Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management

Purpose

The overall purpose of the qualification is to enable individuals to undertake advanced reflection on the management knowledge and capacity needed to competently function within public sector organisations. This qualification demands high level of integrated theoretical engagement, as well as the ability to relate knowledge to a range of public sector contexts in order to undertake professional management work. The qualifying learner will be able to demonstrate a critical understanding of different theories, models and principles associated with Public Management and apply public management knowledge and modes of inquiry to reflect on and solve complex problems or challenges, thereby contributing to the efficient, effectives, responsive and innovative delivery of services. Furthermore, qualifying leaning will have the ability to engage with accountability and ethical issues pertaining to public management and thereby effect change and adaptation of appropriate practices in public institutions. This qualification will also assist learners to work effectively as an individual and as a member of team to solve public management problems, through the appropriate use of relevant resources.

Rationale

The Postgraduate qualification is interdisciplinary in nature and is directed at building higher level knowledge and expertise for management work of those who are in or seeking to work in professional management positions in public sector organisations. It will enable individuals to undertake advanced inter-disciplinary reflection and engagement for professional and highly skilled work in the public sector context. The Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) has furthermore stipulated that officials and others seeking to enter management positions should ideally have a professional post-graduate professional Degree.

Many serving officials, especially in Provincial Government, Municipalities and Public Entities have discipline specific National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7 undergraduate degrees, but do not have the required higher level integrative professional management knowledge and skills. The qualification seeks to facilitate progression from discipline specific knowledge obtained at undergraduate level towards higher level integrative professional knowledge engagement for management and implementation work in the public sector. Many first Degree graduates do not have the required higher level management qualification to enter and function in public service organisations. This gap and the need for appropriate Postgraduate qualifications for professionalisation of the public sector have been defined in the National Development Plan and by the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA).

The effective, efficient and responsive delivery of public service in provinces and across the country is a fundamental imperative for prosperity and equity. Public institutions have been struggling with delivery and management imperatives due to the low levels of skills and the inaccessibility to quality programmes for the enhancement of the capabilities of officials.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

In line with the Policy of the University, prospective students, who have substantive experience in Public Sector, together with relevant National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 7 Certificates will be considered for acceptance.

For admission via RPL learners will be required to demonstrate their suitability either through work experience and/or other prior learning that has taken place. The RPL principle recognise prior learning experiences, as long as the prior learning can be assessed and that credits can be awarded on the basis of the mentioned assessment.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements are

• An appropriate Bachelor's Degree, Level 7.

Or

• An appropriate Advanced Diploma, Level 7.

This qualification consists of compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Modules

• Governance and Accountability, 15 Credits.
• Policy Making and Analysis, 15 Credits.
• Public and Development Economics, 15 Credits.
• Strategy and Innovation, 15 Credits.
• Public Finance, 15 Credits.
• Human Resources, 15 Credits.
• Applied Research Project, 30 Credits.

1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of different theories, models and principles associated with Public Management.
2. Apply Public Management knowledge and modes of inquiry to reflect on and solve complex problems or challenges, thereby contributing to the efficient, effectives, responsive and innovative delivery of services.
3. Engage with accountability and ethical issues pertaining to public management and thereby effect change and adaptation of appropriate practices in public institutions.
4. Deliver accurate, coherent, appropriate documents and presentations, for the purpose of communicating solutions and ideas to all stakeholders in the field of Public Management.
5. Work effectively as an individual and as a member of team to solve public management problems, through the appropriate use of relevant resources.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Knowledge and information in the field of Public Management is assessed, critically evaluated and engaged with.
• Theoretical perspectives, models and principles are consistently and accurately applied.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• Relevant knowledge, models and modes of inquiry are chosen to solve public management problems and challenges.
• Social, political and management problems and challenges are identified, investigated and solved.
• Implementation and delivery challenges are analysed, diagnosed and solved for the effective, efficient, responsive and innovative delivery of services.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• Different modalities for securing public and political accountability are identified and selected for more responsive delivery of public services.
• Ethics and governance challenges are recognised and suitable solutions are reflected upon and applied to people and practices in public sector institutions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Express well thought thorough ideas in a coherent and properly referenced manner with supportive date, information and evidence.
• The rational for specific solution and the irrelevance of particular approaches or strategies for a given public sector context are identified and communicated.
• Develop a comprehensive document and presentation for effective communication to a wide range of stakeholders.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5

• Demonstrate the ability to independently source data and information from a variety of substantive value-add sources.
• An ability to work with others in teams, appreciate the challenges, differentials skills and attributes of team members.
• Ability to lead teams in investigating problems and challenges and ensuring overall team performance for effective delivery on specific projects and tasks.

Integrated Assessment

In keeping with the overall learning-centred and knowledge-directed teaching-learning environment of the University, the pedagogical approach on the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management will centre on securing high levels of ownership by participants. This will hence incorporate prior in-depth preparations for contact session by participants. In addition, extensive use would be made of group work and related presentations by participants. Lecturers will have access to teaching case studies for application purposes and establish the link between theory and practice. Contact sessions will also be used to present constructs and ensure that these are understood by participants.

Actual assessment would be through a combination of group work, individual assignments and tests, and summative examinations after completion of each module.

In addition, the Applied Research project would serve as a summative overall assessment of capability of each individual. The successful completion of the research component will serve to ensure that the student has the required capabilities for graduation and for progression to a Master's Degree.