Master of Science in Professional Studies: Future Foresight and Planning
About This Programme
This professional studies master's explores future foresight and planning and how to embed them in organisations. Using a range of foresight tools and knowledge, it aims to help public sector and business leaders and other professionals improve their strategic thinking and planning, make better future-related decisions and deal with the change that follows, and to lead foresight and strategic planning projects. The programme focuses on conceptual issues, methods and problem solving, domain-specific applications and possible responses to the future. Its methods include quantitative approaches to long- and short-term foresight, qualitative long-term methods, and scenario planning and development. The 33 credits end with a two-part thesis.
Course Highlights
- 33 credit hours, ending with a two-part thesis (PROF-776)
- Courses include Introduction to Future Foresight, Systems Thinking, Scenario Development and Analysis, Scenarios for Future Planning, Analytics and Artificial Intelligence, and Strategic Planning
- IELTS 6.0 or EmSAT 1400 accepted, as for RIT Dubai's other professional studies programmes
- Accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
What You'll Study
RIT Dubai publishes a typical course sequence of 33 credit hours, including a proposal seminar and a two-part thesis.
Typical course sequence
- PROF-705 Context and Trends3 credits
- PROF-730 Introduction to Future Foresight3 credits
- PROF-731 Systems Thinking3 credits
- PROF-732 Scenario Development and Analysis3 credits
- PROF-733 Scenarios for Future Planning3 credits
- PROF-734 Analytics and Artificial Intelligence3 credits
- PROF-736 Strategic Planning3 credits
- SERQ-712 Breakthrough Thinking, Creativity and Innovation3 credits
- PROF-799 Special Topics: Future Foresight and Planning3 credits
- PROF-770 Proposal Seminar0 credits
- PROF-776 Thesis Part 13 credits
- PROF-776 Thesis Part 23 credits
What You'll Learn
Programme learning outcomes
- Build an organisational framework for strategic future foresight
- Evaluate the role of scenario planning in an organisation and how it relates to strategic planning, forecasting and extrapolation
- Apply an in-depth understanding of the leadership and change needed to make and deliver foresight decisions
- Compare foresight methods such as scenario planning, environmental scanning and envisioning when evaluating decision support systems
- Design innovative strategic foresight plans for institutional change towards sustainable futures
- Analyse and interpret research on future foresight and planning
Programme goals
- Develop key foresight skills such as systems thinking, scenario planning and strategic planning
- Combine foresight skills with a literature review to produce a viable piece of research
Entry Requirements
Applicants submit a CV showing professional work experience in the area of study, two letters of recommendation and a personal statement of about 500 words. Final admission decisions are made by RIT's Graduate Department in Rochester, New York.
Accreditation & Professional Recognition
Accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and listed as Active on the Commission for Academic Accreditation's register. The degree is issued by RIT's main campus in Rochester, New York.
Programme Details
Award
Master of Science (MS)
Start Date
August (Fall) and January (Spring)
Typical Offer
Bachelor's degree with about a 3.0 GPA
Qualification
MS
Subject Area
Business & Finance
Campus
Dubai Silicon Oasis
Tuition Fee
AED 128,700 total
RIT Dubai accepts applications for Spring (January) and Fall (August) intakes. Spring: early admission until 31 October, regular admission until 31 December, deadline 8 January. Fall: early admission until 15 January, regular admission until 31 May, deadline 22 August. RIT Dubai offers scholarships of up to 50% based on academic and non-academic achievements.