Master of Public Administration

Purpose

This empower and build capacity of public administrators who are aspiring to, or fulfil management roles within the public sector to efficiently and effectively manage a variety of institutional settings whilst occupying leadership positions.

Rationale

This qualification offers learners an opportunity to consolidate theory and practice of public governance within the public and selected non-governmental sectors. It promotes critical thinking, reflection, analysis and synthesis by introducing the learners to academic research into various sub-fields of public governance. The structure and content of the qualification is designed to engender in learners the capacity to think analytically and synergistically and to engage in research about issues in the public domain. In pursuance of the developmental agenda in the South African context which has been Constitutionalised, the qualification enables learners to become more knowledgeable of the broader issues impacting on the public sector, and to engage aspects of public governance within a broader national and international environment. In this way, the qualification lays the foundation for the development of a work force at higher levels of public sector management. It also lays a firm foundation for those wanting to pursue doctoral research.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The institution accepts the principle underlying outcomes-based, source-based and life-long learning, in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a significant role, and subscribes to the view that Recognition of Prior Learning, whether acquired by formal education curricula at this or another institution or informally (by experience) is an indispensable element in deciding on admission to and awarding Credits in an explicitly selected teaching-learning qualification of the institution.

An applicant who falls outside of the formal qualifications system, but who can demonstrate (through the production of substantial and satisfactory evidence) experiential or work-based learning or a non-formal qualification (or a combination), may be considered for admission and/or for the Recognition of Prior Learning for the achievement of the qualification in part or in full. An applicant who after such assessment, is deemed to have sufficient potential, but is in need of further academic development, must be directed to other suitable learning qualifications prior to admission or to parallel qualifications after admission.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Public Administration Honours, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 192 Credits.

Compulsory Modules,160 Credits

• Research Methodology and Applied Techniques,16 Credits.
• Dissertation, 96 Credits.
• Advanced Public Sector Financial Management,16 Credits.
• Advanced Public Sector Human Resource (HR) Management,16 Credits.
• Public Administration and Development Management Theory Processes & Pract,16 Credits.

Elective Modules, 32 Credits (Choose two)

• Civil Society and Governance, 8 Credits.
• Managing Rural Development, 16 Credits.
• Legislative and Ethical Fundamental of Public Administration and Dev Mg, 16 Credits.
• Advanced Provincial and Local Governance, 16 Credits.
• Project Management and Planning, 16 Credits.
• Advanced Public Policy Management, 16 Credits.
• Sustainable Development and Governance, 16 Credits.

1. Conduct a scholarly review of relevant literature.
2. Understand the interactivity between a literature review, research problem(s), research questions, and research design, strategies, data collection, data analysis and dissertation or report write-up.
3. Identify research problems based upon societal issues and needs and implement research techniques in the workplace or other institutional settings.
4. Embed ethical considerations and values in research undertakings.
5. Apply in-depth problem-solving skills and critical reflective reasoning at an advanced academic and practitioner level.
6. Adhere to a comprehensive and high level of thinking, enquiry and insight in pursuit of universal knowledge within a changing local, national and international environment through African scholarship and critical engagement with communities.
7. Engage in meaningful and sound academic discourse within the local, national and international community of academics and practitioners in public affairs, policy, administration, In addition, management.
8. Apply the acquired specialised knowledge by mentoring and coaching other research Learners, as well as peers in the workplace.
9. Produce a dissertation that meets the accepted criteria, ethical principles and post graduate policies of the University.

• Apply their learning in an integrated way to analyse a specific area related to their work context in a work-based assignment and to apply the theoretical frameworks to recommend solutions to identified problem areas.
• Assesses the ability to integrate themes from different modules appropriately to a real scenario.
• Assess the dissertation work of learners to see whether it meets the module requirements in relation to: focus and coverage is relevant to the topic and has depth of coverage. the appropriateness of methodology, the structure and argument is logically structured, the alidity requirements in planning and execution and shows an independent approach.
• Utilises analysis and critical evaluation rather than mere descriptive accounts.
• Develops persuasive and coherent arguments accurately and logically interprets data/evidence.
• Use of sources acknowledges sources and provides consistent detailed citations.
• Utilises an appropriate and sufficiently up-to-date range of sources. Style and presentation is written fluently and grammatically.
• Uses correct spelling and makes proper use of paragraphs. Approximately 20,000 words, without undue repetition.

Integrated Assessment

Each module will be assessed through an integrated individual written assignment, in addition to a range of oral and written, group and individual class assignments in order to give learners the opportunities to demonstrate a variety of competencies. The final module assignment requires learners to apply their learning in an integrated way to analyse a specific area related to their work context in a work-based assignment and to apply the theoretical frameworks to recommend solutions to identified problem areas.

The practitioner research project assesses the ability of learners to integrate themes from different modules appropriately to a real scenario.

Dissertation work of learners will be assessed to see whether it meets the Module Requirements in relation to it: Focus and Coverage is relevant to the topic and has depth of coverage. Is the methodology appropriate? Structure and Argument is logically structured, meets validity requirements in planning and execution and shows an independent approach. Utilises analysis and critical evaluation rather than mere descriptive accounts. Develops persuasive and coherent arguments accurately and logically interprets data/evidence Use of sources acknowledges sources and provides consistent detailed citations. Utilises an appropriate and sufficiently up-to-date range of sources. Style and presentation is written fluently and grammatically. Uses correct spelling and makes proper use of paragraphs. Is of Approximately 20,000 words, without undue repetition.

Work Integrated Learning (WIL)

Direct contact time (Lectures, face to face, limited interaction or technology assisted, tutorials, Syndicate groups) WIL (Practical experiential learning, simulated learning, laboratory work, practical's etc. excluding workplace-based learning) WIL (Workplace-based learning only)

Independent self-study of standard texts and references and specially prepared materials (study guides, books, journal articles, case studies, multi-media).