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Programme: MPA (Coursework)

Kindly take note of the disclaimer regarding qualifications and degree names.

Code	Faculty	Department
07251153	Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences	Department: School of Public Management and Administration

Credits	Duration	NQF level
Minimum duration of study: 1 year	Total credits: 180	NQF level: 09

Programme information
Curriculum: Final year

Admission requirements

Relevant bachelor’s degree
A cumulative weighted average of at least 60% for the bachelor’s degree
Administrative and managerial experience, preferably in the public sector, as deemed adequate and appropriate by the Departmental Postgraduate Selection Committee

Additional requirements

A candidate may be refused admission to a master’s degree by the Director of the School of Public Management and Administration if he/she does not comply with the standard of competence in the subject as determined by the department – with the provison that a candidate who does not comply with the required level of competence, may be admitted, provided that he/she completes additional study assignments and/or examinations.
The number of students will be determined in line with the growth strategy of the University of Pretoria as approved by the Executive.

Other programme-specific information

Seven prescribed modules as well as a mini-dissertation must be completed. The programme must be completed within two years after the first registration for the degree. The Dean may, at the recommendation of the Postgraduate Committee, cancel the registration of a student during any academic year if his/her academic progress is not satisfactory.

Examinations and pass requirements

A semester mark of at least 40% is required to qualify for the examination (See General Academic Regulations regulations in this regard).
A student may, on the recommendation of the Departmental Postgraduate Committee, be admitted to a re-examination/supplementary examination in a module, in cases where:
1. a final mark of between 40% and 49% has been obtained; or
2. a final mark has been obtained, but the required subminimum of 40% in the examination section of the module has not been obtained.
Credit is obtained for each module in which a final mark of at least 50% has been achieved.
A re-examination/supplementary examination is only allowed in a maximum of two modules.
A candidate may not present himself/herself for an examination in the same module more than twice, except with the approval of the Dean, on the recommendation of the Director of the School of Public Management and Administration. Refer to General Academic Regulation G32.2.3.
Supplementary examinations cover the same subject matter as was the case for the examinations.
Should a student fail NME 801 the student will not be allowed to continue with PAD 899. Failure in NME 801 in two consecutive years will result in termination of studies.

Research information

Mini-dissertations, curricula and modules

Refer to General Academic Regulation G38.

The degree programme requires that a mini-dissertation must be submitted for examination.
Information on modules, credits and syllabi is available, on request, from the Director: SPMA.
The mini-dissertation must be submitted to the MPA Administrator Coordinator for examination after permission is granted by the supervisor.

Submission of mini-dissertation
The mini-dissertation is submitted to the MPA Administrator Coordinator, as per Research flow Diagram approved by the SPMA Research Committee.

General information

University of Pretoria Programme Qualification Mix (PQM) verification project

The higher education sector has undergone an extensive alignment to the Higher Education Qualification Sub-Framework (HEQF) across all institutions in South Africa. In order to comply with the HEQSF, all institutions are legally required to participate in a national initiative led by regulatory bodies such as the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Council on Higher Education (CHE), and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). The University of Pretoria is presently engaged in an ongoing effort to align its qualifications and programmes with the HEQSF criteria. Current and prospective students should take note that changes to UP qualification and programme names, may occur as a result of the HEQSF initiative. Students are advised to contact their faculties if they have any questions.

This degree is offered over a maximum of two years. All coursework modules to be completed in Year 1 of registration and the mini-dissertation to be registered in Year 2 of study. Degree must be completed within two years.

Core modules

FHB 800

Financial resource management 800

Credits: 20.00
Module content:
- Concepts, aims and principles of public finance
- Governments and the distribution of income
- Role players in financial resource management
- Budgeting, budgeting techniques and systems
- Financial performance measurement
- Tariff settings and viability techniques
- Internal control and accounting
- Policy documents relating to financial management
- Logistical and asset management
- Tendering tenders and contracts
- Monitoring and auditing
- Financial accountability
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HPB 801

Human resource management 801

Credits: 20.00
Module content:
- Institutions and functionaries involved in public human resource management
- Basic values and directives governing public human resource management.
- Strategic human resource management
- Developing a performance culture
- Talent management,
- People development
- Creating and maintaining a learning culture
- Role players and their functions
- Employee relationship management
- Issues in people resource management
- Labour relations management
- Ethics and Accountability
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NME 801

Research methodology 801

Credits: 20.00
Module content:
- Research design
- Conceptualisation and measurement
- Operationalisation
- The logic of sampling
- Surveys
Research proposal to be submitted during year one and a supervisor will be allocated. Candidate to identify one of the specified areas (energy, water, sanitation or roads and transport) to conduct the research within a managerial and administrative context.

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OXA 800

Public policy analysis and problem solving 800

Credits: 10.00
Module content:
- Key concepts in public policy formulation and implementation
- Participants (role players) in policy formulation
- Key concepts in public policy analysis and implementation
- Ethics and policy analysis
- Approaches to policy analysis (A typology) Models for policy analysis
- Policy analysis as a process: A general overview
- Policy analysis as a process: Identifying problems and determining objectives for research
- Policy analysis as a process: Cost effectiveness, alternative options and determination of cost Forecasting and policy analysis
- Methods and techniques in policy analysis: An overview Acceptance and implementations of policy proposals Monitoring and evaluation of policy outcomes
- Pitfalls and limitations of policy analysis
- Design sectoral specific policies to achieve policy objectives
- Direct and control the implementation of sectoral specific policy and limitations of policy analysis
- Problem solving and techniques
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PAD 801

Public administration and management theories: selected topics 801

Credits: 20.00
Module content:
- Development of Public Administration as a practice
- Relationship between Public Administration and other dimensions
- Administrative activities
- Functional activities
- Auxiliary functions
- Sector governance and utility regulations
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PAD 803

Strategic capability and leadership 803

Credits: 20.00

Module content:
Leadership theories
Leadership styles in the public sector
Ethical leadership
Regulatory framework in the public sector
Communication
Decision-making
Team roles
Planning and objective writing
Performance information in the public sector
Management processes
Project and change management
Leadership challenges in the public sector

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PAD 804

Programme and project management 804

Credits: 10.00

Module content:
Fundamentals, aims and concepts of programme and project management
Legislative and policy framework
Programme and project governance
Programme and project lifecycles
Programme and project methodology
Business process reengineering
Management of systems in public organisations
Strategic and operational management
Monitoring and evaluation and programme performance management
Budget programmes
Programme and project applications

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PAD 899

Mini-dissertation: Public administration 899

Credits: 60.00

Module content:
To be registered simultaneously with the course work modules.

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Regulations and rules

The regulations and rules for the degrees published here are subject to change and may be amended after the publication of this information.

The General Academic Regulations (G Regulations) and General Student Rules apply to all faculties and registered students of the University, as well as all prospective students who have accepted an offer of a place at the University of Pretoria. On registering for a programme, the student bears the responsibility of ensuring that they familiarise themselves with the General Academic Regulations applicable to their registration, as well as the relevant faculty-specific and programme-specific regulations and information as stipulated in the relevant yearbook. Ignorance concerning these regulations will not be accepted as an excuse for any transgression, or basis for an exception to any of the aforementioned regulations.

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