Bachelor of Administration in Public Administration

Purpose

The purpose of this programme is to develop core competencies by focusing on learners' ability to exhibit previously learned concepts, facts, principles and theories in Public Administration as an art, science and field of practice. Learners must also be able solve problems in the theory and practice of Public Administration through application, analysis, illustrating and identifying complex problems that seek evidence-based solutions in the theory and practice of Public Administration.

In addition to that, learners must be able to examine and breakdown Public Administration concepts, facts, theories and practices and make inferences and find evidence from literature and practices to support and/or refute generalisations.

Rationale

The Bachelor of Administration in Public Administration is designed with a primary aim of producing well-rounded graduates, with a theoretical and knowledge foundation in Public Administration and Management, as a basis for enriching effective practice application.

The qualification was further designed with specific relevance to national needs to further develop skills and understanding of the role of public sector organisations in economic development and regeneration, citizenship issues in public organisations; the concepts, processes and institutions in the management of resources and operations; financing the public sector (sources, financial management, accountability and financial reporting); management and development of people within organisations, human resource management, human resource development and change management and the uses and limitations of quantitative and qualitative research methods for providing information and evaluating options in an uncertain organisational environment.

The qualification will also develop graduates with a proven and sound management perspective in Public Administration and a sense of responsibility which are important attendants to knowledge acquisition especially in an applied science like Public Administration. Graduates of this qualification will serve as Public Servants, Managers, Policy Analysts and Advisors, Economists in the public sector, para-statals, Non-profit Organisations, Community-based Organisations, and Multilateral Institutions etc.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning is applied using the institution's RPL policy which adheres to clearly stipulated criteria. The institution's admission policy, promotes access and equal opportunity to tertiary education at all levels through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy. Recognition of Prior Learning will be applied by requesting prospective RPL candidates to submit a portfolio comprising work related experiential work as profiles of work related short certificate (CE) courses. These will be assessed and admission determined accordingly in terms of the institution's policy and criteria on Recognition of Prior Learning.

Entry Requirement

Learners are required to have the following in place in order to be considered for admission

• National Senior Certificate with Bachelor's Degree pass.
• Senior Certificate with endorsement.
• A Certificate of Exemption from the exemption requirements.
• Mature age exemption from the exemption requirements (i.e. turning the age 23 years old during the year of first registration and must have obtained 40% in four Senior Certificate subjects including one on higher grade), in addition to this requirement, two languages must have been passed.

Bachelor of Administration in Public Administration consists of 13 modules totalling 384 credits at Levels 5, 6 and 7.

NQF Level 5 (4 modules totalling 128 credits)

• Introduction to Public Administration, 32 credits.
• Public Community Leadership, 32 credits.
• Local Government Administration, 32 credits.

Elective modules: Choose one from three below

• Industrial Psychology 1, 32 credits.
• Business Management 1, 32 credits.
• Economics 1, 32 credits.

NQF Level 6 (4 modules totalling 128 credits)

• Introduction to Research Methodology in Public Administration, 32 credits.
• Public Human Resource Management, 32 credits.
• Introduction to Public Finance, 32 credits.

Elective modules: Choose one from three below

• Industrial Psychology 2, 32 credits.
• Economics 2, 32 credits.
• Development Economics 2, 32 credits.

NQF Level 7 (5 modules totalling 128 credits)

• Public Policy, 32 credits.
• Ethics in Public Administration, 32 credits.
• Monitoring and Evaluation in the Public Sector, 32 credits.

Elective modules: Choose two from three below

• Economics 3, 16 credits.
• Business Management 3, 16 credits.
• Industrial Psychology 3, 16 credits.

1. Demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge in the sub-fields of Public Administration or practices, including an understanding of and an ability to apply and evaluate key terms, concepts, facts principles, and theories in Public Administration.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of a range of methods and traditions of inquiry and knowledge creation in the theory and practice of Public Administration to resolve problems and introduce change to practices in the public sector.
3. Demonstrate an ability to take decisions and act ethically and professionally and understanding of the distinctive nature of public administration in terms of specific, identified guidelines; normative values and ethical principles.
4. Demonstrate an ability to identify the nature and place of administration in governance and take full responsibility for own work, decision-making and use of resources, and limited accountability for decisions and actions of others in varied contexts.
5. Demonstrate an ability to develop and communicate ideas and opinions in well-informed arguments using appropriate academic and professional discourse in Public Administration.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Principles, theories and facts are described and explained in individual and group assignments.
• Concepts are defined.
• Content of Public Administration (locus and focus) is communicated both orally and in writing using appropriate disciplinary conventions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Different sources of information are synthesised, analysed and evaluated in groups and written tests.
• An understanding of the public administration environment as well as the South African, governmental, judicial and administrative institutions and their functions is demonstrated.

Associated Assessment Criterion for Exit Level Outcome 3

• The normative values and ethical principles to indicate the distinctiveness of Public Administration as a field of study and practice are identified and discussed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• The nature of administration is identified, described and explained.
• The multifaceted character of administrative behaviour in the public sector is reflected upon.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level outcome 5

• Content of Public Administration (locus and focus) is communicated both orally and in writing.
• Group discussions and class discussions as well as case studies and research exercises are conducted.

Integrated Assessment

Bachelor Admin in Public Administration is an academic qualification which embraces the principles of academic excellence and it employs rigorous assessment methods and tools to assess learner progress. Case studies, assignments and research projects form part of the assessment regime. These assessments are conducted at both practical and theoretical levels.