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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Social Science in Clinical Psychology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
111382  Master of Social Science in Clinical Psychology 
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  General Social Science 
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 strives to maintain a balance between:
(1) Equipping students with core competencies required by the Professional Board of Psychology in South Africa.
(2) Promoting indigenous knowledge systems by responding to the local context.

While African Psychology is infused throughout the modules, through the Community Interventions in Professional Psychology module, in particular, learners are exposed to culturally and contextually appropriate evidence-based models of care and mental health promotion and prevention. This qualification exposes students to the mental health challenges that confront South Africa and the urgent need to expand access to psychological services through context-sensitive approaches, as well as the provision of culturally congruent care that is in coterminous with people's belief systems. To meet this aim the qualification exposes learners to clinical psychological assessments, treatments and theories that are informed largely by African research in the field. This is in alignment with the draft mental health policy of South Africa as well as the recent approval of the World Health Organisation's Mental Health Action Plan by the 66th World Health Assembly.

Rationale
The rationale for the qualification is the need to train Clinical Psychologists. Professional Clinical Psychologists provide psychological services that include assessment, diagnosis and psychological interventions. The scope of practice and target population varies according to the registration category of the professional and is regulated by the Professional Board of Psychology under the auspices of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The qualification meets the demand for skills in Clinical Psychology in South Africa. In addition, the qualification is also focused on meeting the needs for training in clinical psychology on the African continent. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning:
The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be dealt with through the institution's policy on the subject, which if formulated in terms of the Institution's General Rule GR7a) and b), which makes provision for the evidence-based recognition of prior knowledge.

Learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements may be admitted to the qualification through RPL. Credit towards the qualification may also be awarded through RPL.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement is:
  • A Bachelor of Science Honours in Mathematical Science or Physical Sciences.
    Or
  • Computational Sciences.
    Or
  • Psychology, Level 8.
    Or
  • Equivalent Level 8 qualification. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at Level 9 totalling 208 Credits:
  • Short Dissertation: Clinical Psychology Level 9, 96 Credits.
  • Psychological Interventions: African and Global, Level 9, 16 Credits.
  • Theory and Practice of Clinical Psychology, Level 9, 32 Credits.
  • Psychology of Personality and Abnormal Behaviour, Level 9, 16 Credits.
  • Assessment in Psychological Practice, Level 9, 16 Credits.
  • Community Interventions in Professional Psychology, Level 9, 16 Credits.
  • Research Methods in Psychology, Level 9, 16 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    At the end of this Degree, students will have:
    1. Conduct professional clinical interviews and clinical assessments while demonstrating the ability for independent practice.
    2. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills in report writing and case formulation.
    3. Critique, evidence-based therapeutic interventions related to Clinical Psychology (particularly interventions for psychiatric disorders in a hospital setting).
    4 Provide task shifted interventions at the primary health care and community levels of care (development of contextually and culturally appropriate evidence-based manualised psychosocial and mental health promotion/ prevention interventions that can be delivered by general Health Care Workers (HCWs) and Lay Counsellors.
    5. Train, supervise and support general Personal Healthcare Workers (HCWs) and Lay Counsellors.
    6. Conduct psychological assessments and diagnosis independently.
    7. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of theories related to psychopathology, culturally sensitive interventions, assessment, and mental health promotion. Preventative approaches, developmental psychopathology, ethics and psychopharmacology, reflecting critically on theory and application across a range of contexts.
    8. Complete a research project. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge in psychopathology and personality theory.
  • Demonstrate advance skills in psychological assessment.
  • Carry out competency in community based interventions and theory.
  • Carry out and complete a research project.
  • Apply psychological methods.
  • Apply advanced clinical skills.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The learning outcomes of each module are assessed in an integrated way through:
    1. Clinical supervision: Supervision integrates the assessment and evaluation of interviewing skills, report writing, diagnostic skills, and clinical psychometric assessment skills.
    2. Case study: The case study integrates assessment of diagnostic skills, psychometric assessment skills, knowledge of psychopathology/psychiatric disorders and research skills.
    3. Case presentation: Case presentations assess diagnostic skills, knowledge of therapeutic interventions and presentation skills.
    4. Oral exam: The oral exam assesses diagnostic skills, psychometric assessment skills, knowledge of psychopathology/psychiatric disorders, psychopharmacology, formulation skills and knowledge of community interventions. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Social Science in Counselling Psychology, Level 9.
  • Master of Social Science in Educational Psychology, Level 9.

    Vertical articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology, 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.