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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Philosophy in Human Movement Science 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
112384  Doctor of Philosophy in Human Movement Science 
ORIGINATOR
University of Fort Hare 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Doctoral Degree  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  General Social Science 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 10  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-10-01  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 the Doctor of Philosophy in Human Movement Science is to produce scholars, who will contribute to the practices of physical activity for health and wellness. By disseminating their findings, more knowledge gained could assist communities and health practitioners in promoting health awareness and sport consultants in sport clubs. The qualification would expose PhD learners to multiple learning scenarios that will improve their experiential knowledge, creativity, innovation, and perpetuate responsibility to their work.

Rationale:
International organisations such as the United Nations (UN) and the World Health Organization (WHO) recognises the contribution of human movement science. Physical activity is a requirement for health benefits, and reduction of mortality from non-communicable diseases (WHO) chronic diseases are estimated to account for 60% of all deaths and 80% of these deaths will be in low to middle-income countries, such as South Africa (WHO). The WHO is assisting members (South Africa included) in the development and implementation of a national physical activity plan to provide guidance and policy options for effective promotion of physical activity at the national and sub-national level. The objectives of the Guide to Physical Activity and public health (2005) objectives include:
  • To conduct national monitoring of levels of physical activity using standardised surveillance tools.
  • To raise awareness and knowledge of the health benefits of physical activity in adult population by 10%.
  • To increase physical activity in adults.
  • To increase awareness of the importance of physical activity among key stakeholders.
  • Ascertain commitments from local councils or governments to increase the amount of parks and recreational facilities for physical activity.
  • To increase the proportion of children and adolescent that participate in daily school physical education by 20% by 2020.

    The national department of Sport and Recreation (SRSA) has also aligned their strategic plan according to the International organisations such as the UN and the objectives outlined by WHO. The national white paper of the Department of Sport and recreation states (2011) the following as strategic objectives:

    "Maximise sport and recreation in every school in South Africa. Provide customised qualifications to encourage participation in sport and recreation. Improve the health and well-being of the nation by offering active recreation opportunities. Support the identification and development of talented athletes. Support the development of South African sport through the establishment of an academy system. Assist athletes to perform optimally through the provision of world-class scientific support services. Have a human resource base empowered through the provision of accredited education and training. Support and empower South African coaches. Provide National Federations with administrative and governance support through the medium of a Sports House."

    These strategic objectives highlight two CESM categories:
    (i) 0914- which is the improvement of health through physical activity.
    (ii) 1308- which is the improvement of sport performance.

    Due to the nature of the field of Human Movement Science and the promotion of transdisciplinary research in this field, it is necessary to allow PhD research to address both these CESM categories. To implement these strategic objectives and to evaluate their impact on South Africans, intensive research need to take place to contribute to the knowledge base in the field of human movement science and kinesiology in South Africa. The qualification allows for the development of specialised and advanced knowledge, applied skills, attitudes and values, as researchers in Human Movement Sciences and Kinesiology, specialising in areas such as physical activity for health promotion, exercise physiology-and science, recreation, sport management, biomechanics, motor learning and - development. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The RPL policy of the University serves as guidelines in this regard.

    Prior accredited learning at HET level in relevant domains which constitute credit-bearing units or modules should be recognised if evidence can be produced that shows that the learner has achieved, at a satisfactory level, the outcomes and associated assessment criteria specified for admission to qualifications, and, if appropriate, allow the recognition of prior learning for the achievement of the qualification in part or in full.

    Non-formal and informal prior experiential learning:
    An applicant whose level of knowledge, skills, competencies and attitudes have not been assessed earlier in terms of the formal qualification in question, but who can demonstrate appropriate ways, through an assessment designed by the institution to which application is made, that she/he has acquired those skills and competencies, may be considered for admission to the qualification. An applicant who, after such assessment, is deemed to have sufficient potential but is in need of further academic development, must be directed to other suitable qualification prior to admission, or to parallel qualifications after admission.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Relevant Master's Degree and/RPL within the relevant field, NQF 9. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.

