilities in context to the global environment. It further develops this theme to include how at board room level CSR strategy can shape high performing organisations.
Successful completion of the taught component allows you to move onto the dissertation stage, where you are required to write a 15,000 word research based dissertation on a subject in which you have developed an interest during the programme.
Career Prospects
The programme is particularly relevant for those working at or aspiring to work at board level or those wishing to develop expertise and a career in advising on or managing critical CSR issues in this fast-growing profession. It has specific relevance to those seeking to develop their career in NFP, NGO or the public sectors.