SAQA

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.

SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Master of Science in Dietetics

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
117737	Master of Science in Dietetics
ORIGINATOR
North West 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 Master of Science in Dietetics [MSc (Dietetics)] aims to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level in the field of Dietetics. Successful completion of the qualification will equip the learners with specialist knowledge to apply the principles of human dietetic sciences, including factors influencing food patterns, dietetic status and epidemiology.

The qualification will require the learner to apply scientific information to develop policies and programmes, public health strategies, dietary recommendations and guidelines as well as government and international reports. This qualification may be either obtained through the research Master's Degree by dissertation or structured by coursework and dissertation.

Rationale:
The qualifying learners will expand the leadership in South Africa in the field of Dietetics, for innovative, knowledge-based economical scholastic and social activity. Due to the legacy of acute inequity in health science in the country, this qualification aims to address these inequities.

The qualification will enable its qualifying learners to be members of the leaders in their field, having mastered specialist disciplines, in the field of Dietetics related problems in the country. The dietetic researcher must identify research areas based on scientific literature and public health needs, develop hypotheses, design protocols to test hypotheses, execute research with appropriate methods, analyse and interpret results, and communicate results to fellow scientists, practitioners, and the target population through appropriate channels. The qualifying learner of the MSc (Dietetics) will have applicable competencies to continue with doctoral studies on NQF Level 10.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution may, utilising the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) following the university's Teaching, Learning and Assessment Policy, grant a learner who does not meet the minimum admission requirements admission to the qualification.

In cases where the learner opted for the coursework variant, advanced standing may be granted by exempting the learner from the recognised modules required for the completion of the qualification. Only proven informal or non-formal learning may be taken into consideration using RPL, the process of equivalence setting between such learning and formal modules must be documented, and its outcome must be recorded on the official learner record. Where a learner was granted an exemption for one or more modules as a consequence of RPL, the remaining HEMIS credits required for the qualification must be obtained by completing the relevant programme. The maximum portion of a qualification from which a learner may be exempted using RPL is fifty per cent of the credits of the full qualification.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

A relevant Bachelor Honours Degree, Level 8.
Or

A relevant Postgraduate Diploma at level 8 in the field of Dietetics or equivalent.
Or

Bachelor of Science in Dietetics, Level 8.

The final decision of whether the learner will be admitted to the research or structured qualification in Dietetics lies with the postgraduate selection committee.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification consists of the following compulsory and electives modules at NQF Level 9 totalling 192 Credits.

Structured by Coursework route:
Compulsory modules, Level 9, 160 Credits:

Dissertation: Dietetics, 96 Credits.

Nutrition support of the paediatric patient, 32 Credits.

Nutrition support in critical care, 32 Credits.

Elective modules, Level 9, 32 Credits (Select/choose one of the following modules):

Evidence-based data interpretation, 32 Credits.

Nutritional Epidemiology, 32 Credits.

Public Health Nutrition, 32 Credits.

Molecular Nutrition, 32 Credits.

Sport Nutrition, 32 Credits.
Or
Dissertation route:
Compulsory Module, Level 9:

Dissertation, 180 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Demonstrate specialist knowledge and skills to identify a relevant research problem within the field of Dietetics.
2. Plan and execute a suitable quantitative and/or qualitative research topic scientifically and ethically, using suitable research methods, techniques and procedures; to interpret the research findings in a scientifically accountable way.
3. Compose a research report on it in the form of a dissertation or article format.
4. Demonstrate critical knowledge and understanding of the ethical and legal considerations applicable to research and the consequences of interventions on individual, group and community level.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Generate integrate and apply specialist knowledge and high levels of theoretical understanding in a complex and specialised area within the field of dietetics and/or across specialised or applied areas.

Make an original contribution to the knowledge society in Dietetics.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Apply and develop intellectual independence and advanced research skills, sophisticated knowledge and research methodologies to the solution of complex, unfamiliar problems in the field of dietetics.

Conduct the research ethically by applying a suitable methodology.

Formulate research findings.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Generate, synthesise and evaluate information and concepts at highly abstract levels and make sound evaluations based on independently generated criteria.

Show mastery of the literature by producing original insights into new and complex ideas, information and issues in a specific area of Dietetics.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Produce an acceptable dissertation/mini-dissertation or other forms of research.

Successfully defend the dissertation/mini-dissertation.

Integrated Assessment
Master's Degree by coursework and mini-dissertation:
Calculation of the final mark: 50% modules where a pass mark of 50% per module will be required; and 50% research. The coursework part will make use of continuous formative assessment aimed at determining the learner's progress towards attaining the stipulated outcomes of the different modules and is followed by a summative assessment in the format of a 3 and more hour written examination. The learner's ability to use and apply specific methodological skills is furthermore evaluated in his/her critical review of current literature in the subject area. The supervisor assesses continuously while the research is being executed and the dissertation is being written. At least two examiners of which one is external, all experts in the field of specialisation, finally examine the dissertation. This variant of the MSc (Dietetics) includes in a research project comprising a minimum of 50% of the total credits, culminating in the acceptance of a dissertation or other forms of research.

Master's Degree by dissertation:
Learners must submit an advanced research project, culminating in the production and acceptance of a dissertation or other forms of research. "Dissertation" is a written piece compiled for examination purposes, including one published research article or a couple of published research articles or unpublished manuscript(s) in article or chapter format, following the requirements for documentation, argumentation, language and style, in which a learner must provide proof that he/she is confident with the research methodology and that is presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the prescribed outcomes for a Master's Degree at the institution.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The Monash University in Australia offers the Master of Dietetics. This qualification is designed to provide academically challenging postgraduate education for qualifying learners who wish to pursue a career in human nutrition and dietetics. The qualification will provide learners with the opportunity to extend their knowledge and critical skills in human nutrition and to apply such methods and techniques in solving nutritional problems.

The University of Kansas in the United States offers the Master of Science in Dietetics and Nutrition. This two-year postgraduate qualification consists of coursework and a thesis and is aimed at professionals who wish to either specialise in the food sector or redirect their careers towards dietetics and nutrition counselling.

Both the Monash University and the University of Kansas Master's Degrees are comparable to the MSc (Dietetics) as they are similar in level, purpose, structure and scope.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

Horizontal Articulation:

Master of Business Administration, NQF Level 9.

Master of Health Sciences, NQF Level 9.

Vertical Articulation:

Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences, 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.	North West University