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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Psychological Counselling 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110864  Postgraduate Diploma in Psychological Counselling 
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  People/Human-Centred Development 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Registered-data under construction" 		 SAQA 06120/18  2018-07-01  2021-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2022-06-30   2025-06-30  

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 primary purpose of this qualification is to enable working professionals, particularly those working with children and youth, to undertake advanced reflection and development by means of a systematic survey of current thinking, practice and research methods in an area of specialisation.

This qualification aims to strengthen and deepen learners' knowledge in the discipline of Psychology and equip them with relevant skills to serve as competent practitioners in addressing barriers to learning and development.

This qualification demands a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence, which will foster informed psychological practice and contextually relevant interventions within communities of practice.

The Qualification aims to equip learners with a level of knowledge and skills which will enable registration with the Professional Board of Psychology of the Health Professional Council of South Africa as Psychological Counsellors, including those who may have taken a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science as a first qualification. In addition the qualification aims to develop a critical awareness of the potential contribution of African/Eastern world views and concepts to the resolution of psychological and other health related problems in a multi-cultural society. Psycho-social problems such as HIV/AIDS and poverty and included. Learners will develop skills to design, conduct, and evaluate research in a multi-cultural context. Further, learners' sensitivity to and respect for other cultures will be enhanced through this process.

The qualification can enhance the skills and effectiveness particularly of the practitioners in the education system and other relevant sectors to make meaningful contribution to the field of psychology. The interventions offered by these officials can provide equitable distribution of services and promote social justice, provided care is taken to provide contextually relevant training and education.

Rationale:
This qualification responds to the changes in the legislative framework governing the training and practice of psychologists in South Africa. Some learners who hold a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Social Science Qualification with a major in Psychology and/or other equivalent qualification are given an opportunity to further their studies using this qualification. There is a need for this qualification given the consistent requests and demands for such a qualification mainly from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education officials, in the light of challenges facing the education sector with respect to psychosocial issues and barriers to learning affecting learners. In addition, demand for more formal training has arisen from educators in response to training initiatives offered through the institution's Child and Family Centre and the Discipline of Psychology's community engagement initiatives in the education sector.

This qualification will lead to a qualification in psychology which enables holders of this qualification to practice in settings for which they have been trained. The training for this qualification contains core competencies as specified by the Professional Board for Psychology, and will in addition train learners in competencies in specific focal areas such as trauma, risk behaviour, family violence, sexual abuse, Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and reproductive health, learning difficulties and psychological assessment.

Completion of the qualification will involve theoretical and applied modules, in addition to supervised practical experience. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Alternative entry route into the qualification would be assessed case-by- case as per University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy or GR7b.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Social Science, Level 7 (with a major in Psychology),
    Or
  • Bachelor of Arts, Level 7 (with a major in Psychology).
    Or
  • Bachelor of Education, Level 7 (with a major in Psychology).
    And
  • Relevant experience. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at Level 8 totalling 128 Credits:
  • Short Research Report, 32 Credits.
  • Fundamentals of Psychological Assessment, 16 Credits.
  • Community Interventions, 16 Credits.
  • Psychological Counselling Practicum, 32 Credits.
  • Research Methodology Module, 16 Credits.
  • Psychological Counselling, Theory and Practice, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Perform Psychological Assessments on individuals.
    2. Provide psychological intervention strategies for individuals in need.
    3. Collaborate with other professionals in the interest of the client.
    4. Refer clients for specialised interventions.
    5. Design and provide training programmes for educators in counselling.
    6. Carry Out research into related fields. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Psychological Assessment:
    1. Perform psychological screening, primary mental status screening.
    2. Conduct assessment and psychological interventions with individuals aiming at enhancing personal functioning.
    3. Perform psychological assessment at an appropriate level.
    4. Enhance personal functioning; performing supportive, compensatory, and routine psychological interventions.
    5. Identify clients requiring sophisticated or advanced psychological assessment and refer such clients to appropriate professionals.
    6. Assess the developmental needs of learners and youth.
    7. Assess curriculum and career needs and aspirations.
    8. Assess and identify symptoms requiring referral to more advanced practitioners.
    9. Assess the basic functioning of learners and their families.
    10. Report on investigations undertaken.

    Psychological Intervention:
    1. Undertake short-term supportive counselling (with individuals and groups) of youth and children with a variety of difficulties or concerns.
    2. Provide short-term psychological support for individuals and groups.
    3. Design educational interventions for learners, educators, schools and communities.
    4. Undertake primary psychosocial school-based interventions.
    5. Design and implement primary prevention programmes in school settings.
    6. Assist schools with action plans for managing and supporting learners and educators affected by various psychosocial problems.

    Collaboration and Referral:
    1. Work in collaboration with educators and other specialists in the Education field.
    2. Refer individuals and families for specialised intervention.

    Training:
    1. Design, implement and evaluate training programmes in areas such as life skills programmes, career planning, development, mental health promotion.
    2. Provide training in basic psychosocial skills to educators.
    3. Participate in policy formulation based on various aspects of psychological theory and research; participating in the design.
    4. Manage, and evaluate of psychologically-based programmes in the organisations including but not limited to health, education, labour, and correctional services.
    5. Train and supervise other registered counsellors and practitioners.

    Research:
    1. Read and understand a range of research reports.
    2. Design basic research projects using both quantitative and qualitative research methods.
    3. Conduct and report on research projects.
    4. Provide expert evidence and or opinions.
    5. Implement more complex research projects in collaboration with and under the supervision of specialised researchers.

    Policy:
    1. Demonstrate an awareness of the history and current trends in various settings (depending on the area of specialisation) and relevant sectors of the community.
    2. Understand the implications of policy for practice in multi-disciplinary settings.
    3. Implement and evaluate education policies.

    Basic Practice Management:
  • Practice in a manner consistent with the ethical code of professional psychological practitioners.
  • Implement the basic elements of practice management, including record keeping, basic bookkeeping and referral procedures.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Criterion referenced assessment will be largely used to measure mastery of knowledge or skills. Timely, qualitative and quantitative feedback on learner progress will be given. This will inform learners about their performance throughout the qualification. The assessment methods that will be used to assess learning outcomes will be both formative and summative. This includes:
  • Oral Examination.
  • Assignments.
  • Group presentations.
  • Written Examination (50%). 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Life and Counselling Skills, Level 8.
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Life Skills and Counselling. Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Psychology in Counselling, Level 9.
  • Master of Counselling Psychology, Level 9. 
    		•

    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.