Are you curious about the driving force behind effective public administration and policy implementation? Do you wish to embark on a journey where you can shape communities, influence policy, and contribute to societal progress? Then pursuing a master’s degree in public management is something that will be beneficial to you. Public management plays a crucial role in shaping societies and driving effective governance.
In this blog, we dive into the world of public management, exploring its definition, reasons to study a master in public management and governance programme, curriculum, and the career paths of this dynamic field. Whether you are interested in public administration, public policy, or public service, this blog will provide valuable insights into the multifaceted realm of public management.
Table of Contents
What is Public Management?
Public management is the art of managing the activities of organisations in the public sector, creating policies, and providing public services that significantly impact society. It is a dynamic environment where leaders promote change, resources are used most effectively, and people’s needs are addressed. The Master of Public Management includes the administration of governmental organisations, nonprofits, and other public bodies that provide services to the general public and represent their interests. Public managers are essential for ensuring efficient resource use, carrying out regulations, and generating public value.
Reasons to Study Public Management
Public Management is a field that offers unique opportunities to make a positive impact on society. By pursuing a master’s degree in public management, individuals can address societal issues, promote efficient governance, and influence public policies.
There are several compelling advantages to studying a master of public management programme. Here are some key factors in favour of studying public management:
- Making a Positive Impact: Studying public management enables people to influence society for the better. Professionals in this discipline can work to improve public service delivery by developing a thorough understanding of public sector operations, resource allocation, and policy execution.
- Enhancing Public Service Delivery: Enhancing the delivery of public services is one of public management’s primary goals. People that study this area get concepts and methods for streamlining workflows, increasing service quality, and allocating resources efficiently.
- Driving Policy Development: People studying public management can influence the processes of making decisions and developing policies. Studying social, economic, and political variables enables experts in this subject to create policies that address pressing issues, promote equality, and encourage sustainable development.
- Leading and Managing Public Organisations: People studying public management gain the skills to lead and manage public sector organisations successfully. Professionals in this discipline are in charge of advancing operational excellence and accomplishing organisational objectives, whether employed by governmental institutions, nonprofit organisations, or global institutions.
- Embracing a Diverse and Dynamic Field: The field of public management provides a wide variety of job options. Graduates can find employment across various industries, including the government, nonprofits, consulting firms, and international organisations.
- Building Transferable Skills: People studying public management gain diverse skills outside the public sector. Strategic thinking, leadership, policy analysis, project management, and stakeholder engagement are transferable skills used in various industries and open doors to various professional opportunities.
- Professional Development and Networking: People studying public management can interact with industry leaders, experts, and professionals. This offers collaboration, mentoring, and networking opportunities, which can greatly advance professional development.
What does Public Management Do?
Public management involves various activities like running and overseeing public sector organisations. It aims to serve the public and address societal needs, ensuring that services and resources benefit society as intended. Here are the key functions that answer the question, ‘what is public management?’:
Policy Planning and Implementation:
Public managers are responsible for carrying out policies related to areas like education, healthcare, the environment, and social services. They ensure these policies are put into action and achieve the desired results for the community.
Resource Allocation:
Public managers decide how to distribute limited resources such as budgets, staff, and technology across various public programmes. They prioritise these resources based on the community’s needs and the resources available.
Performance Evaluation:
Public management involves checking how well public services and programmes are working. This helps identify what is working and what needs improvement, allowing for better decisions and continuous improvement in service delivery.
Stakeholder Engagement:
Public managers work with a variety of people, including citizens, interest groups, and other government agencies. Effective communication and collaboration with these groups are essential for addressing concerns, gaining support, and making sure policies meet community needs.
Innovation and Change Management:
Public management involves encouraging new ideas and managing changes within public organisations. This helps adapt to new technologies, changing community needs, and emerging challenges, ensuring that public services remain effective and responsive.
Duties and Responsibilities of Public Management Professionals
Public management professionals are essential for ensuring the smooth running of public sector organisations. As a result, their duties and responsibilities cover many different areas of management and operations. Here are some of the key responsibilities of a public management professional:
- Developing PR Programmes: They plan and run events and programmes to enhance the organisation’s image and achieve its goals.
- Managing PR Budgets: They handle the financial planning and allocation for PR activities.
- Designing Promotional Materials: They help create and review promotional and marketing materials to make sure they match the organisation’s brand.
