Graduate Certificate in Applied Marketing - SIT2LRN Distance Learning

Level 6 papers (elective) - complete one of the following:

MGT201 Marketing Operations (Level 6) 15 Credits

Students will consider marketing activities in the context of quality and customer service and in the setting of marketing strategies to enable marketing objectives to be met.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: examine the effect quality has in relation to specific marketing activities; examine the effect of customer service in relation to marketing activities; assess the influences of quality and customer service on marketing mix decisions; develop marketing objectives for a specific organisation; prepare marketing strategies to achieve the objectives and formulate quality standards and customer service strategies for marketing operations.

MGT204 Sales and Promotion (Level 6) 15 Credits

Building on strategic marketing concepts, students will develop an understanding of the strategic marketing perspective, particularly with regard to practical issues involved in carrying out a marketing plan in relation to designing services and the communications mix.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: evaluate the new product development process; explore the benefits of quality customer service; outline the pricing approaches that organisations can use; examine the methods used to manage capacity and demand; examine major channels of distribution available to organisations; analyse the components of an integrated communications mix; analyse and implement appropriate promotional techniques which meet the organisational objectives; examine the role of public relations in an organisational context; examine the roles of sales within an industry; examine emerging promotional techniques resulting from technological developments and analyse the ethical considerations involved in marketing.

MGT208 Digital Marketing (Level 6) 15 Credits

This paper provides students with knowledge of the digital marketing environment and how e-tools and e-commerce are used in modern marketing campaigns. Students will be able to evaluate the way digital media has influenced modern marketing techniques and apply digital marketing methods within a business environment. Students will also be able to plan a digital marketing campaign.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: evaluate digital media and its effect on marketing communication; examine fundamentals of online marketing; compare key digital tools and assess how they enhance marketing operations; apply digital marketing methods to achieve business objectives; plan a digital marketing campaign utilising e-tools and e-commerce.

MGT216 Market Research and Analysis (Level 6) 15 Credits

This paper will provide students with an understanding of the research process and the basic statistics important in making business decisions through the provision of a basic introduction to research planning and design, including data collection and analysis techniques.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: demonstrate an awareness of the nature and scope of business research; examine the research planning process; use relevant journals to write a literature review and understand its value; analyse key variables and examine how to measure attitudes and concepts; design a basic research project; examine existing data sources and explain the limitations of the data; investigate alternative methods of data collection; apply skills of basic statistical data analysis and prepare spreadsheets for data presentation and statistics.

MGT217 Presenting Professionally (Level 6) 15 Credits

Covering the principles and strategies of professional presentations in business and organisational settings, this paper will consider oral communication in a technological environment and include the use of computer-aided presentations and other media.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: examine the theoretical and practical issues involved with creating and delivering effective presentations; apply presentation skills in a variety of public speaking modes and in speech communication contexts, including differing cultural settings, that are common in organisations and working life; analyse and employ strategies to reduce communication apprehension; analyse and execute the effective use of media to support presentations; demonstrate the ability to create speeches through concept-generation, planning, scripting and realisation; assess and employ effective verbal and non-verbal communication skills in public speaking and critically evaluate own self and others’ public speaking performances.

Level 7 paper (compulsory) – complete the following:

MGT304 Strategic Marketing Management (Level 7) 15 Credits

This paper provides students with a comprehensive understanding of marketing strategy relevant to contemporary organisations and markets.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: critically interpret the nature and scope of marketing strategy; critically analyse the key principles of marketing strategy development; critically evaluate the processes for successful marketing strategy implementation; conduct a strategic market analysis; conduct a strategic customer analysis; conduct a strategic environmental analysis, including the application of scenario planning; compare and contrast marketing strategies for new and growth markets; recognise marketing strategies for hostile and declining markets; appraise the causes and patterns of business failure and marketing’s roles in a business turnaround programme and critically discuss the key emerging issues in modern day marketing strategy.

Level 7 papers (elective) – complete one of the following:

MGT311 Marketing Dissertation (Level 7) 30 Credits

This paper provides students with an opportunity to conduct advanced research into an aspect of marketing theory or practice by integrating the body of knowledge learnt in marketing papers.

