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 THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Master of Occupational Therapy in Hand Therapy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
15213  Master of Occupational Therapy in Hand Therapy 
ORIGINATOR
University of Pretoria 
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  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 1141/23  2021-07-01  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2028-06-30  

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 this qualification is to develop specialist clinical skills in occupational therapy in the field of hand therapy.
The qualification aims to provide South Africa with specialist therapists in the field of hand therapy in order to provide and promote rehabilitation services for people with hand conditions and the continual development of a high level of knowledge and expertise that is comparable with international standards in the field.
Learners will have acquired comprehensive, in-depth knowledge in hand therapy approaches, investigated new schools of thought and current developments in therapy for hand conditions and transferred knowledge to the clinical practice and real situations together with well-developed research skills.
Society will gain specialist hand therapists leading to a higher efficacy of remediation and rehabilitation for those whose abilities in productivity, self-maintenance and play/leisure are threatened, restricted or lost due to hand conditions to become full and productive members of the community.

Rationale: 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience.
In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Occupational Therapy Honours, Level 8.
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Therapy, Level 8.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy, Level 8, 480 Credits. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Show a continued interest in new developments in the specialist field as a lifelong learner.
    2. Communicate in various forms with a wide range of clients, referral sources and co-workers
    3. Identify and use appropriate and therapeutic technology in the assessment and management of rehabilitation services, taking into account cultural and environmental factors in the design and manufacture of hand orthoses, assistive devices and the choice of treatment modalities.
    4. Adhere to the professional code of conduct, ethical rules of the Professional Board and use disability, educational and employment legislation to the benefit of people with disabilities.
    5. Effective interaction within a learning or professional group with competent engagement in debate, in a professional manner and context. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
  • Foundational competencies through integrating knowledge of ergonomics, pathomechanics, pathophysiology, and occupational therapy theory into the treatment as evidenced in discussions of selected topics as well as written and practical assessments.
  • Practical competencies through the design and manufacture of hand orthoses of complex design and application of treatment modalities as evidenced in presentation of case studies and practical assessments.
  • Reflexive competencies through group discussions and case study presentations as well as written and practical assessments.
  • Learner to submit in an essay, based research, on a relevant topic.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Portfolios.
    Work-place assessments.
    Written assessments.
    Oral assessments.
    Other:
    Presentations of seminars.
    Presentation of case studies.
    Practical assessments. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Occupational Therapy, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    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 Pretoria 


    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.