Bachelor of Administration Honours in Public Administration

Purpose

The purpose of the Bachelor of Administration in Honours in Public Administration is to provide South Africa with postgraduates who have the ability to use enquiry and innovation to assist and guide the transformation of public sector organisations in order to improve infrastructures and services within a democratic, accountable and responsive public sector environment. The qualification also develops important generic skills such as observation, problem-solving, effective communication, analysis and critical thinking.

Rationale

The rationale of the Bachelor of Administration in Honours in Public Administration is to empower postgraduate students to master comprehensive knowledge and skill pertaining to the public sector environment so that they are able to function as leaders in the work environment. Postgraduate students also develop analytical and research skills related to the fields of Public Administration, Public Management, Governance and Development Management studies.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The North-West University subscribes to the principles underlying outcomes based, source-based and lifelong learning. In this context, considerations of articulation and mobility play an important role. The North West University (NWU) endorses the view that Recognition of Prior Learning constitutes an essential element in deciding on admission to and awarding credits in an explicitly selected teaching-learning qualification at honours level.

RPL does not only imply assessment to determine the level of skills and knowledge the candidate already possesses, but also the skills and knowledge the candidate has to master prior to being accepted for the qualification. The assessment processes involved with RPL are the same as those followed for awarding credits in the formal graduate setting. An RPL candidate seeking credits for previously acquired skills and knowledge, must still comply with all the requirements as stated for modules, qualifications and qualifications. The difference lies in the route of the assessment, since RPL assessment may be holistic in nature taking the context of the qualification as well as the prior knowledge and experience of the person who is being assessed into account.

Entry Requirements

The minimum requirement for admission to the Master's Degree is

• Bachelor's Degree or similar qualification on Level 7.

This qualification comprises compulsory modules and an elective module at Level 8.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8

• Research Methods in Public Administration, 30 Credits.

Elective Modules Level 8

• ADV Public Financial Administrative, 12 Credits.
• Advanced Public Management, 12 Credits.
• Advanced Public HRMan, 12 Credits.
• Research Methodology (PAYM614), 12 Credits.
• Public Organisation Science, 12 Credits.
• ADV Theories and Pract of Public Admin, 12 Credits.
• Public Enterprises and Econ Dev, 12 Credits.
• Advanced Local Government Administration, 12 Credits.

1. Demonstrate comprehensive and systematic knowledge of aspects of Public Governance at the forefront of development which are relevant within the current South African and African context.
2. Explain the complexities for selecting, applying and transferring, procedures and processes to complex, abstract and unfamiliar problems relevant to Public Governance or Management in a particular context.
3. Question and evaluate specialised knowledge and processes, and use this knowledge to gather information and synthesis data and management processes to develop creative responses for solving a research problem under mentorship.
4. Formulate a personal frame of reference regarding the above-mentioned research problem from the perspective of a chosen value system.
5. Motivate appropriate research methods and techniques and use them to research, analyse, identify and evaluate a typical public governance question from research literature.
6. Write a report on the above-mentioned research problem that meets the academic and professional requirements set for it, and communicate the information to laymen as well as to an academic audience with the use of appropriate media.
7. Demonstrate the ability to be self-critical of own learning strategies and address personal learning needs as well as the needs and problems of others.

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be assessed in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes

• Systematic and integrated knowledge and understanding of, and an ability to analyse, evaluate and apply the fundamental terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories.
• Ability to apply appropriate discipline-related methods of scientific inquiry and independently validate, evaluate and manage sources of information.
• Critical reflection on, and understanding and application of, appropriate methods or practices to resolve complex discipline-related problems and thereby introduce change within related practice.
• Professional and ethical behaviour within an academic and discipline-related environment, with sensitivity towards societal and cultural considerations.
• Ability to effectively communicate scientific understanding and own opinions/ideas in written or oral arguments, using appropriate discipline-related and academic discourse as well as technology.
• Effective functioning as a member and/or leader of a team or a group in scientific projects or investigations, with self-directed management of learning activities and responsibility for own learning progress.

Integrated Assessment

Continuous formative assessment strategies in the form of assignments and tests are employed as well as integrated summative assessments in the form of formal examinations and a research report. Oral presentations of smaller integrated research projects or seminars in individual as well as group context may also be employed. Students are continuously assessed on the application of integrated knowledge and advanced skills in order to assure that they are competent for the work place. Assignments and tests will comprise of 33%, Examination 33% and the research report will also contribute 33%. The research report is assessed internally by experts in the field of specialisation.