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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Public Administration 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97034  Doctor of Public Administration 
ORIGINATOR
University of Fort Hare 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Doctoral Degree  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Public Administration 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 10  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
It is intended that the learner enrolled for this qualification will undertake original research that will contribute to the knowledge and practice in the field of Public Administration and will submit a Thesis reporting the results of the research.

Graduates from the qualification are expected to have acquired extensive disciplinary knowledge and advanced research competencies that will provide expertise in their specializations, will enrich the discipline and offer advanced and complex practical applications and solutions to problems faced by local, provincial and national government.

Rationale:
The Department of Public Administration enables the learners with a relevant Master's qualification to proceed to doctoral level. Learners exiting the relevant Masters' Degrees will have the ability to conduct research in a manner that is critical, reflective and constructive, with a view to production of new knowledge and innovations that are able to be defended and applied locally and internationally in social contexts with similar challenges. Apart from the need to offer progression academically, there is a need to further develop the intellectual capacity of people in the region and to produce solutions to complex problems that are unique, particularly the challenges faced at the level of local authorities and provincial administration in this province.

The Doctoral Degree is the highest qualification the University may award to a learner and the public sector is the largest employer in South Africa, with a large variety of divergent occupations of a clerical, administrative, technical and professional nature. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Access to this Doctoral degree could be granted to learners not in possession of a Master's degree that meets the admission requirements, at the discretion of the Institution.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Master's qualification in the chosen or a related field/discipline, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at National Qualifications Framework Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.
  • Thesis, 360 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Motivate, plan and conduct research according to an accepted research proposal.
    2. Analyse, evaluate, interpret and argue findings.
    3. Present the research findings and recommendations in the required manner. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Compile and present a research proposal.
  • Identify problems and undertake solutions.
  • Conduct research ethically and according to relevant methodology.
  • Collate information from a wide range of sources.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Demonstrate arguments are well-structured, analytical and original.
  • Ensure the content shows original thinking and disciplined application to current practices.
  • Analyse and evaluate conflicting findings carefully.
  • Use computer technology to assist in analysing, interpreting and presenting findings.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Confirm the ability to perform as a leader in the field in the manner and content of the presentation.
  • Demonstrate critical awareness of cultural and ethical issues clearly.
  • Ensure the presentation can contribute towards improvement and changes in current public administration practices.
  • Ensure the thesis complies with academic requirements at doctoral level.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The assessment process provides for the checking of individual chapters, under the supervision of the supervisor (and co-supervisor) prior to the final examination of the thesis upon its completion. The University requires that doctoral theses be examined by three external examiners, with at least one examiner from a (non-South African) African university and at least one from a University that is outside Africa. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This doctorate complies in format and academic demand with the demands of doctoral study as offered at all universities internationally. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Cognate Doctoral degree, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. University of Fort Hare 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.