Graduate Programs

SMUC and Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) of India signed a Co-operation Agreement on August 17, 2004 and a Memorandum of Understanding on May 19, 2006 to offer IGNOU’s academic programs in Ethiopia. In partnership with SMUC, IGNOU’s post-graduate programs were officially launched on the 18th of July, 2006. So far, more than nine hundred students have started their graduate studies in eight MA programs, of which 253 students belong to the first batch enrolled during the July 2006 cycle of admissions.

Vision

The vision of IGNOU’s Post-graduate Programs Coordination Office of SMUC is to make SMUC the first choice for students among similar institutions in the country by rendering quality service and demand-driven higher education programs through open and distance mode of learning.

Mission

The mission of the Office is to play a prominent role in the production of highly skilled manpower through open and distance modes of learning.

Activities
The activities of the Office include:

• Planning and implementing registration;

• Facilitating the dispatch of course materials;

• Coordinating academic counseling/tutorial sessions;

• Planning and implementing continuous evaluation activities;

• Facilitating the smooth running of term-end examinations; and

• Promoting IGNOU’s post-graduate programs through electronic and print media.

 
Programs on Offer

The post-graduate programs on offer are in eight areas of specialization. These are:

1. Master of Business Administration (MBA)

2. Master of Commerce (MCOM)

3. Master of Arts in Economics (MEC)

4. Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS)

5. Masters of Arts in Public Administration (MPA)

6. Masters of Arts in Sociology (MSO)

7. Master of Arts in Rural Development (MRD); and

8. Master of Arts in Political Science (MPS)

In addition to the aforementioned eight MA programs already on offer, we have seven additional MA programs made newly available. These programs include:

• Master of Computer Application (MCA)

• Master of Arts in Distance Education (MADE)

• Master of Arts in Tourism Management (MTM)

• Master of Arts in History (MAH)

• Master of Arts in English (MEG)

• Master of Science in Dietetics and Food Service Management (MSC. DFSM)

• Master of Science in Hospitality Administration (MHA)

There is a plan to expand the number of post-graduate programs offered up to the level of PhD programs. It is expected that this expansion will raise the number of programs on offer from 15 to 30 in the near future.
 
Mode of Delivery

All of IGNOU’s post-graduate programs are delivered through open and distance mode of delivery. The University provides multi-media teaching-learning packages for instruction and self-learning. These include self-instructional print materials (modules), audio-video materials, face-to-face academic counseling (tutorial) sessions and practical classes.

Evaluation System

IGNOU follows a two-tier evaluation system:

• Continuous evaluation through Tutorial Marked Assignments (TMAs), Computer Marked Assignments (CMAs), Practical Assignments and Projects; and

• Term-end evaluation through Term-End Examination (TEE).