SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Bachelor of Administration Honours in Public Administration

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
100926	Bachelor of Administration Honours in Public Administration
ORIGINATOR
North West University
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Honours Degree	Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies		Human Resources
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	120	Not Applicable	NQF Level 08	Regular-Provider-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered		EXCO 0821/24	2021-07-01	2027-06-30
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30		2031-06-30

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.

This qualification replaces:

Qual ID	Qualification Title	Pre-2009 NQF Level	NQF Level	Min Credits	Replacement Status
72754	Bachelor of Administration Honours	Level 7	NQF Level 08	120	Complete

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The purpose of the Bachelor of Administration in Honours in Public Administration is to provide South Africa with postgraduates who have the ability to use enquiry and innovation to assist and guide the transformation of public sector organisations in order to improve infrastructures and services within a democratic, accountable and responsive public sector environment. The qualification also develops important generic skills such as observation, problem-solving, effective communication, analysis and critical thinking.

Rationale:
The rationale of the Bachelor of Administration in Honours in Public Administration is to empower postgraduate students to master comprehensive knowledge and skill pertaining to the public sector environment so that they are able to function as leaders in the work environment. Postgraduate students also develop analytical and research skills related to the fields of Public Administration, Public Management, Governance and Development Management studies.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The North-West University subscribes to the principles underlying outcomes based, source-based and lifelong learning. In this context, considerations of articulation and mobility play an important role. The North West University (NWU) endorses the view that Recognition of Prior Learning constitutes an essential element in deciding on admission to and awarding credits in an explicitly selected teaching-learning qualification at honours level.

RPL does not only imply assessment to determine the level of skills and knowledge the candidate already possesses, but also the skills and knowledge the candidate has to master prior to being accepted for the qualification. The assessment processes involved with RPL are the same as those followed for awarding credits in the formal graduate setting. An RPL candidate seeking credits for previously acquired skills and knowledge, must still comply with all the requirements as stated for modules, qualifications and qualifications. The difference lies in the route of the assessment, since RPL assessment may be holistic in nature taking the context of the qualification as well as the prior knowledge and experience of the person who is being assessed into account.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum requirement for admission to the Master's Degree is:

Bachelor's Degree or similar qualification on Level 7.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification comprises compulsory modules and an elective module at Level 8.

Compulsory Modules, Level 8:

Research Methods in Public Administration, 30 Credits.

Elective Modules Level 8:

ADV Public Financial Administrative, 12 Credits.

Advanced Public Management, 12 Credits.

Advanced Public HRMan, 12 Credits.

Research Methodology (PAYM614), 12 Credits.

Public Organisation Science, 12 Credits.

ADV Theories and Pract of Public Admin, 12 Credits.

Public Enterprises and Econ Dev, 12 Credits.

Advanced Local Government Administration, 12 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate comprehensive and systematic knowledge of aspects of Public Governance at the forefront of development which are relevant within the current South African and African context.
2. Explain the complexities for selecting, applying and transferring, procedures and processes to complex, abstract and unfamiliar problems relevant to Public Governance or Management in a particular context.
3. Question and evaluate specialised knowledge and processes, and use this knowledge to gather information and synthesis data and management processes to develop creative responses for solving a research problem under mentorship.
4. Formulate a personal frame of reference regarding the above-mentioned research problem from the perspective of a chosen value system.
5. Motivate appropriate research methods and techniques and use them to research, analyse, identify and evaluate a typical public governance question from research literature.
6. Write a report on the above-mentioned research problem that meets the academic and professional requirements set for it, and communicate the information to laymen as well as to an academic audience with the use of appropriate media.
7. Demonstrate the ability to be self-critical of own learning strategies and address personal learning needs as well as the needs and problems of others.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be assessed in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes:

Systematic and integrated knowledge and understanding of, and an ability to analyse, evaluate and apply the fundamental terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories.

Ability to apply appropriate discipline-related methods of scientific inquiry and independently validate, evaluate and manage sources of information.

Critical reflection on, and understanding and application of, appropriate methods or practices to resolve complex discipline-related problems and thereby introduce change within related practice.

Professional and ethical behaviour within an academic and discipline-related environment, with sensitivity towards societal and cultural considerations.

Ability to effectively communicate scientific understanding and own opinions/ideas in written or oral arguments, using appropriate discipline-related and academic discourse as well as technology.

Effective functioning as a member and/or leader of a team or a group in scientific projects or investigations, with self-directed management of learning activities and responsibility for own learning progress.

Integrated Assessment:
Continuous formative assessment strategies in the form of assignments and tests are employed as well as integrated summative assessments in the form of formal examinations and a research report. Oral presentations of smaller integrated research projects or seminars in individual as well as group context may also be employed. Students are continuously assessed on the application of integrated knowledge and advanced skills in order to assure that they are competent for the work place. Assignments and tests will comprise of 33%, Examination 33% and the research report will also contribute 33%. The research report is assessed internally by experts in the field of specialisation.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This honours qualification is comparable to similar qualifications in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, New-Zealand and Australia, on which the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) Level Descriptors for Level 8 with regard to outcomes, assessment, depth and complexity, as well as the notional study hours, are based.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows vertical articulation:
Vertically Articulation:

A Master's Degree at Level 9 in Public Administration.

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.	North West University