Bachelor of Public Management

Purpose

The Bachelor of Public Management (BPM) qualification directly contributes to enhancing the management and leadership potential of learners in the public and development sector, since the curriculum addresses various public management disciplines offered from year one to year three, and these include, Public Management, Public Human Resource Management, Public Finance Management, Economics, Public Policy Management, and Public Strategic Management.

The curriculum provides the learners with the opportunity to complete a range of relevant modules which will enable them to evaluate and apply core management competencies in the public and development sector, analyse public sector departments' human capital requirements using relevant models and theories, assess the management of public finances, examine the relevant legislation, evaluate the formulation and application of public policy, and develop and implement a strategic plan, using relevant strategic management theories and models.

Rationale

The Bachelor of Public Management (BPM) provides a firm foundation for those learners interested in pursuing a career in the public and development sector, as well as those who have been working in the public service and wish to obtain a degree in this field.

This qualification also targets those learners that may already be working in the public and development sector but do not possess a relevant degree. Thus, this qualification will meet their need for a more structured and extensive learning experience.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Learners wishing to be admitted to the Bachelor of Public Management through RPL must submit a portfolio of evidence, which comprises inter-alia, a detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) specifying work-related experience, formal and informal learning experience, and testimonials from line managers, work records, videos of practice and performance records. All such evidence would be considered and evaluated according to the institution's RPL Policy by senior academic members, where after the recommendations are considered and moderated by the Dean (Chair of the RPL Committee). Based on the moderator's recommendations, learners may be requested to participate in an interview with the RPL Committee.

Entry Requirements

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

• Senior Certificate with endorsement.

Or

• National Senior Certificate passed with Bachelors' Degree admission.

Or

• Higher Certificate in Public Management.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at NQF Levels 5, 6 and 7 and Elective modules at NQF Level 7, totalling 360 Credits.

NQF Level 5 Modules, 120 Credits

• Public Management I, 20 Credits.
• Public Human Resource Management I, 20 Credits.
• Public Finance Management I, 20 Credits.
• Introduction to Economics I, 20 Credits.
• Public Policy Management I, 20 Credits.
• Public Strategic Management I, 20 Credits.

NQF Level 6 Modules, 120 Credits

• Public Management II, 20 Credits.
• Public Human Resource Management II, 20 Credits.
• Public Finance Management II, 20 Credits.
• Introduction to Economics II, 20 Credits.
• Public Policy Management II, 20 Credits.
• Public Strategic Management II, 20 Credits.

NQF Level 7 modules: (choose two modules from five fundamentals)

• Public Management III, 40 Credits.
• Public Human Resource Management III, 40 Credits.
• Public Finance Management III, 40 Credits.
• Economics III, 40 Credits.
• Public Policy Management III, 40 Credits.

And choose two modules from the nine electives/optional modules

• Public Procurement, 20 Credits.
• Local Government, 20 Credits.
• Monitoring and Evaluation, 20 Credits.
• Public Ethics, 20 Credits.
• Quality and Customer Management, 20 Credits.
• Labour Relations, 20 Credits.
• Mentoring and Coaching, 20 Credits.
• Health Management, 20 Credits.
• Project and Programme Management, 20 Credits.

1. Evaluate and apply core management principles and competencies in the public and development sector context.
2. Analyse a public and development sector department's human capital requirements using relevant models and theories.
3. Assess the management of public finances and examine the relevant legislation.
4. Evaluate the formulation and application of public policy.
5. Assess the theoretical debate on moral appraisal in the public and development sectors.
6. Analyse the process of negotiation, mediation and arbitration in the public and development sector.
7. Integrate project management principles with the overall operation of public and development sector organisations.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Sector specific policy issues, their causes and consequences are assessed and prioritised.
• Appropriate programme responses in the restructuring of sector specific policy programmes are formulated.
• An understanding of the significance of planning in public management is demonstrated.
• Concepts of organisational development and management in a public sector context are analysed and applied.
• The communication and hierarchical structures of the public sector are evaluated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• A job profiling analysis is conducted.
• Different recruitment strategies are evaluated.
• Recruitment and selection procedures in local, provincial and national government are applied.
• Legislation impacting recruitment and selection policies is reviewed.
• The selection process of an organisation is evaluated.
• An induction plan is developed and implemented.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• The budgeting process is evaluated.
• Sources of revenue are assessed.
• Financial statements are analysed.
• Statement of cash flows is compiled.
• Budget control and procedures are applied.
• The equitable division of budget allocations is understood.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Public policy implementation models, frameworks, approaches and perspectives are understood.
• Policy evaluation principles and standards are discussed.
• Policy dynamics are evaluated.
• Capacity for public policy improvement is reviewed.
• The institutionalisation of policy analysis in the public sector is discussed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Central questions in ethics are identified.
• Concepts and theories in applied moral theory are understood.
• The theoretical debate on moral appraisal in the public and development sectors is assessed.
• Skills needed to examine the implications of the decisions made in the context of a public and development sector organisation are developed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• The history of Labour Relations in South Africa is reviewed.
• The functions of statutory and non-statutory dispute resolution agencies are understood.
• The steps involved in concluding a settlement in the public service and current collective bargaining structures in the public service are explained.
• The process of negotiation, mediation and arbitration is analysed.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7

• A feasible project strategy is developed.
• A complex project in a public and development sector organisation is planned.
• The project management process is mapped against corporate improvement activities.
• Develop contingency plans based on comprehensive risk assessments.
• Knowledge of the control and leadership processes involved in successful implementation of projects is developed.
• Competence in project research and control is demonstrated.
• Project management principles are integrated with overall organisational operations management.

Integrated Assessment

Both formative and summative modes of assessments are used.

The objective of integrated assessment in the Bachelor of Public Management qualification is to assess whether the learners have acquired the necessary general public management skills and knowledge to effectively work in the public and development sector organisations.

Assignments in the form of case studies and organisation specific projects, where the different module outcomes are assessed in an integrated manner will be used. The purpose of the assessment is to measure applied competence. In other words, it assesses whether learners are able to evaluate and apply core management competencies in the public and development sector, analyse public sector departments' human capital requirements using relevant models and theories, assess the management of public finances, examine the relevant legislation, evaluate the formulation and application of public policy, and develop and implement a strategic plan, using relevant strategic management theories and models.