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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
112926  Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences 
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
Doctoral Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
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  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 primary purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences is to provide training for an academic career in the field of Health Sciences. It requires a learner to research the most advanced academic levels culminating in the submission, assessment and acceptance of a thesis. A learner may also present peer-reviewed academic articles and papers in partial fulfilment of the research requirements. Through the qualification, learners will be provided with the opportunity to undertake independent research and advanced study under the guidance of a supervisor in a particular subject area within the Health Sciences (including Psychology, Physiology, Occupational Hygiene, Human Movement Science, Nursing Science, Recreation Science and Public Health) building on knowledge normally gained at Master's or equivalent level. The thesis presented must constitute a substantial contribution to the national and international advancement of knowledge and understanding in the Health Sciences through original research that meets international standards.

Rationale:
The rationale of the qualification is to provide learners with highly advanced knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in several specialist areas in the Health Sciences. These attributes provide opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, as well as the pursuit of gainful economic activity and the ability to make rewarding contributions to society. The qualification provides South Africa with significant numbers of experts in the Health Sciences to ensure that the leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based scholarly activity is wide. The qualification includes the development of new knowledge frameworks for the expansion of the field of the Health Sciences in general. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Where learners do not meet the minimum admission requirements, the institution uses RPL to grant access to the qualification. The institution applies RPL according to the Recognition of Prior Learning, credit accumulation and transfer, and assessment (CHE 2016) and the institution's RPL policy. The Faculty of Health Sciences manages the RPL process.
  • Using the RPL policy, the Faculty of Health Sciences implements quality assurance processes that address the specificities of the RPL process (including applications, assessment, and reporting and management systems.
  • Learners must have NQF Level 9 competencies.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum admission requirement for this qualification is:
  • Master of Philosophy in Health Sciences, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of a compulsory module(s) at NQF Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules at Level 10, 360 Credits:
  • Thesis, 360 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    After completion of the Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences, learners should be able to demonstrate the achievement of the following specific and critical cross-field outcomes:
    1. Demonstrate a depth of knowledge and high levels of theoretical understanding in a complex and specialised area of the Health Sciences.
    2. Demonstrate intellectual independence and advanced research skills through the ability to apply sophisticated knowledge and research methodologies for the solution of complex, unfamiliar problems in a specific field of the Health Sciences and the competence to integrate and apply theoretical knowledge and research findings within relevant local and global contexts as well as across disciplines.
    3. Deal with complexity, lacunae and contradictions in the knowledge base of the Health Sciences.
    4. Autonomously generate, synthesise and evaluate information and concepts at highly abstract levels and make sound evaluations based on independently generated criteria.
    5.Question and create responses to problems that expand or redefine existing knowledge.
    6.Show mastery of the literature and state of research in a specific area.
    7. Demonstrate research leadership within a field or across disciplines, including the ability to plan, resource, manage and optimise all aspects of research processes engaged in, within complex and unpredictable contexts.
    8. Demonstrate high levels of responsibility, self-reflexivity and adaptability, concerning the ethical implications of research, the determination of socially relevant issues and research needs in South Africa, and the ability to relate these issues to international contexts. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following associated assessment criteria apply across all Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Generate and display specialised knowledge and high levels of theoretical understanding in a complex and specialised area within the field of Health Sciences and across specialised or applied areas and make an original contribution to the knowledge society in the relevant discipline.
  • Apply and develop intellectual independence and advanced research skills, sophisticated knowledge and research methodologies to the solution of complex, unfamiliar problems in the field of Health Sciences.
  • Apply and develop competence to integrate and apply theoretical knowledge and research findings within relevant local and global contexts as well as across disciplines in the field of health sciences.
  • Generate, synthesise and evaluate information and concepts at highly abstract levels and make sound evaluations based on independently generated criteria.
  • Show mastery of the literature by producing original insights into new and complex ideas, information and issues in a specific area of the field of Health Sciences.
  • Plan, resource, manage and optimise all aspects of research processes within complex and unpredictable contexts in the field of Health Sciences.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The research proposal defence and feedback from the Scientific Committee forms part of the Formative Assessment. Summative Assessment includes the submission of a thesis in which the learner presents integrated research findings. The learner interprets and links findings to the existing literature with a level of novelty, across the entire area of investigation for summative assessment. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    International Comparability
    1. Country: USA.
    Institution: University of California.
    Qualification Title: Doctor of Philosophy in Community Health Science.

    This qualification is comparable to the Doctor of Philosophy in Community Health Sciences offered by the above country in terms of the following:
  • Both qualifications share similar purpose and outcomes but have different curriculum structure. The Doctor of Philosophy in Community Health Sciences qualification comprises an intensive period of study with formal modules. This study is done with guidance from a faculty advisor and doctoral committee. The Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences, on the other hand, is research-based (no coursework).
  • They are both academically oriented but prepares learners for a career in which research dominates. They both emphasise the integration of theory and research in a focused substantive area.
  • The Doctor of Philosophy in Community Health Sciences has a course duration of 3 years. The typical sequence for the Doctor of Philosophy in Community Health Sciences is two years of coursework, followed by preparation and completion of two written qualifying exams. With the examination, there is preparation of a research proposal, oral qualifying exam (proposal defence), completion of a dissertation, and oral dissertation defence. Comparatively, the Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences is two years (minimum duration) of intense research with just the proposal defence.
  • Both qualifications compare favourably despite the slight differences. However, the PhD (Health Sciences) is unique in its emphasis on research that is relevant to the South African context.

    2. Country: USA.
    Institution: Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.
    Qualification Title: Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences.

    This qualification is comparable to the qualification offered by the above country in terms of the following:
  • Both qualifications are multidisciplinary and share relatively similar areas of speciality with a focus on a research-oriented career.
  • The curriculum of both qualifications is designed to allow practitioners and educators to continue full-time work while earning their doctoral qualification through the combination of online and face-to-face instruction. However, this qualification runs for 6-semesters full-time while that of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions runs for 12-semesters. Moreover, this qualification is research-oriented while that of Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions is a combination of rigorous coursework and a learner-driven dissertation.
  • Both qualifications compare favourably despite the slight differences. However, the PhD (Health Sciences) is unique in its emphasis on research that is relevant in the South African context. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacy, NQF 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 


    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.