The Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration is aimed at persons at the levels of Assistant Director, Deputy Director, Director and Chief Director in public service. The qualification contains modules covering the core functions of management, namely leadership, governance, strategy, finance and people management.

Having a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration  will enable you to:

• apply relevant theories and concepts in the fields of management, leadership, finance, human resources and strategy to solve complex problems in a public sector setting
• manage the conceptualisation and implementation of strategies, policies and plans in a public sector environment with due regard to national and global contexts
• promote ethical decisions on complex institutional issues with sensitivity and awareness of consequences in an autonomous manner
• collect, interpret and process data and information in order to make informed decisions.

DESCRIPTION AND PROGRAMME PURPOSE

The Postgraduate Diploma in Public Administration aims to prepare senior managers for their roles in managing complex problems in the public sector. It is aimed at persons at the levels of Assistant Director, Deputy Director, Director and Chief Director in public service. The qualification contains modules covering the core functions of management, namely leadership, governance, strategy, finance and people management.

High-level problem-solving, systems thinking, and innovation are threads that run through each of the modules. In the final compulsory module, the Integrated Public Service Project, students are required to use all the knowledge and skill acquired in earlier modules to identify a real-world problem and to critically review information-gathering, synthesis of data, evaluation and management processes in this specialised context in order to develop a creative response to the problem identified.

Currently, the elective choice is between Developmental Studies (related to economics) and Public Policy Management.

WHO SHOULD ENROL?

Managers who wish to enhance their managerial capabilities within the senior echelons of the public sector. Managers who work full-time, who cannot afford extended periods of time away from work.

PROGRAMME OUTCOMES

Successful completion of this qualification should enable the student to:

1. Apply relevant theories and concepts in the fields of management, leadership, finance, human resources and strategy to solve complex problems in a public sector setting.
2. Manage the conceptualisation and implementation of strategies, policies and plans in a public sector environment with due regard to national and global contexts.
3. Promote ethical decisions on complex institutional issues with sensitivity and awareness of consequences in an autonomous manner.
4. Collect, interpret and process data and information in order to make informed decisions.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

The minimum admission requirement for the PGDip (Public Administration) is an appropriate Bachelor’s Degree or an Advanced Certificate of 120 credits that exits on NQF Level 7. Admission to the qualification is further subject to academic selection criteria. The applicant must also be:

• proficient in English. (Proof of proficiency may be required for international students.)
• computer and internet-literate.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applications

In limited cases, admission may take place via RPL. RPL applicants must have a minimum of 10 years of employment experience and demonstrate potential to complete the programme, and must submit:

• a full curriculum vitae detailing past qualifications and work experience.
• a one-page statement of why they believe they should be admitted to the programme.

In addition, an applicant may be required to present him/herself for an interview with the Selection Panel.

Note: only once all Entry Route 1 places have been finalised, can any RPL candidates be admitted onto the qualification.

Other certificates

Any applicant who has a certificate other than a South African National Senior Certificate has to provide a SAQA Certificate of Equivalence, if they want to enrol for a postgraduate qualification (www.saqa.org.za).

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