• Registered for and successfully completed the courses as provided in these regulations; and
• Satisfied all other requirements laid down in these regulations and any other relevant statutes and regulations of the University.

Preamble
Regulations for the Diploma in Education (Dip. Ed.) Specialising in Early Childhood Development (ECD) shall apply subject to provisions for both the University and Faculty General Academic Regulations.  General Faculty Regulations shall normally take precedence over specific degree special regulations where both are read together.

Aims
The programme is designed to equip students with theoretical and practical knowledge,
skills, attitudes and values in handling ECD children from diverse contexts and with different
needs.

Objectives
By the end of the programme, students should be able to:

• Care for children aged zero to eight years in different contexts.
• Understand the processes of child development from conception through to eight years.
• Apply psychological, sociological and philosophical knowledge and skills to practice.
• Appropriately contextualize different curriculum models into appropriate contexts.
• Apply gender equity principles in dealing with children aged zero to eight years; and
• Carry out basic and applied research in different settings.

Admissions
Entry requirements:
A minimum of 5 O’ Level subjects, including English, Mathematics and a Science subject.

Duration of Programme
The Dip. Ed. specialising in ECD (Pre-Service) shall take three years full time to complete.  It shall be offered on a semesterised basis.

Programme Structure

• All Dip. Ed. in Early Childhood Development (Pre-Service) students are expected to do a minimum total of nineteen courses.  To meet these requirements, students should undertake nineteen courses and a project on an approved ECD problem (a project is worth two courses).
• In the first year, students should undertake ten courses on offer.  For a student to proceed to second year, he/she should have a cumulative GPA of 2 and above.
• In the second year, students shall be on teaching practice (TP) for three school terms.
• In the third year, students shall undertake 9 courses on offer.
• In order to proceed to register for the project, a student must have passed Introduction to Research Methods in the Third Year First Semester.
• All in all, a student shall normally be required to undertake at least nineteen courses, three school terms of teaching practice and a project (equivalent to two courses).

Assessment of the Students:
Each course shall be assessed based on course work and a final examination.

The weighting shall be as follows:

Coursework                 30%
Examination                70%

Career Opportunities
Graduates of this programme would be able to work in the following different childcare settings:

• Primary schools.
• Children’s ECD centres.
• Children’s hospitals.
• Prisons.
• Uniformed forces institutions.
• Civil society organisations.
• Faith based organisations; and
• Non-governmental organisations.

Programme of Study
Dip. Ed. in ECD (Pre-Service) –Three Year Programme

Preamble
Regulations for the Bachelor of Education Degree in Early Childhood Development (ECD) shall apply subject to provisions for both the University and Faculty General Academic Regulations.  General Faculty Regulations shall normally take precedence over specific degree special regulations where both are read together.

Aims
To equip students with theoretical and practical knowledge, skills, attitudes and values in   handling ECD children from diverse contexts and needs.

Objectives
By the end of the programme, students should be able to:

• Care for children aged 0-8 years in different contexts.
• Understand the processes of child development from conception through to 8 years.
• Apply psychological, sociological and philosophical knowledge and skills to practice.
• Appropriately contextualise different curriculum models into appropriate contexts.
• Apply gender equity principles in dealing with children aged 0-8 years.
• Carryout basic and applied research in different settings.

Admissions
Entry requirements

• A minimum of 2 A’ level subjects for subjects below 25 years of age
• 5 O’ Level subjects including English and Mathematics for students aged 25 years and above.
• 4 O’ Level subjects for students aged 40 years and above since they have Acquired Prior Learning (APL)
• Diploma in Education holders will be exempted from Professional Studies and one year Teaching Practice (T.P.).

Duration of Programme
The Bachelor of Education Degree in Early Childhood Development (Pre-Service) shall take four years full time to complete.  It shall be offered on a semesterised basis.

Programme Structure
All B. Ed. in Early Childhood Developments (Pre-Service) students are expected to do a minimum total of twenty-eight courses.  To meet these requirements, students undertake twenty-eight courses and a project on an approved ECD problem (a project is worth two courses).

• In the first year, students shall undertake ten courses on offer.  For a student to proceed to second year, he/she should have a GPA of 2 and above.
• In the second year, students shall undertake ten courses.
• In the third year, students shall go on Attachment for a minimum of eight months.
• In the fourth year, students shall undertake at least eight courses.  In addition, students normally do a project (which is equivalent to two courses), except in extreme cases where the Faculty approves that the student does 2 additional courses instead of a project.
• In order to proceed to register for the project, a student must have passed qualitative and quantitative research methods in the second year.
• All in all, a student shall normally require at least twenty-eight courses, at least eight months of work-related attachment and a project (equivalent to two courses).

