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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Policing Practices 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
117868  Master of Policing Practices 
ORIGINATOR
Stadio (Pty) Ltd 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security  Safety in Society 
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
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2020-09-29  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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 replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
93611  Master of Policing Practices  Not Applicable  NQF Level 09  180  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
This qualification will contribute to the development of Law Enforcement Practitioners by intensifying their knowledge and understanding of research. This will support the development of law enforcement practitioners in specific law enforcement fields and enable individuals to critically explore a variety of issues relating to law enforcement in order to enhance safety in society. Learners who have achieved this qualification will be able to:
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge on management and understanding of strategic organisational development and behaviour, law enforcement, crime prevention and crime investigation.
  • Critically appraise the role of law enforcement within a public safety context.
  • Conduct and contribute to evidence based research in a variety of law enforcement areas.
  • Independently develop new and innovative law enforcement strategies and frameworks.

    Rationale:
    This qualification is designed to equip learners with the necessary research skills and expertise to undertake independent scientific research in a specialised area of inquiry with the aim of contributing to safety in society. Evidence based policing research is vital when developing effective measures to deal with deviance, conflict, crime and victimisation within a human rights framework as set out in the South African and international context. Learners completing this qualification will apply their expertise in a diverse policing and law enforcement environment that in turn will further support the development of the South African criminal justice system.

    It will provide learners with the ability to critically review and evaluate the law enforcement and policing environment that is constantly in a state of flux. This Degree will provide advanced education, and high level studies of law enforcement and policing theory including research techniques, data analysis and scholarly presentation appropriate to the discipline. It will further enhance personal development by equipping the learner with the critical knowledge necessary either for employment in a related field (including training and research positions) or for further independent research towards a Doctor of Philosophy. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learner:
  • Has attained a level of academic achievement of at least NQF Level 8 in an academic field related to her/his current area of employment.
  • Is able to build on and apply academic principles to analyse and find answers to practical questions.
  • Has at least two years of experience in a policing/law enforcement role.
  • Is able to work independently as well as part of a team during her/his study.

    Access to the Qualification:
  • Learners who register for this qualification should have achieved the Bachelor in Policing Practices (Honours) at NQF Level 8 or an equivalent qualification. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    A single advanced research project, culminating in the development and acceptance of a dissertation totalling, 180 Credits. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge on management as well as the understanding of strategic organisational development and behaviour, law enforcement, crime prevention and crime investigation.
    2. Critically appraise the role of law enforcement within a public safety context.
    3. Conduct and contribute to evidence based research in a variety of law enforcement areas.
  • Range: Research refers to but is not limited to: advanced research, identification and formulation of problem statements, designing of research plans, selecting appropriate research methodologies and analysing research data.
    4. Independently develop innovative law enforcement strategies and frameworks.
  • Range: Strategies refer to but are not limited to: strategic organisational behaviour, law enforcement, crime prevention and crime investigation.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:
    All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in this qualification. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
    1.1 Critical knowledge of national and international academic literature is demonstrated by recognising trends and patterns in a selected specialised area of inquiry.
    1.2 A specialised area of focus is identified and selected in the field of strategic organisational development and behaviour, law enforcement, crime prevention and crime investigation.
  • Range: Specialisation in crime prevention and crime investigation refers but is not limited to: Forensic Science, Criminal Record Keeping, Domestic Violence and Victim Empowerment.
    1.3 Specific risk factors are critically analysed in the selected specialised area of inquiry.
    1.4 Strategies, frameworks, models or programmes dealing with strategic organisational development and behaviour, law enforcement, crime prevention and crime investigation are developed for potential use.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
    2.1 Trends and patterns within strategic organisational development and behaviour, law enforcement, crime prevention and crime investigation are recognised and evaluated to form evidence based research.
    2.2 The role of strategic organisational development and behaviour, law enforcement, crime prevention and crime investigation is considered and reviewed in the selected specialised area of inquiry.
    2.3 Policy or recommendations are developed in the selected specialised area of inquiry.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
    3.1 A specific area within strategic organisational development and behaviour, law enforcement, crime prevention and crime investigation is identified for research purposes.
    3.2 A research problem is identified in the selected specialised area of inquiry.
    3.3 The research design is designated for the selected type of research in the specialised area of inquiry.
    3.4 Research methodologies, procedures and technique are selected to collect data in the specialised area of inquiry.
    3.5 Literature is evaluated to contribute to the research.
    3.6 Collected data is analysed and interpreted to produce evidence based findings.
    3.7 Research findings are evaluated to identify potential gaps in selected specialised area of inquiry.
    3.8 Research processes, findings and recommendations are detailed in the research.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
    4.1 Strategies/models/qualification programmes/frameworks are developed and justified in the selected specialised area of inquiry.
    4.2 Comprehensive recommendations to solve complex public safety issues are developed for potential use.
    4.3 Primary research is conducted using quantitative and qualitative research capabilities.
    4.4 Research findings are reporting in a scientific manner. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Although it is difficult to obtain content related information about law enforcement qualifications within the policing departments of the countries used for comparison, universities within these countries are more open to provide information for comparability purposes. Various qualifications authorities within these countries were accessed in this regard and information obtained was used to compare this qualification with international trends from these more developed countries. Emerging Southern African countries all send their police officers to South Africa for training.

