Business

Professional Development Courses

BACK TO PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Professional Courses | Business

Click the quick list below
Our Professional Development courses in business leverage the resources of business school and are delivered by instructors that are eager to share their real-world professional practices. Our tuition is designed to give students skills that will instantly translate into positive results in the real world.
These courses are primarily delivered online. Minimum English language required. Applicants for whom English is not their first language must provide certified documentary evidence that their secondary schooling, or tertiary studies of at least one year, were conducted in the English language; or evidence of English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS overall score of 6.0 with no band less than 6.0. 

Organisational Behaviour & Leadership BUS501

Course fee: $2,030 | Course length: 12 weeks | Intake: Feb, Jul, Sep | Online delivery
Course Overview

Organisational behaviour is the study of how people as individuals and in aggregate determine the character, dynamic and effectiveness of an organisation. This unit is designed to provide students with an in-depth introduction to the broad range of theory, research, and practice in organisational behaviour. The unit aims not only to provide a better understanding of how individuals, teams, and organisations function, but to elucidate the role of leaders in organisations, the role that individual personality and motivation play in organisational structure, and how group and team dynamics shape organisational goal outcomes and individual performance.

The unit begins with a discussion of research-based models of organisational behaviour, in particular, the organisational citizenship behaviour model proffered by Robbins and Judge, and then considers various aspects of organisational culture, structure and communication, and their impact on individual and collective goals, productivity, and achievement and ability to respond appropriately and effectively to planned and unplanned change.

Key Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate a critical understanding of organisational behaviour.

Demonstrate an ability to synthesise and apply knowledge and understanding of contemporary theories and research on organisational behaviour to the analysis of case study and research data.

Demonstrate an ability to research in depth an element of organisational behaviour, and present a coherent argument in essay form.

Integrate biblical frameworks into a contemporary understanding of leadership and organisational behaviour.

Apply knowledge in a critical evaluation of the organisation in light of a specific element of organisational behaviour, within an overview of organisational behaviour theory.

Teaching Method

Learning occurs through prescribed reading, class discussions and activities, case study analysis, project work and peer review. This course may include online presentation using a range of content-based and interactive learning materials, objects and strategies (e.g. study guides, quizzes, websites, podcasts, discussions and online forums).  

Formal assessment is a mandatory part of this course. In order to successfully complete the course, students must pass all assessments and ensure they adhere to the relevant due dates. Details of the specific assessment requirements can be found by contacting the School of Business.

Professional Ethics BUS508

Course fee: $2,030 | Course length: 13 weeks | Intake: Feb, Jul | Face-to-face delivery on campus
Course Overview

In some ways, the term ‘business ethics’ is an inadequate concept for an interdisciplinary field covering a vast range of normative issues in commerce, governance, leadership and management. The term lends itself most directly to a core set of questions about how individuals in the business world ought to behave, or what principles they might appeal to in order to negotiate moral dilemmas in some aspect of commercial or organisational life. But if we consider the array of ethical issues addressed by people engaged in all forms of commercial activity, be they professionals or tradespeople, merchants or board directors, they almost invariably reduce to matters of individual motives, behaviour and forms of decision-making contextualised by layers of expectations and practices involving organisational, cultural and/or legal norms. Traditionally, the term ‘professional ethics’ was restricted to members of specific ‘professions’, so called largely because of defined codes of conduct considered definitive of the practices which defined them. More recently, the term has acquired a broader meaning, referring to a high level of general ethical awareness and practice that is not confined to any code of conduct. In this unit, business ethics will be discussed in terms of a ‘higher’ standard of professionalism, according to which the Socratic and Christian emphasis on self-management determines the way in which one manages and deals with others.

The perspective of this unit is that ethics is neither optional nor purely personal in a business context, since it lies at the heart of all decision making. Interestingly, in the world of commerce, we tend not to talk of ‘business morality’, but, rather, of ‘business ethics’. This is because, like all other forms of human activity, our commercial transactions have numerous codes of behaviour, numerous moral codes. Indeed, when attached to socially enforced sanctions and limitations, these moral codes become legal codes. As will be discussed throughout this unit, the issue, on most occasions, is not the presence or absence of such codes, but, critically, the awareness of the significance of such codes, their intention, and, especially, a willingness to abide by them. In other words, business ethics is about our understanding of, and commitment to, our values in commercial contexts.

Where appropriate this unit is supplemented by Biblical, ethical, philosophical, and social scientific materials and perspectives. These material­s and perspectives are intended to enhance, not detract from, contemporary understandings of business contexts, practices, and environments. Where such materials and perspectives are deployed, linkages to relevant business understandings will be made explicit.

Key Learning Outcomes

Analyse and critique key theories of ethics as they apply to a business environment.

Identify, describe and analyse ethical issues and recommend solutions within realworld business and complex professional constraints.

Demonstrate an understanding of ethical dilemmas in a pluralist society, and how ethical solutions from a Christian worldview are distinct in a business environment.

Develop and justify ethical solutions from a Christian worldview to real world business ethical dilemmas, thereby demonstrating an ability to integrate biblical principles in real world ethical business solutions.

Teaching Method

Learning occurs through prescribed reading and research, class discussions and activities, case study analysis, project work, written work and research. This unit may include online presentation using a range of content-based and interactive learning materials, objects and strategies. The unit is supported at every offering by access to an online lecturer and to the resources and student support services of the College.

Formal assessment is a mandatory part of this course. In order to successfully complete the course, you must pass all assessments and ensure you adhere to the relevant due dates. Details of the specific assessment requirements can be found by contacting the school of Business.

