Bachelor of Administration

Purpose

This qualification will equip learners with the managerial insight and knowledge they need for careers in public and private sector organisations, as well as for independent business activities. The purpose is to contribute to, and strengthen the leadership that is already present at these levels. This qualification provides a foundation through training in critical aspects relating to work behaviour, human resource management, public administration, politics and administration, labour relations, policy interpretation, and consumer behaviour, which are focal areas in the field of public and private sectors in our economy.

Rationale

A lack of appropriate professional knowledge and skills in public offices is a major concern in South Africa today, putting the effective management of public resources to benefit the citizens of the country at risk. This qualification will meet the need of providing a trained work force in public finance management, human resource and labour relations management, and public policy analysis and application, who has a thorough understanding of the developmental need and political environment of a developing South Africa. The need for expertise in the field of Public Administration is underscored by the introduction by Government of the White Paper on the Transformation of Public Service and the White Paper on Transforming Public Service Delivery. Typical learners who have an interest in improving the efficiency of public service delivery along the principles of Batho Pele, who have an interest in administration, policy and politics, are trained to become efficient administrative officers, organisational development officers, administrative clerks, administrative managers and directors, and business administration experts.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is guided by the institutional policy and is aligned to the objectives of the NQF. Entry into the qualification is possible via RPL as well as indicating advanced standing, provided that it is aligned to the institutional policy and that the applicant is evaluated by a qualified RPL assessor in a manner that is free from any form of discrimination. RPL practices also include standard Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) practices of equivalent modules that may have been achieved in the course of the applicant's studies.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate (NSC) NQF Level 4 with Bachelor Exemption or equivalent.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Level 6 and 7 totalling 360 Credits.

Compulsory Modules NQF Level 6, 236 Credits

• Introduction to Work Behaviour, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Economics, 12 Credits.
• Concepts of Development, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Politics, 12 Credits.
• Structuring and Functioning of Public Administration, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Work Behaviour, 12Credits.
• Development and the Environment, 12 Credits.
• Democracy, State and Nationalism, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Economics, 12 Credits.
• Public Personnel Management and Labour Relations, 16 Credits.
• Administrative Law, 16 Credits.
• Organisational Behaviour, 8 Credits.
• Career Management, 8 Credits.
• Global Politics, 16 Credits.
• Management of Public Finances, 16 Credits.
• Administrative Law, 16 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 8 Credits.
• Behavioural Measurement, 8 Credits.
• Interest Groups and Social Movements, 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules NQF Level 7, 124 Credits

• Public Administration, 20 Credits.
• Human Resource Management, 20 Credits.
• Politics, Society and Economy, 20 Credits.
• Public Policy Analysis, Research and Consultancy, 20 Credits.
• Politics and Administration, 20 Credits.
• Consumer Behaviour, 12 Credits.
• Labour Relations, 12 Credits.

1. Demonstrate an integrated knowledge of Public Administration as applied in both private and public management contexts.
2. Use management techniques based on suitable methodologies of enquiry in the field of administration to solve problems.
3. Integrate new knowledge into their administration practice, inclusive of context and systems.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• The ability to apply and evaluate the key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories of administration in the public and private sectors.
• Contextualise Public Administration practices in the context of public policies in the South African landscape.
• Integrated knowledge of Public Administration as applied in the public and private enterprise economies.
• Distinguish the functions of government through the identification of the various arms of government.
• Knowledge of the role of public administration institutions within the society's policy landscape.
• Identify the socio-economic development issues and challenges in South Africa.
• Apply the skill of contextualising Public Administration knowledge in the context of political and global challenges.
• Distinguish the processes of government through the identification of the various functions and structures of government.
• Show comprehension of the debate relating to bureaucracy vs. development administration.
• Explain the relationship between Non-governmental Organisations and Development.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Ability to conceptualise the concepts such as Local Economic Development; Public Administration theories and development; and Integrated Development Planning.
• Propose suitable strategies of enquiry to research challenges faced in specific operational areas of deployment in organisational administration.
• Engage in administrative problem solving, demonstrating the ability to identify, analyse, evaluate, critically reflect on, and address complex problems, applying evidence-based solutions and theory-driven arguments in the field of administration.
• Appropriate application of ethics in taking decisions and acting ethically and professionally.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Demonstrate information literacy in respect of validating sources of information, and evaluating and managing information relevant to the field of administration and management.
• Communicate effectively in the administrative environment.
• Show adaptability to different situational challenges and work environments in unfamiliar and variable contexts.
• Apply the fundamentals of public policy making and analysis in generating understanding of the scope and applicability to specific fields of operation.
• Integrate theory and practice related to public policy analysis, research and consultancy in different contexts.
• Manage their own process of learning while demonstrating accountability for their decisions and actions.

Integrated Assessment

Integrated assessment practices in this qualification are aligned to the qualification modular and exit level outcomes, and core focus areas. Assessment takes place across exit level outcomes, which include:

• The ability to demonstrate an integrated knowledge of Public Administration as applied in both private and public management contexts.
• The use and development of management techniques based on suitable methodologies of enquiry in the field of administration to solve problems.
• The skill to Integrate new knowledge into their administration practice, inclusive of context and systems.

Both Formative and Summative assessments are used with a 60:40 weighting respectively. A combination of tests, assignments and presentations are used to prepare the learners formatively while theoretical exams are used summatively.