Higher Certificate in Public Administration for Community Service

Purpose

The Higher Certificate in Public Administration for Community service is designed to use critical learning tools to probe and deepen knowledge in key areas of Public Administration, and Local government as well as instil practice strategies to begin changes and ignite development potential in our local communities. The 'wholeness' of the Higher Certificate course is in its strong multidisciplinary content, which is seen as an innovative approach to the hydra-headed challenges facing local government in South Africa.

Rationale

The Institution has been undergoing a process of restructuring the organisation of its services to the communities it serves. As a result of this restructuring, the Department of Public Administration is introducing an innovative course focused on a new academic dispensation committed to offering accessible higher education in a dynamic environment of excellence and innovation. The Institution is committed to the growth and development of our people as the key to our continued excellence and quality. The Higher Certificate in Public Administration for community service represents a one year journey of learning, discovery and insight for participants whose locus of work and experience is at the community level.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL is applied using the Institution's RPL policy which adheres to clearly stipulated criteria. The Institution admission policy, promotes access and equal opportunity to tertiary education at all levels through the Recognition of Prior Learning policy. RPL 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 RPL.

Entry Requirements

The qualification is open to learners with

• Senior Certificate (SC) with matriculation exemption.

Or

• National Senior Certificate (NSC) OR equivalent, as recognised by Senate.

Or

• Mature age exemption (i.e. 23 years old with two languages and 4 symbols in SC or NSC).

• Introduction to Public Administration, 24 Credits.
• Introduction to Public Human Resources Management, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Community Governance Leadership, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Community Entrepreneurial Management, 24 Credits.
• Introduction to Community Based Organisations (CBOs), Civil Society Studies, 16 Credits.
• Introduction to Local Government Municipal Administration, 24 Credits.

All credits are at the level of the qualification (NQF Level 5).

1. Link relevant policy issues, concepts, job related policies, strategies and programmes with a focus for improving community development through innovative ideas and/or projects for communities most vulnerable (unemployed youth, women and children).
2. Communicate information reliably, accurately and coherently in writing, verbally and ability to reflect universal conventions in copyright and plagiarism.
3. Identify and define problems in practice of administration.
4. Apply solutions based on Public Administration disciplinary prescripts towards running effective innovative community programs and causes.
5. Use proposal writing and advocacy skills to develop logical and informed proposals and discourse in engagement with local government actors on questions of effective and efficient running of government administration.

The Associated Assessment Criteria are applicable in an integrated way against all or some of the Exit Level Outcomes

• Key issues based on policies are prepared and presented.
• Critical issues and key developments relating to public management are discussed.
• Leadership, strategy, performance management and human resource management are applied.
• Skills, knowledge and other tools are used to make sense of the world of public policy and management.
• Situations and problems are analysed and used to improve practice.
• An understanding of public policies, management systems and administrative systems are demonstrated.
• Public managers are assisted to solve practical problems and strike trade-offs in difficult dilemmas.
• Group discussions and presentations are conducted for the purpose of sharing best practice.
• Application of practice examples in discussion of key concepts through the use of basic research techniques which explore experience and participation is demonstrated.
• Theoretical issues within the context of practice are outlined.

Integrated Assessment

Theory and practice are integrated in assessment through the use of practice case studies, assignments that target local problems. This simulates the management of systems based on an understanding of the roles and relationship between elements with wider governance and administrative contexts.