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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Public Administration 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
98825  Master of Public Administration 
ORIGINATOR
MANCOSA 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
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  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  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 
The purpose of the Master of Public Administration qualification is to develop public sector professionals with advanced knowledge and skills in governance, leadership, and administration. Learners will gain expertise in public administration theory, ethical governance, policy analysis, strategic leadership, and critical research skills. These skills equip learners to engage in evidence-based decision-making, in contrast to past decisions often made without the benefit of such thorough research and analysis. The qualification fosters learners' ability to collect, analyse, and interpret data, enabling them to produce well-informed policies that respond to the real needs of their organisations and society. This evidence-based approach ensures that decisions are grounded in facts, leading to more effective and sustainable outcomes. The qualification is aimed at mid-career public servants, policy analysts, and managers seeking to advance their skills in governance and leadership. The qualification will provide learners with multiple benefits, enhancing both their professional capabilities and career opportunities. Key advantages include expanded career opportunities, development of in-demand skills, network expansion, professional recognition and the ability to drive social impact. The qualification provides learners with practical skills, a strong professional network, and the ability to take on meaningful roles that enhance their careers and allow them to contribute positively to society.
This qualification aims to produce graduates who are in possession of specific graduate attributes. such as critical thinking, problem solving proficiency, leadership potential, technological literacy, ethical principles, communication skills, adaptability to change and global perspectives.

Upon completion of the programme graduates will be able to:
  • Apply ethical implications of decisions and actions across diverse cultural, political, and temporal perspectives and be prepared to choose and act with integrity in their careers
  • Apply specialist technical knowledge, of the theory, principles and practice of service to the public, including make appropriate interventions
  • Articulate specialist knowledge of public administration to engage with, critique and improve current practices
  • Analyse and evaluate conceptual (theoretical) and contextual (applied) approaches to financial management, economics and planning in the public sector
  • Synthesise, analyse, and apply relevant research, public policy, theories and principles of public administration, including the application of research methods and techniques to critically evaluate public programmes and policy alternatives, including providing solutions to complex practical or theoretical problems

    Upon completion of the programme graduates can aspire to the following positions:
  • Senior Public Officials/Municipal Managers
  • City Managers
  • Parliamentary Officials
  • Managers in Quasi-autonomous Institutions
  • Policy Advisors
  • Public Policy Director
  • Chief Administrative Officer
  • Public Affairs Director
  • Non-Profit Executive Director

    Rationale:
    The Qualification is highly relevant in South Africa, where the demand for skilled public administrators is growing due to increasing pressures in public sector management and governance. The public sector faces ongoing challenges related to economic inequality, service delivery, and accountability, highlighting the need for leaders with advanced expertise in public policy, governance, and management strategies. The qualification addresses these issues by equipping graduates with essential skills to foster ethical, effective, and sustainable public administration practices across various government levels.

    The qualification addresses critical gaps in public sector leadership, policy analysis, and ethical governance, as mandated by key legislative documents such as Section 195 of the Constitution of South Africa and the Public Administration Management Act (PAMA), Act 11 of 2014. The programme aligns with the call for professionalising public administration, as outlined in the Public Service Regulations (2016) and the National Development Plan (NDP) 2030. As such, the qualification fills a significant gap in the public sector's skills development landscape, focusing on advanced governance and public administration.

    The qualification significantly benefits society and the economy by fostering skilled leaders who can drive effective governance, ethical decision-making, and efficient public service delivery. It prepares graduates to address critical issues such as resource management, policy development, and service provision, which directly impact societal welfare and economic stability.

    The qualification is aimed at mid-career public servants, policy analysts, and managers seeking to advance their skills in governance and leadership. The programme also aligns with national goals for public sector professionalisation and ethical governance.

    Upon completion of the qualification, graduates can aspire to the following positions:
  • Senior Public Officials/Municipal Managers
  • City Managers
  • Parliamentary Officials
  • Managers in Quasi-autonomous Institutions
  • Policy Advisors
  • Public Policy Director
  • Chief Administrative Officer
  • Public Affairs Director
  • Non-Profit Executive Director

    The qualification equips graduates with the skills to meet public sector competency standards and contributes to their professional development, as outlined in the Public Service Regulations (2016). This qualification addresses the leadership and governance skills gaps identified in the National Skills Audit and supports the objectives of the National School of Government (NSG), which is tasked with public sector capacity-building under the Public Service Amendment Act (2007). By responding to the needs highlighted in the Public Service Regulations (2016), the Master of Public Administration programme ensures graduates are equipped to contribute to ongoing professionalisation and reform efforts within the public service.

