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:

Master of Public Administration

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
7393	Master of Public Administration
ORIGINATOR
University of the Western Cape
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education			HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Master's Degree	Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies		Public Administration
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	180	Level 8 and above	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

The qualification provides qualifiers with an integrated and effective mix of knowledge, skills and applied competence at the Masters level in governance, public management and administration and Southern African cooperation and development, thereby providing them with enhanced opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society;

This qualification exposes students to new forms of teaching and learning methodologies which are innovative, interactive and experiential in focus and designed to stimulate critical thinking and problem-solving;

Also, provides opportunities for students to progress to studies at the doctoral level in governance and public management;

To add to the skills and research base of university post-graduates in South Africa and the Southern African region in the areas of governance, public administration and management, and regional cooperation and development;

To offset the current shortfall in South Africa of appropriately educated and trained black and female professionals (especially at the middle and senior management levels) in the public sector;

To promote the values of democratic accountability, social equity, ethical conduct, transparency, responsiveness and representativeness as key dimensions of the processes of political and administrative transformation in South Africa.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

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

Bachelor of Administration Honours in Public Administration, NQF level 8.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

Learners who successfully exit the qualification:
1. Will have a high level of understanding of, and an ability to interpret and critically analyse:

The historical, political, administrative, economic and social context of governance in contemporary South Africa, as well a critical regional and international influence;

The legislative framework for governance, the principal structures and functions of government at national, provincial and local levels, and the dynamics of inter-governmental relations;

The key issues and challenges facing the transformation of the South African public sector, strategies for change;

The key issues and challenges facing the policy making process and the strengths and limitations of current policy processes in South Africa and the Southern African region;

The relevance of gender in the study of governance, and the importance of gender equity in the structures and functions of public institutions.

The importance of democratic accountability, social equity, ethical conduct, transparency, responsiveness and representativeness as key dimensions of the processes of political and administrative transformation in South Africa

2. Will demonstrate a high level of skills and applied competence (appropriate for students at the Master's level) in:

Organising and analysing information in a coherent and systematic way;

Designing and carrying out independent research , under supervision;

Communicating effectively with peers and the broader community, both orally and in writing;

Articulating and promoting their own ideas whilst remaining sensitive to the ideas of others;

Preparing clear and concise reports and conducting effective individual and group presentations;

Keyboard, word processing and other computer skills (power point, spreadsheets);

Carrying out critical analysis and evaluation of government policies and programmes;

Identifying, analysing and solving problems in a creative and systematic way;

Organising and managing their own time effectively;

Working independently and in groups;

Assuming responsibility and accountability for the achievement of personal and group goals;

3. Will be empowered to:

Contribute to the transformation of South African in its global and regional context;

Effect socially responsible and ethical behaviour;

4. Will enhance their own administrative and managerial experience, in particular by undertaking an internship in a public sector or related organisation;

5. Will be equipped with a firm foundation to progress:

To more responsible and satisfying employment in the public sector, especially at the middle and senior management levels

To doctoral level studies and research in governance and public management.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

1. Information is organised and analysed in a coherent and systematic way.
2. Independent research is designed and carried out under supervision.
3. Effectively communicated both orally and in writing with peers and the broader community.
4. Own ideas are articulated and promoted whilst remaining sensitive to the ideas of others.
5. Clear and concise reports are prepared and effective individual and group presentations are conducted.
6. Keyboard and word processing skills are demonstrated.
7. Critical analysis and evaluation of government policies and programmes are carried out.
8. Creative and systematic way of analysing and solving problems, are identified.
9. Own time is organised and managed effectively.
10. The ability to work independently and in groups is demonstrated whilst meeting objectives.
11. Personal and group goals are achieved through assuming responsibility and accountability for the achievement of;

Transformation of South Africa in its global and regional context is contributed towards;

Evidence of socially responsible and ethical behaviour is provided through all projects and programme interventions.
12. Administrative and managerial experience are enhanced by an internship in a public sector or related organisation.

Integrated Assessment:
A variety of integrated assessment methods are used, both formative and summative. These are designed to test practical skills and competencies as well as theoretical and descriptive knowledge. The assessment methods include tests and examinations, as well as a range of academic and practical assignments (essays, practical research reports, policy papers, case studies, individual and group projects and presentations) designed to develop the full potential of each learner and to realise the multiple learning outcomes of the qualification/programme.

For the Research Report/Mini-Thesis, all students are provided with a designated supervisor with specific competence in the area covered by the thesis.

Although all modules must be passed (with a minimum of 50%) to attain the qualification, students are afforded the opportunity to supplement examinations and assignments, and to repeat modules (up to a maximum of three). On-going academic development support is provided to all learners (targeted in particular at those who are relatively weak, especially in terms of writing and presentation), to develop their practical and communication skills and to enable them to succeed.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Master of Public Administration in Public Health Care Management, NQF level 9.

Vertical Articulation:

Doctor of Public Administration, NQF level 10.

MODERATION OPTIONS

N/A

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

N/A

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015.

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.	University of the Western Cape