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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Occupational Therapy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
117134  Master of Occupational Therapy 
ORIGINATOR
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University 
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 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The primary purpose of the qualification is to provide learners with:
  • Specialised knowledge and applied competence in a specific field of occupational therapy that provides opportunities for continued personal and intellectual growth, gainful economic activity, rewarding contributions to society.
  • Opportunities for taking up leadership roles in the profession.
  • An opportunity to plan and execute a suitable quantitative and qualitative research topic scientifically and ethically, by using suitable research methods, techniques and procedures.

    The learner also learns to compose a research report on it in the form of a mini-dissertation or dissertation, in chapter or article format.

    Rationale:
    The qualification is an academic qualification which develops advanced and specialised professional knowledge with an emphasis on research. The qualification fulfils the requirements of the HPCSA with regards to Continuous Professional Development. Learners study the qualification to open up opportunities for professional advancement, career path development and research skills in various areas in occupational therapy.

    The qualification creates an opportunity for career development in the field of occupational therapy education and project management. The qualification promotes evidence-based practice and advances scholarship in occupational therapy practice, to the benefit of the South African population. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    This qualification recognises, through the submission of Portfolios of Evidence, the formal/non-formal prior learning which learners who register for the modules leading to the award of the qualification, bring to the learning situation. Prior learning assumed to be in place includes research and critical thinking skills; and qualification in occupational therapy at Level 8. Learners must have at least a relevant four-year qualification or an Honours qualification or have received status from the Senate according to the rules and regulations regarding such Admission.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, NQF Level 8.
    And
  • Registration as an occupational therapist with the HPCSA. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules at Level 9,180 Credits:
  • OCTH801, 120 Credits.
  • OCTH802, 60 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
  • Grasp advanced theories in the fields of Occupational Therapy.
  • Identify, analyse and solve problems in the field of Occupational Therapy to make a decision using critical and creative thinking.
  • Collect, analyse and organise information in a meaningful and effective way.
  • Apply knowledge and competence to identify, analyse and evaluate complicated problems in Occupational Therapy.
  • Develop solutions systematically and creatively in an ethical way.
  • Make a theoretically grounded conclusion by using the acquired data and information.
  • Communicate results and conclusions to specialist and non-specialist audiences, orally or in writing by using the relevant IT. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria will assess the Exit Level Outcomes in an integrated manner.
  • Display the ability to apply advanced knowledge of Occupational Therapy Theories in practice.
  • Solve problems using exploring and critically evaluating different situations.
  • Apply critical and creative thinking in generating alternative strategies for dealing with problems.
  • Solve problems using exploring and critically evaluating different situations. Apply critical and creative thinking in generating alternative strategies for dealing with problems.
  • Compile portfolios to relate learning gained from individual experience to knowledge encountered in an academic environment and vice versa.
  • Approach the complex problems in an open-minded and innovatively scientific manner.
  • Demonstrate highly specialised scholastic or technical and advanced research skills across a major discipline.
  • Report on research findings as it relates to academic and clinical practise.
  • Relate learning from experience and academic context to different contexts using present and future scenarios.
  • Conduct seminars to communicate learning from experience and academic contexts to peers.
  • Create appropriate responses to resolve contextual and abstract problems.

    Integrated Assessment:
  • Occupational Therapy Masters by (Dissertation/Thesis - 180 Credits): Completion of the qualification relies exclusively on examination of the written dissertation. The dissertation is examined based on whether a learner has managed to achieve the learning outcomes. The examiner uses a generic rubric to examine all MSc qualifications.
  • Occupational Therapy Masters by Coursework - (180 Credits).
    > Occupational Therapy (Examination Subject; 60 Credits): oral and written examinations (formative and summative evaluations used.
    > Occupational Therapy (mini-dissertation; 120 Credits): Progress reports, completed dissertation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The World Federation of Occupational Therapy has approved that organisation's minimum standards and listed with other similarly accredited international qualifications. Under this approval, the qualification gains international recognition. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Arts in Occupational Social Work, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Occupational Therapy in Neurology, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Occupational Therapy, NQF 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. Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University 


    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.