PDA Organisational Ethics and Decision Making SCQF level 11

Candidates undertaking the PDA in Organisational Ethics and Decision Making will work autonomously and take significant responsibility for their own learning. This is a strategic management award and candidates will be required to undertake a detailed and analytical investigation into, and critique of, relevant theory and research within the field of study.

Each Unit has been designed in such a way that they can be delivered separately, however it is recommended that, as the two fields of study are so closely related, they are delivered on an integrated basis, with both Units delivered simultaneously.

Some features of the PDA are:

• it is nationally recognised
• it focuses on organisational ethics and decision making
• it develops critical thinking
• it develops skills to critically analyse and influence professional practice in relation to both organisational decision making and ethics

The principal target group for the PDA in Organisational Ethics and Decision Making is existing and aspiring strategic managers operating within the public sector. The target group also extends to existing and strategic managers in other organisations who may need to develop high level decision making skills within an ethical framework, particularly where this involves partnership and collaboration with other organisations

Successful candidates will gain 32 SCQF credit points at SCQF level 11. This could subsequently allow candidates the opportunity for further professional development at level 11.

Successful completion of the PDA will allow candidates the opportunity to progress onto the University of Stirling modules in Professional Enquiry and the dissertation. This assumes completion of the two preceding modules in the MSc, Strategic Leadership and Multi-Professional Working and Learning.

Centres with devolved authority for approval should use their own internal approval process.

Centres without devolved authority require to come forward for approval and should contact SQA's Business Development Team for guidance.

Assessors and verifiers must be able to meet SQA's general requirements for technical/occupational competence as outlined in the Systems and Qualification Approval Guide.

With an emphasis on self-directed learning, it is recommended that the delivery of both Units in the PDA Organisational Ethics and Decision Making consists of provision of guidance and support to allow students to organise their own structure to the learning process, based on individual preferences.

Candidates can be provided with some background on current theories, models and concepts within organisational ethics and decision making. This will set the scene especially for those who may have limited previous exposure to these ideas. However, in order to meet the requirements of SCQF level 11, candidates will need to explore recent developments and are likely, therefore, to benefit from guidance towards suitable texts, current journal articles and other sources of reference.

Both Units recommend that assessment evidence be presented in the form of a report. It is possible to ask candidates for two separate reports, one for each Unit. However, if the suggested approach to holistic delivery is adopted, it may be more appropriate to combine the assessments into a single report consisting of approximately 7,000 words. Reports should be presented in a suitable format.