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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Arts in Forensic Science & Technology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110083  Master of Arts in Forensic Science & Technology 
ORIGINATOR
University of South Africa 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security  Justice in Society 
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  2019-07-25  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 qualifying learners with the knowledge, specific skills and applied competence in forensic investigation to ensure opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, gainful economic activity and valuable contributions to society. This qualification will also educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level by completing a single advanced research project.

Rationale:
The aim of this qualification is to provide South Africa and the global community with police officers and forensic investigators with postgraduate training and to widen the innovative and knowledge based police leadership who will promote economic and scholarly activities. Qualifying learners will understand the constructive role they need to play as intellectual leaders in their society, and who are empowered and equipped with the required research and analytical skills to play a key role in shaping law enforcement in a just society based on constitutional democracy within a world legal order.

It will equip learners to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgments using data and information at their disposal and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences. Furthermore, the qualification will equip learners to demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level, and continue to advance their knowledge, understanding and skills in the field of Police Science. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
RPL will be conducted according to the RPL policy of the institution. Within the context of the research Masters of Arts (MA) in Forensic Science and Technology, students applying to access the qualification through the RPL route will be required to submit a portfolio of evidence (which will be basically a detailed Research Proposal) illustrating their knowledge, skills and experience in the field. Should the illustrated knowledge, skills and experience be deemed to be at an appropriate level, students will be required to register for the Research Methodology module at Bachelor of Arts (BA) Honours Degree level for non-degree purpose and pass it before they could register for this qualification, this will be to hone their research methodology skills to enhance their success in this research based qualification. Although learners could access the qualification through RPL, the qualification itself cannot be awarded in part or as a whole through the Recognition of Prior Learning.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • An appropriate Bachelor Honours Degree.
    Or
  • An appropriate Bachelor of Technology Degree.
    Or
  • An appropriate Postgraduate Diploma.
    Or
  • A 480 Credits Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 96 Credits at Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory modules at Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.
    Compulsory Modules: 180 Credits:
  • Masters Research Proposal in the School of Criminal Justice, 24 Credits.
  • Dissertation in Forensic Science and Technology on an approved topic, 156 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Recognise the role of law enforcement in everyday life.
    2. Think critically, logically and analytically within a contextual framework.
    3. Solve complex multi-dimensional law enforcement problems originally and creatively.
    4. Engage critically and analytically with Criminal Justice text.
    5. Apply advanced academic knowledge and skills to play a leading role in police practice and in the shaping of the law enforcement dispensation.
    6. Advance policing scholarship in a regional and global context.
    7. Act responsibly and authoritatively in his or her chosen career.
    8. Play a leading role in contributing to the realisation of a just society based on a constitutional democracy. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Identify complex law enforcement issues in real or simulated fact scenarios.
  • Interpret and analyse daily events within a Criminal Justice framework.
  • Play a leading role in law enforcement within a regional and global context to cope with modern-day challenges and problems.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Interpret, analyse and explain complex law enforcement within different contexts.
  • Provide an unbiased and balanced perspective on law enforcement problems.
  • Consider and critically evaluate different points of view are in terms of students acquired knowledge.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Find relevant sources and authorities to solve advanced policing problems.
  • Analyse and critically evaluate the relevance and applicability of various policing sources and authorities to solve complex law enforcement problems.
  • Select the most appropriate and authoritative policing materials to solve law enforcement problems.
  • Consider and critically evaluate different solutions to a problem and the consequences of each solution for future Criminal Justice developments.
  • Provide substantiated responses based on acquired advanced knowledge.
  • Provide responsible and expert advice on an appropriate course of action.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Critically interpret Criminal Justice text within a contextual framework.
  • Reflect on views expressed in text and critically evaluate and debate these.
  • Skilfully use sophisticated policing text to substantiate arguments and support recommendations.

    Associated Assessment Criteria Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Draft and interpret complex policing documents.
  • Provide expert opinions on complicated policing issues.
  • Demonstrate the required advanced academic knowledge to play a leading role as an academic or in managing policing and in shaping the law enforcement dispensation.
  • Skilfully use technology responsibly, effectively and appropriately.