You will need to select a current marketing issue or applied marketing problem and plan, organise and implement a research project based on your personal interest, benefit to an organisation, popular topic or a gap in research you have identified.

Approach:

• Select a current marketing issue or applied marketing problem and formulate an appropriate research objective and research question.
• Select and apply appropriate research methodologies.
• Collect, analyse and interpret research data.
• Write a research report to a professional standard.
• Make a research poster to present your research work
• Undertake an oral defence presenting key points from your research report and answer relevant questions raised.

Assessments:

1. Introduction and Literature Review
2. Final Research Report
3. Research Poster
4. Oral defence/Presentation (via Skype)

Please submit the following at the time of applying for your paper:

Describe the marketing issue which you are planning to research – in the “letter of intent” section of the application form

MGT320 Internship (30 credits)

This paper provides students with an opportunity to become familiar with the micro and macro operating environments of an organization and to apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the course of their degree study.  Using knowledge and skills gained in the first two years of the degree, students will be enabled to present a development/problem-solving proposal in an area relevant to the internship organization. Students will also gain reflective skills through the reflection on the internship and how their personal and professional managerial skills have developed and broadened.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to, critically evaluate an organisation’s corporate direction, main activities, and identify and evaluate the internal environment of the internship organisation, evaluate the organisation’s operating environment and the role of the internship organisation within the industry, assess and rationalise to all stakeholders significant issues confronting the internship organisation, specifically an aspect of concern or interest to the organisation’s operation or management, conduct and critically evaluate primary research regarding the specific aspect to be stated, distinguish between critical and non-critical factors impacting on the problem/development, evaluate information and make recommendations for specific development/problem, consider and assess issues for implementing recommendations, critically assess the dilemmas, challenges and problems faced, and how these issues were resolved during the internship, critically evaluate how the knowledge and skills acquired during the degree programme were adapted into practical situations.

You are expected to:
Identify and Investigate a current management issue within your internship organisation

Approach

• Find an internship placement (this can be in your existing workplace)
• Collect both primary and secondary information to investigate a significant management issue within the organisation
• Make recommendations based on the findings and present a development/problem solving proposal
• Present the reflections and evaluations of the internship project and answer relevant questions raised.

Assessments

1. Introductory Report (based on the organisation)
2. Proposal Report including Negotiation Evidence
3. Research and Strategy Report
4. Journal
5. Presentation (via Skype)

Total Word Count
Approximately 12,000 words

The Zero Fees Scheme applies to this course, so there are no tuition fees as long as you are a New Zealand citizen, resident/permanent resident (residing in NZ), BUT there is a student direct material cost per credit of study undertaken, plus a non-refundable administration cost of $50.00 for each application processed, and the required textbook/s listed below. You must maintain satisfactory academic progress to retain your Zero Fees Scheme entitlement.

Zero Fees Scheme – applies to NZ citizens and residents/permanent residents (residing in NZ). 2019 Cost (NZ$) $7.50 per credit + admin cost $50.00 per application (e.g. $750.00 for 100 credit course) - includes GST

International Students $100.00 per credit

Payments must be paid by the due date shown on the invoice.

Withdrawals & Transfers

• Early withdrawals within the first week of the intake starting are entitled to a full refund of the Student Direct Material Costs but not the non-refundable administration cost of $50.
• Withdrawals have to be requested within 75% of the intake, withdrawals after the early withdrawal date are not eligible for a refund.
• Transfer requests have to be within the first two weeks of the intake starting and will incur a $50 transfer cost. Transfers can only occur to a subsequence intake within the same calendar year.

All SIT2LRN courses are approved by Studylink. Any queries regarding Studylink allowances, loans, and terms and conditions should be made directly to Studylink on 0800 88 99 00 or www.studylink.govt.nz.

Students who have completed a Graduate Certificate in Applied Marketing will strategically analyse market information in order to apply and develop market research, marketing plans, promotional campaigns and cost effective budgets. They will solve problems, both independently and as part of a team.

