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: 

Doctor of Psychology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96549  Doctor of Psychology 
ORIGINATOR
University of Venda 
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 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
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 Doctor of Psychology is designed to teach learners both the processes and the content necessary to become skilled research practitioners in the field of Psychology, involved in a variety of ways in conducting research. This qualification will address the needs of our service region with a commitment to improving quality of life. Ethics and values play a significant role in this qualification to be able to created and fully fledged individuals who are ready to render professional service through research in the society.

This qualification is also aimed at educating skilled research practitioners who have solid appreciation of the role science play in all aspects of professional activity. Graduates will have the requisite knowledge, skills and experience for the ethics of the profession. They will be able to find, select, organise, use, analyse, synthesise and evaluate a variety of relevant information sources. This qualification will equip graduates with appropriate skills such as reading, interpreting and summarising and integrating information from various sources in order to make meaningful informed decision. Learners produced by this qualification would have been rigorously trained to demonstrate academic integrity and excellence in research, learners who would be able to present and make reasoned choice between alternative solutions. They will also be able to use techniques of psychological reasoning, methodology and argumentation to reach a plausible conclusion.

Rationale:
The qualification will enable the learners to expand their generic research skills to enhance employability and at the same time making the students to be creators of research and be able to contribute to a broadening of the leadership base for innovative and academic research activities in the country. This qualification will enable the learners to use appropriate research methods to address health and psychosocial problems faced by the society at large. In this way they will be able to analyse and interpret critically any research conducted in the field of Psychology.

On completion of this, learners will be able to work as Independent Researchers, be able to teach research methodology, and carry out research projects together with writing and publishing research articles and conducting research webinars as a way of sharing knowledge.

The qualification was established for the following reasons such as to provide South Africa with scientific researchers that have a broad theoretical expertise and practical skills in Psychology and also to prepare students for careers as practicing research psychologists.

This qualification prepares students for post-doctoral work in Psychology and it is also aimed at developing creative, rigorous researchers for both academic and non-academic careers around the world. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Master of Arts in Psychology, NQF Level 10.
    Or
  • Master of Psychology, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory module at NQF Level 5, 10 totalling 360 Credits.

    Compulsory Module, Level 10, 360 Credits:
  • Thesis, 360 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Plan and write a research proposal.
    2. Communicate effective using oral, written and electronic medium.
    3. Ability to access, critically review and apply relevant scientific information.
    4. Develop, design and implement a research project. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Write a research proposal for implementation.
  • Describe the different research methods and techniques as they apply to Psychology.
  • Critic appraisal of recent literature on Psychology related topics.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Present a scientific review article with current issues on psychology and mental health using oral, written and as a poster communication skills.
  • Applied research skills are demonstrated during data collection.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Critical analysis of psychology research results and how it relates to good health.
  • Write a scientific article for publication in an accredited journal.
  • Establish systems to promote cost-effective and efficient service delivery within a health care unit.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Implement a research project by collecting data.
  • Write a research dissertation.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative Assessments:
  • Workplace (practical placement) assessments.
  • Oral examinations.
  • Assessment of the thesis.
  • Assessment of journal articles. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered.

    The qualification has undergone international review and, positive comments were provided.

    The South African institution have similar prerequisite followed by the University of Sydney (Australia) when it comes to admission into the qualification - Learners must be in possession of a Master's Degree in Psychology in order to be admitted into the PhD qualification. Learners make presentation for their proposal during departmental seminar at the specified date. Promoters are expected to be present at their learner's presentation. Promoters provide written structured constructive feedback. Written reports are a formal means of documenting learners' progress.

    If one looks at the main objectives of this qualification and that of University of London compare, they look pretty much similar. University of London (England) - The PhD qualification is designed to allow learners to gain insight into different research methods and to acquire valuable experience both in carrying out large-scale research projects and in teaching. Michigan University (USA) also shares the similar objectives - one of the objectives of the PhD qualification are to permit the learners to achieve competence in research skills and creative work. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Doctor of Social Sciences, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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. University of Venda 


    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.