Bachelor of Public Administration Honours

Purpose

The primary purpose of the qualification is to provide learners with systemic knowledge, specialised skills and attitudes relating to the fields of development and public administration, to become employable workers/entrepreneurs and contributors to the development of public administration in various public and civic contexts and to encourage lifelong learning.

Secondly, the qualification aims to provide South Africa (and other countries) with graduates in development and public administration, who have in-depth knowledge and the ability and confidence to identify and define complex public administration problems and to be able to offer solutions to overcome them. The qualification should widen the leadership base of people in terms of innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholarly activity.

The qualification also aims to provide South Africa (and other countries) with people who can play a constructive role as change agents in the field of development and public administration.

Rationale

Due to a shortage of qualified personnel in public administration and the transformation of traditional administration, there is a need to respond to a new democratic order in the country and to the changing needs of society. This involves a move away from a narrow focus on public administration towards a broader, more professional and more dynamic focus on governance and public management. The Honours Degree in Public Administration offers the relevant professional skills to prepare the learner for a career in public administration.

Recognised relevant experience in public administration is recommended.

Recognition of Prior Learning

This qualification may be obtained wholly or in part through the Recognition of Prior Learning. Recognition of Prior Learning may also be used to grant access to the qualification to those learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements.

Access to the Qualification

Applicants will be admitted to this qualification on the basis of one of the following qualifications

• Bachelor of Public Administration, NQF Level 7.
• Bachelor of Business Administration, NQF Level 7.
• Any appropriate Bachelor's Degree at, NQF Level 7.

All six NQF Level 8 modules are Compulsory

• Theory and science of public administration, 20 credits.
• Planning and policy analysis in the public sector, 20 credits.
• Politics in the public sector, 20 credits.
• Management of public and municipal finance, 20 credits.
• Strategic management and the public sector, 20 credits.
• Research, 30 credits.

Total; 130 credits.

1. Identify, analyse and solve complex, concrete and abstract problems facing public administration.
2. Reflect on own knowledge and practice in the light of the theory and practice of public administration.
3. Conduct research using appropriate technology.
4. Communicate research findings according to academic requirements.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes

The Critical Cross Field Outcomes are all addressed by the qualification.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Assessment Criteria 1

• Identify significant problems and problem-areas in a relevant discipline/field of study.
• Describe and analyse the main issues involved.
• Take an academically reasoned position on such issues.
• Assess the impact of public sphere policy (including legislation) on society.
• Assess the impact of institutional structures on society.
• Identify and understand issues of reconstruction and development in developing states.
• Apply management theories to practical situations in the public and non-governmental spheres.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Assessment Criteria 2

• Apply theories and models in the analysis and interpretation of public administration.
• Take cognisance of divergent viewpoints and critically evaluate their relative merits to arrive at own viewpoint.
• Formulate sustained and coherent arguments in response to a variety of discipline-related issues.
• Formulate responses to resolve concrete and abstract problems in public and non-governmental contexts.
• Apply learning from individual experience and academic disciplines to political, social, cultural, technological and economic realities, locally and globally.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Assessment Criteria 3

• Document researchable problems.
• Demarcate the scope of research, for a limited project, under supervision.
• Conceptualise a research topic within an existing field of discourse and literature.
• Compile a research design in relation to a research problem.
• Conduct an independent search for relevant sources such as journals, specialist bibliographies, websites, official publications, file systems and archives.
• Review and integrate the most important literature.
• Identify, define and distinguish between the various research methods in the social sciences (e.g. quantitative, qualitative and participatory action).
• Choose and apply the most applicable research methods and strategies for research problems in their field of research.
• Make reasoned theoretical judgements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Assessment Criteria 4

• Communicate material according to standard academic conventions of presentation (e.g. structuring, referencing, bibliographies).

Integrated Assessment

Integrated Assessment is used to measure the extent to which the learner has achieved competence in the Exit Level Outcomes. The assessment methods include:

• Case studies.
• Report writing.
• Interpretative and analytical problem solving in the written examination.
• Work based assignments.
• Self assessment activities in the course material.

Formative Assessment: The scope of work includes assignments based on the learning material and learners are given feedback. The process is continuous and focuses on smaller sections of the wok and limited number of outcomes.

Summative Assessment: Examinations or equivalent assessment such as a research essay or portfolio in order to determine a representative selection of the outcomes practised and assessed in the formative stage. Summative assessment also tests the student's ability to manage and integrate a large body of knowledge to achieve the stated outcomes of a module.

Integrated Assessment: All assessment will integrate knowledge, skills and attitudes and applied competence.