Master of Science Degree in Public Management and Leadership
| Duration 1 ½ years
Minimum Credit Load 360
Maximum Credit Load 360
Total MBK Credit Load 288
ZNQF Level 9 |
PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAMME
The programme seeks to develop graduates’ knowledge, competencies and analytical skills for them to be able to comprehend and resolve contentious contemporary public policy and public management and leadership issues in the modern global contexts. Furthermore, the programme seeks to develop ethical and professional leadership competencies for various public management contexts cutting across both policy and governance spectrums. These will be achieved through:
- A balanced curriculum that enables the acquisition of a range of practical, computational, research and problem-solving skills as well as the development of factual and conceptual knowledge of public management and leadership issues.
- The provision of related and relevant communication and presentation capabilities that enhance the students’ effectiveness in a wide range of career opportunities.
2.0 ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Normal Entry: A 2.1 pass, or better in Public Management and Administration, Public Policy and Governance, Public Sector Management, Economics, Politics and Public Management and Political Science or any relevant related degree.
Special Entry: A general degree and any other qualification in line with the Zimbabwe National Qualifications Framework (ZNQF).
3.0 PROGRAMME DELIVERY
Teaching and Learning Methods: Lectures, seminars, group work, field-based activities, research projects, individual independent study.
Assessment Methods: Written and oral examinations, in-class tests, written assignments, and seminar presentations.
4.0 LEARNING OUTCOMES
On successful completion of this programme the graduate will be able to:
- Gain the ability to critically analyse, create or improve, and implement effective public policy in public sector programs and services and leadership practices.
- Acquire the foundation knowledge needed to understand the distinctive character and responsibilities of public sector administration and leadership in a democratic society.
- Use appropriate research methods, skills, and tools, to conduct research which leads to innovative and problem-solving ideas in the modern public sector contexts.
- Acquire the breadth and depth of knowledge about the challenges and model practices of contemporary public sector management and leadership needed to be effective in that context as well as engender an understanding of the special challenges and opportunities of public sector management and leadership in diverse contexts.
- Develop the skills and theoretical knowledge needed to redesign public sector organizations, staff and delivery systems, as well as develop an understanding of the importance of leadership, cooperation and collaboration across unit lines and with external and community partners.
- Develop an appreciation of the need for ethics and professionalism as the pillars onto which public leadership and governance is premised on.
- Develop advanced leadership and communication skills needed for leadership in the public sector: strong oral communication skills in small groups and in larger public contexts. Strong written communication and skills appropriate for writing reports, explaining issues and policies, persuasively presenting initiatives, corresponding with colleagues and clients, and media communications.
- Use principles and theories of Public Management and Leadership to gain a critical understanding of current problems and challenges in our country and beyond.
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the international public management and leadership approaches, dynamics, systems and practices in resolving complex and dynamic global contemporary public sector challenges.
- Master concepts as public policy, policy management, policy analysis, governance and democracy, institutional reform, capacity building, accountability and power.
5.0 GENERAL PROVISIONS
5.1 The Master of Science in Public Management and Leadership is offered through the Block-Release Mode of Entry.
5.2 Normally, a student is expected to complete the programme in not less than 1½ years from the date of first registration
5.3 All modules in this programme are compulsory.
5.4 Each module in this programme is worth eighteen (18) credits except for the dissertation which is worth seventy-two (72) credits.
6.0 PROGRAMME ASSESSMENT
6.1 Course work
Written assignments, seminar and group presentations, in-class tests, and any other relevant assessments contribute 40% to the final mark.
6.2 Written Examinations
End of semester examinations constitute 60% of the final mark
6.3 Other
Dissertation/research Project is assessed on the basis of a research project (75%) and oral presentation (25%).
7.0 PROVISION FOR PROGRESSION
7.1 If a student fails all modules at the end of the first semester, they shall retake the failed modules.
7.2 If a student obtains a minimum number of credits required but fails in not more than two modules, he or she can proceed to the second level, but must all modules before fore obtaining the degree.
7.3 To proceed from one level to another, a student should at least pass 75% of their modules for the current level.
8.0 FAILURE TO SATISFY EXAMINERS
Students who fail to satisfy examiners within their examination period may be eligible for special examinations, retaking the failed module(s) at a later examination cycle, repeating the failed module(s) at a later semester, a discontinuation of studies (if they pass less than 25% of their modules), or withdrawing from the degree programme (if they have failed the same level of the programme twice).
9.0 GRADING AND DEGREE CLASSIFICATION
The grading of modules and the degree classification shall be as follows:
80% and Above Distinction
70%-79% Merit
50%-69% Pass
49% and Below Fail
10.0 DEGREE WEIGHTING
10.1 Final end-of-semester examinations contribute 60% towards the final mark for each module.
10.2 Continuous assessment contributes 40% towards the final mark of each module.
11.0 PROGRAMME STRUCTURE
Level 1 Semester 1
MPML 701 Fundamentals of Public Management 18
MPML 702 Leadership Development 18
MPML 703 Public Policy analysis and Management 18
MPML 704 Public Sector Human Resources Management 18
MPML 705 Organisational and Leadership Theories 18
Level 1 Semester 2
MPML 707 Advanced Research Methodology 18
MPML 708 Advanced Public Financial Management 18
MPML 709 Public Sector ethics and Corporate Governance 18
MPML 710 Strategic Leadership and Management 18
MPML 711 Public Sector Management Information Systems 18
Level 2 Semester 1
MPML 800 Comparative Public Policy 18
MPML 801 Welfare State and Social Policy 18
MPML 802 Dissertation 72
Total Credit Load 288
12.0 MODULE SYNOPSES
MPML 701 FUNDAMENTALS OF PUBLIC MANAGEMENT
This module provides students with some of the foundations of public management as an analytical field of research. The aim is to introduce students to some of the major theoretical developments in the field of Public Management since its inception as a self-conscious scholarly discipline.
