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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Nursing 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97060  Doctor of Nursing 
ORIGINATOR
University of Fort Hare 
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  Curative Health 
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 primary purpose is to ensure that high level academic research which takes place in the field of Nursing, thereby enabling individual achievement and institutional capacity building. Learners are expected to:
  • Conceptualize and implement research initiatives and formulation in the specialized field.
  • Apply methods and/or research techniques to specialized knowledge and/or theory under study.
  • Produce independent research output for examination, scholarly debates and/or publications.

    Rationale:
    There is currently no programme at doctoral level offered in the region, and there are large numbers of Masters students who have pursued research that is specific to challenges, issues, hypotheses and research questions of the region in and around the Amathole district. There is research being conducted at advanced Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) level in the region by universities from the United States and the results are not being fully integrated into the region, thus there is an urgent need for the University to offer its own PhD to contribute to the expertise and capacity in this district.

    Furthermore, external donor funding specifically destined to transform the scholarship of the Nursing Sciences, with a view to improving the health of the people of this region by introducing PhD and Masters programmes, has been received to the value of R16 million. Some of this funding is destined to upgrade infrastructure and promote human capital development, which will enhance research support capacity. Some donor funding has already been used for the building of new teaching facilities and for the purchase of library books for senior research Degrees and more equipment is to be purchased for the computer laboratory to accommodate the needs of PhD and Masters students.

    The academic staff involved in the programme has an average period of experience of more than 30 years each in diverse fields within the Nursing Sciences, but also including management, education, research and policy making. Advantage must be taken of this extensive knowledge base whilst it is available to younger students in the system.

    Currently there are 12 staff members in the department who are studying towards completion of their PhDs and it is expected that these staff will join the programme as co-supervisors from 2018 onwards. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The candidate must be able to demonstrate that substantial high-level research has been carried out, the hypotheses and results reported on in an appropriate manner to relevant parties and tested at a level comparable to that of an academic Master's Degree, and widely accepted in the field.

    Submission of papers presented at recognised conferences or published in recognised journals may form the basis for RPL, subject to the approval of the Head of the Department of Nursing.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum requirement for this qualification is:
  • A Master's Degree in Nursing or equivalent qualification, subject to the approval of the Nursing Head of Department. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    N/A 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Exit Level Outcome:
  • Demonstrate an understanding of independent research.
  • Conduct an independent research.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of research methods and analytical techniques.
  • Demonstrate the ability to conduct a comprehensive literature review.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of scientific academic writing.
  • Compose an original research doctoral thesis.
  • Contribute new knowledge in a chosen field. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome:
  • The ability to conduct an independent research.
  • The ability to show understanding of independent research.
  • The ability to apply research methods and analytical techniques.
  • The ability to conduct a literature review.
  • The ability to write in a scientific and academic manner.
  • Create an original research doctoral thesis.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The student will be assessed by three examiners (one internal and 2 external examiners). The doctoral thesis should demonstrate the student's ability to undertake independent research and a grasp of research methods and analytic techniques in their chosen field. The thesis must show the original work of the student and contribute new knowledge in the chosen field. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This course is offered at a high Level 10. It can be favourably compared with any other Doctor of Philosophy qualification offered at the same level nationally, regionally and worldwide. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is at the highest level, there is no possible articulation although academics can access the Post -doctoral studies to expand their knowledge in the area Also at the university there is a Govan Mbeki Research Development Centre which ensures staff capacity development in areas of research. 

    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 Fort Hare 


    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.