    Associated Assessment Criteria Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Reflect on and critically evaluate policing theory and practice.
  • Recognise areas in need of policing development or law enforcement reform.
  • Apply historical and/or comparative methods to develop answers to current issues and complex problems.
  • Interpret the law enforcement implications of South African conditions in both regional and global perspectives.

    Associated Assessment Criteria Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Act in accordance with the ethics and code of conduct required from police officers.
  • Understand and acted on accordingly, showing responsibility as a leading police officer in a constitutional democracy.

    Associated Assessment Criteria Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Use acquired advanced skills and knowledge to advance law enforcement awareness within the community.
  • Reflect upon complex problems in society, seek and consider responsible solutions.
  • Interpret and apply the underlying constitutional values to diverse problems in society.
  • Show advanced awareness and tolerance of diversity and seek harmonising solutions.
  • Deal with conflicting interests within a community, locally, regionally as well as globally.
  • Harmonise conflicting interests arising from horizontal and vertical relationships.

    Integrated Assessment:
    All assessments will integrate knowledge, skills, and attitudes and applied competence. Learners will be required to use appropriate methods and skills to apply detailed knowledge of the policing issues in practical situations and to display the skills required from law enforcement practitioners in a variety of contexts typical of the demands set for postgraduate learners.

    Learning and assessments are integrated. Formative assessment is a continuous and personal process of interaction between lecturers and learners. It includes supervision of the dissertation and learners will be provided with feedback. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Countries such as the United Kingdom and the United States of America offers the Masters of Arts in Forensic Investigation fields which will be comparable with the Master's in Forensic Science & Technology.
    Country: United Kingdom.
    Institution: University of Edinburgh.
    Qualification: Master of Science in Forensic Investigation.
    The Masters of Science in Forensic Investigation is designed to give an overview of specific areas of the application of physical sciences to forensic problems, allowing learners to select from a wide range of subject areas. The course offers learners a wide range of different experiences with unique facilities available to no other university in the UK. Learners come from a wide range of backgrounds, usually with a Science or Forensic Science First Degree.

    The course consists of a two-week period of introductory studies followed by academic instruction in modular form. Most modules are of five days' duration, interspersed with weeks devoted to private study and visits to forensic science establishments. Learners are required to take four compulsory modules and then choose seven elective modules based on their particular background, future requirements, or interest. This is followed by a four-month research project and thesis. The core modules are:
  • Investigation and Evidence Collection.
  • Reasoning for Forensic Science.
  • Analytical Techniques.
  • Courtroom Skills.

    Country: United States of America.
    Institution: West Virginia University.
    Qualification: Masters in Forensic and Investigative Science.
    The Masters in Forensic and Investigative Science requires learners to submit a research thesis. Learners may apply up to six hours of research credit toward the 40-hour requirement. The remaining 34 hours of credit must be earned in the basic graduate courses in forensic science, chemistry, toxicology, biology or other approved courses.

    Country: United States of America.
    Institution: Marshal University.
    Qualification: Master of Science in Forensic Science.
    The goal of the Master of Science Degree is to provide the forensic science community with graduates who possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities sought by crime labs and other law enforcement entities and to assist these agencies in reducing the requirement for employer-based, on-the-job training.

    The Master of Science in Forensic Science Degree provides a broad-based graduate level curriculum in forensic science on Deoxyribonucleic Acid(DNA) Analysis; Forensic Chemistry; Digital Forensics and Crime Scene Investigation. Even though one area of emphasis is required, students may complete up to four areas of emphasis during their standard five-semester/2-year course of study. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows for both horizontal and vertical articulation possibilities.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Masters of Arts in Criminology, Level 9.
  • Masters of Arts in Corrections Management, Level 9.
  • Masters of Arts in Criminal Justice, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice, Level 10.
  • Doctor of Literature and Philosophy in Police Science, 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.
     
    1. University of South Africa 


    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.