The University of Pretoria’s UPOnline on Wednesday (29 April 2020) opened applications for its second fully online accredited programme, its Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management. This online qualification is aimed at equipping public-sector line managers with the knowledge and skills required to fulfil their management role.

UPOnline’s first programme, the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health, was launched in March.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management is the first fully online offering from UP’s Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences, while the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health is offered by UP’s Faculty of Health Sciences. Both programmes are fully accredited and form part of the UPOnline project, an independent initiative aiming to broaden access to a select number of high-demand programmes at the University of Pretoria.

Applications for UPOnline’s Postgraduate Diploma in Public Management opened on 29 April 2020, with the first module set to commence on 29 June.

“In line with UPOnline’s theme ‘Flexibility Matters’, the fully online modality of this academic programme allows line managers in public service to further their studies, and ultimately their careers, whilst working full time,” said Professor Norman Duncan, UP Vice-Principal: Academic. “Students do not have to take leave from their work or travel to attend class. All they need is a computing device and a stable internet connection.”

The curriculum for the programme has been developed in partnership with the National School of Government and, with six start dates per year, students in the online Postgraduate Diploma in Pubic Management will have the flexibility to start their studies whenever they choose to do so.

“Students who miss the first offering of this exciting new programme will not have to wait long as there will be a new intake of students every eight weeks,” Prof Duncan said. “They register, pay for, and complete one module at a time, which means they can focus all their attention on the module they are busy with, without having to deal with competing academic assignments, tests and deadlines.”

More information about the application process and the programme itself can be found here.

“Remember: In the rapidly changing world we’re living in, now more than ever: Flexibility Matters,” Prof Duncan said.