Public Administration
A public administrator is invariably a government employee or works closely with the government. However, public administration is the study of activities in the public sector. As such, it deals with topical, real life issues, such as health, protection, education, housing and the environment.
In the study of public administration, attention is also paid to developments on the international stage and how these developments could affect government decisions and policies. You can also get involved in the policymaking processes and implementation.
Having studied public administration, you will find yourself being a valued employee of public authorities such as government departments, parliament, provincial administrations, municipalities, arbitration boards, research institutes and international organisations (such as the United Nations). In the private sector, you will benefit from the knowledge of how governmental processes work and project management.
The purposes of the various public administration courses are to teach students how best to manage government resources and policies. The aim is to create a more effective government. So you may find yourself working on a housing project, irrigation-systems, tourism, etc. The options of employment are as boundless the roles of government.
You may also tailor your degree slightly by adding electives, which may give you, added knowledge for certain sectors of the government.
Three institutions in Cape Town offer courses in public administration. These are the University of Cape Town (UCT), University of the Western Cape (UWC) and University of South Africa (Unisa) and all of them are recognised internationally.
Page Last Updated: 16 February 2011
