Bachelor of Arts Honours in Public Management and Governance

Business, Commerce and Management Studies - Public Administration

Purpose and Rationale

Programme Overview

Purpose

The purpose of this programme is to equip graduates with a major in Public Management, Public Administration, and Public Governance, as well as mid-career Public and Development managers who already hold a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration, Public Management, Public Governance, or Development Management, with public policy, analytical, and management competencies at Honours level. The programme aims to establish and enhance good governance at local, regional, provincial, and national levels in South Africa.

Rationale

The programme outcomes are designed to meet national and regional knowledge, labor market, and socio-cultural needs.
It aims to improve accessibility to learners and strengthen relationships with the community, government institutions, private sector entities, and industries to promote local and regional development.
The programme is intellectually credible and considers the requirements of professional bodies, learners, employers, and academic peers.
Learners' needs are catered to based on informed and reasoned judgments from department staff, the Board of Faculty, and the University of Johannesburg Senate.
The programme aims to make a positive contribution to the quality of life, particularly in Southern Africa, and strives for academic excellence in the field of Public Administration/Public Governance.
While the programme does not lead to a professional qualification, it aligns with internationally benchmarked requirements.
Reputable universities in South Africa and PALAMA have been benchmarks for developing the programme content in the Department of Public Governance.
External examiners from reputable South African universities are utilized to uphold the program's intellectual integrity.
The increasing enrollment demand at the University of Johannesburg APK and other universities indicates a strong demand for Public Administration/Public Governance at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Offering this programme will have a limited impact on current University of Johannesburg resources by utilizing existing staff.
New lecturing facilities in Soweto will enhance learner access to the qualification, meeting the growing need for professionals with governance and management knowledge in the public sector.

Overall, the programme serves to equip graduates and mid-career professionals with the necessary skills and competencies to contribute to good governance and public administration in South Africa.

Outcomes

To evaluate and, where relevant, to apply theoretical concepts and approaches to real world public administration/management/governance situations.
To demonstrate an advanced ability at problem identification and problem-solving by using and applying relevant theories in the field of local, provincial and national public administration/management/governance.
To analyse the various dimensions of governance and to evaluate and apply specialised theoretical knowledge based on diverse global contexts to South African and other case studies and public administration/management/governance contexts.
To identify relevant means of action in the field of public administration/management/governance.
To plan and execute advanced research in the public administration/management/governance field.
To use information technology effectively.
To collect, analyse, organize and critically evaluate information with regard to ethical problems in public administration/management/governance based on a relevant theoretical framework.
To reflect on the local governance of communities and explain what type of administrative transformation is possible.
To communicate effectively orally, in writing and to some extent visually in the public administration/management/governance field all role players.
To demonstrate an advanced analytical approach towards communities and a sensitivity for the social, economic and cultural differences within these communities.
To assess the implications of government interventions in the public administration/management/governance environment.
To apply different learning strategies to the demands of a dynamic political/public administrative/public management and governance context.

Assessment Criteria

Public Administration Management/Governance Assessment Criteria:

Theoretical Application: Can the learner evaluate and apply theoretical concepts and approaches to real-world international public administration/governance situations?
Problem Identification and Solving: Does the learner demonstrate an advanced ability at problem identification and problem-solving in the field of local, provincial, and public administration? Can theories be applied at the relevant level?
Analysis and Evaluation: Is the learner able to analyze the relevant dimensions of governance and to evaluate and apply advanced theoretical knowledge to South African case studies and public administration/management contexts?
Means of Action: Is the learner able to identify relevant means of action in the field of public administration/management/governance?
Research Skills: Can the learner conduct research in the public administration management/governance field?
Information Technology: Can the learner use information technology effectively?
Information Evaluation: Is the learner able to collect, analyze, organize, and critically evaluate information with regard to ethical problems in public administration/management/governance based on a relevant theoretical framework?
Municipal Governance: Can the learner reflect on the governance of municipalities and explain what type of administrative transformations are possible?
Communication Skills: Can the learner communicate effectively orally, in writing, and to some extent visually in the public administration management/governance field with all role players?
Community Sensitivity: Does the learner demonstrate an analytical approach towards communities and sensitivity to the social, economic, and cultural differences within these communities?
Government Interventions: Is the learner able to assess the implications of specific government interventions in the public administration/management/governance environment?
Learning Strategies: Is the learner capable of applying different learning strategies to the demands of a dynamic public administration/management/governance context?

Integrated Assessment:

Formative assessments throughout the module.
Written assignment (research report or conceptual paper).
Portfolio of outcomes-based practical exercises and oral evaluations.
Summative assessment through a Final Exam.

Qualification Details

Type: Honours Degree
NQF Level: 08
Min. Credits: 120
SAQA Source: More Information

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University of Johannesburg

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The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is a public university located in Johannesburg, South Africa. It was established in 2005 through the merger of the Rand Afrikaans University, Technikon Witwatersrand, and the Soweto and East Rand campuses of Vista University. UJ is one of the largest universities in South Africa, with over 50,000 students enrolled across its four campuses. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various fields, including arts, humanities, sciences, engineering, business, and health sciences. UJ is known for its commitment to providing quality education, promoting social justice, and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

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This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.