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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Philosophy in Intellectual Disability 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
104771  Master of Philosophy in Intellectual Disability 
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:
  • To provide qualifiers with the necessary knowledge, specific skills and applied competence such that they will meet the requirements for subspecialisation in intellectual disability psychiatry/mental health with the College of Medicine of South Africa. This includes a minimum period of supervised experiential learning and success in a College of Medicine examination for the Certificate in Intellectual Disability Psychiatry and Mental Health. Further to provide qualifiers with the necessary foundation to conduct and present an independent research project.
  • To provide South Africa with sufficient numbers of well-trained, competent intellectual disability mental health sub-specialists to serve the community and to contribute to scholarly activity in the field.

    Rationale:
    This qualification provides advanced training in the theory and practice of intellectual disability. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Entry Requirements:
    To be eligible for consideration, the candidate must (a) have an approved Degree in medicine and registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a medical practitioner; or (b) have obtained an approved Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology; or (c) have an approved professional health Degree qualification with prerequisite qualification with prerequisite experience that is recognised by the Senate as being equivalent to the above, including occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech language therapy, nursing or clinical social work, and (d) be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa or the equivalent professional body. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises two focus areas namely:
  • Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Intellectual Disability Part 1(PRY7023W), Level 9, 90 Credits.
  • MPhil Intellectual Disability Part 2(PRY7024W), Level 9, 90 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Ability to continue life-long learning.
    2. Ability to reflect and to be patient centred.
    3. Ability to apply specific knowledge of psychiatry and mental health, health and other issues in intellectual disability, neuro-behaviour and integrated neuroscience. Work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
    4. Evaluate and manage patients with intellectual disability and their families.
    5. Promote health and quality of life of persons with intellectual disability.
    6. Maintain up to date, quality practice by implementing research findings and conduct own research Work effectively with others in the multi-disciplinary team.
    7. Disseminate knowledge and skills to patients, the community, fellow health workers, and future generations of health professionals.
    8. Manage him/herself and his/her practice (in public or private sector) effectively with visionary leadership.
    9. Understand and apply science and other related fields underpinning intellectual disability and management thereof.
    10. Work alongside the other related disciplines (e.g. other mental health disciplines, neurology, genetics) to advance understanding of intellectual disability.
    11. Awareness of cultural and other contextual aspects of health and illness in intellectual disability. Promote health and prevent illness through primary, secondary and tertiary prevention. Be able to address ethical dilemmas.
    12. On-going assessment of performance through regular supervision, case presentation and discussion. Formal feedback is given every six months.
    13. At the end of the programme candidates will have been assessed formally by means of in-course assessments. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome:
  • Demonstrate required knowledge and clinical skills in intellectual disability.
  • Demonstrate required knowledge and clinical skills in intellectual disability and produce dissertation.

    Integrated Assessment:
    15% a three-hour written Part 1 examination 30% an oral examination 5% the presentation and examination of a dissertation 50% Part-time candidates will undergo the same in-course assessment and examination procedures but will be allowed an extra (third) year to complete coursework and dissertation requirements. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Similar to qualifications offered in the United States of America (USA), United Kingdom (UK) and Australia. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for vertical articulation:

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) 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.