Organisational Learning & Chance BUS510

Course fee: $2,030 | Course length: 12 weeks | Intake: Feb, Jul, Sep | Online delivery
Course Overview

Business activity is inextricably linked to the contexts in which it operates – political, legal, social, cultural, technological, and environmental– and, implicitly, the long-term viability or sustainability of those contexts. Recognition of this linkage, and acknowledgement of a vested interest in the sustainability of the contexts in which businesses operate, is the cornerstone of what has come to be known as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), or simply Corporate Responsibility. Broadly, CSR is the moral and practical obligation of market participants– producers, as well as suppliers, investors, consumers and mediators– to consider the effect of their actions on collective or system-level outcomes and to regulate their behaviour to promote systemic sustainability. Sustainability is broadly defined as strategy that promotes the satisfaction of needs in the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This unit discusses the debates, policies and strategies concerning CSR in terms of sustainable development, and the role of large and small-to-medium enterprises, consumers and other stakeholders in promoting sustainable business practices. Particular attention is given to the relationship between globalisation and environmental sustainability, and the emergence of social reporting, accounting and investment initiatives as part of a focused CSR agenda aimed at achieving realistic and significant long-term sustainability outcomes.

Where appropriate this unit is supplemented by Biblical, ethical, philosophical and social scientific materials and perspectives. These materials and perspectives are intended to enhance, not detract from, contemporary understandings of business contexts, practices and environments. Where such materials and perspectives are deployed, linkages to relevant business understandings will be made explicit.

Key Learning Outcomes

Critically analyse and critique the major theories of organisational learning.

Critically analyse and explain the dynamics of strategic organisational change.

Critically review and evaluate the reasons for different approaches to change and apply this understanding to volatile or novel organisational contexts.

Critically analyse and critique common perspectives on the role of, and relationship between, individuals, teams and leaders in the change process.

Integrate biblical frameworks into a contemporary understanding of organisational learning and change.

Integrate the concepts of organisational learning, strategic and innovative change management with leadership theory and practice.

Teaching Method

Learning occurs through prescribed reading, class discussions and activities, case study analysis, project work and peer review. This unit may include online presentation using a range of content-based and interactive learning materials, objects and strategies (e.g. study guides, quizzes, websites, podcasts, discussions and online forums).

Formal assessment is a mandatory part of this course. In order to successfully complete the course, you must pass all assessments and ensure you adhere to the relevant due dates. Details of the specific assessment requirements can be found by contacting the school of Business.

Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainability BUS513

Course fee: $2,030 | Course length: 12 weeks | Intake: Feb, Jul, Sep | Online delivery
Course Overview

Theories of organisational learning address the processes which lead to (or prevent) changes in organisational knowledge, as well as the effects of learning and knowledge on behaviours and organisational outcomes. Organisations are shaped by complex learning processes which combine current experiences with lessons learned in the past. From an organisational change perspective, organisational learning is an organisation-wide continuous set of processes that enhances the collective ability to perceive, comprehend, and respond to internal and external events. The strategic link between organisational learning theory and organisational change is that, to be competitive in a changing environment, organisations must adapt to survive and prosper, and that adaptive change is a consequence of organisational learning.

In terms of organisational leadership, organisational learning is about the astuteness of the organisation’s leadership, and the honesty, capability and curiosity of its members in uncovering problems or areas of improvement that may engender competitive advantage, assessing the risks and trade-offs of possible action, and making and implementing decisions to bring about positive change.

The focus of this unit is primarily on organisational change – incremental and modular change (organisation development) and fundamental organisation-wide strategic change (transformation) – and change agency, in particular, change leadership. The unit examines the theory and practice of organisational change and organisational learning and considers how these theories and practices converge to advocate, design and implement development and transformation. Peter Senge’s ‘Learning Organization’ model will be discussed at length, as a central theory integrating organisational learning, change and leadership.

Where appropriate this unit is supplemented by Biblical, ethical, philosophical, and social scientific materials and perspectives. These materials and perspectives are intended to enhance, not detract from, contemporary understandings of business contexts, practices, and environments. Where such materials and perspectives are deployed, linkages to relevant business understandings will be made explicit.

Key Learning Outcomes

Analyse and assess the responsibilities of businesses to their stakeholders and the societies in which they operate and which represent part of their supply chains.

Demonstrate an advanced, critical appreciation of the concept of globalisation and its economic, cultural, and environmental impacts.

Evaluate and explain the relevance and efficacy of corporate responsibility reporting and corporate responsibility strategies and practices in promoting and enacting sustainability.

Critically evaluate the major theories and models of corporate social responsibility and sustainable development in terms of their agendas, effectiveness and long-term viability.

Critically analyse and evaluate organisational corporate social responsibility commitments from a corporate governance perspective and socially responsible investment strategies and policies.

Demonstrate awareness of the ethical aspects of corporate social responsibility and sustainability, in particular their exploitation for marketing, branding and political purposes.

Apply and integrate the learnings from the MBA Program into a well-reasoned, ethically aware, practicable and relevant project outline to investigate and/or analyse some aspect of an organisation’s product, service, process or program.

Teaching Method

Learning occurs through prescribed reading and research, class discussions and activities, case study analysis, project work, written work and research. This unit may include online presentation using a range of content-based and interactive learning materials, objects and strategies. The unit is supported at every offering by access to an online lecturer and to the resources and student support services of the College.

Formal assessment is a mandatory part of this course. In order to successfully complete the course, you must pass all assessments and ensure you adhere to the relevant due dates. Details of the specific assessment requirements can be found by contacting the school of Business.