Master of Public Management
Purpose:
Source: SAQA official qualification record. Yiba Verified does not own the underlying qualification data shown on this page.
Qualification type
Master's Degree
Credits
180
Sub-framework
HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
Providers listed
1
Qualification snapshot
Official qualification identity fields captured from the qualification record.
Originator
Central University of Technology, Free State
Quality assurance functionary
CHE - Council on Higher Education
Field
Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies
Subfield
Generic Management
Qual class
Regular-Provider-ELOAC
Recognise previous learning
Y
Important dates
These dates are carried directly from the qualification record.
Registration start
2024-07-01
Registration end
2027-06-30
Last date for enrolment
2027-06-30
Last date for achievement
2029-06-30
Purpose and entry context
Official SAQA text formatted for easier reading.
Purpose and rationale
Purpose
The primary purpose of the Master of Public Management is to provide an advanced qualification in Public Management in order to equip Master learners with the necessary knowledge, skills and values in public management to pursue a career in the Public Sector and related fields with a view of providing them to function in middle to senior executive echelons.
The research Master qualification will enable learners to become specialists in Public Management and administration by gaining in-depth, abstract knowledge in a complex area of study. Consequently, the qualification seeks to produce learners who can operate on all three government spheres in South Africa as specialists who can exercise executive management functions that are of strategic importance to the successful functioning of public service delivery organisations. Learners will demonstrate:
- Specialised leadership.
- Self-reflexivity and adaptability and play an innovative role as leaders in the public sector.
Another purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa with qualifying learners who can synthesise information autonomously in specialised fields of study to provide public sector leaders who can handle contradictions and evaluate complex problems independently. The qualification is a research-based qualification involving the writing of a dissertation with guidance from a supervisor(s), the setting of a hypothesis or research question and the testing or answering thereof, respectively. Learners must be able to:
- Deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively.
- Design and critically appraise research.
- Make sound judgements using data and information at their disposal.
- Communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audience.
- Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems.
- Act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks with a theoretical underpinning advance their knowledge and skills within the public sector context.
Rationale
The rationale of the general Master's Degree is to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level. The Master's Degree by dissertation focuses on a single advanced research project, culminating in the production and acceptance of a dissertation. The Master of Public Management learners must be able to reflect critically on theory in the field of study and its application in the public sector.
Entry requirements and RPL
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Learners who do not meet the admission requirements as stipulated, but who can demonstrate experiential or work-based learning at an equivalent level may be considered for admission provided a thorough assessment of the prior knowledge has been conducted, and the correct procedures have been followed. The process will be implemented strictly following the institution's assessment policies and procedures.
Entry Requirements
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is
- Bachelor of Arts Honours in Public Management and Governance, Level 8.
Or
- Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management, Level 8.
Structure and assessment
Qualification rules, exit outcomes, and assessment criteria from the SAQA record.
Qualification rules
This qualification consists of a compulsory module at NQF Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.
Compulsory Module, Level 9: 180 Credits
- Dissertation, 180 Credits.
Exit level outcomes
- Identify, critically analyse and solve convergent and divergent problems in the public sector by using critical and creative thinking in the field of Public Management.
Associated assessment criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1
- Demonstrate his or her proficiency to conduct independent research that leads to the production and acceptance of a dissertation.
Integrated Assessment
Learners must submit a dissertation containing the report of their research. The dissertation has to meet all the standards and requirements of a Master's dissertation.
Progression and comparability
Articulation options
This qualification allows possibilities for vertical articulation.
Horizontal Articulation
- Master of Arts in Public Relations Management, Level 9.
Vertical Articulation
- Doctor of Public Management, Level 10.
International comparability
The qualification has been compared to similar Public Management/Public Administration qualification in other countries to ensure that the South African qualification is comparable to those qualifications in terms of the learning outcomes, competencies developed and the standard of performance demanded of graduating learners. Countries whose qualifications and qualifications were looked at included amongst others, Africa, and Australia:
Country: Namibia.
Institution: University of Namibia.
Qualification Title: M.Admin.
The Master's Degree by research is done on a part-time basis and should be completed within three years. The core curriculum includes the following:
Year 1, Semester 1: Resource Management, Economic of Public Finance, Public Management Administration, and Academic Writing for Postgraduate Learners.
Year 1, Semester 2: Research Methodology, Regional and Local Government Management, Public Policy Process and Analysis.
Year 2, Semester1: Research Paper.
Year 2, Semester 2: Dissertation.
Country: Ghana.
Institution: University of Ghana.
Qualification Title: Masters of Public Administration.
The qualification is offered over two years. The core curriculum includes topics on Public Policy Analysis, Public Sector Human Resource Management, Export Management, Public Enterprises and Privatisation, Advanced Entrepreneurship and Strategic Management. In the second year, in addition to qualifications in public administration and other areas, learners also write a two-semester extended essay under supervision. The MPA qualification is also available during the weekend for busy workers who cannot enrol for the regular MPA qualification. It is structured the same way as the proper MPA qualification.
Admission Requirements include a good first Degree (at least a Second Class Lower) from a recognised university with at least three (3) years relevant work experience.
Country: Zimbabwe.
Institution: African University.
Qualification Title: Masters of Public Sector Management (MPSM).
Learners with a suitable Master's Degree in Public Administration or an equivalent professional qualification obtained by formal study and examination and recognised as a degree equivalent by the university and four years relevant post-qualification work experience will be accepted. Preference will be given to learners recommended by those governments or state enterprises which make an explicit commitment to provide the successful graduates with the requisite institutional environment including appropriate incentive systems that would enable them to make good use of their newly acquired skills and competences in the collective pursuit of sustainable development and poverty reduction on the African continent.
Country: Australia.
Institution: University of Sydney.
Qualification Title: Masters of Public Administration.
The core units of study cover public policy, public sector leadership, strategic administration, managing public expenditure, and a capstone unit Practical core unit in workplace learning. Learners must complete 48 Credit points, including:
- 24 Credit points of core units of study; and
- A six-credit point work-based or internship project; and
- Eighteen credit points of elective units of study.
Learners must complete all units of study to the value of 24 Credit points per semester as prescribed for the qualification. Learners must maintain a credit average result or above, generally over at least the first four units of study, to qualify for admission to the dissertation units of study.
During the international comparisons, it was found that most of the Masters of Public Management qualifications offered by International institutions, are qualification-based qualifications and not necessarily a Master's Degree by dissertation or research-based Master qualification.
Providers currently listed
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Purpose:
The intended purpose of this Master of Accountancy is to provide the learners with a professional, vocational, and sound understanding of the general theoretical principles and their applications in the field of research accountancy. The qualification will be treated according to the policies and procedures of the institution regarding master's dissertations, monitoring, and assessment of learners' progress in the qualification, provision for learners disputes regarding assessment results and Recognition of Prior Learning. The qualification aims to enhance research capacity and increase access by providing an opportunity to articulate to master's degree. The qualification will accommodate learners with a postgraduate diploma and relevant honours/qualifications on NQF level 8, a minimum of 120 credits achieved at other institutions as well as vertical articulation from relevant master's degrees.
Purpose:
Apply educational knowledge, skills, principles and methods to conduct research methodology as an Associate General Accountant (AGA), Commercial and Financial Accountant (CFA), Financial Manager of an organisation, Lecturer, Specialist in Auditing/Tax/Cost and Management Accounting/Financial Accounting.
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