Master of Public Sector Management

The Master of Public Sector Management is an intensive, full-time, 12-month long training program consisting of four modules and a research project.

Entry Requirements

The PSMTP will accept applications from candidates who possess all the following minimum qualifications and attributes:

1. A good first university degree (equivalent professional qualifications obtained by formal study and examination and recognized as a degree equivalent by the Africa University Senate) and 4 years of relevant post-qualification work experience;
2. Be a middle-level African professional or manager employed by a government or state enterprise located in Eastern or Southern Africa. (More senior officials located in the same region may also be eligible for special consideration);
3. Competence in basic Mathematics not below GCE ‘O’ level shall be an added advantage. Preference will be given to candidates recommended by those Governments or state enterprises which make an explicit commitment to provide the successful graduates with the requisite institutional environment (including appropriate incentive systems) that would enable them to make good use of their newly acquired skills and competencies in the collective pursuit of sustainable development and poverty reduction on the Continent.
   
   

Program Structure

Four modules are undertaken in this program and they include:

MODULE 1: Background and Perspectives

1. Public Sector Management in Africa: Context and Development
2. Politics and Public Sector Management in Africa
3. Public Policy Formulation, Evaluation, and Management
4. Governance and Leadership
5. Macroeconomic Policies and Development Issues
   
   

MODULE 2: Strategic Planning

1. Strategic Planning and Management
2. Decentralization and Local Governance
3. Entrepreneurship and Public Enterprise Management
4. Program and Project Management
5. ICT and Public Sector Management
   
   

MODULE 3: Public Sector Resources Management

1. Human Resources Management
2. Performance Management
3. Ethics and Professionalism
4. Applied Research and Quantitative Methods
5. Public Sector Economics/Finance
   
   

MODULE 4: Global and Regional Organization and Issues

1. International Relations
2. International Trade and Finance
3. Diplomacy and Negotiation
4. Conflict Management and Post Conflict Reconstruction
5. Regional Co-operation and Integration
6. Research Project
   
   

Financial Assistance

Africa University, in its bid to make higher education accessible to youths in Africa, and being aware of the low-income status of the average African family, offers funding to deserving students to assist with payment of their University fees. The University’s Financial Aid Committee is responsible for awarding this assistance. The assistance is awarded on the basis of merit, need and character and it falls into two categories: Financial Aid and Scholarships.

Financial Aid

This is normally meant for assistance with payment of tuition fees and it is available to students from second year onwards. The need of the student is assessed based on their application, supporting documents and information from any referees. The student’s academic performance as indicated by his/her C.G.P.A is also used to determine the level of assistance. Those students performing very well are awarded more than their counterparts as a way of rewarding their efforts and motivating them to continue aiming for higher academic excellence. Students who get onto the Dean’s list will also be assisted with payment of tuition and those whose performance falls below the C.G.P.A. required to graduate will not receive assistance.

Scholarships

Students must apply for scholarships through the Financial Aid Office. Different organizations, churches, and individuals set up scholarships which are awarded to deserving applicants, who must also satisfy any special criteria that may be set by the benefactor.(e.g. it may be required that the recipient is of a specified gender or in a specified Faculty or from a specified country.) Scholarships awarded may cover full fees for the recipient or may be partial, covering only specified fees. Where a student receives awards from more than one source and the total amount of the awards exceeds the total fees payable no refunds will be made, to the beneficiary. Any such excess is recovered from Financial Aid and awarded to another needy student.

Work Study

All students receiving financial assistance are expected to work in any of the University’s units for a specified number of hours a week as a token of appreciation for the award. Currently, those working outdoors are expected to work for two hours a week and those working indoors work for four hours a week.