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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Social Science in Clinical Psychology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111011  Master of Social Science in Clinical Psychology 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Free State 
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  Preventive Health 
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 replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
15918  Master of Social Science in Clinical Psychology  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  240  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the qualification is to enable learners to apply educational knowledge, skills, principles and methods to function independently as professional psychologists in a variety of contexts ranging from private practice to employment in the private and public sectors and adhere to and comply with the professional guidelines laid down by the Professional Board of Psychology for professional practice.

More specifically this entails:
  • Providing an opportunity for learners to gain in-depth knowledge in a chosen area of clinical psychology.
  • Enabling learners to weigh the significance of various ideas and points of view and synthesise these views to provide a critical and significant insight into the challenges and recommended solutions in the field.
  • Providing an opportunity for social science learners to apply the Ontology, Epistemology and Methodology of social research in order to create insight into a specific field of study.
  • Delivering learners who are able to use their knowledge, theoretical understanding and research skills in order to improve society.
  • Enabling learners to be able to apply knowledge, skills, principles and methods to identify and analyse the needs and causes of problems relating to individuals, groups and societies.
  • Providing learners with the opportunity to explore values (their own included).

    Rationale:
    The institution believes that Social Science (as part of a Faculty of Humanities), rests on the promise that humans comprise a community and this community should be jointly shared and managed for the common good. A healthy democracy (a fundamental cornerstone of the common good) demands citizens who are informed, interested in the welfare of individuals and society and who are committed to the realisation of the common good. An understanding that a better world is possible is crucial to the long term well-being of individuals and society.

    This qualification emphasises:
  • The need to manage society for the common good.
  • The need to build a healthy democracy and belief that the world can be a better place.
  • The cultivation of knowledge that explores the history and reality of power imbalances and that fosters the understanding that exclusion compromises the common good.
  • The appreciation of various view of reality (including views of what the common good, identity and community is) and that these views and concepts are socially constructed and, therefore, contestable.
  • That in-depth understanding of individuals and society stems from honest, rigorous, scientific analysis that presumes that the identification and resolution of social challenges (threats to the common good) should be based on balanced, in-depth scientifically grounded considerations.

    The qualification will be able to deliver the above-mentioned aims. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Where learners do not meet the minimum admission requirements, RPL may be used to grant access to the qualification. RPL will be applied according to the Recognition of Prior Learning, Credit Accumulation and Transfer, and Assessment policy. This will relate to both access to the qualification as well as for credit recognition or exemption towards achieving the qualification.
    The institution will ensure that quality assurance processes that address the specificities of the RPL process (including applications, assessment, and reporting and management systems) are implemented; and that administrative and support systems, both prior and subsequent to RPL assessment, are in place.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Psychology, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 9 totalling 240 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules, Level 9, 240 Credits:
  • Clinical Psychology Internship, 0 Credits.
  • Clinical Psychology, 120 Credits.
  • Mini dissertation, 120 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Integrate specialist knowledge within the field of clinical psychology.
    2. Carefully design an appropriate treatment plan, including relevant therapeutic techniques, that is prescribed within the scope of clinical psychology.
    3. Conceptualise a client case, determine the current challenges and creatively design problem-solving skills within the scope of clinical psychology using formal client portfolios.
    4. Show ethical awareness in client cases, address the identified issues effectively and contribute to the development of ethical standards within the field of clinical psychology.
    5. Use resources and communicate ideas and findings.
    6. Make effective and relevant therapeutic interventions on child, adolescent and adult level.
    7. Show insight and respect for the systems related to these interventions.
    8. Develop own learning strategies which sustain independent learning and academic and professional development. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria For Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Critique current research or practice.
  • Integrate different sources of specialist knowledge within the field of clinical psychology and choose appropriate literature to inform treatment plans.
  • Conduct a comprehensive review of leading and current research in the field of clinical psychology.
  • Operate independently, take responsibility, initiate processes and implement systems through own client case work, research dissertation and accountability.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative assessment assignments, class tests, essays, reflective reports, supervision practices progress reports, case studies and class activities. Summative Assessment tests and examination papers, portfolios, oral exams. Research mini-dissertation during the internship progress is assessed by the internship organisations through supervision, case presentations, and academic discussions. The assessment takes place though clinical case supervision, formal client portfolios, orals and written assignments. Accessing, processing and managing information. 
    		•

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Science in Community Health, National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, NQF 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.