Postgraduate Diploma in Governance

• To provide qualifiers with an integrated and effective mix of knowledge, skills and applied competence at the Postgraduate Diploma level in Governance, Public Management and Administration, and Southern African cooperation and development, thereby providing them with enhanced opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society.
• To expose students to new forms of teaching and learning methodologies, that are innovative, interactive and experiential in focus, and designed to stimulate critical thinking and problem solving.
• To promote access, progression and life-long learning for students (especially those with practical experience but underdeveloped training and educational backgrounds), by providing them with opportunities to progress to more advanced forms of education and training at the Masters and Doctoral levels.
• To provide an exit level qualification for those students on the School of Government's Masters programmes who have demonstrated sufficient competence to graduate at the Postgraduate Diploma level but lack the aptitude and/or time to graduate successfully at the Masters level.
• To add to skills base of university graduates in South Africa and the Southern African region in the areas of Governance, Public Administration and Management, and regional cooperation and development.
• To offset the current shortfall in South Africa of appropriately educated and trained black and female professionals (at the middle and senior management levels) in the public sector.
• To promote the values of democratic accountability, social equity, ethical conduct, transparency, responsiveness and representativeness as key dimensions of the processes of political and administrative transformation in South Africa.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The structure of this qualification makes the Recognition of Prior Learning possible. This qualification may therefore be accessed and/or be achieved in part through the Recognition of Prior Learning, which includes formal learning and work experience.

Entry Requirements

• Advanced Diploma in Governance and Public Administration from the School of Government (or equivalent), achieved at a sufficient level to indicate the student's competence to embark successfully on the Postgraduate Diploma programme.

Or

• A Bachelor's Degree, national Diploma or equivalent.

Or

• Written evidence of the student's competence to undertake a programme at this level (this takes the form of a written entrance assignment on a topic set by the School of Government which the applicant must submit together with his/her application forms).

N/A

Students who successfully Exit the programme

1. Will have a detailed understanding of, and an ability to interpret and critically analyse

• The historical, political, administrative, economic and social context of governance in contemporary South Africa, as well as key regional and international influences.
• The legislative framework for governance, the principal structures and functions of government at national, provincial and local levels, and the dynamics of inter-governmental relations.
• The issues and challenges facing the transformation of the South African public sector, strategies for change.
• The key issues and challenges facing the policy making process, and the strengths and limitations of current policy processes in South Africa and the Southern African region.
• The relevance of gender in the study of governance, and the importance of gender equity in the structures and functions of public institutions.
• The importance of democratic accountability, social equity, ethical conduct, transparency, responsiveness and representativeness as key dimensions of the processes of political and administrative transformation in South Africa.

1. Will demonstrate a high level of skills and applied competence (appropriate for students at the Postgraduate Diploma level) in:

• Organising and analysing information in a coherent and systematic way.
• Designing and carrying out independent research, under supervision.
• Communicating effectively with peers and the broader community, both orally and in writing.
• Articulating and promoting their own ideas whilst remaining sensitive to the ideas of others.
• Preparing clear and concise reports and conducting effective individual and group presentations.
• Keyboard and word processing skills.
• Carrying out critical analysis and evaluation of government policies and programmes.
• Identifying, analysing and solving problems in a creative and systematic way.
• Organising and managing their own time effectively.
• Working independently and in groups.
• Assuming responsibility and accountability for the achievement of personal and group goals.

3. Will be empowered to

• Contribute to the transformation of South Africa in its global and regional context.
• Effect socially responsible and ethical behaviour.

1. Will enhance their own administrative and managerial experience, in particular by undertaking an internship in a public sector or related organisation.
2. Will be equipped with a firm foundation to progress:

• To more responsible and satisfying employment in the public sector.
• To the more advanced and specialised courses in governance offered in the School of Government's Masters programmes.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes

• Information is organised and analysed in a coherent and systematic way.
• Independent research is designed and carried out under supervision.
• Effectively communicated both orally and in writing with peers and the broader community.
• Own ideas are articulated and promoted whilst remaining sensitive to the ideas of others.
• Clear and concise reports are prepared and effective individual and group presentations are conducted.
• Keyboard and word processing skills are demonstrated.
• Critical analysis and evaluation of government policies and programmes are carried out.
• Creative and systematic way of analysing and solving problems, are identified.
• Own time is organised and managed effectively.
• The ability to work independently and in groups is demonstrated whilst meeting objectives.
• Personal and group goals are achieved through assuming responsibility and accountability for the achievement of:

> Transformation of South Africa in its global and regional context is contributed towards.

> Evidence of socially responsible and ethical behaviour is provided through all projects and programme interventions.

• Administrative and managerial experience are enhanced by an internship in a public sector or related organisation.

Integrated Assessment

A variety of Integrated Assessment methods are used, both formative and summative. These are designed to test practical skills and competencies as well as theoretical and descriptive knowledge. The assessment methods include tests and examinations, as well as a range of academic and practical assignments (essays, practical research reports, policy papers, internship reports, case studies, individual and group projects and presentations) designed to develop the full potential of each learner and to realise the multiple learning outcomes of the qualification/programme.

Although all modules must be passed (with a minimum of 50%) to attain the qualification, students are afforded the opportunity to supplement examinations and assignments, and to repeat modules (up to a maximum of three). On-going academic development support is provided to all learners (targeted in particular at those who are relatively weak, especially in terms of writing and presentation), to develop their practical and communication skills and to enable them to succeed.