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 Social Work in School Social Work 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
123587  Master of Social Work in School Social Work 
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  Rehabilitative Health/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
Registered  EXCO 0729/25  2025-02-04  2028-02-04 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2029-02-04   2032-02-04  

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 Master of Social Work in School Social Work is to educate and train qualified social workers to contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level in the field of school social work. The MSW (School Social Work) is a coursework qualification requiring a high level of theoretical as well as practical engagement.

The qualification will equip graduates to intervene in addressing the psychosocial challenges confronting learners and offer learner support in the school-level education system. The qualification will further equip qualified social workers employed by the Department of Basic Education, Department of Social Development, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), as well as school governing bodies (SGBs) in schools with expert knowledge and skills to work in the general education system as host setting.

The qualification will allow working professionals to reflect on their own practice and draw on their experience to enrich their learning. Finally, the qualification will allow post-grad learners the opportunity to develop and execute a research project, subject to scientific and ethical review, to demonstrate basic research skills and to contribute to the scientific literature on school social work.

Upon completion of the qualification, qualifying learners will be able to:
  • Demonstrate specialist knowledge in the context of school social work, advanced level assessments and interventions focusing on learners as well as applied professional practices to enable engagement with and critique of current research or practices, as well as advanced research in school social work.
  • Demonstrate the ability to evaluate current knowledge production processes and choose an appropriate enquiry process to execute thorough psychosocial assessments of school-going children.
  • Demonstrate the ability to design, select and apply appropriate methods and techniques to complex school social work problems.
  • Demonstrate the ability to design and implement a strategy for the processing and managing of information to conduct a comprehensive review of leading and current research in school social work to address psychosocial challenges.

    Rationale:
    Globally, the need for school social work is increasing, International Network for School Social Work. The need for school social work services in South Africa has been confirmed by various researchers.

    The need for school social work as a speciality was established by the South African Council for Social Service Professions in 2009 and recommended during the Indaba on Specialisation in 2010. The draft regulations for the specialisation area were published in the Government Gazette on 2 February 2020. Consequently, very few universities in the South have yielded to the call to train school social workers to address this need.

    The Institution's proposed Master of Social Work (MSW) will be the third master's qualification in this field in South Africa with the competitive advantage of being a full distance learning qualification. Since most learners enrolling for an MSW are adult learners and full-time workers, the distance offering is considered.

    Against this background, the proposed qualification is responsive to both market needs, as well as the internal aim of enhancing academic knowledge in a specialised subject field. The prevailing challenges in schools across the country are psychosocial in nature and, as indicated by various research including the above-mentioned researchers, the need for this qualification cannot be sufficiently emphasised. The current situation is the -deployment' of social auxiliary workers as well as assigned social workers to handle cases referred from the schools. With qualified social workers specialising in school social work, permanent appointments in schools will ensure regular and prompt service and support to schools. The growth of social workers employed in the school system will ensure the sustainability of the MSW qualification, with increasing numbers of social workers being appointed nationally.

    The Department of Basic Education's Strategy on Psychosocial Support to Learners and Educators (2016) highlighted psychosocial barriers as a challenge to learners, and social workers were indicated as key role players in this regard. The graduates of the MSW qualification will be equipped to intervene in addressing the psychosocial challenges confronting learners and offer learner support in the school-level education system. Teachers must deal with many complicated social and developmental challenges experienced by learners. Most of these challenges, however, fall within the field of school social work practice. School social workers typically promote and advocate social justice and human rights for learners. Also, the promotion of social change and development, social cohesion as well as the empowerment of individuals, families, groups and communities. Education forms the foundation of human and socio-economic development and is considered influential in the well-being of a society. Many developmental and social challenges exist within the South African context. These influence social contexts and well-being, especially of children in society. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    RPL for access:

    RPL will be applied according to the Institution's academic rules, as follows:
  • Admission and advanced standing on grounds of RPL
  • An executive dean may, by means of the RPL in accordance with the university's rules, grant a learner who does not meet the minimum admission requirements admission to a qualification, or grant advanced standing to a learner by exempting the learner from the recognised modules required for the completion of a particular qualification.
  • Only proven informal or non-formal learning may be taken into consideration by means of 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 because of RPL, the remaining HEMIS credits required for the qualification must be obtained by completing the relevant qualification.
  • The maximum portion of a qualification from which a learner may be exempted by means of RPL is fifty percent of the credits of the full qualification.
  • Not more than 10% of a cohort of learners with an academic qualification can be admitted through an RPL process.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Social Work, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

