About this course
This course introduces students to the study and practice of public administration. The curriculum aims to develop the required competencies for a successful career in the public sector by developing a holistic understanding of key concepts and legislations while looking at the transformation and enhancement of public service delivery.
Students will gain a theoretical understanding of key public administration concepts and the role of effective public administration in government.
7 Units
- 6 months at 8 hours/week
- Certificate included
- Lecture-led
Introduction to Public Administration
TYPE:
Short Course
MODE:
DURATION:
6 months
PACE:
8 h/week
Pay as little as R466* / monthly
Flexible payment options available
What you will learn about
This course contains 7 units and can be completed in 6 months at the recommended pace of 8 hours per week:
- Unit 1: Basic Concepts of Public Administration
- Unit 2: The Government of South Africa
- Unit 3: Public vs Private Administration
- Unit 4: Principles of Public Administration
- Unit 5: Role of Government Officials
- Unit 6: Public Administration and Technology
- Unit 7: Transforming Public Service Delivery
With our structured approach to teaching, you will be able to acquire valuable knowledge and skills with ease. All courses include an orientation week, assessment and feedback opportunities as well as guided lesson plans from your course lecturer every week.
Upon successful completion of this course you should be able to:
- Define public administration as a discipline and public administration as a field of practice;
- Relate public administration to other disciplines;
- Explain the structure and functions of the Government of South Africa;
- Differentiate between public and private sectors;
- Outline the principles of public administration;
- Point out the nature and scope of public administration;
- Discuss the roles of government officials (the elected and non-elected);
- Explain how technology plays a role in public administration, especially in the era of the fourth industrial revolution and the Covid-19 pandemic; and;
- Outline the values that govern the practice of public administration to build an ethical public service.
You can expect to gain theoretical understanding and practical skills in the following areas:
- Three spheres of government
- Legislation governing public administration
- New Public Management
- Administration principles
Is this course right for me?
Entry-level officials in national, provincial, and local spheres of government, Non-Profit organisations (NPOs), Community Based Organisations (CBOs), community leaders, members of communities, and any other individuals interested in understanding how government functions. As well as individuals from other disciplines who require basic knowledge of the functions of administration to perform effectively in a public administration environment.
The public administration course at iQ Academy encompasses all of the important aspects of public administration including legislation – but also presents an overview of government structure and how implementing the Batho Pele principles can lead to better service delivery. Focus is also placed on technology, which has become central to how the government functions.
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be equipped to pursue a range of exciting careers such as:
- National and Provincial Government Administrators and Managers
- Public Health Professionals
- South African Police Services
- Correctional Service Officials
- Municipal Administrators and Managers
- Community Based Organisations
- Community Leaders
When can you start this course?
Our Short Courses are administered in various intakes throughout the year. Enrol for a date that suits you or enquire now if you’d like more information.
Short Course Admissions
- Minimum of Grade 10 (Standard 8)
- Grade 12 or NQF 4 equivalent preferred
- At least 18 years of age
- Alternate admission is possible on the basis of Mature Age exemption (23 years and older)
- Ability to read and write in English, which is the language of instruction
- Students should also possess a basic level of digital literacy skills
In order to secure a spot in any cohort, students are required to first successfully complete the application process and register by the cohort registration deadline. Registration includes documentation submission and payment of the course fee, there are no registration fees.
Fees payable upon registration will differ depending on the payment option you choose, your Enrolment Consultant will explain this in detail during the application process.
- Online-only courses: All course material is available online and can be downloaded, there are no textbooks.
- Internet-supported courses with textbooks: You will receive textbooks via courier and the course is supported by compulsory online learning activities. Your course material will also be available online.
- Teaching and learning will take place online whichever study method you choose. That means that you will need to partake in online learning activities and classes. For more information on each study method, enquire now.
- A PC, Tablet or Smartphone
- Access to a reliable internet connection
- An active email account
Recommended data:
- At least 1GB of data per month for online-only courses
- +/- 500MB of data for internet-supported courses
Simple pricing, big value
*Terms and deposit are subject to affordability. View our payment options for more information.
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Expert support
Dedicated course lecturer and specialised academic support.
Structured learning
Weekly lesson plans, regular live classes and special webinars.
Boost your career with a short course certificate
Verified and official certificate
Easily shareable
Couriered to you for free
Industry aligned
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Apply online today
Enquire now and an Enrolment Consultant will call you back to answer any questions you have and start your application.
35,000 +
Registered and accredited
Private Higher Education
Short Course FAQ’s
Our curricula are developed by industry experts and are internally quality-assured and approved by our Academic Board. Our short courses are institutional programmes and are non-credit bearing. For more information on our institutional registration and accreditation status view our accreditations.
Short courses are typically non-credit-bearing programmes, affording students the opportunity to build their professional credentials without the higher cost and time associated with studying for a university degree or qualification.
There are no written examinations for this course. As part of your learning, you are encouraged to complete short quizzes throughout each module, which help you build and test knowledge. You will be required to complete and submit one summative assessment at the end of each module. To meet the requirement for this course, you will have to pass the final summative assessment for each module, before you can get certified.
Once you have completed your course, you will get an iQ Academy Short Course Certificate. Your certificate demonstrates that you have acquired industry-relevant skills which can enhance your promotional and employment opportunities. In order to qualify for a certificate you will need to:
- Pass all your assignments
- Pay up your student account
- Email a certified copy of your ID document to: certificate@iqa.ac.za
- Your certificate will be couriered to you at no extra cost provided you confirm your delivery address and it is accurate and up-to-date.
All short courses are lecture-led. The mode of delivery is distance education and all instruction takes place on our student portal, iCan. Your course lecturer will prepare a teaching and learning plan for the duration of the course as well as lesson plans for each week. Students should work through the learning material independently, according to the course schedule in the iCan Calendar. Support is available for academic and technical-related queries on iCan.
Your lecturer will also host regular online classes. The content covered will be in line with the course schedule and weekly lesson plan. Sticking to the schedules provided will ensure you don’t miss out on any opportunities to learn and ask questions. In between classes you can engage with your lecturer directly on iCan or you can discuss the learning content with other students in the discussion forums, which are set up per module for your convenience.
Our short courses integrate interactive media with e-learning activities as well as traditional didactic components such as written notes. There are also opportunities for collaborative learning through discussion forums. The following learning activities form part of the overall learning path:
- Reading activities
- Multimedia activities such as video clips and podcasts
- Online announcements of activities and assignment submission
- Discussion forums
- Self-reflection
- Case studies
- Live online lectures
- Assessment activities & compulsory submission of formative and summative assessments per module
