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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Addiction Care 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
99553  Master of Addiction Care 
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 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
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 provide the individual with the necessary training, supervision and support to be able to reflect critically on theory and its application by conducting research into Addiction Care and writing a research thesis on the findings. The intended outcome is that students will demonstrate a sound knowledge of research practice within the field of Addiction Care and that they will have the ability to perform research independently, make sound judgments using the data and information at their disposal and communicate findings effectively.

Rationale:
Despite the high burden of substance use disorders in the South Africa, there are few research outputs within the field of Addiction Care. The rationale of this qualification is to train and develop a diverse range of competent researchers who can innovatively contribute to the development of new knowledge in the addictions field at an advanced level. This knowledge is much needed as substance use disorders have devastating consequences for the health and welfare of our society. There are few researchers competent in this area. This qualification will also allow successful graduates to continue with doctoral studies. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The qualification conforms to the University's policies of Assessment Practices and Recognition of Prior Learning (ARPL). The policy stipulates that the responsibility for implementation of the RPL resides with the Dean of the Faculty. RPL policy and practices at departmental level is subject to an in-depth and thorough process of self-evaluation and external peer evaluation RPL can be used to grant access to this qualification to students who do not met the minimum entry requirements as well as advanced standing.

Entry Requirements:
  • Bachelor's Degree Honours, Level 8.
    Or
  • Professional Bachelor's Degree, Level 8,
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma, Level 8.
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Addiction Care or in Health or Social Sciences relevant to Addiction Care, e.g. Nursing, Social Work, Psychology, Medicine, Occupational Therapy or Theology. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of a compulsory research project at NQF Level 9, totalling 180 Credits. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Carry out research into an aspect of addiction care and write up the research findings in an academic thesis which contains conclusions and recommendations and communicate them to relevant audiences. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome :
    The following Associated Assessment criteria are applied in an integrated way throughout the conducting and finalising of the research project:
  • Define a research topic dealing with a significant issue relevant to addiction care such as evidence based treatment, comorbidity, service delivery, epidemiology, etc.
  • Conduct a literature search, using data management software, word processing and presentation software.
  • Phrase a clear research question(s) and aims relevant to the field of addiction care.
  • Use appropriate methods to conduct the enquiry.
  • Apply appropriate statistical analytic procedures for handling data.
  • Interpret the results and discuss them in relation to the aims and in the context of previous literature.
  • Draw conclusions and make recommendations and write up findings in a manuscript format acceptable for submission.
  • Demonstrate independent and critical judgment.
  • Demonstrate that the thesis contributes to existing knowledge within the field of Addiction Care.
  • Demonstrate the value of ethical conduct in research in the field of Addiction Care.
  • Show appropriate professional attitudes and understand the professional obligations of the researcher during the performance of research.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment in the qualification will be aligned with the University's Assessment Policy.
    The early assessment will be via formative assessment during supervision sessions and monitoring of research progress. Student progress will be regularly monitored and via feedback, students will be helped to identify and build on their strengths, while working on identified weaknesses.

    The knowledge, skills and attitudes required, will be assessed through formative assessment of the research thesis and of the oral presentations done to interested parties.

    Summative assessment will be by internal and external evaluation of the research manuscript. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification as a Master's Degree is internationally comparable to Master's Degrees generally offered internationally as it consists of supervised research into a specific aspect of a particular field of study.

    It is comparable to the following specific Master's Degrees in Addiction and Addiction Care:
  • Master of Arts in Addiction Studies from the Dublin Business School in Ireland.

    The Master of Arts in Addiction Studies is a formal exploration of addictions from a variety of academic and scientific perspectives: sociological, cultural, psychological, anthropological, and psychoanalytic. The qualification is concerned with how these perspectives interact and how they differ from each other. The aim is to enable students to carry out research in the field of addiction and thereby critically inform policy making, as well as management of addiction services. The qualification also provides clinicians with a strong theoretical foundation from where to approach the treatment of addictions.

    This qualification is designed for Learners with a background in Psychology, Psychoanalysis, Anthropology, Sociology, Social Science or a cognate discipline. It is also suitable for applicants with a clinical training in health or social care who wish to apply knowledge of the theory and approaches to addiction to their clinical work.

    King's College London offers a Master of Science in Addition Studies, which is designed to provide advanced graduate education in the addictions, focusing on recent advances in the conceptualisation of drug use and addiction, and its effective prevention and treatment. The qualification consists of theory in the context of policy development and emphasises the transfer of knowledge and skills to the workplace. The qualification ensures that learners, have an understanding of the core concepts that underlie the clinical, scientific and public health aspects of addiction and then allow them to embark upon individual research.

    Conclusion:
    The qualification compares favourably with international qualifications at Master's Degree level and is in an area which is seen internationally as important for the wellbeing of society. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers specific horizontal articulation opportunities with the following qualification offered by the Stellenbosch University for learners with relevant medical or nursing Degrees:
  • Master of Philosophy in Addiction Psychiatry Care, Level 9 (ID 79310).

    The qualification offers systemic articulation with the following qualifications offered by other institutions, provided the learner meets the minimum entry requirements.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Arts: Social Work Level 9.
  • Master of Philosophy: Psychology: Research Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Nursing Science: Community: Primary Health: Diagnoses: Treatment: Care Occupational Health, Level 10. 
    		•

    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.
     
    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.