Postgraduate Certificate in the Psychology of Organisational Development and Change

The qualification is ideal for HR directors, learning and development specialists, internal/external consultants or anyone with responsibility for the OD function. Typically you will have a degree-level qualification and/or relevant work experience.

This qualification provides a theoretical background, guidelines on best practice, and skills development in organisation development (OD) processes – all from a psychological perspective. You’ll have a chance to assess your own OD skills and practise them during the programme.

On successful completion of the programme, you’ll be able to:

• define what organisation development is and explain how the theories and concepts can be applied within your organisation
• understand the nature of planned change, and the role of the OD practitioner
• consider the needs and perspectives of relevant stakeholders
• address underlying causal factors rather than settle for superficial fixes
• identify the strategy to use in the process of OD, from entering and contracting to embedding OD interventions
• advise on the redesign of organisation structures and work processes
• be reflective and aware of your own internal experience and interaction patterns, as these may support your effectiveness with client groups
• act with awareness of the social and ethical dimensions of your work.

The Postgraduate Certificate in the Psychology of Organisational Development and Change is made up of three face-to-face workshops.

 

Module A

 

Day 1

 

History and definition of OD

• A framework for the roots of OD practice – the theories upon which it is based

 

Change management vs. organisation development

 

The OD process:

• Contracting – the initial step in the OD process, clarifying the issue, moving beyond the presenting problem
•  Diagnosis – using diagnostic models to identify the underlying issues

 

Day 2

 

Continuing the OD process:

• Data collection and analysis – exploring the issue and collecting the evidence for action
• Feeding back diagnostic information – designing a process that ensures ownership of the data
• Designing interventions around organisational issues – examining different types of interventions
• The individual and change – what goes on inside people when dealing with change, the factors that link to increased commitment
• Evaluation – determining whether/how it worked Guest speaker – discussing real-life case studies of blending the theory of psychology with organisational development interventions.

 

Module B

 

Day 1

The ethical practice of OD, examining the principles and values that underlie our own practice.

 

Examining a selection of OD interventions in-depth.

 

Working with teams:

• Examining team effectiveness and building high-performing teams
• Process consultation, understanding and using the principles of process consultation to work with teams
• Learning set review

 

Day 2

 

HR management interventions: focus on one of the most common interventions of HR practitioners, performance management, and will examine the performance management process as a system that aligns employee work behaviour and motivation with successful business strategy and employee engagement. 

 

Restructuring the work and the organisation, design or redesign of work organisations to increase effectiveness while enhancing the quality of the human work experience, ‘downsizing’ and the organisation development practitioner’s increasing role in this process.

 

Mergers and acquisitions, looking at the underlying psychological factors that impact the success or failure of fusing organisations together.

 

Organisational culture, the effect of cultural context on the OD process.

 

Large group interventions, concepts and methods for working with whole systems and for using large group interventions to facilitate desired change towards shared goals.

 

Module C

On completion of the programme, you’ll be awarded the Postgraduate Certificate in the Psychology of Organisational Development and Change. The programme is validated by the University of Bedfordshire as 60 credits at postgraduate level. Completion of this Certificate does not lead to CIPD membership.

To be awarded the qualification, you must successfully complete:

• five days of classroom training
• four written assignments
• self-assessment questionnaire
• telephone coaching
• your learning set activities and online discussions.

You have a maximum of nine months to complete the requirements of the programme.

First-class tutors

Whether you’re doing a course, qualification, or in-house programme, the tutors you will meet have in-depth knowledge of their subject, and combine academic expertise with years of hands-on business and industry experience. They are passionate about their specialist areas, and have proven time and time again their ability to facilitate top-quality learning and provide the best possible learning experience. So, whilst theory and models matter (and you’ll get them), they are skilled in helping you ‘translate’ them into your day-to-day reality.

Take a look at the Tutors tab on this page to view biographies of just some of the tutors you’re likely to meet on the programme. Why not look them up on Google – we’re proud of the fact that many of our tutors are among the UK’s leading experts in their specialist area.

 

Comprehensive additional resources – on and offline

You’ll be provided with comprehensive documentation and reference material to support you in your studies, including textbooks (where relevant), in addition to which (on most programmes) you’ll also have access to an online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). The VLE includes extensive additional learning resources and links to articles, research, surveys and practical tools relevant to your studies. It also enables you to network with your fellow learners and participate in networked discussion forums facilitated by your tutor between face-to-face learning days. Plus you’ll find tips and guidance on how to do assignments, and for exam-based qualifications, revision tips, past exam papers, examiner’s reports, online exam tutorials and much more.

 

A blended approach

Most of our programmes take a blended approach – combining face-to-face learning with self-study and online working (via the Virtual Learning Environment). This powerful mix is one of the best ways to achieve sustained skills enhancement, and also minimises the time you need to spend away from the office.

 

Practical and applicable

For your learning to work, it has to be relevant to your workplace. That’s why our programmes focus on providing you with the knowledge, skills and confidence to apply your learning back at work straight away. You’ll explore your own needs and issues, as well as share experiences, challenges and insights with other participants and your expert tutor. We constantly update and improve our programmes, to ensure they are aligned with your changing needs and prepare you for the issues facing your profession.

 

You’ll be given extensive resources to help you put your learning into practice as soon as you return to work. Our qualification programmes provide you with comprehensive documentation and reference material to support you in your studies.

 

Other unique features of this qualification programme include:

• personal coaching throughout the duration of the programme
• guest speaker – discussing real life case studies of blending the theory of psychology with OD interventions followed up by facilitated online discussion
• all essential reading is provided
• access to EBSCO online library
• intensive skills-building/experiential workshop
• small group sizes.