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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Philosophy in Addictions Mental Health 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
104783  Master of Philosophy in Addictions Mental Health 
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  Curative 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
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:
This qualification is designed to provide mental healthcare workers with special expertise in Addictions Mental Health. The purpose of the qualification is to produce graduates who are capable of delivering comprehensive, cost-effective, evidence-based addictions care using a bio-psychosocial framework in the primary, secondary and tertiary care contexts. Additional purposes include an ability to answer questions by means of research and to pass on the knowledge, skills and attitudes of the discipline of addictions mental health to future generations of doctors.

Rationale:
Over the past ten years, most countries in Europe and North America have been expanding their addictions mental health/addictionology facilities and programmes, as there has been increasing recognition that substance dependent patients have special needs and that they and their families require long-term management for successful outcomes. There is general recognition amongst professionals in the field that there is a growing need for specialised knowledge in addictions mental health and the view is shared that there is an increasing demand for specialist training in this field. The ultimate goal is to use the Master of Philosophy in Addictions Mental Health qualification to support a proposed submission to the Health Professions Council of South Africa for recognition of addictions mental health as a sub-speciality for psychiatrists and psychologists. In South Africa, unlike many other countries, addiction psychiatry and psychology are not yet recognised and registered as sub-specialities. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
N/A

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirements are:
  • A Master of Medicine in Psychiatry of the University or another university recognised for this purpose.
    Or
  • A qualification recognised by the Senate as comparable (such as the fellowship in psychiatry from the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa).
    Or
  • A comparable qualification.
    Or
  • A Master's Degree in clinical psychology of the University or another university recognised for this purpose.
    Or
  • A professional qualification in a mental health discipline such as social work, occupational therapy, or nursing.
    Or
  • A professional qualification with requisite experience deemed comparable to any of the above.
    And
  • Is or will be practising in the mental health field. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises compulsory modules at Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

    Compulsory modules:
  • Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Addiction Mental Health Part 1 (PRY7016W), 120 Credits.
  • MPhil in Addictions Mental Health Part 2 (PRY7017W), 60 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Ability to continue life-long learning.
    2. Ability to reflect.
    3. Contextually demonstrated general knowledge, skills and values of the addictions programme.
    4. Ability to be patient and family-centred.
    5. Ability to think in terms of evidence- based systems.
    6. Understand the psychological needs of both the patient and their families.
    7. Awareness of cultural and other contextual aspects of addictions.
    8. Be able to solve ethical dilemmas.
    9. Be skilled to maximize the potential of the consultation.
    10. Able to promote health and sobriety and facilitate improved health.
    11. Able to do relevant and appropriate research.
    12. Manage self and own practice (in public or private sector) effectively with visionary leadership.
    13. Promote an addiction-free philosophy and thereby improve the quality of life of the community. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Evaluate and manage patients with addictions in various contexts using a cost-effective, evidence-based approach.
  • Maintain up-to-date, quality practice by implementing research findings.
  • Disseminate knowledge and skills to patients, the community, fellow health workers, and future generations of addictions therapists.
  • Utilise the potential of the family and community organisations to promote health.
  • Deal with complex issues systematically and creatively.
  • Design and critically appraise research.
  • Make sound judgement using data and available information and communicate conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
  • Demonstrate mastery of the knowledge and clinical skills in addictions mental health.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative and Summative Assessment:
    As the qualification is designed to provide mental healthcare workers with special expertise in Addictions Mental Health, the curriculum is delivered via seminars, supervision, case studies and demonstrations. The assessment strategy is an ongoing one, where students are assessed on performance through regular supervision sessions, and oral and observed clinical examinations every six months. At the end of the programme, candidates will have been assessed formally by means of in-course assessment reports, a three-hour written Part 1 examination and the presentation and examination of a dissertation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is comparable to qualifications offered in the United States of America, United Kingdom and Australia. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for Vertical Articulation opportunity.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). 
    		•

    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.