Applicants must have obtained at least an undergraduate degree in any discipline. or be a mature student aged at least 20 years and supply evidence of at least three years relevant work experience. Each mature applicant must provide their curriculum vitae detailing any relevant work experience and academic achievements.  The Programme Manager will use this information to assess whether the applicant is likely to successfully complete the Graduate Certificate.

Meeting the application criteria does not guarantee acceptance into the programme.

Language Requirements

Applicants from countries with an annual student visa approval rate of at least 80 percent, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having passed an NZQA approved English Proficiency Assessment, or one of the following tests of English language competence in accordance with the NZQA rules below:

• IELTS test – Academic score of 6, with no band score lower than 5.5
• TOEFL Paper-based test (pBT) – Score of 550 (with an essay score of 5 TWE)
• TOEFL Internet-based test (iBT) – Score of 60 (with a writing score of 18)
• University of Cambridge English Examinations – FCE, or FCE for schools, or CAE, or CPE with a score of 169. No less than 162 in each skill OET at Grade C in all sub-tests
• NZCEL – a) expiring b) current; a) Level 4 (Academic) b) Level 4 (Academic)
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) – PtoE (Academic) score of 50
• City & Guilds IESOL – B2 Communicator with a score of 66
• LanguageCert – C1 Expert IESOL (LRWS) with PASS

An NZQA approved English Language proficiency test, where the student has achieved an outcome that is equivalent or better than those scores listed for Internationally recognised English language proficiency tests above in relation to the level of intended programme of study, or

Completion of all primary education and at least three years secondary education at schools with English as the language of instruction, or

Completion of five years of secondary education at schools with English as the language of instruction.

Applicants from countries with an annual student visa approval rate below 80 per cent, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English must provide evidence that they:

1. Achieved NCEA Level 3 and met New Zealand University Entrance requirements, or
2. Been awarded a Bachelor Degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Bachelor Honours Degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, Master’s Degree or Doctoral Degree with English as the language of instruction, from tertiary education providers from New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States, or
3. Been awarded the Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults, CELTA, or
4. Have achieved one of the English Language competence tests specified above within the two years preceding the proposed date of enrolment.

Level 6 papers must be completed before, or at the same time as, Level 7 papers unless approved by the programme manager. Papers at the same level may be studied in any order

Full time study

Full time study is completing 60 credits per intake. Students studying full time will complete the Graduate Certificate within one intake.

Full time acceptance into the programme is at the Programme Manager’s discretion.

Part time study

The number of credits selected per intake will depend on work, family, and other commitments. The recommended maximum number of credits per intake, compared to working hours, are:

• Working 37+ hours per week = enrol in a maximum of 30 credits per intake
• Working 20 – 37 hours per week = enrol in a maximum of 45 credits per intake
• Working fewer than 20 hours per week = enrol in a maximum of 60 credits per intake (full time study).

Cross Credit

If you have completed the National Diploma in Business (Level 6) through SIT2LRN within the last five years, you may be able to have some of your study credited towards this programme.

Please contact SIT2LRN to discuss, or download the cross credit application form: http://www.sit.ac.nz/Students/Academic-Support

Additional information

• As a guideline, one credit equates to approximately 10 hours study within an intake period.  Click HERE to download a Study Load Calculator (spreadsheet).
• All papers selected within a particular intake must be completed within that intake unless a transfer is requested (conditions apply; see FAQs).
• Online enrolments are on a year by year basis and students are welcome to apply for multiple intakes in one enrolment.  Further enrolment is the responsibility of individual students.  There is no automatic enrolment rollover. 

All SIT2LRN courses require you to have a computer and Internet access. Students are required to use their SIT webmail only for all SIT2LRN communications. All course materials and information, including assessments and due dates, are located on the online Blackboard system. Once you have been accepted into a programme you will receive an Important Information Booklet that includes information that you can use to familiarise yourself with our online Blackboard learning environment. From the intake start date you will have access to the online course materials to work through.

Facilitator Assistance: During the enrolled intake period, students have email access to Facilitators, who endeavour to respond to emails within 48 hours (week days only). All students are required, within the first two weeks of an intake, to send an email to their Facilitator confirming their start on the programme of study. Students who have not emailed their facilitator or embarked upon their course of study by the end of the 2^nd week of an intake, will be Faculty Withdrawn from the programme. Such withdrawals may impact on future access to SIT Zero Fees Scheme and Student Direct Material Costs are still liable for payment.

