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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Philosophy in Monitoring and Evaluation 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
86147  Master of Philosophy in Monitoring and Evaluation 
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch University 
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 07 - Human and Social Studies  General Social Science 
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 need for effective Monitoring and Evaluation is increasingly recognised as an indispensable tool of both project and portfolio management. This demand is driven by public sector reforms in many African countries as well as increasing demands for accountability by international donors and development agencies. In response to this demand the qualification aims to develop a learner with assessing skills and skills in collecting and analysing data that can be used to design work plans towards improvement strategies. The qualification has been designed to provide a balanced training to learners who require knowledge and skills in Monitoring and Evaluation methods.

The qualification prepares individuals to engage in inter-related skills and competencies that anchor the design, delivery, oversight, and evaluation of a wide array of both public and private programmes. They can think logically, plan systematically and solve complex problems. It also allows learners to continue their professional development in this growing inter-disciplinary domain. The Master's Degree will be unique in its dedicated focus on the theory, methodology and practice of Monitoring and Evaluation.

Rationale:

Monitoring and Evaluation of development activities provides government officials, development managers and civil society with better means of learning from past experience, improving service delivery, planning and allocating resources, and demonstrating results as part of accountability to key stakeholders. The acknowledged need to improve performance of development calls for close attention to the provision of management of information, which helps to support the implementation of projects and programmes and to feed back into the design of new initiatives. Monitoring and Evaluation also provide a basis for accountability in the use of development resources. Within the development community there is a strong focus on results and this helps explain the growing interest in Monitoring and Evaluation. Mismanagement of resources in an institution is followed up and dealt with through Monitoring and Evaluation processes.

Monitoring and Evaluation is vital in helping governments and organisations to demonstrate outcomes and impact. They can enhance accountability and at the same time, provide means for learning, in order to enhance and maximise outcomes and to help reach the set goals. This qualification will focus on the history and theory of Monitoring and Evaluation as a developing "discipline" in its own right, which is practised within various contexts. Monitoring and Evaluation has its own approaches and models, own sets of designs and methodologies and own domains of implementation. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is expected that the learner should be able to:
  • Read and critically evaluate academic texts in English.
  • Communicate information and their own ideas orally and in written text, using accepted standards of scientific and academic writing, at NQF Level 8.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    Recognition of Prior Learning can be used to grant:
  • Access to learners who do not meet access requirements.
  • Credits towards modules in the qualification.

    Recognition of Prior Learning is subject to University policy.

    Access to the Qualification:

    A learner will gain Access to for the Qualification if he/she has:
  • A Postgraduate Diploma: Monitoring and Evaluation Methods.
    OR
  • An Honours/Postgraduate Diploma in the Social Sciences or equivalent acceptable to the University (average of 65% average in the major subjects). 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of:
  • Six compulsory NQF Level 9 course work modules, worth 15 credits each.
  • Two optional modules, worth 15 credits each.
  • A research assignment which constitutes 60 credits.

    Compulsory Modules:
  • Evaluation theory: Current debates and approaches.
  • Impact evaluation design.
  • Indicators and measurement for Monitoring and Evaluation.
  • Data collection and data management for evaluation.
  • Statistics for evaluation.
  • Qualitative analysis of evaluation data.

    Elective modules (select 2 modules):
  • Evaluation in the public sector: Policy analysis, performance management and government reforms.
  • Managing a Monitoring and Evaluation portfolio and designing Monitoring and Evaluation systems.
  • Monitoring and evaluating health interventions.
  • Politics and ethics of evaluation.
  • African evaluation (Case studies). 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Learners enrolled in Master of Philosophy: Monitoring and Evaluation who successfully completes the qualification will:

    1. Demonstrate a good understanding of the history and development of Monitoring and Evaluation as a field of study internationally as well as in South Africa.

    2. Lead planning and co-ordination of projects through a consultative process.

    3. Undertake periodic review of implementation and operation of monitoring and reporting mechanisms; including the preparation of best practices and lessons learned.

    4. Show a good understanding of the main theoretical approaches and models in the field.

    5. Design and conduct evaluation studies utilising the most appropriate methods and techniques.

    6. Demonstrate a good understanding of professional (including ethical) and organisational considerations when managing the Monitoring and Evaluation portfolio in an organisation.

    7. Exhibit basic research skills using library and other resources effectively and integrating information from a variety of sources to suit the needs of the particular areas of research.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

    All Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are embedded appropriately in the modules, which constitute the programmes that lead up to the qualification. They will be assessed within the context of the programmes. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1. Demonstrate a good understanding of the need for evaluation and its contextual factors in Africa.
    2. Select and use appropriate data collection methods in the form of questionnaires, interviews or observations and perform different forms of qualitative data analyses.
    3. Plan, execute and report on a comprehensive research project.
    4. Demonstrate a good understanding of distinctive features of main evaluation theories and approaches.
    5. Provide a good leadership role within Monitoring and Evaluation processes by ensuring that correct practices are followed to deliver service.
    6. Design and execute Monitoring and Evaluation strategies in a professional manner.
    7. Review, critique and evaluate current research and multiple sources of professional literature in an intellectual independent manner, using sound theoretical judgement.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Assessment focuses on:
  • Assessment methods used to measure the extent to which the learner has achieved competence in the different areas of study delivered through course modules.
  • The extent to which the learner has grasped the basic concepts which form the base of Monitoring and Evaluation.
  • The application of Monitoring and Evaluation theory to a practical context.
  • The methods of research used.
  • A balance between theory and practice and its relevance to the level of the qualification. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The programme is commensurate with similar programmes internationally, even though in most countries the learning is offered through short courses. Some of the countries that offer short courses in Monitoring and Evaluation include:
  • University of East Anglia Norwich, United Kingdom
  • University of Zambia
  • Jimma University in Ethiopia.

    Many countries have put an assessment framework in place, but most developing countries still lack the necessary capacity to monitor progress and use the findings to improve performance. This is one of the first universities to provide a Master of Philosophy in Monitoring and Evaluation at this level which addresses issues pertaining to performance. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal articulation:

    This qualification articulates horizontally with any cognate Master's Degree at NQF Level 9.

    Vertical articulation:

    This qualification articulates vertically with any cognate Doctoral Degree. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    All modules are internally assessed. The research assignment will be internally examined and externally moderated in accordance with the regulations of the University. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    The assessor must:
  • Have a higher education qualification that is one level above the qualification and modules being assessed.
  • Be an experienced tutor in the particular module.
  • Be qualified and experienced as an assessor. 
    		•

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

    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.
     
    1. Stellenbosch University 


    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.