SAQA

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.

SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
110463	Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration
ORIGINATOR
Milpark Education (Pty) Ltd
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma	Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies		Public Administration
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	2019-09-11	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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration aims to prepare senior managers for their roles in managing complex problems in the public sector. It is aimed at persons at the management levels in public service. The qualification contains modules covering the core functions of management, namely leadership, governance, strategy, finance and people management.

High level problem solving, systems thinking and innovation are threads that run through each of the modules. In the final compulsory module, the Integrated Public Service Project, learners are required to use all the knowledge and skill acquired in earlier modules to identify a real-world problem and to critically review information gathering, synthesis of data, evaluation and management processes in this specialised context in order to develop a creative response to the problem identified.

The qualifying learner will:

Apply relevant theories and concepts in the fields of management, leadership, finance, human resources and strategy to solve complex problems in a public sector setting.

Manage the conceptualisation and implementation of strategies, policies and plans in a public sector environment with due regard to national and global contexts.

Promote ethical decisions on complex institutional issues with sensitivity and awareness of consequences in an autonomous manner.

Collect, interpret and process data and information in order to make informed decisions.

Rationale:
The rationale of the qualification is to enable working professionals to undertake advanced reflection and development by means of a systematic survey of current thinking, practice and research methods in an area of specialisation. The qualification will meet the requirements of a specific niche in the labour market, namely that of managers in the public sector. Successful completion of the qualification will serve to strengthen and deepen the learner's knowledge in senior public management.

The public sector in South Africa is facing serious challenges. To this end a number of Government departments (such as the Gauteng City Region Academy (GCRA) have recently started development qualifications with the aim of delivering a competent cadre of employees and non-employees through high-quality and cutting edge educational interventions. The sector needs senior managers across all spheres of government who can operate with a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence in order to identify and address the complex problems troubling public service delivery. Graduates of this qualification will be able to use their advanced knowledge of management and administration to act as change managers in the system.

The qualification also contains an integrated public service project that requires the identification of a real problem in the public service sphere, some research on its origin and similar problems in other sectors, proposing an innovative solution, and proposing a brief strategy and project plan to address the problem.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
For access to the qualification, RPL will be allowed for mature age applicants and applicants with non-South African school-leaving qualifications or previous tertiary education experience, may be considered. However, RPL assessment will be considered only on condition that it is assessed to a 360-Credit Bachelor qualification. A formal RPL process will be applied.

Applicants who have completed related work experience, relevant short courses or who have completed part of a related qualification, can apply for credits to the qualification. The necessary documentary evidence will have to be provided and a formal RPL process will be applied.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration, Level 7, 360 Credits.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, 103 Credits:

Strategic Public Management and Governance, 17 Credits.

Public Sector Leadership, 17 Credits.

Strategic Public Sector People Management, 17 Credits.

Programme Monitoring and Evaluation, 17 Credits.

Public Financial Accountability, 17 Credits.

Integrated Public Service Project, 18 Credits.

Elective Modules, 17 Credits (Choose/Select one):

Development Economics, 17 Credits.

Public Policy Management, 17 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Apply relevant theories and concepts in the fields of management, leadership, finance, human resources and strategy to solve complex problems in a public sector setting.
2. Manage the conceptualisation and implementation of strategies, policies and plans in a public sector environment with due regard to national and global contexts.
3. Promote ethical decisions on complex institutional issues with sensitivity and awareness of consequences in an autonomous manner.
4. Collect, interpret and process data and information in order to make informed decisions.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Develop a strategic plan for a business unit/department in the public sector.

Apply appropriate leadership models and theories to solve concrete, complex and abstract problems to public governance contexts.

Apply appropriate people management techniques.

Apply different types of financial management techniques in a public sector setting.

Devise and present recommendations to address a complex problem in a specified context.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Examine and clarify concepts and issues in relation to overall government strategy, objectives and priorities.

Initiate actions in order to position the public sector organisation to respond to changes in the environment.

Formulate operational objectives.

Apply integration and coordination with regard to the successful implementation of goals and strategies.

Align human resource strategies to overall departmental strategies.

Manage diversity in the public sector context.

Demonstrate insight into the use of performance and incentive management as strategic levers.

Devise and implement risk management plans.

Communicate implementation objectives, priorities and processes to relevant stakeholders.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Apply the principles of ethics to the financial management function.

Make and motivate ethical leadership decisions.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Build quantitative and qualitative skills in formulating, managing, monitoring and evaluating development interventions.

Formulate a research question; and select and apply appropriate methods for data collection and interpretation.

Analyse data is analysed and interpret results in order to formulate recommendations.

Accurately measure outputs and outcomes of interventions.

Compile a project based on informed recommendations.

Integrated Assessment:
The quality of the assessment is vital in order to provide credible certification and recognition of achievement. The institution makes every effort to ensure credibility in assessment through the application of clear and rigorous procedures and practices. These procedures and practices are controlled by the principles of fairness, validity, reliability and practicability. By implementing these principles, all parties concerned (including learners, employers and learning institutions) may be assured of the credibility of the assessment process. It is in this way that accurate information about the learner's performance against the assessment criteria may be provided.

Integrated assessment is used extensively across the qualification, particularly in case studies. Self- and formative assessment takes place through case studies, assignments, including the writing of a proposal and executing a project. Summative assessments are integrated into the learning in that they take place at the end of each of the constituent modules of the qualification.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This qualification has been compared with the following international qualifications:
Country: Ireland.
Institution: Institute of Public Management.
Qualification Title: Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management.

Country: United Kingdom.
Institution: University of Nottingham.
Qualification Title: Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration.
This research-informed curriculum reflects the expertise of staff in the fields of public management, policy analysis and social policy.

Country: United Kingdom.
Institution: University of London.
Qualification Title: Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management.
The qualification focuses on managing people, managing change and using information systems.

Country: Australia.
Institution: University of Sydney.
Qualification Title: Graduate Diploma in Public Administration.
This qualification provides senior public servants with key leadership, policy and administrative skills necessary for high-level practice in all levels of government. The core units of study cover public policy, public sector leadership, strategic administration, managing public expenditure, and a capstone unit practical core unit in workplace learning.

Country: Canada.
Institution: Dalhouse University.
Qualification Title: Graduate in Public Administration.
The qualification combines components of financial, economic and policy analysis with organisation and management theory. This qualification also requires courses in quantitative methods.

Country: Ghana.
Institution: Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration.
Qualification Title: Postgraduate in Public Administration.
The qualification aims to provide a strong foundation in the nature and working of government and public administration. This qualification also has a local component that introduces learners to the practices in respect of the Ghana Civil Service, the Local Government Service, etc. The following courses are included: Public Policy Analysis, Public Finance and Accounting; Ghana's Public Administration System; Strategic Management and Public Sector Communications.

Conclusion:
Postgraduate qualifications in the field of public administration and public management are common across the world and most qualifications seem to cover the same subject fields at this level. The majority of qualifications also include a small research project that focuses on the public service.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows for both horizontal and vertical articulation possibilities.

Horizontal Articulation:

Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration, NQF Level 8.

Bachelor of Commerce Honours: Business Administration, NQF Level 8.

Vertical Articulation:
Master of Public Administration, Level 9.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

NOTES

N/A

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS 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.	Milpark Education (Pty) Ltd