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SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Doctor of Social Work 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
24154  Doctor of Social Work 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Social Work 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Doctoral Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 10  Regular-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 091/21  2021-07-01  2023-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
This is a post-graduate PhD qualification that is aimed at creating the opportunity for candidates to engage in highly advanced and specialised academic or professional study of and research into an aspect of social work and social welfare services.

The degree will be conferred only on those candidates who have demonstrated the capacity for independent thinking and sustained original research that makes a contribution to the development of well-grounded new knowledge in the field of social work.

[Note: The World Health Organisation`s definition of health as a state of complete mental, physical and social well-being is accepted for the purpose of this document as the relevant NSB has defined these as the Sub-fields. However, they are not considered to be appropriate and should be re-defined to include more clearly Social Work qualifications.]

Rationale:

This qualification is designed to facilitate the acquisition of expertise and research skills to make an original contribution to promoting the achievement of Social Work`s core purposes that are embedded in the following internationally accepted definition.

The social work profession promotes social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being. Utilising theories of human behaviour and social systems, social work intervenes at the points where people interact with their environments. Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work. [International Federation of Social Workers and International Association of Schools of Social Work, 2000].

Social work plays a major role in addressing the many needs of South African society through social work services provided within many sectors such as government departments, businesses, non-governmental organisations and in private practice. Dynamic and professionally sound leadership and cutting edge research are vital in order for social work to impact on social needs.

This qualification enables candidates to make an original, substantial contribution to the science of Social Work. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Access to the qualification:

Candidates who register for this qualification must have a Master of Social Work and be registered with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) as a social worker.

Applicants who fall outside of the above criteria, but who can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the service provider, that they have an appropriate, related qualification, experiential or work-based learning, which has taken the candidate to the equivalent of an NQF Level 8 Social Work qualification, may be considered for admission into this social work programme.

Given the ethical parameters of social work education, training and practice, learners must be registered with the SACSSP as social workers. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
N/A 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
A qualifier will demonstrate the following competencies:
  • Demonstrate an advanced, comprehensive knowledge base and critical systemic understanding of social work and relevant fields.
  • Demonstrate the ability to critically analyse and evaluate knowledge and to apply knowledge, theory and research methods creatively to complex practical, theoretical and epistemological themes/problems in social work. and relevant fields.
  • Demonstrate the ability to identify, conceptualise, design and implement research that addresses complex, ill defined problems at the cutting edge of social work and report results in the form of a thesis in line with academically recognised standards.
  • Exhibit the ability to act as academic leader and expert in the field of study by effectively presenting and communicating the results of research to specialist and non-specialist audiences using a range of resources for academic/professional discourse.

    Exit level outcomes:

    On completion of this NQF Level 8 qualification, qualifiers are expected to demonstrate the following exit level outcomes according to the associated assessment criteria.

    1. Demonstrate an advanced, comprehensive knowledge base and critical systemic understanding of social work and relevant fields.

    2. Demonstrate the ability to critically analyse and evaluate knowledge and to apply knowledge, theory and research methods creatively to complex practical, theoretical and epistemological themes/problems in social work and relevant fields.

    3. Demonstrate the ability to identify, conceptualise, design and implement research that addresses complex, ill defined problems at the cutting edge of social work and report results in the form of a thesis in line with academically recognised standards.

    4. Exhibit the ability to act as academic leader and expert in the field of study by effectively presenting and communicating the results of research to specialist and non-specialist audiences using a range of resources for academic/professional discourse.

    Critical cross-field outcomes:

    The exit level outcomes and the associated assessment criteria listed above are all consistent with the Critical Cross-field Outcomes, namely:
  • Identify and solve problems using critical and creative thinking.
  • Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation and community.
  • Organise and manage oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively.
  • Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation.
  • Demonstrate cultural and aesthetic sensitivity in dealings with clients, colleagues and communities.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.
  • Demonstrate ethical and professional behaviour.
  • Lay the foundation for life-long learning and ongoing competency. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated assessment criteria:

    On completion of this qualification, qualifiers are expected to demonstrate the following exit level outcomes according to the associated assessment criteria.

    1.1 Analyses provide extensive, sophisticated theoretical knowledge and critical understanding in social work and relevant fields.
    1.2 Comprehensive social work discourse and debates based on reflective application of knowledge, skills and understanding, are included in theses.
    1.3 Cogent and fluent expositions of knowledge, understanding and expertise in diverse social work contexts are presented in theses.

    2.1 Arguments exhibiting well-developed capacities for dealing with complexity, ambiguity, gaps, and lack of coherence in existing knowledge in social work are presented.
    2.2 Analytical skills and intellectual independence are displayed by questioning existing knowledge, theoretical positions and taken for granted solutions to social issues.
    2.3 Theses contain original contributions to critical, systematic and rigorously disciplined theorising.

    3.1 Expositions of the use of a range of appropriate strategies and sources, including information and communication technology to access and process information and data, are presented in theses.
    3.2 Original and substantial contributions are made to social work knowledge and knowledge in relevant fields through independent research that satisfies academically recognised standards for research and scholarship.
    3.3 Substantial, well-ordered arguments that display abilities to construct informed, cohesive arguments show relations with current and earlier streams of thinking.
    3.4 Discussions clearly interpret the implications of the research findings for knowledge, theory and practice in social work and related fields in an original manner.

    4.1 Presentations and discourses contribute to others` critical awareness and understanding of social issues resulting in participation in and initiation of debates, research and publications on social issues.
    4.2 Presentations and discourses contribute to improvement and/or change of social work practice through critical engagement with appropriate stakeholders at various levels and by various means.

    Integrated assessment:

    The following assessment strategies are used to ensure that exit level and critical cross-field outcomes are achieved:
  • A thesis evaluated by an internal assessor and at least two external assessors.
  • Oral presentations and discourses on research conducted and implications of the results. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares favourably to similar qualifications in the international arena. This has been verified through the South African structures affiliated to the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW). The IASSW recently formulated a draft document on Global Qualifying Standards for Social Work Education and Training and this qualification, by and large, measures up to the standards contained in the global document. This was also verified with the Chairperson of the Global Qualifying Standards Committee who is a South African and who serves on the SGB for Social Work. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The horizontal articulation to related Doctoral Degrees is possible. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Internal and external moderation must be available according to the provider`s policy.
  • Both internal and external moderators must be in possession of an appropriate recognised Doctoral qualification.
  • Internal and external moderators must be appointed in agreement with the SACSSP. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    The minimum basic requirements for assessors are the following:
  • Internal assessors must be registered with the SACSSP and have at least a Masters degree in Social Work.
  • External assessors must have an appropriate qualification and/or appropriate experience in the chosen focus area and be appointed in agreement with the SACSSP. 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    Registration of providers:

    Providers must be registered as such by the relevant Quality Council. 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.