    Canada: University of Regina:
    The Master of Arts in Police Studies offers grounding in theoretical issues and methodological approaches to various aspects of justice including legal, criminal, restorative, and social justice. This is an interdisciplinary Degree that draws on a range of university resources to individualise learners' qualifications and to explore justice from a range of perspectives.

    The Master of Arts in Police Studies is offered by the Department of Justice Studies. It is directed to police officers and other professionals associated with Canadian police forces, whether federal or municipal, who wish to research topics relevant to policing and police services.

    The qualification has an interdisciplinary focus and draws upon several departments of the Faculty of Arts, together with other partners, to provide a social science perspective on policing, and the opportunity to pursue research into specific aspects of that activity. Among them are:
  • Policing in a Liberal Democracy.
  • Policing and Rights.
  • Policing and Aboriginal People.
  • Crime and Society.
  • Equity and Race Issues in Policing.
  • Policing and Forensic Psychology.
  • Policing and Alternative Approaches to Justice.

    Research opportunities are available in the following areas:
  • Social contexts of crime.
  • Critical analysis of judicial processes, correctional and restorative justice modules, and victims' services.
  • Social justice issues related to economic equality, gender equality, ethno-cultural identity, and various aspects of inequality and injustice.
  • Global justice, human rights, social development, international development, alternative models of globalisation, and the role of local, national and global social movements.

    A limited number of mid-career managers with suitable police experience but who lack an undergraduate Degree may be admitted to the MAPS qualification, provided that they complete a qualifying programme. In order to be considered for this qualification, learners must meet the admission requirements for undergraduate learners, and have a minimum of 5 years of experience in a management or supervisory position with a policing organisation. All qualifying modules must be passed with a grade not less than 70%. Qualifying learners may be discontinued from their qualification if they receive one grade less than 70%. All other entrance requirements for the MAPS qualification apply.

    Mid-Career Option Qualifying Module Requirements:
  • ENGL 100 or equivalent.
  • SOST 203.
  • INDG 100.
  • HJ 201.
    Two modules from the Policing in Society group:
  • HJ 310, 315, 351, 380AA, 421, 431 and 433.
  • SOC 215, 315.
    One other module in Human Justice or cross-listed equivalents.
  • One other elective module of the learner's choosing.

    If qualifying learners have already taken some of the above modules or equivalents, they may be eligible for advanced standing in such modules.

    A proposed qualifying module must be approved by the coordinator of the Police Studies qualification. This MA in Police Studies offers grounding in theoretical issues and methodological approaches to various aspects of justice including legal, criminal, restorative and social justice and compares well with the Exit Level Outcomes of the Master in Policing in South Africa.

    Australia: Macquarie University:
    The Master of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism was used as a basis for the comparison.

    The objectives of this qualification include:
    On completion of the Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism qualification, learners will:
  • Display engagement in the field of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism through the examination and exploration of critical texts, concepts and theories relating to the field.
  • Investigate a substantial body of literature relating to Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism.
  • Formulate an awareness of context, particularly an understanding of cultural diversity and different cultural conventions and practices as they relate to the field.
  • Demonstrate higher order communication skills including the ability to present sustained and persuasive written arguments cogently and coherently.
  • Have model research skills, particularly the ability to select appropriately, to integrate knowledge from diverse sources, to evaluate its significance and relevance, synthesise material and present findings logically, rationally and lucidly.

