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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Public Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96771  Doctor of Public Management 
ORIGINATOR
Central University of Technology, Free State 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Doctoral Degree  Field 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Generic Management 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 10  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
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 primary purpose of the qualification is the advancement of knowledge through original research for academic or professional contexts. The purpose of the qualification is to conduct research in the field of Public Management and Administration and to make a contribution to the field of study by introducing new knowledge, using different research techniques and methodologies. The purpose is also to expand on the basic knowledge of the field of study. It also allows the doctoral learner to become an expert in the study field of Public Administration. The expertise obtained through the research process could be applied in the public sector in all three spheres of government. The Doctoral qualification will also open up opportunities for the holder of the qualification to pursue an academic career at an institution of higher education. It requires a learner to undertake research at the most advanced academic levels culminating in the submission, assessment and acceptance of a thesis.

Rationale:
The qualification provides training for an academic career. It requires a learner to undertake research at the most advanced academic levels culminating in the submission, assessment and acceptance of a thesis. However, learners may also present peer-reviewed academic articles and papers in partial fulfilment in the research requirements. The defining characteristic of this qualification is that the learner is required to demonstrate high-level research capability and to make a significant and original academic contribution at the frontiers of public management and administration as a field of study. The work must be of a quality to satisfy peer review and merit publications, the qualification may be earned through pure discipline-based and multidisciplinary research or applied research. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

Entry Requirements.
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Master of Public Management, National Qualifications Framework (NQF), Level 9.
    Or
  • Any appropriate Master's Degree in the cognate field NQF, Level 9. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at National Qualifications Framework (NQF), Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 10, 360 Credits:
  • Advanced research project a thesis, 360 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. The learner must demonstrate the ability to undertake and publish highly advanced, highly original and highly creative work in the field of Public Management and Administration. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Conduct independent research and to produce a significant and an original academic contribution to the body of knowledge in a public management and administration related field.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Learners must submit a Doctoral Thesis containing the report of their research. The thesis has to meet all the standards and requirements of a Doctoral Thesis, which include proof of a successful integration of all the elements required to substantiate the central thesis and original contribution(s) of the study. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification has been compared to similar Public Management/Public Administration qualification in other countries to ensure that the South African qualification is comparable to those qualifications in terms of the learning outcomes, competencies developed and the standard of performance demanded of graduating learners. Countries whose qualifications and courses were looked at included amongst others:

    Africa:
    University of Dar es Salaam offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration by Thesis over a period of 48 months.

    United Kingdom (UK):
    Plymouth Graduate School of Management, University of Plymouth offers a Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) in Public Administration over a period of four years. Research areas include sustainable governance and leadership, institutional and public policy, finance and economics and more relevant research related areas. Professional Doctorates allow interactions between theory and practice, which provide new insightful perspectives. Understanding relationships between theory and practice will equip the learners with research skills that can be applied in organisational context.

    The Business School, University of Huddersfield also offers a Doctor of Public Administration. It is a research qualification. The innovative qualification is a response to the growing need for professionals to differentiate themselves in the market place. The qualification comprises of a taught element followed by the production of a Doctoral Thesis. The Doctorate of Public administration is equivalent to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) but is centred on bridging the gap between the learner's academic knowledge and professional practice. The qualification retains emphasis on the learners' contribution to their organisation while enhancing their analytical and research skills. Duration is 4 to 7 years part-time. A relevant Master's Degree or equivalent Postgraduate Diploma, a professional qualification in education and at least 3 years professional experience.

    Australia:
    The Faculty of business, Government and Law offers a Professional Doctorate in Public administration (Research). The Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) course will allow learners to develop relevant research skills through a carefully designed program supplemented by a dissertation and relevant choice of electives. The objectives of the Doctor of Public Administration (DPA) modules are to enable practitioners to extend and build upon their professional experience through: a coursework that develops knowledge and skill in research methodology and research methods; development of research, writing and analysis skills which enable learners to produce a dissertation which constitutes an original and significant contribution to the relevant literature and/or to professional practice; preparation of a substantial dissertation which adds to existing knowledge and constitutes an in-depth investigation and analysis of a particular professional issue or set of issues; and bridging the gap between theory and practice by developing closer links between the university and senior professionals in fields associated with public administration and public policy. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Doctoral Degree is the highest qualification type awarded. 

    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. Central University of Technology, Free State 


    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.