Progress reports are sent out 6-8 weeks after the end of each intake.

We recommend students new to SIT2LRN read through the Frequently Asked Questions section of our website for further study and enrolment information.

Please use the following checklist to ensure that all relevant information and documentation has been included. Remember, your application will be assessed based on the information that you provide us with.  Processing of your application will be delayed if we need to come back to you for missing information.

• I have read all sections of the Programme Information on this page
• I have read the SIT2LRN Frequently Asked Questions section
• I have met all admission criteria for the programme (found under Application Criteria)
• I have met all the criteria for individual papers (found under Course Content).
• I have selected the paper(s) I wish to study
• I have selected intake(s) (I have selected alternate intakes rather than overlapping intakes)
• I know my intended payment method
• If my organisation/company is paying for my studies, I have a completed and approved purchase order to attach to my online application.  I am aware that should my organisation or company not pay my fees, these will become my responsibility.
• New students – I have provided an active NSN in the name I am enrolling in or I have verified ID and will attach it to my online application.
• New students – I will attach academic documentation (NZQA record of achievement/academic transcripts/certificates).  These do not need to be verified. (If you do not have any academic documentation to support your application, please attach a comprehensive CV outlining your education and work experience).
• I have computer access, an Internet connection and access to software to create electronic documents e.g. Microsoft Word or Open Office

What is the Zero Fees Scheme?

The Zero Fees Scheme means we do not charge tuition fees. However, there is a Student Direct Material Cost that you need to pay and a non-refundable administration fee. The administration fee is for processing your application and the Student Direct Material Cost gives you secure access to Blackboard® our online learning environment and to student support services throughout your study with us.

Who qualifies for the Zero Fees Scheme?

• A New Zealand citizen completing the full qualification or 
• An Australian citizen/New Zealand Resident or Permanent Resident who will be residing in New Zealand for the duration of your enrolment.

Instructions to help you with your application:

1. Read the Programme Information on this page and the SIT2LRN Frequently Asked Questions and find out if you meet the application criteria for both the programme and the unit/s you wish to study.
2. Check your eligibility for Zero Fees. If you are not eligible to study under this scheme, please call
   0800 748 257 for further options.
3. Complete your online enrolment checking that:

If you are a new student …

• Provide an active NSN number in the name you are enrolling in (contact NZQA on 0800 697 296 to get your NSN number if you do not know it);
• If you do not have an active NSN, then attach a copy of your verified ID in the name you are enrolling in.
• If you are a Resident or Permanent resident of NZ, please provide a copy of proof of residency;
• Attach all academic documentation to support your application including copies of any certificates of courses you have undertaken / NZQA record of achievement / transcripts / CV;

Attach supporting documents as required and outlined on the previous page.

1. Please check that you have included all the required information and supporting documents.  Your application will be assessed based on the information that you provide.  Missing information will delay the processing of your application.
2. Please scan and email all additional documentation to sit2lrn@sit.ac.nz.

What happens next?

• You will receive an automatic email confirmation when we receive your online application. Processing may take up to three weeks. However, we will get in touch with you sooner if we require further documentation.
• Once your application has been accepted you will be sent a conditional offer of acceptance with an invoice and instructions on how to make payment.
• Once we have received your payment (or if you have opted to pay by Credit Card, Student Loan or Purchase Order) you will be sent an Enrolment Confirmation Letter and Important Information Booklet. Closer to the start of the intake you will receive a Time To Get Started Letter which will give you all the necessary information, tools and guidance to start your study with us.

For students to be considered to have satisfactorily completed this programme and be eligible for the awarding of the qualification Graduate Certificate in Applied Marketing, they must have completed all scheduled course work requirements and assessments, successfully completed assessment requirements for all papers, and achieved a total of 60 credits as specified in the programme schedule. The timeframe for completion of this programme is three years.

For more information on required and recommended textbooks for this course please refer to the textbook list here. 

Please note that textbooks need to be ordered at least 3-4 weeks prior to the commencement of your study