    Upon completion of the qualification, learners can progress to do their doctoral studies. The articulation results in propensity among learners to pursue further specialisation as a means to enhance their prospects for career advancement. 
    		•

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

    The institution recognises the important role that the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) plays in ensuring equitable access and participation in Higher Education. In this process, non-formal and/or informal learning is measured, evaluated, and checked for equivalence or parity with the formal programme entry requirements. The RPL assessment process will focus on ways of evaluating a person's knowledge and skills acquired through lifelong learning experiences (formal, non-formal and informal) against a set of pre-determined criteria.

    RPL Process:
    Learners are required to submit an RPL application, and the RPL committee shall meet and provide outcomes regarding all RPL applications that are presented before the committee for decisions and recommendations regarding entry into the programmes for which prospective RPL candidates have applied. The decisions are communicated by the committee to the relevant stakeholders in the enrolment department. The RPL process focuses on establishing whether the student has acquired competence in the following areas:
  • Basic theoretical knowledge
  • Practical competence
  • Reflective competence
  • Applied competence

    The RPL applicant must:
    Be at least 23 years of age for undergraduate programmes and at least 30 years of age for postgraduate programmes
  • Applicants must demonstrate relevant professional work experience as follows:
  • Undergraduate Programmes: A minimum of 3 years of related work experience.
  • Postgraduate Diplomas: A minimum of 4 years of related work experience.
  • Honours Programmes: A minimum of 5 years of related work experience.
  • Master's Programmes: A minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience.
  • Submit a detailed Portfolio of Evidence with documents required to substantiate RPL application
  • Provide a comprehensive CV with detailed working experience
  • Submit certified copies of qualification certificates and transcripts
  • Provide a signed personal letter of motivation
  • Submit all relevant and appropriate certificates for short courses or trainings (formally, informally, or non-formal) completed to support the motivation to be accepted for the programme through RPL and as evidence of continuous assessment and learning
    Or
  • Produce a letter from the Human Resources (HR) Department for relevant and appropriate short courses or trainings (formally, informally, or non-formal) completed to support the motivation to be accepted for the programme through RPL and as evidence of continuous assessment and learning for those who are not in possession of certificates
  • For all Master's programmes- Submit a signed Recommendation letter written by a reputable person to be provided as an endorsement of the Applicants qualities, capabilities, performance and suitability for the programme
  • Sign a Declaration to confirm English Language and IT proficiency

    NB: If the applicant's highest accredited qualification has been completed within 5 years to date of the application period, the applicant has to articulate onto the appropriate qualification

    RPL for access:
    Assesses whether a candidate's prior experience and learning meet the entry requirements for a programme, enabling them to be accepted into the programme. In contrast, RPL for credits and/or exemptions evaluates if this prior learning can be counted towards specific modules within the programme, potentially shortening the duration or reducing the coursework required. Essentially, RPL for admission determines eligibility for entry, while RPL for credits and exemptions grants academic credit or module exemptions based on previous learning.

    All RPL applications are subject to evaluation by the RPL committee. No more than 10% of a cohort will be admitted into the programme based on RPL. It is assumed that the learning derived from work or life experience will be a major element in the profiles of non-standard entrants primarily by means of a portfolio of evidence. Where appropriate, interviews will also be conducted to assess applicants for selection purposes

    Entry Requirements:
  • Bachelor of Administration Honours in Public Administration, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises compulsory and/or elective modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

