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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Bachelor of Arts Honours in Penology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
114877  Bachelor of Arts Honours in Penology 
ORIGINATOR
University of Zululand 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Honours Degree  Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security  Justice in Society 
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
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 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 Bachelor of Arts Honours in Penology is to provide qualifying learners with systematic knowledge, specialised skills, theoretical and practical competence focusing on penology within a correctional services environment and in a wider interdisciplinary framework of the criminal justice system.

The qualification will also give learners in-depth knowledge and the confidence to identify and address complex problems and to apply their skills in finding solutions to those problems, especially within a correctional and rehabilitative criminal justice setting. Also, the qualification will equip learners with the necessary practical skills to address specific problems or challenges in a correctional and penological setting.

Rationale:
To provide learners with an in-depth knowledge of the field of penology and correctional management and all issues related to this discipline and typical learners come from rural settings that have a aery good chance to be employed in the Department of Justice and Correctional Services, which include rural prisons and correctional centres spread all over South Africa. Rehabilitated youth can also be employed in Law Enforcement Environment or government departments.

The learning pathway is in a field of safety and security and this qualification enables the learners to enhance their careers or studies in any other related field like prison services, police, courts, private security, military and crime related law enforcement. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Policy and Procedures document sets out the requirements and procedures for the Recognition of Prior Learning for the purpose of admission to university study. Prior learning will be recognised in the form of properly certified qualifications that are acceptable to the Senate for recognition for admission. Appropriate professional qualifications, as well as a body of practical experience, substantiated through a portfolio providing documentary evidence in support of the specific RPL application may also be considered.

Learners are admitted in terms of the rules governing selection for Postgraduate studies which states that: "An applicant who has graduated from another tertiary institution or who has in any other manner attained a level of competence which, in the opinion of the Senate, is adequate for the purpose of Postgraduate studies or research, may be admitted as a learner of the institution. Learners will have to use the institution's procedure, which are approved at various university levels". Assessment of all learners must be endorsed by the relevant body for approval prior to registration.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelors' Degrees at NQF Level 7 in Safety and Security related environment. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at Level 8 totalling 120 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules Level 8: 80.
  • Fundamental Penology, 20 Credits.
  • Research Methodology, 20 Credits.
  • Research Project, 40 Credits.

    Elective Modules, Level 8: 40 Credits (Choose/select any two modules).
  • Penitentiary Penology, 20 Credits.
  • Judicial Penology, 20 Credits.
  • Community-based Penology, 20 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Design and conduct research in his or her area of specialisation Qualitative and quantitative data within the area of Penology are understood and applied.
    2. Articulate an understanding of the area of Penology at a high level of abstraction.
    3. Produce theoretical and research communications that draw on a range of dissemination of information. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level 1:
  • Understand and apply qualitative and quantitative data within the area of Penology.
  • Find information of professional relevance efficiently and independently.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of research study under supervision.
  • Design and conduct research utilising the methods of the discipline.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level 2:
  • Apply discipline-based knowledge and practices to an understanding of conceptual and practical problems.
  • Apply theory and research methods of the discipline to the development of research questions.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level 3:
  • Show an advanced understanding of the principles and practices underlying penological issues is shown.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the relevant legislation related to penology.
  • Demonstrate a sound understanding of the role and functions of the correctional officials in a penological environment.
  • Write a meaningful article on penological issues. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Bachelor of Arts in Penology is comparable to similar international Degrees offered by institutions like the:
  • University of Ottawa (Canada).
  • University of Pennsylvania (USA).
  • University of Florida (USA).

    All the above-mentioned universities, like ourselves, focus on the scientific analysis of crime, on justice and societal control. These emphases take place within a policing, criminal justice and / or law enforcement context or setting. All these mentioned universities also have an interdisciplinary focus in their programmes although our emphasis is more applicable to our rural environment and to the safety and security environments in which we operate and in which our students will function. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Appropriate Honours Degree, Level 8.
  • Appropriate Postgraduate Degree, Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Cognate Master's Degree, 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.
     
    1. University of Zululand 


    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.