Assessment of the Students:
Each course shall be assessed based on course work and a final examination.

The weighting shall be as follows:
Coursework                30%
Examination                70%

Career opportunities
Graduates of this programme will work in different childcare settings:

• Primary schools
• Children’s ECD centres
• Children’s Hospitals
• Prisons
• Uniformed forces Institutions
• Civil society organisations
• Faith based organisations.
• Non-Governmental Organisations

• Guidance and counselling skills
• Educational research skills
• Data interpretation and analysis skills
• Organisational management skills of ECD settings
• Evaluation and assessment skills of ECD children
• Writing and publishing articles
• Gender sensitization and promotion skills
• Child advocacy and activism skills
• Designing child development curricular

• A minimum of 5 “O” level passes including English Language at grade C or better.
• Possession of a Diploma in Infant Education or Early Childhood Development/Pre-school.
• A minimum of two years working experience in infant grades one-three or in a pre-school setting.

• Graduates of   this programme can work in diverse ECD contexts as follows:
• Primary schools - teaching and administration.
• Teacher education
• Counselling
• Special needs education
• University lecturing

Why Study Women’s and Gender Studies at Women’s University in Africa?

• WUA offers flexi time for the mature women and girls who want to acquire the degree. There are day, evening and block release classes.
• WUA has a crèche where you can bring your toddlers while you attend classes in the morning or afternoon.

Duration:  Three years

Entry requirements

5 ‘O’ Level subjects including English Language for those aged 40 years and above

At least 2 ‘A’ Level subjects

Opportunities for Women’s and Gender Studies Graduates

This specialist degree gives you a combination of critical thinking and problem-solving skills to prepare you for a career in:

• Non-governmental organisations.
• International organisations.
• Government departments.
• Gender desks in institutions.
• Colleges and universities.
• Private sector.

Graduates of Women’s and Gender Studies will take up jobs as:

• Community Workers
• Researchers
• Development specialists
• Advocacy
• Policy Analysts
• Programme Officers
• Consultants
• Journalists

Programme Courses

Regulation for Master of Science in Sociology and Gender Studies

• Preamble

Regulations for the Master of Science (MSc) in Sociology and Gender Studies shall apply subject to provisions for both the University and Faculty General Academic Regulations.  Generally, Faculty Regulations shall normally take precedence over specific degree or diploma special regulations where both are read together.

This programme offers a wide range of courses based on contemporary issues in both Sociology and Gender, which have become very important means of interpreting contemporary social life in a critical manner. The theoretical orientations of this programme will include classical and contemporary Sociological theories as well as dominant Gender conceptual frameworks within the student’s programmatic emphasis.

• Programme Justification

There is a significant gap in the country on postgraduate programmes in this area which combines key contemporary sociological and gender issues. Data from analysis of Higher Education Institutions in Zimbabwe revealed that presently, institutions offer postgraduate degrees in either Sociology or Gender Studies. The Master of Science in Sociology and Gender Studies is therefore critical in that it takes an inter-disciplinary approach by combining the two fields of (a) Sociology and (b) Gender Studies. It also offers an opportunity for past and existing WUA students who pursued or are pursuing the Bachelors Degree in Sociology and Gender Development Studies to advance their studies in higher level studies (See attached the Needs Assessment Report).

• Programme Aim

To create a steady flow of national and international experts who are familiar with key theories and debates in Sociology and Gender Studies.

• Programme Objectives

The overall objectives of the programme are to:

3.1 Provide participants with opportunities to acquire extended and specialised knowledge in Sociology and Gender studies in their theoretical as well as practical dimensions;

3.2 Map links between Sociology and other disciplines relevant to Gender studies.

3.3 Develop and enhance students’ familiarity with key theories and debates in Sociology and Gender Studies.

3.4 Foster an interdisciplinary approach to the study of Sociology and gender; and

3.4 Promote critical thinking on the application of contemporary sociological theories in addressing key normative questions of democracy and social justice from a gendered perspective.

• Intended Learning Outcomes

Students completing the MSc in Sociology and Gender Studies will develop the following competencies:

• Understand and extend Sociology and Gender theoretical frameworks for critically and systematically producing knowledge about social phenomena.
• Relate sociological perspectives to social, economic, and political issues and policies.
• Recognize and understand how structural, cultural, and relational contexts shape systems of gender, power, access, and inequity.
• Develop a reflexive and ethical sense of how diversity operates in social settings.
• Be an informed and critical consumer and producer of sociological knowledge.
• Conceptualize and design research projects, conduct data collection according to established principles, and engage in rigorous analysis.
• Critically evaluate existing research in the field.
• Conduct scholarly and professional activities according to ethical standards.