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

    Compulsory Modules, Level 9 totalling 180 Credits:
  • Legal framework, policies and context of school social work, 20 Credits.
  • Assessment of the learner, 20 Credits.
  • Interventions in school social work, 20 Credits.
  • Applied professional practice, 30 Credits.
  • Research and mini dissertation, 90 Credits. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Exit Level Outcomes
    1. Demonstrate specialist knowledge in the context of school social work, advanced level assessments and interventions focusing on learners as well as applied professional practices to enable engagement with and critique of current research or practices, as well as advanced research in school social work.
    2. Evaluate current knowledge production processes and choose an appropriate enquiry process to execute thorough psychosocial assessments of school-going children.
    3. Design, select and apply appropriate methods and techniques to complex school social work problems.
    4. Demonstrate the ability to make autonomous ethical decisions that affect knowledge production or complex organisational or professional issues, and the ability to critically contribute to developing ethical standards in a specific context.
    5. Design and implement a strategy for the processing and managing of information to conduct a comprehensive review of leading and current research in school social work to address psychosocial challenges.
    6. Communicate and substantiate ideas relating to school social work to various audiences with different knowledge or expertise.
    7. Demonstrate the ability to make interventions at an appropriate level based on an understanding of hierarchical relations, legal framework and policies within the school system.
    8. Operate ethically, independently and as part of a team.
    9. Demonstrate the ability to take full responsibility for his or her own academic and professional work and development.

    Associated Assessment Criteria
    The following Associated Assessment Criteria are assessed in an integrated manner across all the Exit Level Outcomes:
  • Accurately critique current knowledge production processes.
  • Select the most appropriate enquiry process to execute thorough psychosocial assessments of learners.
  • Design and implement an appropriate intervention plan to address complex problems within the field of school social work.
  • Recognise and identify ethical decisions that affect knowledge production, complex organisational and professional issues
  • Propose and generate ethical standards appropriate for a specific context.
  • Master and demonstrate the ability to identify and rate current, relevant and leading research in school social work.
  • Debate ideas about school social work with various audiences with different levels of knowledge or expertise.
  • Identify and appraise hierarchical relations, legal frameworks, policies and context within the school system, which allows for implementing interventions at appropriate levels.
  • Critically discuss the scope of practice within the multidisciplinary team, focusing on ethical standards.
  • Accept full responsibility for academic performance and development. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Country: United States of America
    Institution name: University of Illinois
    Qualification title: Master of Social Work
    Duration: Eighteen months

    Entry requirements:
  • Baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in
    the United States or from a recognized institution of higher learning
    abroad

    Purpose/Rationale
    The Master of Social Work qualification is designed to prepare advanced social work practitioners for working with diverse individuals and families across the lifespan.
    The master's degree provides specialized study for advanced social work practice. Learners take foundation and advanced courses in social work practice methods with individuals, families and organizations, in policy and services, in research, and in human behaviour and the social environment.

    Exit outcomes:
  • Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behaviour.
  • Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice.
  • Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and Environmental
    Justice.
  • Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed
    Practice.
  • Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and
    Communities.

    Course structure
    Modules:
  • Advanced Clinical Practice concentration
  • Leadership & Social Change (LSC) concentration
  • Human Behaviour
  • Generalist Research, comparable to Research and mini dissertation

    Similarities:
  • The University of Illinois (UI) and the South African (SA) qualification accept learners who have completed a bachelor's degree in the cognate qualification.
  • The UI qualification is designed to prepare advanced social work practitioners for working with diverse individuals and families across the lifespan.
  • Similarly, the SA qualification aims to educate and train qualified social workers to contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level in the field of school social work.
  • Both qualifications offer learners mini dissertation research in their studies.

    Differences:
  • The UI qualification is offered over eighteen months, whereas the SA qualification is offered over two years.

    Country: New Zealand
    Institution name: University of Auckland
    Qualification title: Master of Social Work
    Duration: Two years
    Credits: 120

    Entry requirements:
  • Undergraduate degree, either in the social sciences (such as social and cultural studies, psychology, or human development).
    Or
  • Alternative degree with substantial relevant experience in a social or community setting.

    Purpose/Rationale
    The Master of Social Work prepares learners for advanced professional responsibility in social work. Learners will learn advanced approaches and interventions in social work practice, and develop knowledge, skills and experience in critiquing and undertaking social work research to enhance their practice.
    The qualification enables social work practitioners to undertake further study in subjects related to their professional practice and then undertake research in an area of special interest.
    Course structure
    Modules:
  • Social Work Theory and Practice
  • Wellbeing and Sustainable Development
  • Advanced Study of Fields of Practice in Social Work
  • Field Work Practice
  • Organisations, Leadership and Social Work
  • Field Work Practice
  • Applied Research in Social Work, comparable to Research and mini dissertation
  • Research Report

    Similarities:
  • The University of Auckland (UA) and the South African (SA) qualification accept learners who have a bachelor's degree in in the cognate field.
  • The UA qualification enables social work practitioners to undertake further study in subjects related to their professional practice and then undertake research in an area of special interest.
  • The SA qualification aims to excel in innovative learning, teaching, and cutting-edge research, thereby benefiting society through knowledge.
  • Both qualifications offer mini research in their study.
  • Both qualifications are offered over two years and consist of 120 credits. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Philosophy in Social Policy and Development, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Reconciliation and Social Cohesion, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Social Science, NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Social Science (Community Mental Health Promotion), NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Social Science in Clinical Psychology

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work, NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Social Work, NQF Level 10.

    Diagonal Articulation
    There is no diagonal articulation for this qualification. 
    		•

    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 


    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.