Bachelor of Arts Honours in Public Administration

Purpose: The qualification aims to develop graduates who are intellectually independent and who can ultimately become specialists in their fields with the ability to engage in sustainable local socio-economic practices and to undertake research activities while adhering to ethical protocols. Graduates will have acquired relevant theoretical knowledge and insights to approach public administration issues from a variety of perspectives, demonstrating competence and lifelong learning leading to successful careers in the public sector.

Rationale: The discipline of Public Administration is constantly evolving as the internal (micro) and external (macro) environments change. This translates into numerous challenges that confront government and the public service in terms of a variety of issues including service delivery. Communities are demanding better and more efficient services from the government, which places the public sector under additional pressure to deliver. The violent protest action manifesting throughout the country is evidence of this. The public service needs graduates who are equipped with the necessary skills to make a meaningful contribution within the workplace. The qualification in Public Administration as a discipline provides a platform for approaching these challenges. The key to developing future leaders, bureaucrats, and academics is education and training in Public Administration. The Honours Degree qualification reflects this by providing graduates with the knowledge and skills to deliver improved services to local communities.