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:

Master of Commerce in Industrial and Organisational Psychology

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
100920	Master of Commerce in Industrial and Organisational Psychology
ORIGINATOR
North West 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 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies		Human Resources
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	2021-07-01	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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to enable a student to register with the Professional Board for Psychology of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a Psychologist (Category: Industrial). The registration empowers the psychologist to render psychological services in a variety of workplace-related settings, focusing on the prevention, intervention, promotion and assessment of human behaviour with a view to optimising behaviour in individuals and organisations. The qualification enables students to assimilate new psychological knowledge and promotes life-long learning, inculcating curiosity and respect for the scientific method in psychology.

Rationale:
The qualification is aimed at producing competent, ethical and professional practitioners who will meet the needs of South Africa to provide psychological services in order to understand modify, enhance individual, group and organisational behaviour, well-being and effectiveness within the context of work.

This qualification provides knowledge and skills for quality psychological interventions necessary for optimising individual and organisational functioning and/or well-being. Qualified practitioners are able to provide a variety of psychological services within various sectors.

The qualification is aligned to the National Framework for Human Resources for Health in South Africa and is responsive to the psychological needs and care of the South African population in its diverse contexts. The focus of the profession is the creation and enhancement of optimal organisational and individual functioning through diagnosis, prevention, intervention, promotion and assessment. After examination of the professional board of Psychology students will also be able to register as psychologists (category: industrial) and as personnel practitioners with the SABPP. This qualification will empower students to study further in a Doctor of Philosophy Degree.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The North-West University accepts the principle underlying outcomes oriented, source-based and lifelong learning in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a meaningful role. The University also underwrites the view that recognition of previous learning, obtained either by formal teaching qualifications at this or another institution, or informally(obtained by experience), is an indispensable element in granting admission or credits with the aim of placing in a specifically chosen teaching-learning qualification of the University.

In recognising previous learning, it deals with provable knowledge and learning that the applicant obtained by following formal teaching qualifications or by experience. At all times the question will be what level of competence was reached, judged in the context of the exit level skills required for the contemplated teaching-learning qualifications (or modules therein) or status for which the applicant is applying and not merely about the experience the applicant can prove. The recognition of previous learning takes place in terms of the relevant skills that the applicant demonstrated in the application with reference to the exit outcomes that should be reached in the chosen qualification.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum requirement for admission to the Master's Degree is:

A Bachelor of Commerce Honours degree in Industrial and Organisational Psychology.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification comprises compulsory modules at Level 9 totalling 160 Credits.

Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 80 Credits.

Mini - Dissertation, 80 Credits.

Elective Modules, Level 9:

Applied Counselling, 16 Credits.

Scientific Reasoning, 16 Credits.

People Development, 16 Credits.

Professional Industrial Psychology, 16 Credits.

Wellbeing, 16 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Apply appropriate knowledge and insights of the South African population and psychological measurement theories and techniques to identify strengths and weaknesses.
2. Apply knowledge, theories and techniques of psychology to develop and implement interventions to enhance and or promote individual, group or organizational well-being and the optimal functioning.
3. Conduct a professional manner and work within their scope of practice, observing the legislative framework and professional standards and codes of conduct.
4. Research using scientific techniques, debate, and describe the findings in a written format adhering to academic protocols.
5. Apply skills and knowledge to evaluate debate, adapt and/or develop policies.
6. Apply skills and knowledge to design and implement qualifications to train and supervise others.
7. Apply knowledge of ethics and legislation impacting on psychology.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The following Associated Assessment Criteria will be assessed in an integrated manner across the Exit Level Outcomes.

A systematic and integrated knowledge and understanding of, and an ability to analyse, evaluate and apply the fundamental terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories.

Ability to apply appropriate discipline-related methods of scientific inquiry and independently validate, evaluate and manage sources of information.

Critical reflection on, and understanding and application of, appropriate methods or practices to resolve complex discipline-related problems and thereby introduce change within related practice.

Professional and ethical behaviour within an academic and discipline-related environment, with sensitivity towards societal and cultural considerations.

Ability to effectively communicate scientific understanding and own opinions/ideas in written or oral arguments, using appropriate discipline-related and academic discourse as well as technology.

Effective functioning as a member and/or leader of a team or a group in scientific projects or investigations, with self-directed management of learning activities and responsibility for own learning progress.

Integrated Assessment:
Assessment of the structured modules, where applicable, takes place by means of internal and external evaluation of assignments, portfolios, project reports and an integrated examination by academic experts with a qualification of at least Level 9. The research component of the qualification is assessed by means of a research dissertation or report, which assesses the student's ability to plan, structure, conceptualise and execute innovative scientific research that makes a contribution to the field/discipline and report the findings thereof. Assessment is initiated 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 finally done by at least two examiners of which one is external, all experts in the field of specialization. A supervisor may not be appointed as an examiner.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The SAQA Level Descriptors for Higher Education Qualifications Framework Level 9 were used to design the qualification standard. These Level Descriptors are internationally compared criteria based upon published work of the National Quality Assurance bodies in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia. Being a professional qualification, and approved by a statutory board, the qualification is comparable to other, similar international qualifications.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows vertical articulation:
Vertically Articulation:

A Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Industrial and Operational Psychology at 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.	North West University