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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Education in Physical Science Education 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
115476  Master of Education in Physical Science Education 
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 05 - Education, Training and Development  Higher Education and Training 
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
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 Master of Education in Physical Science Education (MEd (Physical Science Education)) will prepare researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge in the field of Education, namely Physical Science Education, and includes knowledge about the professional practice at an advanced level. The MEd (Physical Science Education) will equip educators with the ability to analyse and evaluate knowledge in Physical Science Education critically and to contribute to systematic and disciplined thinking about educational matters and issues relating to the field of Physical Science will be highly valued in the education sector.

Rationale:
Physical Science Education is a national priority, and the undersupply of subject specialists in this field is a major concern. It will allow for the deconstruction of the Physical Science Education curriculum to unleash the societal, cultural and political undertones in diverse Physical Science Education curriculum contexts. This deconstruction is to enable Physical Science Education specialists not only to understand the general transformations in the field of Physical Science Education but to participate in such transformation as active change agents. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Learners do not meet the minimum admission requirements; RPL may grant access to the qualification. RPL will follow the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment, and the institution's RPL policy. The Faculty of Education will manage the process.
  • The Faculty of Education will ensure that quality assurance processes address the specificities of the RPL process (including applications, assessment, and reporting and management systems); and that administrative and support systems, both prior and after RPL assessment, are in place.
  • The assessment of the learners will be against NQF Level 8 competencies.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Education Honours in Physical Science Education, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Education Honours, NQF Level 9.
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Education, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at National Qualifications Framework Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.
  • Dissertation, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Demonstrate specialist knowledge and understanding to engage and critique educational research and practices in the field of Physical Science Education and to contribute to disciplined thinking about matters and issues regarding Physical Science Education.
  • Evaluate current processes of knowledge production in the field of Physical Science Education and to choose appropriate processes of enquiry in the area of specialisation.
  • Conduct an independent inquiry in the specialised field of Physical Science Education and to report their findings in academically appropriate ways.
  • Design and implement a strategy for the processing and management of information in order to conduct a comprehensive review of leading and current research in Physical Science Education.
  • Exhibit the potential to act as academic leaders and experts in the field of Physical Science Education.
  • Demonstrate high levels of responsibility, self-reflexivity and adaptability to the ethical implications of research, the determination of socially relevant issues and research needs in South Africa. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Display specialist knowledge to enable engagement and critique of current research and practices in the field of Physical Science Education and to engage in systematic and disciplined thinking about educational matters and issues, with particular reference to Physical Science Education.
  • Apply and develop intellectual independence and advanced research skills, sophisticated knowledge and research methodologies to solve complex, unfamiliar problems in the field of Physical Science Education.
  • Analyse and apply specialised problem-solving skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing and implementing methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging problems in the field of Physical Science Education, with specific reference to Physical Science Education.
  • Design and implement a strategy for the processing and management of information in order to conduct a comprehensive review of leading and current research in an area of specialisation to produce significant insights; engage and initiate in academic and educational discourse to report and defend substantial ideas that are the results of research in Physical Science Education.
  • As academic leaders and experts in the field of Physical Science Education, training and development, plan, manage and optimise all aspects of research processes in complex and unpredictable contexts in Physical Science Education.
  • Apply high levels of responsibility, self-reflexivity and adaptability in own management of learning and analyse and evaluate ethical implications of research on socially relevant issues and research needs in South Africa.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative assessment during the research may be based on any of the following if required by the research topic or the discipline:
  • Portfolios.
  • Simulations.
  • Workplace assessments.
  • Group discussions.
  • Presentations in front of peers and experts.
  • Oral and written summative assessments.

    Summative assessment takes the form of the examination of the dissertation or other acceptable forms of research output as appropriate to the field of study. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
  • The State University of Rutgers (USA) Graduate School of Education offers a post-Baccalaureate EdM with Certification in Physical Science or Physics Education. The qualification aims to help learners learn pedagogical content knowledge of physical sciences, i.e. content-specific teaching methods in physics and chemistry. The qualification will provide learners with a grounding in the historical and philosophical contexts of the discipline that they will be certified to teach, i.e. history and philosophy of physical science; and to provide learners with research experience in physical science.
  • The University of Illinois, Chicago (USA) offers an MEd in Science Education. The qualification focuses on community relevance and social justice and science education in urban settings. The qualification targets teachers from early childhood through college, those who are working or are interested in, not-for-profit science-related museums and organisations; or those seeking advanced studies in science, including those interested in eventually pursuing doctoral studies.
  • The MEd (Physical Science Education) from this institution compares favourably with these cited international qualifications. This qualification is completed entirely by research, with the learner working with an assigned supervisor. The commonality is the submission of a final dissertation at the end of the study period, and the learner has a strong specialised knowledge base in Physical Science Education. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Education in Curriculum Studies, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Education, 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.