This Diploma programme was developed by the
Centre for Co-operative Studies in association with the Centre for Adult Continuing
Education and the Irish League of Credit Unions, and is offered by the Department of Food
Business and Development, UCC. The aim of this course is to provide professional training
to a range of credit union personnel including staff and volunteers. The course is run on
a distance learning format which ensures that it is accessible to credit union personnel
throughout the island of Ireland. The Diploma is also offered in England, Scotland and
Wales. The learning materials are supported by a tutorial system in regional centres and a
week-long residential summer school in UCC.
The Diploma programme
is designed to develop a critical awareness of the distinctive nature of credit union
organisations and their role in promoting socio-economic development at community level.
Furthermore, it aims to enhance the knowledge and abilities of credit union personnel so
that at organisational and individual levels they can more efficiently organise and manage
credit unions.
The course is comprised
of 12 modules as follows:
Part A (30 credits)
FE1701 History and
Development of the Credit Union Movement (5 credits)
FE1702 The Principles
and Practices of Credit Union Management (5 credits)
FE1703 Operations
Management in Credit Unions (5 credits)
FE1704 Decision-making
and Organisational Issues in Credit Union Development (5 credits)
FE1705 Summer School (5
credits)
FE1721 Communications:
Issues and Skills (5 credits)
Part B (30
credits)
AC1701 Financial
Services and Practices (5 credits)
FE1706 Research Project
(5 credits)
FE1707 Research Methods
(5 credits)
FE1708 Mutual Business
Case Analysis (5 credits)
IS1701 Information
Management (5 credits)
LW1701 Business Finance
Law and Credit Unions (5 credits)
These modules make up a total of 60 credits, the
equivalent of the first year of the BSc in Mutual and Credit Union Business. The Diploma,
however, is normally taken over 2 years, with Part A being taken in the first year of
study and Part B being taken in the second year of study.
Entry Requirements
Normally,
applicants will be required to:
have
satisfied the minimum entry requirements of the Faculty of Commerce and be over 21 years
at the time of enrolment,
OR
be
at least 23 years at the time of enrolment
AND
have
at least two years’ experience in credit union operations/management, either as an
employee or volunteer,
OR
comparable
experience in similar co-operative organisations.
Assessment and Evaluation
Evaluation of learning takes the form of a
combination of continuous assessment and examinations, using projects and assignments,
appropriate to the needs of each of the modules studied.
Tax Relief
The course has been included in the list of
part-time courses eligible for tax relief under Section 15, Finance Act 1996 (Republic of
Ireland) as amended by Section 7, Finance Act 1997. Students should make their own
enquiries from the relevant Income Tax Office.
Academic director:
Dr. Michael Ward
Centre for Co-operative Studies and Dept Food
Business and Development
Programme Co-ordinator (Further information):
Tom McCarthy
Centre for Adult Continuing Education
Tel +353 (0) 21 4902788
Email: ace@ucc.ie
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