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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Social Sciences in Psychology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111410  Master of Social Sciences in Psychology 
ORIGINATOR
North West University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Life Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to deliver students who are well able to undertake advanced research on complex academic and realistic problems within the field of psychology with the view to generating new scientific knowledge and/or develop policy options/workable solutions to
Individual and group problems and to report on such in a prescribed scientific, concise and comprehensive format. With the knowledge acquired in this qualification, students will be adequately equipped to enhance their careers with confidence and also to contribute to the development of society and the country in general.

Rationale:
The rationale behind this Master of Social Sciences in Psychology, Level 9 is to equip students with in-depth disciplinary and research knowledge and skills that will enable them to do investigative research in issues relating to psychology and also to contribute to the advancement of knowledge for the use by the health professions. The qualification enables the student to develop as a Researcher in Psychology and prepare him/herself to conduct a research project successfully and thereby to become a skilful researcher. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The principle underlying outcomes-oriented, source-based and lifelong learning in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a meaningful role are accepted. Recognition of Prior Learning, obtained either by formal teaching programmes at any institution, or informally by experience is an indispensable element in granting admission to the qualification or for the awarding of credits towards the qualification.

Recognising Prior Learning involves provable knowledge and learning that the learner obtained by following formal teaching programmes or by experience. At all times the question will be what level of competence was reached, judged in the context of the exit level knowledge and skills required for the contemplated qualification (or modules therein) or status for which the learner is applying and not merely about the experience the applicant can prove. RPL takes place in terms of the relevant skills that the learner demonstrated in the application with reference to the exit outcomes that should be reached in the chosen qualification.

Entry Requirements:
  • An Honours Degree in Psychology, Level 8.
    Or
  • A cognate Bachelor's Degree at Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises of one compulsory module totalling 180 Credits.
  • Dissertation, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and advanced competencies in the identification of a viable discipline-specific or interdisciplinary research question that can be researched individually or within a group.
    2. Design and apply appropriate qualitative and/or quantitative research methods and procedures in an ethical and scientific way to investigate the problem. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The Exit level Outcomes are assessed in an integrated way by applying the following Associated Assessment Criteria during the carrying out of the research, the writing of the dissertation and the presentation of the findings.
  • The problem is realistic, relevant and well stated.
  • The research is carried out ethically and responsibly.
  • The findings are interpreted using up-to-date knowledge in the field.
  • The research findings are scientifically reported and communicated in writing in accordance with academic protocols.
  • The research findings and recommendations are presented with the aid of Information Technology (IT) to an audience of academic peers.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment of a Master's dissertation initially takes place when the research proposal is considered by the Committee for Advanced Degrees. Approval by this committee is a requirement for the study. The supervisor also assesses continuously while the dissertation is being written.

    Examination of the dissertation is done by at least two examiners all of whom are experts in the field and of whom one is external. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This Master's qualification is comparable to similar qualifications from around the world with regard to outcomes and assessment, the depth and complexity involved in the study process and notional study time. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification enables the following articulation opportunities:
    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Psychology, Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, Level 10.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Industrial and Organisational Psychology, Level 9.
  • Master of Philosophy in Psychology, Level 9.
  • Master of Psychology, Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    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.