Master of Public Administration

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to train and equip learners with knowledge that will enable them to serve as managers in the executive arm of local, provincial and national government, and that focuses on the systematic study of executive organisation and management. Includes instruction in the roles, development, and principles of public administration; the management of public policy; executive-legislative relations; public budgetary processes and financial management, administrative law; public personnel management; professional ethics; and research methods.

Rationale

The institution strategic plan indicates that it strives toward the identified national priority through improving the effectiveness and efficiency of national, provincial, and local government structures in successfully implementing basic service delivery qualifications and maintaining governance levels marked by professionalism and integrity. It does this through the provision of qualifying learners with a deep and comprehensive theoretical and applied knowledge of a field or specialised area of Public Administration. It strives to equip qualifying learners with the ability to evaluate critically the literature of the field, challenge orthodox theory, redefine existing knowledge, handle contradictions and make defendable judgments. Further, to instil mastery of relevant research techniques, including independent analyses and evaluation of data, using appropriate and applicable methodology. Qualifying learners will be good communicators in spoken and written English, to both scientific and non-scientific audiences.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is guided by the institutional policy and is aligned to the objectives of the NQF. Entry into the qualification is possible via RPL as well as indicating advanced standing, provided that it is aligned to the institutional policy and that the applicant is evaluated by a qualified RPL assessor in a manner that is free from any form of discrimination. RPL practices also include standard Credit Accumulation and Transfer (CAT) practices of equivalent modules that may have been achieved in the course of the applicant's studies.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Bachelor of Administration Honours in Public Administration, Level 8.

Or

• A qualification in a similar.

Or

• related discipline, Level 8.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and/or elective modules at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 200 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 184 Credits

• Mini-dissertation (Public Administration and Management), 100 Credits.
• South African Public Management, 12 Credits.
• Public Management Theories, 12 Credits.
• Research Methodology, 12 Credits.
• Public Financial Management, 12 Credits.
• Organisation Theory, 12 Credits.
• Ethics and Accountability in Public Administration, 12 Credits.
• Public Policy Analysis, 12 Credits.

Elective Modules, 16 Credits (Choose/Select one)

• Human Resource Management, 8 Credits.
• Local Government and Administration, 8 Credits.
• Intergovernmental Relations/Cooperative Governance, 8 Credits.
• Strategic Management Techniques, 8 Credits.

1. Ability to demonstrate specialist knowledge, be able to critique, and evaluate current research or practices.
2. Demonstrate a command of and the ability to design, select and apply appropriate and creative methods, techniques, processes or technologies to complex practical and theoretical problems.
3. Solve problems that plague the Public Administration Profession.
4. Access, manage and produce information ethically in the context of the public administration practitioner's profession.
5. The learner is sensitive to and understand context and systems of the profession
6. Manage his or her own learning and takes accountability for his or her own work.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Discuss a historical perspective, social, political, economic and other factors and their influence on the system of government.
• Provide a definition of Public Administration and difference with public administration.
• Describe approaches to study Public Administration.
• Explain the principle of making institutional strategy the focus of all institutional activities.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Discuss the constitutional and administrative frameworks within which the public manager functions i.e. Characteristics of a state, legislative institutions, political executive institutions, constitutional supremacy, and public administration and management principles.
• Analyse the monitoring and evaluation of implementation process (from input, throughput to output).

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• The learner demonstrates the ability to use a wide range of specialised skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing and implementing methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging problems within the field of Public Administration.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• The learner demonstrates the ability to design and implement a strategy for the processing and management of information, in order to conduct a comprehensive review of leading and current research in Public Administration to produce significant insights.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• The learner demonstrates the ability to make interventions at an appropriate level within a system, based on an understanding of hierarchical relations within the system, and the ability to address the intended and unintended consequences of interventions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6

• The learner develops his or her own learning strategies, which sustain independent learning and academic or professional development.

Integrated Assessment

Assessments are based on formative assessments, which are in place to assure continuous learning and feedback to learners. Summative assessments which ensure a judgement of learning at exit level outcomes.