Upon successful completion of this programme you should be able to:

1. Utilise the required academic knowledge and skills to function optimally at the entry level of higher education learning;
2. Provide knowledge and insight regarding the meaning, nature, scope of the state and government as well as the different stakeholders in the public sector. This includes an overview of power relationships, functions, systems, structures and processes within the state and government;
3. Explain the theoretical underpinnings of Public Administration and Management (PAM) that impact the executive arm of government responsible for policy implementation;
4. Critically discuss the requirements for effective public sector management which are relevant to management applications, skills and competencies;
5. Address the dynamic nature of service delivery in government and types of services as well as the government’s machinery to successfully render essential services;
6. Explain the significance of sound labour relations and healthy human resource management in the public sector to improve productivity, teamwork, and the quality of supervision;
7. Identify ethical issues and critically analyse ethics management and a code of conduct within the public sector and propose ways to strengthen ethical practices and evaluate a code of conduct accordingly; and
8. Provide knowledge and insight regarding the theories and principles in public organisational design and development so that public sector organisations can be effectively utilised to optimise service delivery objectives.

• During this programme you will complete various types of assessments, namely formative and summative assessments.
• Each module contains end of unit formative assessments and one summative assessment. The formative assessments count 40% towards your final module mark, and the summative 60%.
• Assessments within this programme are aimed towards the practical demonstration of skills acquired during the course of the semester.

A lecturer is assigned to each module in this programme. As the mode of delivery is distance education, all instruction will take place via our Virtual Campus online learning platform. Your module lecturer will provide a teaching and learning plan for the duration of the module. Students are required to adhere to this schedule to ensure you don’t miss out on any opportunities to learn.

All learning content will be made available on the Virtual Campus learning platform. Lecturers will also host regular online live classes to discuss module content and prepare for assessments. The content covered in each class will be in line with the module schedule and weekly activities.

Between classes you can engage with lecturers should you require additional support.

The following learning activities form part of your overall learning path:

• Self-directed reading and activity completion
• Multimedia activities such as lecture video clips and podcasts
• Completion of quizzes and continuous assessment opportunities on the Virtual Campus
• Self-reflections
• Case studies
• Online/Live classes using Microsoft Teams
• Assessment activities and compulsory submission of formative and summative assessments per module

The Higher Certificate in Public Administration and Management is intended for both individuals who are already employed in public sector institutions or who aspire to work within the public sector. The programme effectively merges theory and practice and equips students with academic knowledge and skills at a National or Provincial level. Therefore, this programme is relevant to individuals in a variety of roles such as:

• Public Sector Administrators
• Public Sector Managers
• Public Sector Officials
• Local Government Officials
• NPO Administrators/Managers
• Politicians

This programme is grounded in sound curriculum design and teaching and learning principles, which place the student at the forefront of the teaching and learning experience, to ensure maximum value.

Graduates of this programme will be able to understand and apply sound practices in any local or national government sector or position related to managing service delivery, human resources and organisational development and change management within an ethical framework nested in the Batho Pele principles of public management.

After an extensive industry review, the programme content and assessment strategy allow for constant practice and preparation and are aligned to the job role competencies required of a Local Government professional.

Upon successful completion of this qualification, students can pursue exciting career paths such as:

• Government officials
• Managers and advisors in Government Departments
• Public Sector Administrators
• Public Sector Human Resource Officer