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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Social Science in Community and Development Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
110901  Master of Social Science in Community and Development Studies 
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal 
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  People/Human-Centred Development 
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 provides advanced training in the field of Community and Development Studies and includes techniques of research, data analysis and scholarly presentation appropriate to Community and Development Studies. The qualification will enable learners to enhance knowledge and skills to address development challenges, and ultimately to contribute to community development practice in the public or private sector.

Rationale:
This qualification offers learners with critical and cutting-edge analytical skills, that relate to development practice, and with simultaneous analysis and production of knowledge. It enables the learner to embark on academic research on community development policy and practice, and to acquire advanced skills in development intervention. The degree will equip the learner with the knowledge and the skills necessary either for employment in a community and development field or for further independent research toward the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Community and Development Studies, and Social Transformation. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution accepts the principle underlying outcomes-based, source-based and life-long learning, in which considerations of articulation and mobility play a significant role, and subscribes to the view that Recognition of Prior Learning, whether acquired by formal education curricula at this or another institution or informally (by experience) is an indispensable element in deciding on admission to and awarding credits in an explicitly selected teaching-learning qualification of the institution.

A learner who falls outside of the formal qualifications system, but who can demonstrate (through the production of substantial and satisfactory evidence) experiential or work-based learning or a non-formal qualification (or a combination), may be considered for admission and/or for the Recognition of Prior Learning for the achievement of the qualification in part or in full. A learner who after such assessment, is deemed to have sufficient potential, but is in need of further academic development, must be directed to other suitable learning qualifications prior to admission or to parallel qualifications after admission.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • A relevant Bachelor of Arts Honours in a cognate discipline, Level 8.
  • A Bachelor of Social Science, Level 8 in a cognate discipline. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 9 totalling 192 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules,176 Credits:
  • Sustainable Community Development, 16 Credits.
  • Developmental Local Government, 32 Credits.
  • Research Methods, 32 Credits.
  • Short Dissertation: Community Development, 96 Credits.

    Elective Modules, 30 Credits (Choose one):
  • Indigenous Knowledge Systems, 16 Credits.
  • Advanced Community Economic Development, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the theory of community economic development within the framework of the sustainable livelihoods approach.
    2. Undertake independent research on contemporary, cutting edge issues in the development field.
    3. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the ethical, professional and legal responsibilities involved in research and practice of community development. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Demonstrate the development of excellent conceptual and analytical skills in their discussion of community development issues.
  • Debate contemporary discourses and global issues relating to development in the broader context.
  • Apply and interpret global theories realistically and effectively to the local context.
  • Demonstrate critical awareness of how economic policies at national level are influenced by the global power issues and the ideological convictions of the political elites.
  • Interpret and analyse processes and policies pertinent to community development in the context of the politics of knowledge production, including indigenous knowledge production.
  • Apply advanced skills in designing and managing developmental projects while engaging local participation for sustainable development.
  • Design, conduct and evaluate qualifications in the field of sustainable development.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative and Summative Assessment strategies will be used throughout the qualification that would ensure that exit level and cross critical outcomes are met. Formative Assessments will constitute group presentations, written assignments, and term papers. The summative assessment will be the final examination which will comprise of case based scenarios, case studies, short answer questions and/or long essays.
    For all modules except the research module, the class mark constitutes 50% and the examination 50% of the final mark. The class mark is made up of a number of assessments, typically at least one term paper/assignment and one test.

    The Short Dissertation: Community Development will be assessed via appointment of examiners who will give independent marks and the College of Humanities process of adjudication prevails over finalisation of those marks. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Philosophy in Transdisciplinary Health and Development Studies, Level 9.
  • Master of Science in Population Studies, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in the fields of Social Science and Humanities. Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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.