Message from the Director

Welcome to the School of Public Management and Administration (SPMA) at the University of Pretoria. We believe that we are in the unique position, situated in our nation’s capital, to provide our students with the best possible experience of public service teaching and research excellence while concomitantly inspiring the public service managers of tomorrow. Our staff component includes both national and international scholars passionate about Public Administration and its many sub-fields. Staff members have research specialisations which relate to all aspects of the public administration function, ranging from policy making through to innovation and human capital investment. The School has three main research foci, namely Governance and Hybridity (focusing on policies and processes), Leadership and Innovation (including people and behaviour) and Teaching Public Administration (as part of our academic partnership to capacitate the government). 

Our degrees cater for public sector employees in all spheres of government and in all organs of state as well as other leadership and academic positions. Our offerings include a variety of degrees including undergraduate studies, a fully online postgraduate diploma as well as our honours, masters’ and PhD programmes. At master’s level we differentiate between our research MAdmin degree and our professional MPA degree while at PhD level we offer structured programme degrees in Public Administration as well as Public Policy.

We are currently producing the largest number of postgraduate students in Public Management and Administration in South Africa. We enhance our students’ class experiences through our involvement with government departments and invite guest lecturers to participate at every level of education. We also enjoy the benefits that our distinguished international extraordinary professors bring, to augment the learning experience of our postgraduate students specifically.

If your calling lies in public service then the SPMA is your academic home. We would like to invite you to study with us to become part of the service delivery solution within your specific context. We will support you on your journey to realising your full potential and aspirations.

Prof Gerda van Dijk

Director: School of Public Management and Administration

Copyright © University of Pretoria 2024. All rights reserved.

FAQ's Email Us Virtual Campus Share Cookie Preferences