    The module structure includes:
    Majors:
  • Policing.
  • Intelligence.
  • Counter Terrorism.
  • General PICT.
    Electives:
  • All Master of PICT learners have to select two elective units from the qualification.
  • Policing Units.
  • Strategic Policing.
  • Comparative Policing.
  • Protecting Society: Public Policing/Private Security.
  • Organised Crime.
  • International Security.
  • Economic and Resource Security.
  • International Security Law.
  • Border Security and Migration.
  • Cybercrime.
  • Globalisation and Security.

    The Core units of this qualification the following policing related units are covered which compare well with the Master in Policing in South Africa.

    The Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism qualification is designed to equip learners with the ability to respond to major security, policing and defence issues both locally and internationally. Learners will gain knowledge and understanding in contemporary policing, intelligence, counter-terrorism and security studies.

    United Kingdom: University Of Portsmouth:
    This part-time distance learning qualification, the Master of Science in Policing Policy and Leadership has been specifically designed for police officers and those in related occupations in any country with an interest in developing their knowledge and skills in policing, policy and management, either to enhance their current role or to prepare them for advancement. It has been designed to be compatible with relevant occupational standards for the police and/or security organisations/services.

    The qualification examines strategy and tactics around core policing in the context, for example, of policing diverse communities; policing policy and police leadership in the context of police governance and partnerships; and organisational and resource management in the context of operational delivery.

    Learners have the opportunity to apply the application of learning to their organisation as well as considering the application of leadership and management principles in other criminal justice and security organisations.

    This Master of Science in Policing Policy and Leadership qualification compares well with the content of this Masters in Policing.

    USA: Western New England University:
    The Master of Science in Policing provides graduate learners with the opportunity to develop an educational background that would help them to meet the demands of a changing and challenging career in policing. It is also addresses the breadth and depth of police science. The Master's qualification is for learners who want to establish a career in policing or working police professionals who want to acquire advanced academic training in policing. It focuses on learners developing a strong foundation of research and scientific skills to become competent researchers and police practitioners who can generate and apply knowledge to police settings and problems. Learners in the Master of Science in Policing qualification receive a level of higher education, which they may use to pursue varieties of employment opportunities in law enforcement that exist at the federal, state and local levels, and in private sector organisations.
    Modules:
  • Applied Data Analysis.
  • Research Methods and Design.
  • History and Systems of Policing.
  • Policing and the Law.
  • Criminological Theory.
  • Professional Ethics and Diversity in Policing.
  • Critical Issues in Policing.
  • Capstone Research.
  • Applied Research Project or Thesis.

    Focus Modules:
  • Police Psychological Services.
  • Police Occupational Stress.
  • Organisational Leadership.
  • Personnel Development.
  • Fiscal Management.

    Zambia: University of Africa:
    This Master's Degree in Criminal Justice (MCJ) will provide learners with the competencies required to function at a supervisory and management level within the Criminal Justice (law enforcement) environment. The work environment is constantly in a state of flux and learners will be equipped with skills to ensure quality service delivery to both internal and external clients in the constantly changing environment in which they work. Through achievement of this qualification, managers within the Criminal Justice environment will be able to ensure improved service, professionalism and quality of service delivery thereby contributing to the creation of public trust and providing a safe and secure community environment, which will enhance economic growth. The outcomes of this qualification may be achieved in any relevant context within the Criminal Justice environment, and specifically includes the public and private police, the prosecuting authority, correctional (prison) and social welfare services. With this additional learning, learners will be able to independently manage processes to enhance professionalism of the Criminal Justice System. This will lead to openness and transparency in work tasks, indicating a high level of integrity and occupational ethics.

    A learner acquiring this qualification will have skills, knowledge and attributes to:
  • Conduct research in the realm of criminal justice.
  • Critically appraise and develop strategic plans towards proactive criminal justice.
  • Striving towards ethical and professional leadership.
  • Develop an integrated plan to optimise policing.
  • Meet the requirements and maintain standards of successful responsive criminal justice.
  • Critically appraise and respond to issues in the criminal justice environment.

    Module outline:
  • Research Methodology.
  • Proactive Criminal Justice.
  • Responsive Criminal Justice.
  • Criminal Justice Management.
  • Critical Issues in Criminal Justice.
  • Research Proposal and Dissertation of limited scope.

