Bachelor of Administration Honours

To ensure that learners gain a consolidated and deepened knowledge with regard to Public Administration and Management to enter this working environment as professionals with a high-level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence.

Rationale

The study of Public Administration (and thus the teaching thereof) is considered to be for the purpose of ensuring that the administrative requirements to the delivery of services are understood and applied. The Public sector is furthermore the foremost employer in the country and accommodates an enormous staff contingent. Government in South Africa is divided into three spheres: local, provincial and national. Each sphere's responsibilities are outlined in the Constitution. There are 46 national departments, 9 provincial administrations and 278 municipalities. By the end of March 2010, the Public Service had 1 272 311 people in its employ (including members of the South African National Defence Force). Within the developmental state context, the teaching of Public Administration and Management is not only concerned with ensuring the transfer of discipline-specific knowledge, but also with the minimum skills and competencies required for a public servant to function effectively and efficiently in any public-service department. The reality is that the acceptance of Public Administration as a professional Degree requires a body of knowledge enhanced through scientific investigation based in the understanding of a particular theoretical framework. The citizen of South Africa are entitled to effective and efficient service delivery that is provided by a diligent, loyal and effective public sector. Ideally, Public Administration Education is meant to have a positive impact on the daily lives of citizen by providing direction and capacity toward transforming the public sector through devoted public-service delivery. New entrants into this occupational category should thus provide answers to present-day administrative challenges. Consequently, the elements of public and service delivery render the teaching of Public Administration and Management.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Where applicants do not meet the minimum admission requirements, RPL may be used to grant access to the programme. RPL will be applied according to the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment policy. This will relate to both access to the qualification as well as for credit recognition or exemption towards achieving the qualification. The institution will ensure that quality assurance processes that address the specificities of the RPL process (including applications, assessment, and reporting and management systems) are implemented; and that administrative and support systems, both prior and subsequent to RPL assessment, are in place.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Administration, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8 totalling 128 Credits.

• Municipal Management, 16 Credits.
• Public Financial Administration and Management, 16 Credits.
• Public Human Resource Management, 16 Credits.
• Organisational Analysis and Intergovernmental Relations, 16 Credits.
• Public Policy and Service Delivery, 16 Credits.
• Research and Research Methodology in Public Administration, 32 Credits.
• Executive Public Management, 16 Credits.

1. Demonstrate knowledge regarding the origin and development of Public Administration and Management.
2. Evaluate the organising and functioning of the public sector.
3. Comprehend the nature of human resource management and its related human-resource functional activities within the public sector.
4. Monitor and evaluate the success of programmes and projects in the public sector.
5. Perform supply-chain management functions effectively in the public sector.
6. Display in-depth insight into the key contemporary local-government management issues in a South African context.
7. Manage financial activities, parameters for sound financial management and guidelines issued by National Treasury.
8. Take decisions comprehended by legislative and law, related public administration and management issues in a South African context.
9. Analyse the nature and role of public policy administration and management in the South African context.
10. Apply basic calculation practices applicable to the field of public administration and management.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes

• Determine whether learners fulfil the requirements with regard to a deepened and consolidated knowledge and skills set as required within the business environment.
• Focus on the acquisition of research and information management skills, including the communication of information in an academic and professional manner.

Integrated Assessment

The assessment strategy of the Department of Public Administration and Management uses an integrated approach of alternative and traditional sources of learner assessment. It provides for a constructivist classroom where learners have a choice about which tasks they complete and which tasks are evaluated. Formative and Summative Assessment weighting range between 40 and 60% in the different modules, depending on the nature and exit level outcomes for the respective modules.