- Handling Media Relations: They develop strategies for media coverage, seek out media placements, and manage media inquiries and interviews.
- Overseeing Social Media: They lead the social media team to engage with audiences on various platforms.
- Checking Corporate Image: They regularly assess and ensure the organisation’s image aligns with its branding.
- Planning Events: They organise and manage events like press tours and conferences.
- Representing the Organisation: They may speak on behalf of the organisation at press conferences, interviews, and other public events.
Curriculum of Master’s Degree in Public Management
A Master of Public Management and Governance programme is a 2-year programme with NQF Level 9 Qualification. The curriculum for the programme consists of various topics that help learners understand the topic clearly. The curriculum consists of the following:
- Governance and Intergovernmental Relations: The Governance and Intergovernmental Relations course aims to comprehensively understand the key roles, functions, and structure of national, provincial, and local government to Intergovernmental Relations (IGR).
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Monitoring and Evaluation offers a critical discussion on terminology, concepts, definitions, models, and techniques to explain the monitoring and evaluation process effectively.
- Organisational Development: Organisational Development (OD) aims to critically discuss behaviour concepts and terminology as they have evolved in formulating OD models and processes to implement the most appropriate model in a given scenario.
- Public Ethics and Corporate Governance: In Public Ethics and Corporate Governance, a critical examination will be held on the concepts, roles and responsibilities, and impact of corporate governance and ethics. The need for creating a common set of values within an organisational ethical framework will be analysed in depth.
- Public Finance: The Public Finance course aims to comprehensively examine relevant terminology, concepts and legislation, including an in-depth understanding of Generally Recognised Accounting Practices (GRAP).
- Public Policy Development and Implementation: The Public Policy Development and Implementation course aims to critically examine the relationship between policies, programmes, projects, policy development cycles, frameworks and the applicability/relevance of policy analysis tools within the public and development sector.
- Strategic Management in the Public Sector: Strategic Management in the Public Sector is to extensively interrogate public policy and regulations related to public strategy and relevant theories, thereby ensuring effective strategies in different public and development environments to implement effective and efficient service delivery.
These are only some of the topics that are included in the master of public management programme. The complete curriculum at Regenesys Business School has been designed to provide learners with all the information and skills required to excel in the public sector.
What is a Public Management Programme?
A public management programme is an academic course that teaches you how to manage public sector organisations. It covers a variety of topics, such as analysing policies, handling finances, understanding economics, and managing public services. Moreover, the course aims to prepare students for real-world challenges in governance and policy, blending theoretical knowledge with practical management skills.
For example, the Master of Public Management (MPM) programme offered by Regenesys School of Public Management equips you with the knowledge and skills necessary for leadership and management roles in the public sector. You will get a well-structured academic curriculum covering modules like the following:
- Strategic Public Project Management
- Public Policy Development and Implementation
- Economics
- Organisational Development
- Sustainable Development
- Governance and Intergovernmental Relations
- Public Finance
- Strategic Human Resource Management
- Strategic Management in the Public Sector
- Public Ethics and Corporate Governance
With these core modules, our 2-year postgraduate programme can build a career in the public and development sectors. You will get access to career roles like Public Affairs Specialist, Public Relations Manager, Economic Consultant and Development Coordinator.
So, if you are planning to enrol in the Master of Public Management programme from Regenesys, you will need one of the following qualifications: an Honours degree at NQF Level 8, a Postgraduate Diploma at NQF Level 8, or a Professional bachelor’s degree at NQF Level 8. Moreover, you can study the Public Management programme online or in contact study mode.
Difference between Public Administration and Public Management
Though we understand the answer to the question, ‘What is public management?, knowing the difference between Public Administration and Public Management is important for anyone working in the public sector. Both are essential for good governance, but they have different roles and functions. In the table below, we have outlined the difference between Public Administration and Public Management:
|
Aspects |
Public Administration |
Public Management |
|
Primary Focus |
Creating and implementing policies and regulations for public services |
Managing the daily execution and practical application of policies |
|
Scope |
Focusing on policy direction and the establishment of frameworks and regulations |
Focusing on the operational aspects and day-to-day responsibilities |
|
Role |
Directs the systems, rules, and regulations needed to establish and guide public policies |
Implements and manages policies to ensure effective public service delivery |
|
Approach |
More theoretical and strategic in nature. |
More operational and focused on execution and management tasks. |
|
Key Activities |
Policy formulation, regulation development, strategic oversight |
Resource allocation, performance evaluation, stakeholder engagement |
Career Paths for Public Management
A Master of Public Management and Governance programme opens career paths in various sectors. Graduates with an MPM can pursue various jobs in governmental, nonprofit, and international organisations focusing on public administration, policy analysis, programme management, and leadership. Following are some possible career pathways for graduates of Master of public management:
- Government Administrator: monitoring and executing policies and programmes in municipal, state, or federal public sector organisations.
