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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Environmental Health 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111124  Doctor of Environmental Health 
ORIGINATOR
Durban University of Technology 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Doctoral 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  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 10  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Reregistered  EXCO 0821/24  2019-08-16  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 the Doctor of Environmental Health qualification is to promote the career advancement of learners in the field of Environmental Health by enabling learners to conduct independent, novel research within a specific discipline or in a multidisciplinary manner in Environmental Health.

Rationale:
The Doctor of Environmental Health provides learners with an opportunity to conduct independent original research through scientific discourse and independent investigation contributing to the development of the field of Environmental Health. The outcome of this doctoral qualification is a comprehensive and systematic grasp of an in-depth body of knowledge in the field of Environmental Health with the development of specialist expert knowledge in this field thereby supporting evidence based professional practice at the forefront of this field. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Access to the Doctor of Environmental Health will be possible through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). RPL applications are received by the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) and assessed by both the Department of Information and Corporate Management and the Department of Community Health Studies. The learner's submission and comprehensive portfolio will be assessed against the relevant Exit Level Outcomes of a NQF Level 9 qualification. Due to the dissertation requirement for successful completion of this qualification, no credits or credit exemptions will be awarded to RPL applicants.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Master of Medicine in Public Health Medicine, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 10 totalling 360 Credits.

    Compulsory Module:
  • Research Thesis, 360 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the field of Environmental Health and a mastery of the skills and methods of research associated with the field of Environmental Health.
    2. Conceive, design, implement and disseminate a substantial process of research with scholarly integrity.
    3. Contribute original research that extends the frontier of knowledge in an area of Environmental Health, some of which merits dissemination through various routes including national or international refereed publication. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Conceptualise a new research idea, and create new knowledge or modify practice in Environmental Health.
  • Apply expert understanding of the content of the chosen topic of study, with understanding of the context, i.e. of the world as a set of related systems.
  • Work independently to select, apply, evaluate and/or develop the most appropriate approach to the solution of a problem.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Identify and formulate a research problem.
  • Perform a critical and relevant literature survey.
  • Execute, critically review and iterate research using appropriate methodologies and techniques.
  • Assess the significance of research findings, making the case for original contribution and placing the work in the context of the discipline and wider issues where relevant.
  • Produce the thesis or compilation of publishable work in acceptable structure, style and language.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Justify the research results.
  • Submit a thesis reporting the findings of the research.
  • Publish the findings of the research.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The candidate may choose one of two options for assessment:
    Through a thesis, in which the learner is expected to present integrated research findings, interpreted and linked to the existing literature but with a level of novelty, across the entire area of investigation.
    Or
    Learners may submit a thesis containing 3 or more published outstanding original peer-reviewed articles based on the research project as per the institution's policy for submission of Doctor of Philosophy by publication.

    Both these routes of assessment will be conducted in accordance with the institution's assessment policies, procedures and rules. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Similar qualifications internationally include:
    1. Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Boston University, United States of America (USA).
    2. Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Environmental Health, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, USA.
    3. Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) in Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Manchester, United Kingdom (UK).

    The above qualifications were chosen as they were closely aligned in terms of field of study, exit level and assessment outcomes and qualification type. Best practices from the above qualifications are reflected in the purpose and outcomes of the qualification, to work synergistically within diverse fields of inquiry within the realm of Environmental Health to make significant contributions to knowledge in increasingly complex health prevention and health care environment. Best practice is also reflected in similar admission and assessment criteria. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health, Level 10.
  • Doctor of Public Health, 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. Durban University of Technology 


    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.