Bachelor of Public Administration

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to equip learners to be able to identify public administration and development management challenges of the 21st century and contribute towards solving identified challenges. In addition, learners will be able to promote ethical and professional standards in the public sector and display objectivity in the management of public affairs. Learners will understand the political, social and economic environments in which public administration and management are practised and demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that public related management-related problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation. Lastly, they will learn how to implement government policies into practical realities.

The Bachelor of Public Administration is a three-year qualification with a specialisation that permits learners to study certain combinations of disciplines in accordance with their interests and the requirements of the market. The curricula are designed to equip graduates with the necessary skills to pursue careers in various fields, including such Economics, Political Science, Business Management and Human Resources Management. In the first year of study, learners enrol for 10 compulsory modules. At the second level of study, a learner is required to choose a specialisation from 4 streams which are presented below. The following Bachelor of Administration streams with Public Administration as a major are offered by the Department of Public Administration:

• Public Administration and Economics.
• Public Administration and Human Resources Management.
• Public Administration and Political Science.
• Public Administration and Business Management.

Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to

• Know principles and concepts underlying Public Administration and Management as a discipline or field of study.
• Demonstrate a systematic and critical understanding of the variety of contexts in which knowledge about the public sector functions.
• Engage in self-directed and group-based learning via a basic understanding of research principles.
• Demonstrate the ability to effectively integrate knowledge and skills in the addressing of government challenges.

Rationale

The qualification focuses on developing proficient skills in the fields of management and administration, particularly geared towards development and administration in the wider public sector, with particular focus on professionalizing the administration and management of government. Therefore, there is a need for the qualification that will empower administrators and managers of the public sector with professional skills that will assist them in their day-to-day job.

This three-year qualification has been significantly restructured to meet the transformation needs of the public sector and will be of value to inter-sectoral organisations, such as non-governmental and community-based institutions. Of relevance is the combination of public administration, human resource and local government management to form the focus of the qualification. Modules focus on sound theoretical grounding and good governance practices that support transparency, accountability, efficient and effective service delivery outcomes.

The qualification domain has received constitutional status through South African's (SA) Constitution of 1996. To address the challenges and needs of the public sector, this qualification seeks to provide a comprehensive overview of Public Administration. This degree's dual approach regarding majors ensures greater flexibility and specialisation, as required by the public sector. The successful completion of this degree will allow learners to pursue careers in different public institutions within the South African context as well as the SADC region.

This qualification is for civic minded learners who want to serve the community and make a difference in our society by improving the quality of life of the people through effective policymaking and implementation. With a Public Administration degree one may operate in organizational governance, finance, corporative services, administration etc.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution has an approved Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy applicable to equivalent qualifications for admission into the qualification. RPL will be applied to accommodate applicants who qualify. RPL thus provides alternative access and admission to qualifications, as well as advancement within qualifications.

RPL for access

• Learners who do not meet the minimum entrance requirements or the required qualification that is at the same NQF level as the qualification required for admission may be considered for admission through RPL.
• To be considered for admission in the qualification based on RPL, applicants should provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that they have acquired the relevant knowledge, skills, and competencies through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to cope with the qualification expectations.

RPL for exemption of modules

• Learners may apply for RPL to be exempted from modules that form part of the qualification. For a learner to be exempted from a module, the learner needs to provide sufficient evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates that competency was achieved for the learning outcomes that are equivalent to the learning outcomes of the module.

RPL for credit

• Learners may also apply for RPL for credit for or towards the qualification, in which they must provide evidence in the form of a portfolio that demonstrates prior learning through formal, non-formal and/or informal learning to obtain credits towards the qualification.
• Credit shall be appropriate to the context in which it is awarded and accepted.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• National Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4, granting access to Bachelor studies.

Or

• Senior Certificate, NQF Level 4, with endorsement.

Or

• National Certificate Vocational, NQF Level 4, granting access to Bachelor studies.

or

• Higher Certificate, in a cognate field, NQF Level 5.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework Levels 5,6 and 7 totalling 408 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 5, 160 Credits

• Introduction to Public Administration, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Political Science, 16 Credits.
• Principles of Microeconomics, 16 Credits.
• Business Management 1A, 16 Credits.
• Business Information System 1A, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Public Management, 16 Credits.
• South African Politics, 16 Credits.
• Principles of Macroeconomics, 16 Credits.
• Business Management 1B, 16 Credits.
• Business Information System 1B, 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 6, 120 Credits

• Basic Personnel Administration, 16 Credits.
• Municipal Structure and Administration, 16 Credits.
• Administrative Law for Public Administration, 12 Credits.
• Foundations and Challenges of Human Resource Management, 16 Credits.

Or

• Introduction to International Relations, 16 Credits.

Or

• Intermediate Microeconomics, 16 Credits.

Or

• Marketing Management, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Public Finance Management, 16 Credits.
• Municipal Finance and Management, 16 Credits.
• Constitutional Law B, 12 Credits
• Labour Law Relations in South Africa, 16 Credits.

Or

• Introduction to Political Sociology, 16 Credits

Or

• Intermediate Macroeconomics, 16 Credits

Or

• Financial Management, 16 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 7, 128 Credits

• Public Policy Analysis, 16 Credits.
• Municipal Governance, 16 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 16 Credits.
• Theory and Practice of Human Resources, 16 Credits.

Or

• Foreign Policy Analysis, 16 Credits.

Or

• Public and Monetary Economic, 16 Credits.

Or

• Business Management 3A, 16 Credits.
• Issues of Service delivery, 16 Credits.
• Municipal Finance, 16 Credits.
• Research Paper, 16 Credits.
• Training and Development Management, 16 Credits.

Or

• Geopolitics, 16 Credits, 16 Credits.

Or

• Development Economics, 16 Credits.

Or

• Business Management 3B, 16 Credits.

1. Know the principles and concepts underlying Public Administration and Management as a discipline or field of study.
2. Demonstrate a systematic and critical understanding of the variety of contexts in which knowledge about the public sector functions.
3. Engage in self-directed and group-based learning via a basic understanding of research principles.
4. Demonstrate the ability to effectively integrate knowledge and skills in addressing government challenges.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Understood different concepts in Public Administration and management.
• Identify challenges within the public sector and possible solutions.
• Display critical and creative thinking.
• Apply knowledge and procedures underlying the practice of public service and management at all tiers of government.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Clearly describe different systems and contexts involved in the public sector.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Show the ability to work effectively with others in a team, group, organization and community.
• Collect, analyse, and organize Information.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Integrate appropriate legislation and codes of conduct in an ethical orientation towards professionality in the public service to address government challenges.