Course director: Ms Val Clulow
The course
The Bachelor of Business (Retail Management) is a six-year part-time course available by distance education.
The overall aim of the course is to raise the level of skill and competence in all aspects of retail management.
The content, structure and presentation of the course are designed to equip candidates with the skills to manage a retail business in an increasingly complex and challenging environment.
For those candidates who are unable to complete the full course, it is possible to gain recognition for partial completion. If students complete successfully the first module they will be eligible for the award of Advanced Certificate of Retail Business. If they continue on to complete the second module, they will be eligible for the Associate Diploma in Retail Management.
The degree is offered at the Caulfield campus in conjunction with the Monash Distance Education Centre.
The Australian Centre for Retail Studies, Syme Department of Marketing developed the course and is responsible for its academic leadership.
Objectives
On completion of the course students should:
* have the ability to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of business principles and concepts to manage a retail business and have the technical understanding to communicate effectively with specialist functions within an organisation;
* have the ability to demonstrate the planning, analytical, quantitative, decision making, time management and people management skills to take strategic decisions and implement them, ensuring productive outcomes;
* be able to apply knowledge of the retail industry to anticipate and cope with change;
* have acquired a positive attitude towards their learning and an ongoing challenge and personal commitment to professional development.
Professional accreditation
The Bachelor of Business (Retail Management) is recognised by the Retail Management Institute of Australia.
Venues
The course is coordinated from the Caulfield campus, Monash University.
Opportunities for candidate-to-subject leader contact are organised on a subject basis and candidates are given advance notice of such arrangements. Local study groups are encouraged.
Attendance at weekend or other contact activities is strongly encouraged but not compulsory.
The course is able to be taken entirely off-campus with all course materials and course administration completed by mail.
Subject `packages' are mailed to candidates each semester and include introductory information about each subject, all assignment requirements (content, due dates, marks allocation) and examination information.
Depending on where candidates live they can nominate the most convenient examination centre. Arrangements will be made for candidates to sit their examinations in their own state and as close as possible to their residence.
Admission requirements and selection
Pursuant to Statute 6.1.3 Admission to courses, the following selection requirements apply for admission. Selection is based on a professional profile portfolio which is an extension of the normal application form. It requires information about previous study, professional capability and analytical ability and the reasons for wanting to undertake the course. In general this course is open to mature-age applicants.
Since candidates will have to prepare assignments and research related to retail practice, applicants should include a letter from their employer or a `sponsor' retailer expressing support for these tasks to be undertaken.
It is expected that the number of applications will greatly exceed the number of places available. Therefore it will be important for applicants to present a strong case.
As a part-time distance education course, it is principally designed for those engaged in retail industry seeking to develop their careers and management competence.
The course would also be appropriate for people planning a career change into the retail industry but not actually employed in a retail company or those who have previously been employed in retailing who plan to re-enter the industry.
Credit for work done elsewhere
Applicants who have undertaken studies at tertiary level may apply for credit in equivalent subjects in the course. When applying, prospective candidates must provide full documentary evidence of prior tertiary studies including a copy of academic records and subject synopses from the handbooks of the years in which the subjects were passed to enable credits to be processed by the faculty's credit transfer committee.
Electives
Candidates can select electives from a wide range of business-related subjects offered through the Monash Distance Education Centre.
Application procedures
Applicants should contact the course leader, Ms Val Clulow, at the Syme Department of Marketing, Monash University, Caulfield campus, PO Box 197, Caulfield East, Victoria 3145 for application forms and instructions. Telephone (03) 903 2727, fax (03) 903 2929.
Course structure
Module 1: Principles behind running a retail business
Year one
First semester
* DEM1300 Introduction to management
* DEA1110 Accounting and financial decision making
Second semester
* DEK2500 Retail management principles
* DEK1120 Marketing theory and practice
Year two
First semester
* DEK1200 Winning the retail customer
* DEB1010 Commercial law
Second semester
* DEE1640 Business mathematics and statistics
* DEB1710 Macroeconomics
Module 2: Retail operational management
Year three
First semester
* DEK2221 Retail logistics
* DEB2710 Microeconomics
Second semester
* DEK3501 Retail buying
* DEA2231 Retail financial management
Year four
First semester
* DEK9011 Elective
* DEK2211 Statistical methods for retailers
Second semester
* DEB2251 Retail law
* DEM2691 Management of organisational performance
Module 3: Retail strategic management
Year five
First semester
* DEM3280 Retail human resource management
* DES3141 Issues in competitive advantage
Second semester
* DEK3361 Retail technology
* DEM3271 Retail strategic management
Year six
First semester
* DEK3381 Retail case studies
* DEK9021 Elective
Second semester
* DEK3390 Retail project
* DEK9031 Elective