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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Arts in Public Policy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110276  Master of Arts in Public Policy 
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  Public Policy, Politics and Democratic Citizenship 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  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
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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:
The purpose of this qualification is to develop learners with advanced specialist knowledge in the field of public policy; realise a high degree of sustained proficiency in both scholarship and professional training at a postgraduate level in public policy; produce skilled practitioners who can address key social, political and economic issues related to public policy; equip learners with advanced knowledge and skills in planning, conducting and publishing research in the field of public policy; and allows learners or policy-practitioners to develop specialised knowledge, skills and research-abilities in the following areas, namely, advanced policy research, implementation, project management, monitoring and evaluation and public ethics.

Rationale:
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 public policy. The main reason for offering this qualification is to improve the practice of public policy among existing policy practitioners through the method of integrating the theories, concepts and philosophies of public policy 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 in rural and urban South Africa as essential policy skills. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
The institution accepts the principle underlying outcomes-based, source-based and life-long learning, in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a significant role, and subscribes to the view that Recognition of Prior Learning, whether acquired by formal education curricula at this or another 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 qualification is the:
  • Cognate Bachelors Honours Degree, National Qualifications Framework(NQF) Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules and electives at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 192 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 176 Credits:
  • Short Dissertation: Public Policy, 96 Credits.
  • Monitoring, Evaluation and Analysis, 32 Credits.
  • Implementation and Project Management, 32 Credits.
  • Research Design & Implementation, 16 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 9, 16 Credits (Choose ONE Elective):
  • Advanced Themes in Peace & Conflict Transformation, 16 Credits.
  • Human Rights & International Humanitarian Law, 16 Credits.
  • Theory and Practice of Non-violence, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Learners who complete this qualification will be able to:
    1. Demonstrate clear and comprehensive knowledge and understanding and be able to analyse the main public policy theories, concepts, rationale and purposes.
    2. Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of public policy methods, models and techniques.
    3. Critically and competently contribute to the policy arena in all areas of public policy research, studies and practices in an applied manner.
    4. Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the South African rural and urban contexts of public policy and the critical debates within this field.
    5. Solve problems, of both a theoretical and applied nature, pertaining to the design, implementation, analysis, and monitoring and evaluation of policies.
    6. Evaluate, analyse and monitor developmental projects in an applied manner in the South African policy context.
    7. Demonstrate a high-level ability to be self-reflective learners.
    8. Construct, develop and defend their own original arguments within the field of public policy in an oral and written manner. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be used in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamentals of research, including research design, methods, research processes and methods of data analysis, apply this knowledge and skills by conceptualising a research problem and developing a cogent research proposal, design (and where applicable to the Degree requirement conduct) applied quantitative or qualitative research, acquire basic skills to analyse, summarise, present and interpret qualitative and/ quantitative data.
  • Demonstrate research skills and analytical ability to reflect upon the content and skills in an integrated fieldwork simulation exercise.
  • Apply the theoretical knowledge gained in a practical setting.
  • Access, outline, evaluate and synthesise the current state of critical/theoretical debate.
  • Demonstrate personal engagement with the literature.
  • Develop a research proposal, identify, collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information, implement different research styles, present data, and reference material correctly, communicate effectively in written presentation, and undertake independent research projects.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the theoretical material covered in class in a limited period.

    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 written self-reflective field notebook incorporates both formative and summative assessment and the policy papers and oral presentations and examinations are based on summative assessment. Assessment of the taught component will be continuous in the form of, amongst others, research, written assignments, seminars, attendance, oral presentations and participation in discussions and workshops. The type of work that learners will be assessed on includes the following: critical reviews of recent literature on relevant topics; presentations and written seminars on selected topics; written policy papers in which the learner must demonstrate his/her ability to access, outline, evaluate and synthesise the current state of critical/ theoretical debates, demonstrating his/her personal engagement with the literature; research plans, research proposals and ethical clearance forms; group fieldwork projects; Self-reflective field notebooks; independent individual research on public policy issues and; oral presentations and examinations. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is comparable with similar qualifications offered in various higher education institutions internationally. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for both vertical and horizontal articulation options:
    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration, Level 10.
  • Doctor of Public Administration, Level 10.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Development Policy and Practice, Level 9.
  • Master of Administration in Public Administration, Level 9.
  • Master of Administration in Public Management, Level 9. 
    		•

    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.
     
    NONE 


    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.