Graduate Certificate in Event Management - SIT2LRN Distance Learning

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

MGT206 Risk Management and Quality (Level 6) 15 Credits

Students will be provided with a thorough understanding of issues of risk assessment, prevention and intervention in undertaking projects. The related topic of quality control and evaluation is also considered in detail.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: analyse areas of risk in the project management lifecycle; undertake a risk analysis and justify conclusions; compare and contrast problem-solving methods for dealing with problems when they arise in projects and apply them to a specific scenario providing justification for the chosen approach; analyse the principles of quality control in projects; examine the common methods of evaluating quality in projects; develop a quality management plan and undertake, with rationale, corrective action to address a quality management issue in a specific example.

MGT208 Digital Marketing (Level 6) 15 Credits

Students will be able to explain the use of the internet to observe issues and gather and research information to develop for publication or broadcast. Students will explain issues and challenges related to gathering material from internet sites; gather material from the internet and select and write information for publication on an internet site.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: analyse the validity of information from websites and multimedia sources; select a topic and conduct a literature review from multimedia sources and produce and publish material suitable for a selected multimedia output.

MGT210 Organising and Defining the Project (Level 6) 15 Credits

This paper presents project organisation as a dynamic process occurring throughout the project management lifecycle, consistent with a systems view. Students will discuss issues of project selection, strategy, structure and the context within which projects occur. They will also explore the essential elements of defining a project as part of the planning process.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: analyse project organisation in the context of systems thinking and complexity theory; assess the elements of project organisation and how it is a dynamic process; examine how to select a project and determine project management strategy; apply the principles in defining a project and evaluate the uses of project management software.

MGT211 The Project Plan and Resources (Level 6) 15 Credits

Students will learn how to go about developing a project plan to industry standards. Students will also develop an understanding of the planning process involving key stakeholders and the value of continuous evaluation and improvement. Students will also consider the principles of resource management.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: apply the principles of strategic planning processes; estimate project cost and time; evaluate the essential components of a project plan that would meet industry standards; critically evaluate project plans; prepare an outline of a project plan and examine the principles of resource identification, allocation and management.

MGT212 Measuring Performance, Evaluation and Closure (Level 6) 15 Credits

Students will develop an understanding of measuring and monitoring progress and performance in all aspects of a project, including an overview of evaluation methodologies and the tasks involved in bringing a project to closure.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: examine the principles underpinning methods of evaluation; evaluate common methods of measuring and documenting the progress of a project; analyse a project’s progress; undertake corrective action if progress is inadequate and justify approach; design performance measurement criteria for a project and effectively execute the necessary steps to bring a project to closure. 

Level 7 paper (compulsory) – complete the following:

MGT305 Advanced Event Management (Level 7) 15 Credits

Students will analyse events and develop an event concept through the planning and development stages, including the proposed marketing and management of it; they will critically evaluate the success or otherwise of an event and reflect on various elements of event management.

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to: critically evaluate various events; critically evaluate the event planning process; critically analyse and evaluate the different components involved in organising an event; assess consumer behaviour principles and apply them to planning an event; critically analyse and evaluate the different components involved in running an event; critically assess possible problems within an event; propose strategies to minimise associated risks; plan an event; evaluate and critique an event and reflect on event management practices and components in relation to an event.

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

MGT310 Management Dissertation (30 credits)

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

On successful completion of this paper, students will be able to select a current management issue or applied management problem and formulate an appropriate research objective and research question, plan, organise and implement a research project, select and apply appropriate research methodologies, collect, analyse and interpret research data, write a research report to a professional standard, make an oral presentation of the management-related research project and answer relevant questions raised. 

You are expected to: 
Identify and Investigate a current management issue based on personal interest, benefit to an organisation, popular topic or a gap in research you have identified

Approach

• Select a current management issue or applied management 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 (via Skype)
5. Reflective Journal

Total Word Count
Approximately 12,000 words

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

Payment 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 Event Management will critically analyse and process management information in a range of event environments.  They will apply conceptual and technical skills to cost determination and control in client and contract negotiations.

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 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.

Intakes will be 17 weeks long.

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 Diploma in Project Management (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 Event Management, 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.

Assessments may include, but are not limited to: tests, assignments, case studies, presentations, reports and final examinations.

Assessments for the Dissertation and Internship papers may also include a research proposal, literature review, research report and presentation.

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