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 Social Work 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
109540  Master of Social Work 
ORIGINATOR
University of South Africa 
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
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 this qualification is to provide qualifiers with

" Advanced research skills in a chosen field of social work.
" The competencies to access, analyse, process, transform and critically evaluate existing knowledge in order to achieve an integrated synthesis of the research field.
" The knowledge and skills to engage in independent social work research, selecting from a range of appropriate research designs, technologies, methods and techniques in the chosen focus area of social work.
" The ability to produce and communicate the research findings.

This qualification also allows access to continuation of learning on National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 10, namely the Doctor of Social Work.

Rationale:
This qualification is designed to provide advanced expertise and research skills in a chosen field, thereby promoting the achievement of social work's core purposes.

Due to the fact that social work encompasses such a broad spectrum of themes, fields and/or inter-disciplinary areas, it is essential to provide a research qualification that enables learners to demonstrate advanced research skills, competencies, knowledge and values in a specific focus field.

Social work plays a major role in addressing the many needs of South African society through social work services provided within many sectors such as government departments, businesses, Non-Governmental Organisations and in private practice. Dynamic and professionally sound leadership is vital within these sectors in order for social work to impact on social needs.

This social work qualification is also designed to enable qualifiers to pursue further personal and professional development and to promote life-long learning. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Learners who fall outside of the stipulated criteria, but who can demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the service provider, that they have an appropriate, related qualification, experiential or work-based learning, which has taken the learner to the equivalent of a National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8 Social Work qualification, may be considered for admission into this Social Work programme.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • An Honours Degree or Postgraduate Diploma, Level 8 in Social Work and with an average of 60% in the final year.
  • Registration with the SACSSP (South African Council for Social Service Professions) as Social Workers, in terms of section 17 of the Social Service Professions Act, 1978. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following two compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 9 totalling 180 Credits:
  • Research proposal module, 24 Credits.
  • Thesis, 156 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    A qualifier will demonstrate the following competencies:
    1. Demonstrate advanced application of concepts, methods, ethics, theories and analytical processes in relation to a chosen focus field of social work and social welfare.
    2. Access, analyse, transform and critically evaluate existing knowledge by systematically and effectively applying the principles of Social Work research practices.
    3. Engage in independent social work research and produce and communicate findings in the form of a research report selecting from a range of appropriate research designs, methods, techniques and technologies in the chosen focus area.
    4. Access, process, produce and communicate information effectively to colleagues and other groups. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The thesis meets international standards regarding the proposal, writing style, listing of resources, report on findings, recommendations, conclusion and oral and written presentations.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment to ensure that Exit Level and Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are achieved is based primarily on an independent research report.

    The report must be evaluated by an internal assessor and at least one external assessor with an equivalent qualification and expertise. 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Social Work is an internationally recognised profession guided by an internationally accepted definition. Countries throughout the world recognise social work as an essential profession, and offer learning programmes at different levels. This Masters qualification compares favourably to similar qualifications internationally as it complies with the Global Standards for Education and Training of the Social Work Profession of the International Federation of Social Work (IFSW) and International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW). 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • The qualification articulates horizontally with cognate Master's Degrees, Level 9 in Social Work.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • The qualification articulates vertically with the Doctor of Social Work, Level 10 and the Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work, 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.