Bachelor of Administration in Public Administration

Purpose

The purpose of the Bachelor of Admin in Public Administration qualification is to empower students with the ability to use enquiry and innovation to serve the public sector through an understanding of the South African developmental state and its related public management functions; while developing important generic skills such as observation, problem-solving, effective communication, analysis and critical thinking applied to related fields of study.

Rationale

The qualification Bachelor of Admin in Public Administration is an important contributor to the realisation of South Africa as developmental state. The Bachelor of Admin in Public Administration qualification provides appropriate qualification since with the design of the qualifications of this qualification, consideration was given to employment possibilities and the labour needs of our country. The qualifications also prepare the student for postgraduate study in the different specialisations. There is a strong need to empower students with a broader range of fundamental skills so that they can also focus on related fields when furthering their studies with an Honours Degree.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The North-West University accepts the principle underlying outcomes based, source-based and lifelong learning, in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a significant role. The University subscribes to the view that Recognition of Prior Learning, whether acquired by formal education curricula at this or another institution, or informally (by experience) is an indispensable element in deciding on admission to and awarding credits in an explicitly selected teaching-learning qualification of the North-West University.

Formal prior learning: Prior accredited learning at the Further Education and Training (FET) or Higher Education and Training (HET) level in relevant domains, which constitute credit-bearing units or modules, should be recognised if evidence can be produced that shows that the student has achieved, at a satisfactory level, the outcomes and Associated Assessment Criteria specified for modules of the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and, if appropriate, allows the cognition of prior learning for the achievement of the qualification in part or in full. Non-formal and informal prior experiential learning: An applicant who falls outside of the formal qualifications system but who can demonstrate (through the production of substantial and satisfactory evidence) experiential or work-based learning or a non-formal qualification (or a combination), maybe considered for admission and/or for the recognition of prior learning for the achievement of the qualification in part.

An applicant who, after such assessment, is deemed to have sufficient potential, but is in need of further academic development, will be directed to other suitable learning qualifications prior to admission, or to parallel qualifications after admission.

Entry Requirements

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

• A National Senior Certificate (NSC) or National Certificate Vocational (NCV).

This qualification comprises compulsory modules at Level 7 totalling 392 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 128 Credits

• Intro to Computers and Programming, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Financial Mathematics, 12 Credits.
• Intro to Public Administration, 12 Credits.
• Financial Accounting (Special), 16 Credits.
• Fin Acc (Spec), 16 Credits.
• Organisation of Govt and Admin, 12 Credits.
• Academic Literacy, 12 Credits.
• Basic Micro-and Macro Economics, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Economics, 12 Credits.
• Basic Statistics, 12 Credits.
• Business Management, 12 Credits.
• Introd to Management and Management Processes, 12 Credits.
• Occupational Health and Ergonomics, 12 Credits.
• Introduction to Industrial Psychology, 12 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 132 Credits

• Macroeconomics, 16 Credits.
• Intro to Economic Planning, 16 Credits.
• Public Human Resource Management, 16 Credits.
• Developmental Management, 16 Credits.
• Developmental Local Government Admin, 16 Credits.
• Public Financial Resource Management, 16 Credits.
• Understanding the Economics World, 12 Credits.
• Entrepreneurship and Business Opp, 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 132 Credits

• Project Management, 16 Credits.
• Applied Ethics, 12 Credits.
• Organisational and Administrative Theories, 16 Credits.
• Government Policy Analysis, 16 Credits.
• Research Methods in Public Administration, 16 Credits.
• Comparative and international Administration, 16 Credits.

1. A systematic and integrated knowledge and understanding of, and an ability to evaluate and apply the fundamental terms, concepts, facts principles, rules and theories of Development Management as well as one other discipline from the social and natural sciences.
2. Demonstrate the ability to analyse and evaluate types of knowledge appropriate to their field of study.
3. Application of appropriate discipline-related methods of scientific inquiry and an ability to independently validate sources of information and evaluate and manage the information.
4. Critical reflection on, and understanding and application of, appropriate methods or practices to resolve complex socially-and economically-related problems and thereby introduce change within related practice.
5. Professional and ethical behaviour within an academic and discipline related environment, with sensitivity towards societal and cultural considerations.
6. Demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate scientific understanding and own opinions/ideas in written or oral arguments, using appropriate discipline related and academic discourse.
7. Effective information and communication technology (ICT) skills.
8. Effective functioning as a member and/or leader of a team or a group in scientific projects or investigations.
9. Self-directed management of learning activities and responsibility for own learning progress.

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.
• Demonstrate the 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.
• Demonstrate the 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

This qualification employs formative, summative and integrated assessments throughout the three years of study, in the form of written tests, as well as practical assignments and examinations used in the various disciplines included in the qualification. The student skills should be able to communicating orally and in written format, using appropriate Information Technology (IT), are also assessed, as well as her/his computer literacy. Tests and assignments -weight: 50%; the Semester exam will be 1x3hours and will weight 50%.