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: 

Master of Medical Science in Genetic Counselling 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
104765  Master of Medical Science in Genetic Counselling 
ORIGINATOR
University of Cape Town 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
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
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

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 first purpose of the qualification is to provide students with a wide range of master-level knowledge, attitudes and skills unique to genetic counselling which will equip them for life-long learning and competent clinical practice. Following a complementary internship, it will enable them to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) and to work independently in the public or private sectors in communities, hospitals, clinics, special schools and laboratories in southern Africa as well as internationally. There is an explicit commitment to a Primary Health Care approach of client and family management throughout the qualification.

The second purpose of the qualification is to equip the students with management, leadership and research skills which will enable them to participate in national health care development and policy making and contribute to the international body of knowledge in genetic counselling.

The third purpose of the qualification is to provide South Africa with a group of competent genetic counsellors to provide effective, efficient and accessible genetic counselling services while continuing to improve their knowledge and skills prior to proceeding to a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Degree.

Rationale:
The qualification is recognised by the Health Professions Council of South Africa for registration as a genetic counsellor. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
There is the option of RPL to register for this qualification and applicants will be assessed on an individual basis. This may be done by means of an Integrated Assessment to determine the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit in the qualification and the associated Unit Standards. It may entail additional courses before starting the programme or an extended period of time within which to complete the qualification.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum requirement is:
  • A Bachelor Degree.
    Or
  • An Honours Degree. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    TThis qualification comprises of compulsory modules at Level 9 totalling 186 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 180 Credits:
  • Medical Genetics, 24 Credits.
  • Genetic Counselling Practice, 80 Credits.
  • Principles of Genetic Counselling, 20 Credits.
  • Research Training and minor dissertation, 62 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1.Communicate genetic counselling concepts, both orally and in writing, with clinical and academic audiences as well as patients and the community at large.
    2. Work effectively as an individual and in a multidisciplinary clinical environment, showing leadership and performing critical functions.
    3. Understand the necessity to maintain continued competence in both genetic counselling and medicine, keeping abreast of up-to-date and state-of-the-art technologies and engaging in lifelong learning.
    4. Critical aware of the need to act professionally and ethically, taking responsibility within one's limits of competence, and exercising judgement commensurate with both medical and genetic knowledge.
    5. Apply mathematical, numerical analysis and statistical knowledge to calculate risk. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Demonstrate advanced scholarship or research in the field.

    Integrated Assessment:
    As this is a professional qualification with a clinical component the assessment format, by nature, requires the contents to be integrated in order to achieve the exit level outcomes as required by the competencies of the Discipline of Genetic Counselling and the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Thus assessment of Medical Genetics includes aspects of Principles of Genetic Counselling, Research and Practice of Genetic Counselling; assessment of Principles of Genetic Counselling likewise requires aspects of Medical Genetics, Research and Genetic Counselling Practice; Research assessment includes Principles of Genetic Counselling, Genetic Counselling Practice and Medical Genetics; and assessment of Genetic Counselling Practice requires integration of aspects of Medical Genetics, Principles of Genetic Counselling and Research. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows Vertical Articulation.

    Vertically Articulation:
  • A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at 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.
     
    NONE 


    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.