6.0 Career Prospects and Employment Opportunities

The MSc in Sociology and Gender Studies is a programme that provides students with the knowledge, skills, and understanding to become better Practitioners in this field. Students studying for this programme will be able to work in many sectors, including in NGOs, government, and acclaimed academic and research institutions. They degree programme avails opportunities for graduates to be employed as researchers, development consultants, development workers, sociologists, among many other job opportunities.

• Entry Requirements

Subject to provisions of the University and Faculty General Academic Regulations for admission, the following entry requirements shall apply:

•  A Bachelors’ degree in Humanities and Social Sciences.
• Employment in the government, Non-Governmental Organisations, or any other civil society organisation in the area of gender policy and women’s rights is an added advantage.
• At least two years of professional experience relevant to the programme is an added advantage.
• Applicants must have a good written command of English – the working language of the course.
• A high competence and comfort with computer and Internet use.

• Duration of the Programme

This programme shall take one and a half years to complete on full-time basis delivered in block release and conventional classes. The entire Master’s degree shall consist of 8 core courses (offered in two batches of 4 courses each semester), and a dissertation.

9.0 Coursework Assessment

Students will be assessed using assignments (both group and individual) which may be presented in written or class presentation form. The Coursework Assessment will contribute 30% of the student’s overall mark while the examination makes up for the remaining 70%.

• Admission to Examinations

For admission to the examinations, a candidate must:

• Have registered as a student of Women’s University in Africa in accordance with the General Academic Regulations for Postgraduates.
• Have successfully completed the approved courses of study to the satisfaction of` the university, including submission and attaining a pass (50% and above) in coursework for individual courses.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE 

STUDY TIME AND CREDIT HOURS PER COURSE

ACTIVITY                                                    STUDY TIME COMMITMENT (hours)

Contact time                                                             

Lectures                                                                                  45

Seminars                                                                                 20

Field visits                                                                              25

Sub-total                                                                                            90

Self-Directed Learning                                                        

Preparation for scheduled sessions                                         15

Reading or practice                                                                15

Writing assignments                                                               15

Revision work                                                                         15

Sub-total                                                                                            60

Scheduled assessment time

Final written examinations                                                     3

In-class tests                                                                           2

Presentations                                                                           3

Practical skills                                                                         2

Sub-total                                                                                            10

Grand total                                                                                        120

Notional study time = 70 + 40+ 10

                                                                                  = 160 hours

1 credit = 10 hours

Therefore, credits for the Master of Arts Strategic Communication Programme (Level 9)

= 16 credits per course

First Year Semester One

First Year Semester Two                

Second Year Semester Three 

Preamble

Regulations for the Master of Arts in Strategic Communication (MSCOM) (Level 9) shall apply subject to provisions for both the University and Faculty General Academic Regulations. Generally, Faculty Regulations shall normally take precedence over specific degree special regulations where both are read together.

Rationale for the Programme

Expert communication practitioners in various organizations are part of key personnel as their post cuts across the entire spectrum of activities and departments, and also link with critical external stakeholders, including the media. These practitioners' mange the human relations side of the business, which is as important as product quality or service delivery. As such, the job market has many positions that require communication experts. Yet there are only two universities in the country that offer communication related master's degrees, as opposed to the seven universities that offer communication related undergraduate programmes. Yet in Zimbabwe, there are only two universities which offer a postgraduate related qualification, despite having seven universities which offer communication related degrees. Introducing a Master of Art in Strategic Communication (Level 9) will enable graduates of this programme to be the best candidates for the job where such expertise is required. Additionally, the existent postgraduate programmes are geared more towards media studies, rather than communication. This programme will bridge this gap by offering a postgraduate programme that is centred on communication.

The environment in which most organisations operate necessitates the ability to adapt to the pace of change, technological advancement and economic instability. In such an increasingly technological, networked and everchanging society, this master's degree will empower its graduates with the advanced knowledge and expertise that is essential to achieve organisational goals, facilitate stakeholder relationships, reputation management, change management employee engagement and media relations at an individual, societal and global level. It would also produce graduates who possess emotional intelligence and strong negotiation skills. Therefore, these graduates would be expert communication practitioners and leaders.

Programme Aim

To offer students a unique blend of human and professional strategic communication theory and skills so that they are able to communicate appropriately and effectively in interpersonal, intercultural, organisational, and mediated settings.

