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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Arts in Development studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
105283  Master of Arts in Development studies 
ORIGINATOR
Nelson Mandela University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  Public Policy, Politics and Democratic Citizenship 
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 qualification offered by coursework and treatise, aims to develop intellectually independent development specialists with the ability to engage in sustainable socio-economic development practice and research activities, while maintaining ethical standards. Graduates will have acquired in-depth theoretical knowledge and insights to approach development issues from a variety of perspectives, demonstrating critical competencies and lifelong learning leading to successful careers as development practitioners in the public sector, on-governmental organizations (NGOs), multi and bilateral agencies, embassies, as members of international trade missions and as consultants in educational and cultural exchanges, among others. Furthermore, graduates will be able to engage with and critique current theory and policy, and advance scholarship by conducting research in socio-economic reconstruction and development, disseminating findings and conclusions, thus making a significant contribution to the development of knowledge and professional practice in this field at an advanced level.

Rationale:
The recurriculated qualification by coursework and treatise, further speaks to the mission of Nelson Mandela University in its endeavour to offer a diverse range of quality educational opportunities, thus making a critical and constructive contribution to regional, national and global sustainability.

Reflecting on the challenges humanity faces it is clear that the very social fabric of humanity is fighting for survival globally. There are major global challenges posing a threat to our habitat, including a population explosion, gender inequalities, poverty, conflict and poor governance, fuelled by corruption. These are just some of the drivers of the challenges. Development Studies as a discipline provides a platform for approaching these challenges by means of multidisciplinary interrogation of past and current development practices, pulling developing countries away from aid dependency to empowered communities. Key to developing future leaders, community practitioners and academics is education and training in development studies and the qualification truly reflects this by providing graduates with the knowledge and competence tolled humanity out of these crises. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The NMU (Nelson Mandela University) RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) Policy will apply.

Entry Requirements:
  • A Relevant Honours Degree or equivalent. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises of compulsory and elective module at Level 9 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 8, 120 Credits:
  • Development Studies Treatise, 80 Credits.
  • Advanced Development Theory, 20 Credits.
  • Advanced Development Policy, 20 Credits.

    Elective Modules:
  • Political Geography: Space, State and Nations, 20 Credits.
  • Applied Research Skills, 20 Credits.
  • Development Economics, 20 Credits.
  • International Finance, 20 Credits.
  • Democratic Transitions and Economic Reconstruction, 20 Credits.
  • Social Movements, Social Change and Development, 20 Credits.
  • Monitoring and Evaluation for Development Practitioners, 20 Credits.
  • Political Economy of Development, 20 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate specialist knowledge of development theory and practice with an ability to conceptualise new approaches and so contribute to knowledge development.
    2. Review and critique the application of development resources and the implementation of development plans with a view to more accountable, sensitive and ethical programme planning and delivery.
    3. Participate in and contribute to the development, implementation and review of development policy and legislation.
    4. Analyse and evaluate existing socio-economic development programmes and projects and propose strategies for improvements towards improved sustainability and efficacy.
    5. Access, process and manage information demonstrating an ability to design, conduct and report research grounded in development theory.
    6. Integrate development theory, concepts and techniques and extend and apply them to any three of the specialised, elective fields as indicated. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Present substantive overview of contemporary theories of development and the theories are critically reviewed and reflected on.
  • Differentiate and compare conventional and alternative development theories are.
  • Conceptualise and critique existing alternative models of development.
  • Appraise socio-economic, cultural, environmental and political tensions against a background of contemporary development theory.
  • Research and describe the impact of globalisation on the cultural practices and traditions of selected developing countries.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Apply new methods, processes, systems and technologies in innovative ways to review and critique contemporary development plans, practices and resource application, demonstrating cultural awareness and sensitivity for the rights of minority and other groupings.
  • Make a contribution critical to the development of ethical standards and applied as ethical criteria to specific socio-economic and political developmental contexts, demonstrating autonomous ethical decision making.
  • Analyse Complex socio-economic and political developmental challenges and novel interventions recommended, at an appropriate level and within a defined system.
  • Promote community acceptance of qualification planning and development processes through the application of a range of advanced communication skills and development-appropriate discourses to a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge or expertise.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Analyse and evaluate cases of past and present local, national and international socioeconomic and political development policy and implementation.
  • Select development policy perspectives are critically engaged with and the impact of these perspectives on changes in natural resource allocation evaluated.
  • Expose and report Diversity challenges in a rapidly globalizing world for the benefit of local managers and socio-political leaders.
  • Evaluate the role of civil society in the success or failure of development policy and implementation at both meso and micro levels against a background of the following variables:
    > Culture, gender and human rights.
    > Community needs and aspirations.
    > Local pressure groupings and power structures.
    > Political, legal, social and financial realities.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Select socio-economic development programmes and/or projects are analysed and evaluated for efficacy and sustainability by means of a case study approach.
  • Specific challenges in the way these programmes and/or projects have been devised and/or are being implemented are identified, analysed and interventions or alternatives based on sound developmental principles and practices sensitively proposed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Concise, well-structured research report of approximately 30 000 words (100 pages) is delivered adequately demonstrating:
    > Demonstrate an appropriate research approach and operationalization.
    > Demonstrate an appropriate research design (quantitative, qualitative, mixed method).
    > Demonstrate appropriate data collection, processing and analysis.
    > Demonstrate an ability to draw appropriate conclusions.
    > Research report writing skills.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Development theory, policy, principles and associated practices inherent to the broader field of socio-economic development are integrated and applied to three of the following fields:
    > Development Economics.
    > International Finance.
    > Democratic Transitions and Economic Reconstruction.
    > Political Geography.
    > Monitoring and Evaluation for Development Practitioners.
    > Political Economy of Development.
    > Social Movements, Social Change and Development.

    Integrated Assessment
    The treatise; in it design, preparation and presentation draws from all knowledge areas covered and therefore is used for integrated Assessment. Also used are the case studies. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification uses as a comparative reference the range of similar qualification offered by various internationally acknowledged and rated universities in the intersecting field of Development Studies and International Development Studies. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates vertically:
  • A Doctor of Philosophy (Development Studies) 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.