MPML 702 LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
The module helps to deliver effective and efficient leadership skills needed for developing organisations, teams and individuals through the shaping of leadership mind sets and practices. The module provides relevant skills and knowledge needed for organisational transformation and effective leadership in the public sector as it explores the genesis, leadership styles, practices, skills, processes and mechanisms in public institutions.
MPML 703 PUBLIC POLICY ANALYSIS AND MANAGEMENT
The module examines the public policy formulation and analysis- that is policy design, implementation and evaluation in depth. It equips students with skills and knowledge to contribute effectively in policy preparation and implementation processes especially in developing and transitional countries. Additionally, it also equips students with the skills to analyse the anatomy and content of public policies in the public sphere.
MPML 704 PUBLIC SECTOR HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
The module seeks to equip students with skills for the role of a public sector human resource manager. It also aims to instil skills and knowledge in graduates to become organisational change agents while managing and retaining staff.
MPML 705 ORGANISATIONAL AND LEADERSHIP THEORIES
Students will be exposed to key theories governing public organisations as well as the major leadership theories and their applicability to the contemporary public institutions. The module will explore the theoretical aspects of organisational and leadership models and how they relate and feed into each other for the betterment of public sector institutions.
MPML 706 ADMINISTRATIVE LAW
The module examines the legal processes, systems and frameworks governing the way administrative authorities exercise their delegated functions, power and authority. This also ensures that the administrative authorities do not exceed their legitimate power and facilitate good administration. Students are equipped with the knowledge on how delegated authority is used in public organisations.
MPML 707 ADVANCED RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
This module provides students with an understanding of the background, issues and controversies surrounding some of the methodologies and statistics used to accomplish research objectives. It should be considered as a follow-up of the undergraduate Research Methods module. The module provides a general overview of qualitative and quantitative research methods in social science research and a more intensive focus on survey research methods (data collection, analysis, interpretation, and presentation).
MPML 708 ADVANCED FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
The module provides a comprehensive overview of the major issues, ideas, institutions, and undergirding the management of public finance and expenditure in the public sector. The module also focuses on the national budgetary processes and frameworks, financial management techniques, systems and processes and practical applications.
MPML 709 PUBLIC SECTOR ETHICS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The module explores the major issues concerning ethics, theories of ethics, theories of corporate governance, ethical dilemmas and their resolutions, corporate governance, corruption, its forms, causes, effects and the anticorruption architecture will be examined in the context of the public sector. Issues of ownership and control as well as the processes, systems, practices governing the running of public organisations in an ethical, transparent, accountable, effective and efficient manner will be emphasised. Emphasis will also be placed on good ethical and corporate governance processes, culture, practices and systems in public sector institutions.
MPML 710 STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
The module aims to ground students in the central theoretical and practical aspects of strategic leadership and management practices. Additionally, the module recognizes governments’ need for strategic managers and leaders who can effectively run programmes that cost less, deliver better service and add value in the modern day. Students will thus be equipped with the knowledge and insights in areas of strategic advantage and influence in public management.
MPML 711 PUBLIC INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND E-GOVERNMENT
The module examines the ways in which information systems, internet technologies and e-government are affecting the interactions of people and the government as well as how service provision and information by the public sector entities is being affected by these technologies. Intended for those interested in public policy and service delivery, this module also provides a broad overview of emerging opportunities, challenges and risks created by information technology in the public sector.
MPML 712 PUBLIC SECTOR REFORMS AND MANAGEMENT
The module explores the concrete solutions to ensure increased efficiency in the work of public administrations at all levels of government, as well as to improve administrative organizations and increase the quality of the services provided by public administrations. The module will explore the structural changes that are adopted in enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of public institutions such as merging or splitting public sector organizations while process change may include redesigning systems, setting quality standards, and focusing on capacity-building.
MPML 800 COMPARATIVE PUBLIC POLICY
The module explores the interdisciplinary uses of public policy as its major unit of analysis for comparison across different systems and institutions, usually countries or governments. It typically asks questions about how, why, and to what effect different governments pursue different or similar policies. It faces problems of contested identities of method versus field and the lack of a coherent and comprehensive theoretical framework. Students will be equipped with the skills and knowledge on how these comparative public policy problems are addressed by its emerging research, which also contributes to the creation of integrated and impactful knowledge in the public policy discourse.
MPML 801 WELFARE STATE AND SOCIAL POLICY
The module examines the systems whereby the state undertakes to protect the health and well-being of its citizens, especially those in financial or social need, by means of grants, pensions, and other benefits as well as the social policy and services. The module enables students to understand how social policies are used as instruments for promoting and safeguarding human well-being. It covers the following areas: conceptualisation of social policy, objectives of social policy, determinants of social policy, social policy process, including the main actors in the policy process, models of social policy and social services.
MPML 802 DISSERTATION
Students will carry out an empirical research of interest in the field of Public Management and Leadership and come up with a research dissertation of at least 40000 words. Students shall work with the assistance and guidance of their supervisor to design, conduct and write their dissertation in line with the current trends in the field of Public Management and Governance, including the Education 5.0 Thrust. The guidelines of for the dissertation will be premised on the concepts learnt such as the basic skills of research methods and report writing.
