SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Master of Psychology

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
101831	Master of Psychology
ORIGINATOR
University of the Free State
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 07 - Human and Social Studies		General Social Science
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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The purpose of the Master of Psychology is to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge to initiate, complete and be able to write a research on topical subjects in Psychology. This Master's Degree will enable a graduate to master the principles of theory and research, while in the process of investigating a problem in a specific field of Psychology. Furthermore, graduates will be equipped with advanced overall research skills for academic scholarship by means of the experience of successfully completing a dissertation or (interrelated) published article(s)/publishable manuscript(s).

The Master of Psychology will promote knowledge of research methodology and design skills, the rationale for research undertakings, academic literature reviews and international article searches, programme development skills, research presentation skills, report writing skills, academic formulation skills, ethical research awareness and consideration, researcher reflexivity, critical thought, research participant sensitivity, as well as professional best practices in research.

The Master of Psychology (by dissertation) will promote knowledge of research methodology and design skills, the rationale for research undertakings, academic literature reviews and international article searches, programme development skills, research presentation skills, report writing skills, academic formulation skills, ethical research awareness and consideration, researcher reflexivity, critical thought, research participant sensitivity, as well as professional best practices in research in Psychology. This will be instrumental in the development of distinguished doctoral scholars and academics in Psychology.

The qualification will also enable learners to perform acceptable psychometric and other psycho-social assessments for specific research data collection purposes.

Rationale:
This qualification will provide a learning pathway for Honours graduates to progress and continue on the academic route in Psychology. This will provide access for more learners to a qualification that leads to both a research and an academic career in the field of social sciences in general, and especially within Psychology or behavioural sciences.

This qualification will provide graduates with the opportunity to apply for research, and social sciences and public health sciences related employment, or career opportunities, at relevant governmental, educational and other relevant companies and institutions.

The dissertation will be built around the niche research areas which include the following specialist options: Resilience, coping and well-being; stress and suicide amongst adolescents; disability studies; positive psychology and psychofortology; learner access and success; gerontology; teaching of psychology; career psychology; child psychology; social psychology; marital well-being; and psychobiographical studies in greatness and exceptional development.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
In exceptional cases, where learners who do not comply with the admission requirements, the Recognition of Prior Learning for access will be applied according to the rigorous institutional RPL policy.

Entry Requirements:

Bachelor Honours Degree in Psychology, Level 8.
Or

Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology, Level 8.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of a dissertation totalling 180 Credits.

PSMA 8900: Psychology Masters by Article Format, 180 Credits.
Or

PSMA 8900: Psychology Masters by Mini-Dissertation Format, 180 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1.Appraise or make a situation analysis of the research needs in society and choose a topic in accordance with the research specialisation areas of staff in the Department of Psychology.
2. Engage with, and be sensitive to the ethics involved in professional research behaviour and critique current practices in research design and methodology.
3. Compile a comprehensive and clear research proposal of high quality that is reflective of critical thought and indicative of a well-chosen research design and method.
4. Employ advanced research skills in order to implement an appropriate research design, including data collection and analysis techniques.
5. Conduct comprehensive and international literature reviews and successfully undertake research in the field of Psychology, as well as produce a high quality dissertation or interrelated article(s), research reports, make valuable recommendations for the institutions, groups or individuals whom partook in the research undertaking.
6. Disseminate the findings in a professional and ethical manner within article publication format or as a presentation at scientific congresses.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Construct an effective situational analysis.

Produce an effective and viable choice of a research topic/theme.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Obtain ethical clearance.

Conduct data collection ethically with clear demonstration of ethical sensitivity and awareness related to the research process and participants.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Formulate a research proposal.

Present and defend research proposal successfully to be accepted.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Effectively use and implement research design and methods.

Select appropriate research methodology.

Select and apply research subject/participant sampling procedures.

Effectively use and demonstrate data collection techniques.

Effectively analyse data.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

Execute successful and independent research literature reviews in the literature chapter compilation.

Draw conclusions and findings.

Reflect on limitations and further research possibilities of research project.

Produce dissertation/articles.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

Demonstrate research output using high quality writing skills, technical styling skills and editorial requirements for authors as stipulated by the American Psychological Association's guidelines for authors in psychology.

Effectively and soundly discuss findings in relation to other previously published research.

Effectively report and disseminate research findings.

Integrated Assessment:
Assessment will be in the form of the production of a dissertation or a minimum of one (interrelated) published articles or publishable manuscripts. The research will be conducted through supervision by a supervisor and co-supervisor, if applicable, and as approved by the Faculty Board of the Humanities.

The dissertation or the option of an article format will be assessed in accordance with the General Rules for First Qualifications, Postgraduate Diplomas, Bachelor Honours Degrees, Master's Degrees, Doctoral Degrees, Higher Doctoral Degrees, Honorary Degrees and Convocation.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The Master of Psychology (by dissertation) compares well with similar qualifications offered in other parts of the world.

Harvard University in the USA offers the Master of Liberal Arts, Psychology. This is a structured programme with a choice of psychology and elective modules. An undergraduate degree is required for admission, as well as the successful completion of a test of critical reading and writing skills or a B in Writing in the Social Sciences. Thereafter students register for three modules: Graduate research methods and scholarly writing in the social sciencesanthropology and psychology), psychology and Statistical methods. With acceptable academic achievement in these, students may continue onto the Master of Liberal Arts, Psychology. This Degree offers a coherent programme of advanced study and research in chosen subfield of psychology from Developmental psychology; Cognition, brain, and behaviour; Clinical Psychology and Social Psychology. The programme includes research, course work, and clinical practical, and usually takes five years to complete. The main emphasis of the program is research and articulates with the PhD in either the Common Curriculum, or Clinical Science.

The Walden University, Canada offers a Master of Science in Psychology. The programme provides both the foundational psychological theory and the in-depth knowledge and skills needed to create positive change within organisations and the profession. Entry requirements is at least a bachelor's degree or higher. Various specialisations are offered, namely Applied psychology; Crisis management and response; Educational psychology; General psychology; Health psychology and Leadership development and coaching. The programme provides preparation for a career as Human resource manager, Market researcher, Project coordinator/manager, Family services worker, Instructor at a community college, Social service manager, Health project coordinator, Research assistant, Data analyst/manager and Organizational consultant. The programme articulates with the PhD.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification offers horizontal and vertical articulation possibilities with the following qualifications:
Horizontal Articulation:

Master of Social Science (Psychology), Level 9.

Vertical Articulation:

Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, 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.	University of the Free State