- Public Service Manager: Manage departments or divisions in the public sector to ensure good organisation, resource management, and efficient operations.
- Policy Analyst: Develop recommendations, analyse and assess the effectiveness of existing policies, and add to the use of evidence in decision-making.
- Programme Manager of an NGO: Organise, oversee, and assess programmes and projects in nonprofit organisations.
- Grants and Development Manager of an NGO: To promote the organisation’s goal, secure funds, manage grants, and establish strategic partnerships.
- Public Management Consultant: Work as a consultant for government and nonprofit organisations, offering your knowledge and suggestions on organisational development, policy implementation, and public administration.
- International Development Consultant: Design and assess development projects and programmes in various nations by working with international organisations or consulting firms.
These are just a few of the examples. You can also get into other fields based on your interests and experiences after doing a master of public management.
Conclusion
Studying a Master in Public Management and Governance programme offers a rewarding and impactful career path. By developing the necessary networks, knowledge, and skills in this field, people can put themselves in a position to improve government, change the world for the better, and benefit local communities. Public management experts have the chance to bring about long-lasting social change and build a better future for all, whether by enhancing the delivery of public services, guiding policy creation, or managing public organisations.
Stay tuned with Regenesys Business School for more related articles.
What is Public Management? – FAQs
What is Public Management?
Public Management refers to planning, organising, and overseeing the operations of public sector organisations. To address the requirements of the public, it involves handling public resources, putting policies into place, and providing public services.
What skills and knowledge will I gain from a Master of Public Management programme?
With a Master of Public Management programme, you will learn strategic planning, policy analysis, financial management, leadership, and programme evaluation skills.
What career opportunities are available with a master’s degree in Public Management?
Graduates of public management can pursue various career paths like government administrators, policy analysts, programme managers, and public affairs officers or pursue careers in areas such as public finance, social services, healthcare administration, or urban planning.
Can I pursue a Master of Public Management and Governance programme online?
Yes, Regenesys Business School offers contact and online learning options.
What is the meaning of public management?
Public management is a field that combines business and management techniques to run and oversee public sector organisations. It involves planning, organising, and managing activities to make government and nonprofit services more efficient and effective.
Why should I study public management?
Studying public management equips you with the skills needed to influence public policies, enhance community services, and manage resources effectively. It prepares you for leadership roles in public and nonprofit sectors, helping you contribute to societal progress.
What are the requirements for public management?
To enrol in a Master of Public Management programme from Regenesys School of Public Management, you typically need an Honours degree at NQF Level 8, a Postgraduate Diploma at NQF Level 8, or a Professional bachelor’s degree at NQF Level 8.
How many years does it take to study public management?
A Master of Public Management programme usually takes about 2 years to complete, depending on whether you study full-time or part-time.
What can I become if I study public management?
Graduates of public management programmes can pursue various roles, including Public Affairs Specialist, Public Relations Manager, Economic Consultant, and Development Coordinator.
What is the difference between public management and public administration?
Public management focuses on the practical implementation and daily management of policies, while public administration deals with policy creation and the establishment of frameworks and regulations. Public management handles the operational aspects, whereas public administration is more strategic and theoretical.
Who should study public administration?
Public administration is suitable for individuals interested in designing policies, developing regulations, and overseeing the broad systems that guide public services. It’s ideal for those aiming for roles in policy development and strategic oversight.
How much do public managers earn in South Africa?
Public managers in South Africa typically earn between R27,374 and R624,365 annually, depending on their experience, role, and level of responsibility. Salaries can vary based on the specific sector and region.
What is public management theory?
Public management theory involves the study of how management principles and practices can be applied to public sector organisations. It explores strategies for improving efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability in managing public services and resources.