    Compulsory Module, 360 Credits:
  • Thesis in Human Movement Science, 360 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Expertise in a section of the field demonstrated through an independent scientific study.
    2. Contribute to the existing field of knowledge through an original scientific study that could be transdisciplinary.
    3 Display research competence in methodology and critical written communication of the research findings.
    4. Write a coherent and integrated research report, which communicate the research process and findings clearly to inform members of society. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria is applied in an integrated manner across all the Exit Level Outcomes.
  • Conduct original and independent research in a field of Human Movement Science that contributes to the existing field of knowledge.
  • Identify, assess and critically discuss a scientific problem grounded in an appropriate theoretical framework in a research proposal.
  • Critically review a presentation on the proposed scientific study.
  • Follow a systematic, logical, empirical, reliable, valid, and ethical process in research.
  • Collect, analyse and interpret data to achieve the research objectives.
  • Review and improve research sub-sections/chapters.
  • Regular review of progress reports from the supervisor.
  • Critical review of the written report on the thesis.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Three external examiners will evaluate the PhD dissertation works. Two external examiners must be foreign and one local national. This measure has been necessary to benchmark the candidate's performance with international standards. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares favourably to the best practices and standards of international qualifications:

    The University of North Carolina, USA, offers a PhD in Human Movement Science. The qualification develops research and teaching scholars who are capable of producing and disseminating new knowledge in the field of Human Movement Science in the form of dissertation and course work.

    The PhD in Human Movement Science is similar to this qualification as it envisages to create scholars and contribute new knowledge in the field of human movement science. Although this PhD is only research-based (no course work) the course work at University of North Carolina only includes 30 Credits, which only counts to a third of the credits for the PhD.

    The University of Michigan offers PhD in Human Movement Science. The Doctor of Philosophy Degree (PhD), the highest Degree awarded by the School of Kinesiology. The qualification seeks to develop scholarly and research competence and culminates in an original doctoral dissertation that adds to the body of knowledge in Kinesiology. The qualification is designed for those learners who intend to make their careers as scholars, teachers, researchers, and professionals in exercise physiology, biomechanics, motor control, and allied fields. A principal goal of doctoral training is the achievement of competence as an independent scholar. This entails not only proficiency in research but in the dissemination of knowledge. The Research qualification usually involve the completion of a written thesis. The PhD in Human Movement Science is similar to the qualification offered at the University of Michigan as it envisages to create scholars and contribute new knowledge in the field of human movement science. This qualification also includes fields such as exercise physiology, biomechanics etc. as with the qualification at the University of Michigan. This qualification is 100% based research in the form of a thesis.

    The Liverpool John Moores University (England) offers a PhD in Sport and Exercise Science. The Liverpool John Moores University offers opportunities to complete PhD research across a wide range of sport science disciplines, working alongside nationally and internationally respected academics based in our acclaimed research groups. Supervision is available in Sport and Exercise Sciences including Biomechanics; Cardiovascular Science; Chronobiology; Muscle Metabolism and Nutrition; Physical Activity Exercise and Health; Psychology and Development. In the UK, PhD qualifications are known as sport and exercise science; however, from the content at Liverpool John Moores University, it is evident that PhD in HMS covers the same subject fields.

    The Exeter University - England offers a PhD Sport and Health Sciences. The Sport and Health Sciences at the University of Exeter has a long-standing and international reputation for leading research in the field. Research Degrees are the highest level of qualification awarded by universities in the UK, and are at Level 8 of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Learners carry out an independent research project under supervision over an extended period of time before submitting a thesis or dissertation consisting of original material. Research projects include Children's health and exercise. The children's health and exercise group seek to initiate research in paediatric exercise science and enhance our understanding of exercise, physical activity and sport that determines positive health and well-being. Although this degree at Exeter University is known as "Sport and Health Science" the field of research is still the same. This university also offers the only PhD by research similar to this qualification. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy, 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.
     
    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.