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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Education in Sociology of Education 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
115404  Master of Education in Sociology of Education 
ORIGINATOR
University of Venda 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 05 - Education, Training and Development  Higher Education and Training 
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  2019-12-17  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 Master of Education in Sociology of Education intends to enhance learners for research-based Postgraduate studies in Sociology of Education. It serves to consolidate and deepen a learner's knowledge of Sociology of Education through scholarly engagement and to develop research capacity in its methodology and techniques of Sociology of Education. This qualification demands learners to develop a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence in research with the support of qualified academic staff.
The primary purpose of the qualification is to prepare researchers who contribute to the development of knowledge in the field of Sociology of Education, including knowledge about the professional practice at an advanced level. The qualification comprises of a research component attained after conducting and completing research, culminating in the production and acceptance of a dissertation for submission to be examined.

Learners of this qualification should be able to deal with a complex social issue in education systematically and creatively using specialist sociological knowledge and research skills. They should make sound judgements, using the research data and other information at their disposal to communicate their conclusions to specialist and non-specialist audiences. At this level, the learners should also demonstrate self-direction and originality in analysing and solving research problems and come up with original research findings that move knowledge boundaries in the sociology of education.

Rationale:
Currently, South Africa and the Southern African region needs highly qualified and professionally trained educators in both the primary and higher education sectors. The qualification provides an opportunity for learners to develop research knowledge capacity and skills in the sociology of education. Learners will also investigate and apply a variety of socio-cultural and socio-economic's influence education in terms of access and outcomes.

The qualification serves to consolidate and deepen learners' knowledge in the field of Sociology of Education and to develop research capacity in its methodology and techniques in preparation for the Doctoral Degree. The qualification involves conducting and reporting on research under the supervision of qualified academics.

Qualifying learners may enrol in Doctoral qualifications, to further contribute to the research capacity in higher education, and also respond to societal needs in the field of education. With the Master of Education in Sociology of Education qualification, learners will also contribute to society as researchers, educators, educational analysts, educational sociologists and school managers. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
In line with institution policy, RPL for access or credits extends to deserving, experienced learners.
The learners must demonstrate concrete evidence in the form of a portfolio. The institution registry will verify the evidence of prior learning provided by the learners.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Education Honours, NQF Level 8.
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Sociology, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of one compulsory module at Level 9, totalling 180 Credits.

    Compulsory Module, 180 Credits:
  • Dissertation, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Write a research proposal.
    2. Collect and analyse data (Fieldwork).
    3. Report or document research. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Define the topic of the research project concisely.
  • Address a contextual research problem that fills the knowledge gap in the field innovatively and creatively.
  • Define the research problem and knowledge gap clearly, as significant or important enough to warrant the research.
  • Explain rationale, the relevance of issues, effects on policy and practice and significance.
  • Interpret relevant, up-to-date, cited literature correctly and cite and list all key publications.
  • Explicate significant debates in the field and research niche.
  • Ensure coherence between the elements of the proposal problem statement, aim, objectives, hypothesis (if any), conceptual framework and methodology.
  • Ensure feasibility of the research project.
  • Develop a realistic work plan and budget.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Plan and execute a research project.
  • Research project management.
  • Gather and analyse data.
  • Evidence of measures to ensure scientific accountability such as objectivity, validity and reliability.
  • Deal with contingencies.
  • Present and interpret results.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Write scientifically.
  • Interpret results in the context of existing knowledge and demonstrate reasoning capacity.
  • Demonstrate exceptional qualities in presentation -orally, visually and in terms of text (written report).
  • Articles accepted for publication by scientific journals.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The institution views assessment as an integral part of teaching and learning. The institution designs assessment in a way that it improves the quality of teaching and learning and to provide just and accurate analysis of learners' achievements. Assessment criteria for the qualification include the following:

    Formative Assessment:
    There will be a formative assessment at the stage of research proposal writing and submission of the proposal, ethics application and approval, developing research chapters on the approved proposal, instrumentation and data collection, verbal and written presentation of the thesis or logical argument.

    The Senate appoints internal Postgraduate examiners on the recommendation of the School Board of Studies. An internal moderator is usually a member of the academic staff drawn from the same department of the school, or another Department or School. The council on the recommendation of the relevant School Board of Studies through the Senate appoints the external examiners of Postgraduate learners. An external moderator is drawn from another institution or an appropriate professional organisation and is competent in the area of study with a relevant qualification, at least at the same level as the qualification under examination. A former member of staff shall not qualify to be an external moderator within three years of terminating service at the institution and external examiners are changed regularly. One may not be an external examiner for three consecutive years. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The design of the qualification followed the specifications for Master's qualification and in line with international best practice to ensure that the learners' supervision by Doctor of Education holders only. Learners have to defend their project proposal before a committee, and two external examiners examine the thesis. The design of the qualification follows international practice for Master's qualification by research. Examples of international qualifications that are comparable to the Master's qualification in the sociology of education or educational sociology include those that relate to sociology such as that offered at the following universities:
  • The University of Melbourne in Australia, which requires research methods, research design, a rigorous understanding of and an examination of broader theories, processes and policies related to the topic of study in the sociology of education.
  • The University of Bristol, in the UK's research curriculum, focuses theoretical underpinnings, as well as the study of the theory, history, and practice of policies related to the topic of study.
    The theoretical studies modules come before the research studies.

    Sydney University in Australia also offers a similar qualification in educational psychology. The institution has some practical application element which learners carry out case studies and write reports in order to qualify for the comprehensive fieldwork research. Areas that are related to the sociology of education include human rights, civil rights education, gender and inequalities in education.

    Southern African Universities such as Great Zimbabwe, University of Zimbabwe and Midlands State University offer a similar qualification. The qualification is within the Educational Foundations departments. However, there is a coursework component which is done in the first part of the decree before the learners go for research. One has to pass coursework first to qualify for the research component. In all the cases, the research component is compulsory for Masters, just as in this proposed qualification. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Education, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Education in Sociology of Education, 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. University of Venda 


    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.