Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration

Introduction

Since independence there has been need for public administrators to guide the effective management of government institutions and public affairs in the Zambian context and elsewhere. The Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration degree programme therefore, is designed to produce Public Administrators with basic knowledge in the administration of the public sector. It contributes immensely to promoting the professions of public administration by imparting skills relevant to the development needs of the country. Through this programme, a cadre of specialists in the field of public administration who contributes solutions to public administration problems is produced. The programme further lays the basis for scientific research and promotes the mission of the University to create new knowledge through teaching, research and publications.

The public sector is one of the three main sectors of the economy whose proper administration is key for economic development. In this regard therefore, the programme is closely related to both the mission and vision of the University of Zambia and the Country respectively.  

0. Rationale
1. The public sector is a key component with huge potential to contribute towards Zambia’s wealth creation and economic development. As a result, the sector has remained a major source of employment for many Zambian graduates. Around 35 percent formal employment in Zambia is in the public sector. The programme therefore helps produce the needed human resource to manage the public sector.

2. The programme meets the needs of students and other stakeholders by providing training that is well targeted to the individual educational requirements and goals of national development. The students are also exposed to learning processes that build their cognitive and practical skills through classroom interaction, internship and field work. Other stakeholders like the industry are provided with readily available source of employees.

3. The department of Political and Administrative Studies constantly creates new programmes as well as make changes to existing ones based on the need to update the courses in order to include new knowledge, meet the demands of the industry, changes in staffing, changes in educational policy or emerging issues in the national and global environment.  

Aims of the programme

The aims of the programmes are numerous. They include:

1. Training in the principles and applications of Public Administration.

2. Addressing public management challenges and issues.

3. Contribution to national capacity for public service management and effective leadership.

4. Enhancing capacity in teaching, research and publications in the fields of public administration.

​​​​​​​Objectives of the programme

At the end of the programme graduates are expected to:

1. Show in-depth understanding of public administration.

2. Analyse and explain various branches of Public Administration.

3. Apply various social science scientific methods in the management of public affairs.

4. Improve awareness and knowledge of current issues in the field of public administration.

5. Evaluate new developments in the field.

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Programme Learning Outcomes

At the end of the programme, students should be able to do the following:

1. Analyse and explain the various branches of political science.
2. Explain the evolution and growth of the major theories of Public Administration.
3. Provide advice to public administrative actors on the implementation of public policies, programmes and projects.
4. Act in a manner that promotes equality regardless of gender, ethnic, political and religious affiliation.
5. Explain the different theories, approaches and practices to the study of Public Administration, their efficacy and limitations.
6. Analyse and explain the various components of Public Administration.
7. Analyse the complexity and dynamics of different administrative systems.
8. Compare and contrast different Public Administrative systems.
9. Apply the various research methods and techniques in Public Administration
10. Provide policy relevant information to policy-makers
11. Act in a manner that promotes social equity and sustainable development