Graduate Diploma in Strategic Management

at Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus New Zealand

The Bachelor of Construction is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to work at a high level in the construction industry, as a leader who is able to innovate and contribute to new ways of creating the built environment.

The program starts with an introduction to the knowledge, skills, attributes and academic abilities required of a construction manager or quantity surveyor. You'll gain discipline-specific skills and knowledge, starting with a focus on small domestic buildings then moving on to low-rise and large commercial construction, then heavily serviced, multifaceted projects.

Your year-two project work and assessments will require problem solving, independent research skills and application of cultural approaches and aspects of sustainability. In the third year you'll be required to source and organise technical, project and academic research information, and evaluate, critique and propose well-rationalised solutions.

There's strong demand for qualified osteopaths in New Zealand, Australia and Asia. This qualification enables you to gain the necessary additional skills and knowledge required to apply for registration to practice with the Osteopathic Council of New Zealand. The programme involves case-based learning which is clinically relevant and focused on ensuring you’re competent and safe to enter the profession.

Among other things, it covers how to: work professionally, ethically and legally in primary healthcare settings; apply ethical decision-making processes to your practice; apply interpersonal and intrapersonal skills and professional values to your practice for people with diverse needs and backgrounds; and how to respond culturally and safely when working with patients, colleagues, healthcare workers and communities.

The first year covers a broad range of ICT topics that will provide you with a solid base of knowledge in software engineering (programming), hardware and networking, website development, IT tools and concepts and mathematics skills relevant to IT. In years two and three you'll choose one of three specialist pathways: Information Systems, Networking and Infrastructure or Software Development. During this time you'll develop in-depth knowledge of your chosen area through a range of compulsory and elective courses.

You'll also develop skills in problem solving, critical thinking, analysis, team work, project management, time management, self-reliance and communication skills. There is a strong emphasis on practical skills and work-readiness, so wherever possible, theory is integrated and applied to practical tasks.

One of the most important resources in an organisation is its people. This specialisation will develop your management skills and knowledge in people and culture. During your studies you’ll analyse organisational staff behaviour and its impact on business, and learn about wellbeing leadership, health and safety and the latest employment legislation. In your final year you’ll explore advanced HR strategy and contemporary issues in human resource management.

IT industry partners have significant input into the structure and content of this programme to ensure that what is being taught continually meets industry needs. The first year covers a broad range of ICT topics that will provide you with a solid base of knowledge in software engineering (programming), hardware and networking, website development, IT tools and concepts and mathematics skills relevant to IT. In years two and three you'll choose one of three specialist pathways: Information Systems, Networking and Infrastructure or Software Development. During this time you'll develop in-depth knowledge of your chosen area through a range of compulsory and elective courses.

You'll also develop skills in problem solving, critical thinking, analysis, team work, project management, time management, self-reliance and communication skills. There is a strong emphasis on practical skills and work-readiness, so wherever possible, theory is integrated and applied to practical tasks. Many courses include group activities or group projects, as the ability to work as part of a team is strongly valued by employers.

You will gain a solid grounding in engineering theory and principles of engineering science including design and drawing, electrical, electronics, networks, protection and programming. Working closely with professional engineers you will apply current and emerging technologies in new situations. Our courses are industry designed and during this program you will develop sound thinking and problem solving skills for work in designing and implementing engineering technology.

It is expected that graduates will attain the educational underpinnings and work ready attributes defined by the Engineering New Zealand Graduate Profile for Engineering Technicians.

This flexible degree will prepare you to succeed in business by equipping you with widely applicable, real-world knowledge and skills. You’ll develop your ability to think critically and strategically and gain valuable skills in your chosen specialty.

In your first year, you’ll develop a depth of business knowledge and skills required for any commercial context. This includes skills in management, leadership, accounting, marketing, HR, law, economics, and sustainability, as well as knowledge of the Treaty of Waitangi/Te Titiri o Waitangi.

In your second year, you'll then choose a specialization to suit your desired pathway. You can also choose a second specialization, five elective courses or go on a student exchange program.

Your final year of studies involves more complex critical and strategic thinking skills. You’ll undertake a co-operative education project for a local business which will include a work placement. During this placement, you’ll apply skills learned in your chosen specialization to complete a research-informed project that solves a business problem.

Flexibility has been built into this degree, allowing you to not only to study part-time, full-time, and/or in the evenings but to choose two specializations at no extra cost and requiring no additional time. Alternatively, you can personalize your degree by including up to five elective courses (Level 5 and above, equal to 15 credits each) from any subject area of your choosing.

Specializations include: Accounting (including CA Pathway), Business Information Systems, Event Management, Human Resources, Hospitality Management, Marketing and Sales, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Project Management, Operations, Supply Chain Logistics, Strategic Management, Transformation, and Change.

Human resource management requires a combination of knowledge and people skills. This programme will give you an understanding of both as you cover everything from employment relations and human resource management to communication and organisational behaviour management.

It covers business basics such as communication, human resources, business law, organisational culture, economics, risk management and problem solving, then focuses on human resource aspects of business.

This two-year programme will equip you with the essential skills and knowledge needed to work as a quantity surveyor, on both residential and commercial building projects. It covers means measurement, estimating and cost planning, as well as procurement, programming and financial administration of contracts. Work experience components are included in the second year of the programme for full-time students.

This diploma is designed to enable you to scope, manage and lead projects. It covers business basics including accounting, sales and marketing, human resources and risk management, then focuses on project management.

You'll gain an understanding of project management principles and methods, and what project management tools are available. You'll also learn how to select, apply and support a broad range of current and emerging business technologies to meet a business's needs and how to apply this project management knowledge to real-life scenarios.