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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Education in Philosophy of Education 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
115482  Master of Education in Philosophy of 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 Philosophy of Education (MEd (Philosophy of Education)) will prepare researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge in the field of Education, namely Philosophy of Education, and includes learning about the professional practice.

Learners will engage with theory, theory underpins and informs practice, and practice should be a key input in shaping and extending our theoretical understanding of the world around us. It is not enough to understand how to change our education practice (the role of technique or technical knowledge); it is equally important to know why we embark on the change process in the first place, to ask what is worth changing, and towards what ends.

Rationale:
A mark of an education scholar is that he/she can engage with confidence the ideas, concepts and theories that inform educational thought in both national and international contexts. Theoretical literacy is, therefore, a critical component of the Master of Education in Philosophy of Education and equips learners to pursue further postgraduate studies in the field of Education. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Where applicants do not meet the minimum admission requirements, RPL may be used to grant access to the qualification. RPL occurs according to the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment (CHE 2016), and the institution's RPL policy. The management of the process is by the Faculty of Education.
  • Through its RPL policy, the Faculty of Education ensures quality-assurance processes. These processes address the specificities and implementation of the RPL process (including applications, assessment, and reporting and management systems). The process further ensures that administrative and support systems, both prior and after RPL assessment are in place. Assessment of applicants is against NQF Level 8 competencies.

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

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules 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 Philosophy of Education and to contribute to disciplined thinking about matters and issues regarding Philosophy of Education.
  • Evaluate current processes of knowledge production in the field of Philosophy of Education and to choose appropriate methods of enquiry in the area of specialisation.
  • Conduct independent investigations in the specialised field of Philosophy of Education and to report their findings in academically appropriate ways.
  • Design and implement a strategy for the processing and management of information to conduct a comprehensive review of leading and current research in Philosophy of Education.
  • Exhibit the potential to act as academic leaders and experts in the field of Philosophy of Education.
  • Demonstrate responsibility, self-reflexivity and adaptability concerning the ethical implications of research, the determination of socially relevant issues and research needs in South Africa. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner.
  • Demonstrate specialist knowledge to enable engagement and critique of current research and practices in the field of Philosophy of Education and to engage in systematic and disciplined thinking about Philosophy of Education matters and issues, with particular reference to their area(s) of specialisation.
  • Apply and develop intellectual independence and advanced research skills, sophisticated knowledge and research methodologies to solve complex, unfamiliar problems in the field of Philosophy of 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 Philosophy of Education, with specific reference to their specialisation area.
  • Analyse and apply specialised problem-solving skills in identifying, conceptualising, designing and implementing methods of enquiry to address complex and challenging problems within the field of Philosophy of Education with specific reference to their specialisation area.
  • Manage and optimise all aspects of research processes in complex and unpredictable contexts in Philosophy of Education as academic leaders and experts in the field of Philosophy of Education, training and development and plan.
  • Demonstrate 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 University of Melbourne, Australia, offers a Master of Philosophy Education. It is designed for learners to develop advanced skills in carrying out independent and sustained research. The dissertation should demonstrate a critical application of specialist knowledge and make an independent contribution to existing scholarship in the area of study. The submission of the dissertation is prerequisite before graduating.
  • The University of Illinois offers a Master of Education in Philosophy of Education. The qualification aims to develop conceptual and analytical skills in thinking about educational problems, to explore crucial normative and value questions about the aims and methods of Education using collaborative engagement of learners in bringing philosophical perspectives into contact with other fields of study. The course content entails educational philosophy foundations, education concentration cores and educational policy, organisation and leadership foundations.
  • The qualification 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 specialisation knowledge base in Philosophy of Education. 
    		•

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Education, 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.