    Compulsory modules, Level 9, 165 Credits.
  • Public Policy Development Analysis, 20 Credits.
  • Research Methodology and Applied Statistical Techniques, 20 Credits.
  • Strategic Public Sector Governance, 20 Credits.
  • Public Administration and Development Management Theory, 20 Credits.
  • Advanced Financial Management in the Public Sector, 20 Credits.
  • Programme Planning and Project Management, 20 Credits.
  • Dissertation, 45 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 9, 15 Credits.
  • Sustainability and Disaster Management, 15 Credits.
  • Public Sector Leadership and Change Management, 15 Credits.
  • Professional Ethics for Public Service Managers, 15 Credits.
  • Development Economics, 15 Credits.
  • Human Resource Management in the Public Sector, 15 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply ethical implications of decisions and actions across diverse cultural, political, and temporal perspectives and be prepared to choose and act with integrity in their careers
    2. Apply specialist technical knowledge, of the theory, principles and practice of service to the public, including make appropriate interventions.
    3. Analyse and evaluate conceptual (theoretical) and contextual (applied) approaches to financial management, economics and planning in the public sector.
    4. Synthesise, analyse, and apply relevant research, public policy, theories and principles of public administration, including the application of research methods and techniques to critically evaluate public programmes and policy alternatives, including providing solutions to complex practical or theoretical problems.
    5. Synthesise the concepts associated with ethical behaviour and social responsibility, including demonstrating competence to make autonomous ethical decisions, which engages learners in a meaningful effort to effect ethical public service, drive social change and promote social justice.
    6. Critically evaluate leadership qualities, analyse and apply the rule of law in administrative procedures, as well as diverse roles in effective administrative decision-making.
    7. Evaluate the process for sustainable planning for change and the various means of production in the public sector, provide independent leadership on ways to maximise public sector efficiency and effectiveness. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Appraise ethical implications across diverse cultural, political and temporal perspectives to enable application within the work context to demonstrate integrity in their careers.
  • Assess potential dilemmas arising from diverse cultural or political perspectives during complex administrative decision-making processes, to justify ethical courses of action.
  • Formulate autonomous ethical decisions by synthesising legislative, constitutional, and ethical frameworks to uphold professional integrity in ambiguous public sector scenarios.
  • Design strategies for fostering transparency and accountability to foster the appraisal of how decisions impact various stakeholders across different temporal and political contexts.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Critique technical knowledge, theory, principles and practise to make appropriate interventions in the public sector
  • Synthesise specialist theoretical frameworks and principles of public service delivery to underpin strategic decision-making in complex administrative scenarios.
  • Develop appropriate administrative procedures and technical solutions to implement high-impact interventions, demonstrating reflexive competence.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Approaches of financial management, economics and planning are criticised to determine how they impact the public sector
  • Evaluate public financial management approaches and fiscal policies against legislative and institutional frameworks to seek solutions or improvements.
  • Evaluate the interconnectedness of financial planning, economic forces), and policy objectives to assess impact on the macro-economy and organisational effectiveness.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Examine public policy, theories and principles of public administration to provide solutions to complex or theoretical problems
  • Apply research methods to gain an understanding of how it to solve complex practical or theoretical problems
  • Develop policy alternatives and solutions to justify and articulate high-level proficiency in communicating ideas and complex perspectives about policy and administration-related matters.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Analyse concepts that are associated with ethical behaviour and social responsibility to explore how it impacts ethical public service, drives social change and promotes social justice
  • Diagnose complex public sector ethical dilemmas using advanced ethical frameworks and professional codes of conduct to demonstrate autonomous ethical judgment.
  • Synthesise the concepts of ethical behaviour and social responsibility to develop ethical leadership frameworks that actively advance social change and promote social justice within organisational strategies.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Assess leadership qualities to determine how effective administrative decision-making is
  • Apply the rule of law in administrative procedures to understand how it impacts the diverse roles in effective administrative decision-making
  • Design decision-making processes to optimise outcomes under conditions of organisational complexity, ensuring the systematic inclusion of diverse roles and stakeholders.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Outline sustainable planning process to assess how leadership can maximise public sector efficiency and effectiveness
  • Develop comprehensive strategic plans for sustainable planning and change to evaluate criteria for long-term organisational effectiveness and resource utilisation.
  • Formulate independent leadership strategies to maximise public sector efficiency and effectiveness by addressing issues of leadership, accountability, and systems thinking in resource utilisation.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated assessment requires careful consideration in implementing formative and summative assessment methods, which offer an inclusive and holistic view of learners' learning. Assessments are aligned with the pre-defined learning outcomes per module, culminating with the qualification exit level outcomes. Formative and summative assessments are diverse in nature, and these encompass knowledge check questions, case studies, and scenario-based questions.

    Formative assessments allow for regular feedback to Learners, highlighting areas of success and improvement. Summative assessments evaluate Learners' learning after their learning journey. Imperative to integrated assessments is the provision of feedback not only to Learners but also internally, whereby the results of assessments play a critical role in informing the development of future assessments, assessment practices and the continuous improvement of the qualification.

    Assessment Type, Method, and Description
    The assessment method for each module is:
    Formative Assessments: these are online assessments. These assessments are in the form of multiple choice, true/false or a combination of both.
    Summative Assessment: This assessment is in the form of a project and requires calculations and/or application to relevant theory.
    Dissertation Module externally assessed; the final mark is calculated as follows: ¿¿
    Dissertation: 100%
    The pass mark for the dissertation is listed at 50%
    Formative Assessment: counts 50% and Summative Assessment 50% towards the final mark.
    To pass a module a sub-minimum of 50% is required in each form of assessment and a final combined mark of 50% is required.
  • Learners are required to attempt formative assessments 1 and 2 and achieve a combined average of at least 50% before writing their Online Summative Assessment.
  • The pass mark for the dissertation is listed at 50%. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: Kenya
    Name of Institution: University of Nairobi
    Name of Programme: Master of Public Administration

