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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Social Work in Clinical Social Work 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
100823  Master of Social Work in Clinical Social Work 
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela 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 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Preventive Health 
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
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 replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
87170  Master of Arts: Social Work: Clinical: Coursework  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  120  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The Master of Social Work in Clinical Social Work aims to equip qualified social workers with advanced in-depth knowledge and skills to promote the mental health and optimal functioning of individuals, couple and family systems as well as identify and treat psycho-social problems at individual, couple and family systems level.

This purpose resonates with the University's mission and goals, as well as the revised vision of the Health Sciences Faculty to promote multi-disciplinary engagements and collaboration between mental health practitioners.

The qualification has a theoretical, research and practical component which will equip the graduates with culturally sensitive knowledge and contemporary therapeutic skills, to promote processes that enhance mental health and optimal functioning.

Rationale:
The generic qualification in Social Work enables social work practitioners to promote social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being, as articulated in the International Definition of Social Work.

In order to address the rapidly evolving changes at socio-political, technological and economic level in South African society and the world at large, it is important to equip Social Workers with specialist knowledge and skills to both prevent and treat the impact such changes have on individual, couple and family functioning. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
This will be undertaken in terms of the RPL policy of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU).

Entry Requirements:
The minimum requirement for admission is:
  • A Bachelor's Degree in Social Work.
    Or
  • An Honours Degree in Social Work. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises of compulsory module at Level 8 totaling 180 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 180 Credits:
  • Clinical Social Work Intervention: Family, 20 Credits.
  • Management of Human Services and Private practice, 20 Credits.
  • Social Work Practice, 20 Credits.
  • Research Treatise, 80 Credits.
  • Clinical Social Work Intervention: Individual, 20 Credits.
  • Clinical Social Work Intervention: Couple, 20 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Identify, assess, analyse, and intervene in complex problem and concerns presented by client systems utilising appropriate theories, methods, techniques and strategies for intervention.
    2. Adapt to new challenges and seek innovative solutions to contemporary problems presented by clients in a rapidly changing society.
    3. Analyse, critically evaluate and demonstrate mastery of sophisticate theoretical material in the mental health field that aims to facilitate optimal mental health functioning in the lives of micro sized systems.
    4. Demonstrate the ability to conduct independent research through the application of advanced research methodology and to disseminate research findings to relevant stakeholders.
    5. Demonstrate advanced understanding of social work values, Code of Ethics, principles of human rights, social justice and competency in their application in the field of clinical social work.
    6. Demonstrate specialist forefront knowledge and expertise in the field of clinical social work and the competency to apply these creatively both in a general human service agency and in an interdisciplinary context.
    7. Demonstrate understanding of roles, functions, principles and characteristics of management within social service delivery, including the establishment and management of a private practice. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Assess criteria and tasks that reflect the ability to work in depth with human concerns, both at a preventive and counselling level.
  • Demonstrate comprehensive and theoretically sound intervention strategies for a specific system (i.e., individuals, couples and families) based on sophisticated theories and strategies for intervention.
  • Demonstrate advanced levels of counsellor self-awareness and self-reflection.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Select wide intervention models and the ability to integrate them where possible and appropriate.
  • Show application of legislative and assessment instruments (i.e., South African Mental Health Care Act, Diagnostic and Statistical manual of Mental Disorders, White Paper on Families).
  • Make appropriate referrals to mental health practitioners of conditions/needs that reside outside the scope of practice of the clinical social worker.
  • Demonstrate indigenous knowledge systems and macro systemic factors impacting on individual mental health.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Overview substantive of contemporary theories on mental health functioning.
  • Inform Specific theoretical orientations (structuralist, developmental, narrative, brief and integrative therapy) intervention with different client systems.
  • Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of and skill in addressing specific psychosocial conditions affecting mental health, i.e., trauma, divorce, multicultural relationships and social media.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Demonstrate appropriate research approach (qualitative or quantitative or mixed methods) and design (phenomenology, case study, narrative, ethnography).
  • Select coherent methodologies, i.e., appropriate sampling methods, data collection and analysis methods.
  • Draw and deriving at appropriate conclusions.
  • Demonstration of research report writing skills.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Distinguish between the scope of practice of Clinical Social workers and other mental health professionals.
  • Conduct professional mirrors social work values, internalization of code of ethics and principles of human rights and social justice.
  • Demonstrate effective engagement as a member of an inter-disciplinary team.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Compare between clinical social work in a human service agency vs private practice.
  • Demonstrate contextually relevant and culturally sensitive interventions in the mental health field.
  • Demonstrate an application of expert mental health knowledge and skills in interdisciplinary context.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Distinction between leadership and management in the management of human service organisations.
  • Demonstrate contemporary management and leadership skills that are culturally sensitive.
  • Demonstrate ethical and legal requirements to establish a private practice.
  • Demonstrate Professional bodies and affiliates to register with for private practice.

    Integrated Assessment:
  • Integrated Assessment is ensuring through the research project and the case studies. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is comparable to other similar qualifications offered nationally and internationally. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates both vertical and horizontal.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • A Doctorate Degree at Level 10.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Masters in Health and Welfare within Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU). 
    		•

    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. Nelson Mandela 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.