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: 

Advanced Certificate in Public Administration for Community Service 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
93601  Advanced Certificate in Public Administration for Community Service 
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
Advanced Certificate  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  General Social Science 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 06  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 Advanced Certificate qualification is designed to use critical learning tools to probe and deepen knowledge in key areas of Public Administration and Local government, as well as instil practice strategies to begin changes and ignite development potential in our local communities. The 'wholeness' of the Advanced Certificate course is in its strong multidisciplinary content, which is seen as an innovative approach to the hydra-headed challenges facing local government in South Africa.

Rationale:
The Institution has been undergoing a process of restructuring the organisation of its services to the communities it serves. As a result of this restructuring, the Department of Public Administration is introducing an innovative course focused on a new academic dispensation committed to offering accessible higher education in a dynamic environment of excellence and innovation. The University is committed to the growth and development of our people as the key to our continued excellence and quality. The Advanced Certificate in Public Administration for community service represents a one year journey of learning, discovery and insight for participants whose locus of work and experience is at the community level. The Advanced Certificate in Public Administration for Community Service builds on the competences acquired in the Higher Certificate qualification. The learners will focus on the ability to analyse the effects of government policies, and to use business and statistical tools to solve organisational or government problems. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL is applied using the Institution's RPL policy which adheres to clearly stipulated criteria. The Institution admission policy, promotes access and equal opportunity to tertiary education at all levels through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy. RPL will be applied by requesting prospective RPL candidates to submit a portfolio comprising work related experiential work as profiles of work related short certificate (CE) courses. These will be assessed and admission determined accordingly in terms of the Institution policy and criteria on RPL.

Entry Requirements:
Admission to the qualification is based on candidate in possession of:
  • A Higher Certificate in Public Administration for Community Service or related discipline at NQF Level 5 or its equivalent. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of six compulsory modules at NQF Level 6 totalling 120 credits.
  • Public Policy, 24 Credits.
  • Public Financial Management, 16 Credits.
  • Introduction to Public Sector Monitoring and Evaluation, 16 Credits.
  • Community Governance and Leadership, 24 Credits.
  • Development Management Theories, 16 Credits.
  • Community Entrepreneurial Management, 24 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Communicate effectively and efficiently in writing and verbally with others in the same field.
    2. Apply public management knowledge and skills to give effect to public policies.
    3. Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate more advanced and technically more complex Public administrative related information.
    4. Participate in the preparation and implementation of capital and operational budgets and the development.
    5. Work ethically and effectively with others as a member of a senior management team in the development of the public sectors. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    These criteria are applicable across all or combinations of the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated way:
  • Complex public administrative problems are identified and resolved in a critical and creative manner.
  • Solutions for economic, social, political and technological problems in public service delivery are identified.
  • Strategic planning is adopted to develop initiatives aimed at effective delivery of services.
  • Policies are interpreted and applied accordingly.
  • Strategies and financial plans are developed for the improvement of the quality of life of citizens.
  • Technical public administration related problems are solved in such a way that sustainable developmental outcomes are ensured.
  • Knowledge and practical skills to address theoretical and practical management problems are applied.
  • Essential managerial skills that lead to informed decision making are employed.
  • Advice, guidance and analysis are provided regarding the impact of legislation on overall delivery objectives, priorities and processes.
  • Service delivery objectives are evaluated and updated on an ongoing basis.
  • Implementation processes are coordinated, monitored and reviewed in line with overall public sector policies and procedures.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Theory and practice are integrated in assessment through the use of practice case studies and assignments that target local problems. This simulates the management of systems based on an understanding of the roles and relationships between elements within wider governance and administrative contexts. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Methodology applied for programme development includes research and benchmarking. Research was germane to the programme development process firstly to ensure that the course content reflects present realities in local governance in South Africa including developments in policy and practice in government and Civil Society circles.

    It was also, important, however, to reflect associated outcomes and standards in similar certificate courses internationally. It must be noted that what is unique about this programme is its innovative approach to a public administration certificate programme, taking a multidisciplinary approach in terms of its design. It was nevertheless important to benchmark outcome levels for the programme and individual modules with other comparable Higher Certificate and Advanced Certificate programmes from the United States and the United Kingdom. For instance the University of California Berkeley offers certificate programmes (such as the leadership in sustainability and environmental management) that are focused on advancing knowledge and also aimed at providing tools for on the ground problem solving skills. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The Advanced Certificate in Public Administration for Community Service will articulate:
  • Horizontally with Diploma: Public Administration and Management at NQF Level 6.
  • Advanced Diploma: Public Administration at NQF Level 6.
    Or
    Vertically with Bachelor of Administration in Public Administration at NQF Level 7:
  • Bachelor of Public Administration at NQF Level 7.
  • Bachelor of Public Administration: Human Resource Management at NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 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 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.