    The Zambian qualification is more vocationally directed, with the emphasis being on practical application of the learning. An example is the content on human resources matters which is not engaged from an academic perspective in terms of psychology and industrial psychology but from the perspective of management. This compares well with the Masters in Policing.

    Netherlands:
    According to the Vlaams Nederlands Qualifications Authority the following qualifications are in place for the Netherlands Police:
  • Assistant Police Worker (Level 2).
  • Police Worker (Level 3).
  • All round police co-worker (Level 4).
  • Policing: Bachelor (Level 5).
  • Policing: Master (Level 6).

    In the Master's Degree the following aspects are covered:
    Theoretical aspects:
  • Strategic Analysis.
  • Strategic investigation regarding social development.
  • Compilation of Policy.
  • Strategies to reduce crime and violent.
  • Strategies to ensure boundary related criminalistics.
  • Policing in the local communities.
  • Traffic Safety.
    Practical aspects:
  • Interpreting of social trends.
  • Development of policy related matters.
  • Application of conceptual thinking skills.
  • Networking building and expanding.
  • Grass root level investigation supervision.

    The aspects which are covered by the Netherlands Policing: Master (Level 6) are similar to the Master in Policing and the outcomes/aspects covered are the same with the focus of both qualifications being on management.

    France:
    The French police service is divided into three main categories of personnel, namely functional members, officers and commissioners. These categories are progressive and each consists of various levels and specialties. The officers' training lasts 18 months. It is called a "Licence" and can probably be equated to an Honours Degree. Upon completion of the qualification, learners are required to work for the police for at least 5 years to gain practical experience.

    Articulation from the officers' qualification is into a 2-year Master's Degree at National Police Academy for Commissioners during which learners partly attend classes and partly conduct active duties. Upon completion of the 2-year training period, learners are required to remain in the service of the State for at least another 7 years.

    A 4-year training period at a university (Master II = Master's Degree) is required before learners can be considered for the commissioners' qualification. Commissioners form the strategic management corps within the national police service. They put in place directives and policies and monitor the implementation of these.

    The French training is much more academic. It includes the following modules:
  • General Criminal law (compulsory) Judiciary Procedure (compulsory).
  • Constitutional law.
  • Administrative law European Institutions (structures, organs of state, European parliament).
  • Private law.
  • Commercial law.
  • Civil law.
  • Rights of the family.
  • Contractual law.
  • Property law.
  • Economic and human geography (globalisation).
  • Contemporary history Information and communication technologies.
  • Economics (economical models, demographics, budgets).
  • Social politics.
  • Sociology of organisations and human resource management Mathematics and statistics.
  • Psychology (psychopathology, addictive personalities, industrial psychology and HR management, stereotyping and interviewing).

    France was chosen for the international comparison because of its best practices in conducting stringent entry requirements into police training at Honours and Master's levels. Promotion to the officers and commissioners categories of the French police service is strictly governed by academic qualifications.

    Conclusion:
    Taking all these different qualifications into consideration, it is evident that all the Exit Level Outcomes of this qualification are in line with the requirements of other countries. It is also important to note that some of the international qualifications delve into more detail than is covered in this qualification, but this qualification follows on from the Bachelor's Degree: Police Practices, NQF Level 7, which covers the detail in some of the mentioned qualifications. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This Qualification lends itself to both vertical and horizontal articulation possibilities.

    Horizontal articulation is possible with the following Qualifications:
  • Masters in Police Practice.
  • Master in Criminology.
  • Masters of Law.
  • Master of Laws in Criminal Justice.
  • Master of Technology in Forensic Investigation.
  • Master of Technology in Police Science.

    Vertical articulation is possible with the following qualifications:
  • Doctorate in Criminology.
  • Doctor of Technology in Forensic Investigation.
  • Doctor of Technology in Policing.
  • Doctorate in Military Science.
  • Doctorate of Military Management.
  • Doctorate of Law. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this Qualification must be accredited as a provider with the relevant Quality Council (QC).
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant Quality Council.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the Qualification. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described in the Exit Level Outcomes of the Qualification and will include integration of relevant skills to the economic sector. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    This qualification is now offered by Stadio (Pty) Ltd, and no longer by Southern Business School - effective 29 September 2020 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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.
     
    1. Stadio (Pty) Ltd 


    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.