Master of Social Science in Policy and Development Studies

Purpose

The purpose of the qualification is to realise a high Degree of sustained proficiency in both scholarship and professional training at Postgraduate level in a combination of policy and development studies. Consequently, the qualification is both academic and vocational in its thrust. It aims to inculcate, scholarly learning in conjunction with acquiring relevant professional attributes and skills that are essential to policy practitioners in Africa.

The aim of the qualification is to produce skilled practitioners who can help attend to the needs of governance and development, especially in South Africa, but also in comparable societies. The Studies qualification aims at developing skilled policy and development studies practitioners who are equipped with both the academic and practical knowledge and skills which allow them to address policy concerns in Africa. It therefore utilises theoretical and methodological models, case studies and materials from Africa and the developing world. It aims at addressing contextual policy issues and problems in terms of the professional attributes, knowledge and skills being imparted and the research being conducted. It seeks to develop the capacity of policy practitioners and researchers to enable them to contribute to African scholarship in the field of policy and development studies.

Some of the expected outcomes of this qualification are that learners will be able to

• Understand and apply various models and methods of implementing and managing policy.
• Analyse in detail the context of policy design and management.
• Apply various policy techniques and research methods.
• Demonstrate expertise by undertaking a semi-independent research project on policy and development studies in the African context.
• Prepare and present professional reports on policy and development issues.
• Understand the various concepts, approaches, methods and techniques related to monitoring and evaluation public policies, qualifications and projects.
• Understand civil society organisations engagement with public policy.

Rationale

This qualification is to enhance policy expertise and capacity in the public sector and non-governmental organisations in Africa. The need for high quality policy makers, analysts and advisors is essential in the governmental, developmental and non-governmental sectors in South Africa. This socio-political environment demands specific expertise in the field of policy and development studies.

The main reason for offering this qualification is to improve the practice of policy analysis amongst existing policy practitioners through the method of integrating the theories, concepts and philosophies of public policy and development studies with the policy relevant experience that they possess. Learners will learn how to apply theoretical discourses, how to conduct independent research, how to apply specific models and analytical tools under closely supervised conditions. Learners will develop a sound theoretical and practical understanding of the processes, functions and practices of public policy and development in rural and urban South Africa as essential skills.

This qualification seeks to enhance and further develop the knowledge, skills and research abilities of learners or policy practitioners who have obtained an appropriate Honours Degree.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The principles underlying outcomes-based, source-based and life-long learning, in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a significant role, are subscribed to. Recognition of Prior Learning, whether acquired by formal education curricula any 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.

• A relevant Bachelor Honours Degree, Level 8.

This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at Level 9 totalling 192 Credits

• Short Dissertation: Policy and Development Studies, 96 Credits.
• Social Research Design and Practice, 16 Credits.
• Managing Public Policy, 32 Credits.
• Policy Monitoring and Evaluation, 32 Credits.
• Civil Society and Public Policy, 16 Credits.

1. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of issues, problems, ideas, discourses, processes, structures and trends pertaining to both policy and development, especially in relation to South Africa and comparable societies.
2. Understand various models of public policy analysis and development.
3. Comprehend different research methods, techniques and methodologies applicable to the fields of policy and development studies.
4. Demonstrate a critical awareness and capacity for research so as to investigate and understand issues, problems and trends in policy and development studies.
5. Present research findings that meet appropriate academic and professional standards in policy and development studies.
6. Demonstrate the attributes required of a scholar such as a passion for learning and appreciation of the necessity for accuracy, honesty, fairness, generosity, and integrity in the context of policy and development studies.
7. Demonstrate an appreciation of the virtues of being an independent learner, as well as recognising the value of cooperating and collaborating with others in policy and development studies.
8. Respond to the challenges of democracy and development in South Africa in relation to policy and development studies.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes

• Demonstrate their knowledge of the relevant theoretical material and apply this to practical examples in a limited time period.
• Access, outline, evaluate and synthesise the current state of critical/theoretical debate.
• Engage with the literature.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of research, including research design, methods, research processes and methods of data analysis.
• Apply knowledge and skills of research by conceptualising a research problem and developing a cogent research proposal design for applied quantitative and/or qualitative research.
• Analyse, summarise, present and interpret qualitative and/or quantitative data.
• Engage with and become familiar with the critical reviews of recent literature on relevant topics within the national and international context of policy and development studies.
• Develop a research proposal, identify, collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information, implement different research styles, present data, reference material correctly, communicate effectively in written presentation, undertake independent research projects.

Integrated Assessment

The approach and methods of assessment are multi-mode, incorporate both formative and summative assessment and are designed to assess different competencies of the learners. For example, the research proposal and seminar papers constitute formative assessment. The papers and oral presentations and examinations are based on summative assessment. The aforementioned methods of assessment are designed to assess specific competencies of the learners as stated in the learning outcomes. Assessment of performance will take the form of research proposals, seminar papers on theories and models and a discussion of these in the classroom, models in which the learner participates, a research paper in which the learner critically evaluates the project and integrates the theoretical knowledge gained and the practical experience.