    Purpose of the Programme:
    The Master of Public Administration programme enables learners to acquire requisite knowledge and skills to improve their performance in public service, as well as develops insights and skills needed to plan, formulate, execute, monitor and evaluate policy. The programme has been developed in response to the increasing demand for an efficient, effective, accountable and representative public service in light of the fast changing economic, social and political environment in Kenya and in the international milieu

    Learning Outcomes:

    The programme will:
  • Enhance capacity building in the public service
  • Equip learners with requisite skills and tools necessary to make sound public policies and to effectively implement them
  • Prepare learners for careers in the public service including local government, central government, county government and non-governmental organisations
  • Inculcate public sector management ethics and values in learners
  • Prepare learners for further academic and career pursuits in the study and conduct of public administration

    Content:
  • Administrative theory and behaviour
  • Fundamentals of economics
  • Human resource management and development
  • Public budgeting and financial administration
  • Advanced public policy analysis
  • Research methods
  • Public sector procurement management
  • International political economy

    Similarities:
  • Both qualifications were developed in response to increasing demand for efficient, effective, accountable and representative public service in light of the fast-changing economic, social and political environments in the respective countries.
  • Both programmes have a duration of two years.
  • The modules Research Methods, Fundamentals of Economics and Human Resource Management and Development Kenya are comparable to the South African Research Methodology, Development Economics and Human Resource Management in Public Sector modules, respectively.
    For admission requirements, both programmes require an honours degree to be accepted into their programme.

    Differences:
    The Master of Public Administration qualification in South Africa is offered through distance mode, whilst the Master of Public Administration programme from Kenya is offered through blended mode.
    The South African Master of Public Administration programme has 6 core modules, a dissertation and 5 elective modules, whilst the qualification from Kenya has 7 core modules, a Research Project/Thesis, 9 specialisation modules and 11 electives.
    The Master of Public Administration programme at MANCOSA has a duration of 18 months, whilst the Master of Public Administration programme at the University of Nairobi has a duration of 2 years.

    Country: Australia
    Name of Institution: Australian National University
    Name of Programme: Master of Public Administration

    Purpose of the Programme:
    The Master of Public Administration programme is designed to equip public sector professionals with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in an environment increasingly characterised by complexity and digital transformation, and concerns about politicisation and the 'hollowing-out' of analytical capacity and historical knowledge.

    Learning Outcomes:
  • Distinguish policy tools and capabilities and how they can be applied in an increasingly complex professional environment
  • Develop enhanced skills in ethical leadership, communication, teamwork, and self-management
  • Apply rigorous analytical skills for organisational learning, including evidence-based decision-making in response to the complexities and challenges of public administration and governance
  • Engage in contemporary debates about public value, public administration, public sector management and governance in Australia and globally
  • Assess and integrate informed perspectives on politics, economics, law, organisations and regulation in the analysis of public sector problems

    Content:
  • Academic and Research Skills for Public Policy
  • Political and Policy Analysis
  • Economics for Public Policy
  • Public Administration Foundation
  • Public Sector Management
  • Managing Government Finances
  • Public Sector Ethics
  • Policy Research
  • Public strategy
  • Budgeting

    Similarities:
  • Both qualifications aim to develop public sector professionals with advanced knowledge and skills in governance, leadership, and administration.
    The module Managing Government Finances offered in Australia is comparable to the Advanced Financial Management in the Public Sector module offered in South Africa, as both modules focus on financial management principles and practices within the public sector.
  • Both qualifications include a Research Project/Dissertation.

    Differences:
  • The Master of Public Administration programme offered in Australia is worth 72 credits, whilst the qualification offered in South Africa is worth 180 credits.
  • The qualification offered in South Africa is delivered through distance mode with online support, whilst the programme offered in Australia is delivered in person.
  • The qualification offered in South Africa requires applicants to hold a Bachelor Honours degree or a relevant Postgraduate Diploma for admission, whilst the programme offered in Australia requires applicants to hold a Bachelor's degree for admission.

    Conclusion:
    To conclude, the Master of Public Administration programme demonstrates favourable comparability with international programmes in the field of public administration.
    The programme was compared with three international programmes, focusing on aspects such as learning outcomes, assessment criteria, curriculum content, and admission requirements. The comparison identified both similarities and differences across the programmes.

    Overall, the programme remained favourably aligned with the international programmes despite the identified differences.
    Notably, the programme is distinctively tailored to the needs of South Africa, reflecting its relevance and appropriateness in addressing the country's specific public sector and administrative requirements. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Public Management and Governance, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration, NQF Level 10.

    Diagonal Articulation:
    There is no diagonal articulation for this qualification. 
    		•

    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. MANCOSA Pty (Ltd) 


    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.