Programme Objectives

The overall objectives of the programme are to:

1.4.1    Provide students with the knowledge and understanding of the theories of strategic communication and persuasion.

1.4.2   Equip students with advanced strategic communication knowledge and expertise that are essential to achieving organisational goals.

1.4.3    Equip students with emotional intelligence and strong negotiation skills.

1.4.4 Equip students with the ability to facilitate stakeholder relationships, reputation management, change management and media relations for an organisation; and

1.4.5   Produce graduates with the innovation and critical thinking skills required to be expert communication practitioners and leaders.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the programme, student should be able to:

• Possess strategic thinking and message creation skills that are needed to work in most industries.
• Lead and participate in the team development of organisational communication strategies.
• Implement overall communication objectives, strategies and tactics with ethics and integrity.
• Plan, produce and evaluate strategic communication programmes and campaigns; and
• Succeed in positions that require strategic thinking, planning, project management and content creation.

1.5     Admission

An admissions Committee administers the policy on admission to the MSCOM programme (Level 9) as per University Regulations, subject to approval by Senate.

1.5.1 Entry Requirements:

A good relevant first general degree (Level 7) or honours degree (Level 8) with an equivalent of 2.2-degree class or an advanced diploma from a recognised institution of higher learning, subject to approval by the Admissions Committee. Prior learning may also be considered by the Admission Committee. In the latter case, three references certifying the candidate’s ability and suitability to undertake the programme are required.

1.5.2 Exemptions:

There shall be no exemptions allowed for any course on the basis of courses previously taken at undergraduate, postgraduate or any other level in programme of study that is deemed to be equivalent to a prescribed course.

1.6    Duration of Programme

The MSCOM programme (Level 9) shall comprise eight taught courses and a dissertation.

The MSCOM degree (Level 9) shall be awarded to candidates who have successfully completed the approved courses and examinations at this University as set out below. There will be evening, holiday/block release and weekend classes which are taught over a total period of eighteen months years divided into three parts comprising two semesters that are devoted to taught courses; and the third semester that is devoted to the writing of a supervised dissertation.

1.7       Assessment of the Students:

Each course shall be assessed continuously and examined. Thus, normally evaluation shall be based on continuous assessment as well as examination.

The weighting shall be as follows:

Coursework                30%

Examination                70%

1.8       Career Opportunities

1. Internal/external organisational communication specialists in public sector

private sector and non-profit sector.

1. b) Advertising.
2. c) public relations.
3. d) Media Consultancy and entrepreneurship.
4. e) Publishing.
5. f) social research.

1.9       STUDY TIME AND CREDIT HOURS PER COURSE

ACTIVITY                                                    STUDY TIME COMMITMENT (hours)

Contact time.                                                             

Lectures                                                                                  45

Seminars                                                                                 20

Field visits                                                                              25

Sub-total                                                                                            90

Self-Directed Learning                                                        

Preparation for scheduled sessions                                         15

Reading or practice                                                                15

Writing assignments                                                               15

Revision work                                                                         15

Sub-total                                                                                            60

Scheduled assessment time

Final written examinations                                                     3

In-class tests                                                                           2

Presentations                                                                           3

Practical skills                                                                         2

Sub-total                                                                                            10

Grand total                                                                                        120

Notional study time = 70 + 40+ 10

                                                                                  = 160 hours

1 credit = 10 hours

Therefore, credits for the Master of Arts Strategic Communication Programme (Level 9)

= 16 credits per course

1.10 Courses on Offer

All courses are compulsory.

First Year First Semester

Code                      Course                               Credits

MSC111          Theories and Principles of Strategic Communication        16

MSC112          Gender, Communication and Development                       16

MSC113          Ethics and Strategic Communication                                 16

MDS113         Advanced Qualitative Research Methods                          16

First Year Second Semester

Code                       Course                                Credits

MSC121            Advanced Strategic Communications                              16

MSC122            Risk and Crisis Communication                                       16

MSC123            Public Diplomacy and Strategic Communication            16

MDS125            Advanced Quantitative Research Methods                      16

Second Year First Semester

Code                       Course                                Credits

MSC211               Advanced Publication and Design                                16

MSC212               Communication Training and Development                 16

MSC213               Strategic Communications in a Digital Era                   16

MSC214              Global Media and Cross-cultural Communication         16

Second Year Second Semester                          

Code                       Course                                Credit

MSC 221                 Dissertation                                                                32

Total Credits for the Programme are therefore 224 credits.