Master of Arts in Public Management and Governance

Purpose

The purpose of the Master's Degree (MA) in Public Management and Governance is to provide postgraduate students with an advanced knowledge and the necessary analytical, interpersonal and problem-solving skills in the field of Public Management and Governance that would enable them to become self-driven. These integrated thinkers should be able to evaluate the literature pertaining to the field of specialisation critically and be capable researchers, contributing to the production and advancement of knowledge in their area of specialisation.

Rationale

The Master's Degree (MA) in Public Management and Governance is a multi-disciplinary qualification, which offers students the opportunity to develop analytical and research skills in their chosen specialisation. The Degree focuses on professional growth through the advancement and production of knowledge and management-related skills development. The Degree contributes to research leadership and scholarly activity in a developmental South Africa.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

RPL for access purposes will require the candidate to comply with the admission requirements of the North West University (NWU).

The North-West University accepts the principle underlying outcomes oriented, source-based and lifelong learning in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a meaningful role. The University also underwrites the view that recognition of previous learning, obtained either by formal teaching qualifications at this or another institution, or informally(obtained by experience), is an indispensable element in granting admission or credits with the aim of placing in a specifically chosen teaching-learning qualification of the University.

In recognising previous learning, it deals with provable knowledge and learning that the applicant obtained by following formal teaching qualifications or by experience. At all times the question will be what level of competence was reached, judged in the context of the exit level skills required for the contemplated teaching-learning qualifications (or modules therein) or status for which the applicant is applying and not merely about the experience the applicant can prove. Recognition of previous learning takes place in terms of the relevant skills that the applicant demonstrated in the application with reference to the exit outcomes that should be reached in the chosen qualification.

Entry Requirements

The minimum requirement for admission to the Master's Degree is

• Honours Degree in Development and Management.

Or

• A similar qualification at Level 8.

This qualification comprises a compulsory module at Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 180 Credits

• Dissertation, 180 Credits.

1. Demonstrate specialist knowledge to engage with and critique current research and practices.
2. Evaluate knowledge production and choose a process of enquiry.
3. Demonstrate competencies in the identification of a viable research question that can be researched individually or within a group, either discipline-specific or interdisciplinary.
4. Demonstrate the ability to design and apply appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative formats and procedures in an ethical and scientific way to investigate the problem, then interpret and report the research findings scientifically and communicate the findings in writing in accordance with academic protocols, and also orally with the aid of Information Technology (IT), to an audience of academic peers.

Integrated Assessment

Assessment of a Master's dissertation initially takes place when the research proposal is considered by the Committee for Advanced Degrees. Approval by this committee is a requirement for the study. The supervisor also assesses continuously while the dissertation is being written. Examination of the dissertation is finally done by at least two examiners of which one is external, all experts in the field of specialization. A supervisor may not be appointed as an examiner.