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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Master of Commerce: Industrial Psychology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
15366  Master of Commerce: Industrial Psychology 
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 07 - Human and Social Studies  General Social Science 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  240  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 091/21  2021-07-01  2023-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

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 
Graduates will be equipped with the required knowledge and skills for registration in the highest professional category at the ETQA for Psychology Practices. The outcomes of this qualification are therefore in accordance with the requirements of the ETQA (SA Board for Psychology), and the model for education and training of psychologists in SA.

Qualifying learners will, after successful completing a national examination set by the College for Professional Psychology, be able to register with the South African Health Professions Council as Psychologists. Depending on the particular combination of modules taken in the learning programme, qualifying learners will be able to practice in the fields of Human Resources Management and Industrial Psychology. This will ensure a steady supply of qualified practitioners capable of delivering psychological services to the broad and diverse range of contexts within South Africa.

This qualification enables learners to develop in-depth knowledge of the principles, major theories and paradigms, and methods of the science and profession of Psychology.

Graduates will be equipped with the required intellectual and practical skills to act as Industrial Psychology specialists in organisations or as human resource consultants for various organisations.

Graduates will be equipped with the intellectual capacity to develop strategic plans for human resources in organisations and to act as specialists in any one of the functions of human resources management and industrial psychological domains.

Graduates with this qualification will be equipped with advanced research skills in the field of human resources management and industrial psychology.

Graduates with this qualification will be equipped with skills to develop themselves. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Matriculation certificate (with exemption)
First degree
Honours degree: B Com Honours in Industrial Psychology (B Psych Reg level)
Other:
A limited number of students have already been selected previously, after obtaining a first degree (B Com Human Resources Management) and progressing through B Com (Hons) Industrial psychology (B Psych Reg level). 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
N 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
The successful learner will qualify for registration in the highest professional category at the ETQA for Psychology practices. The student should have:
  • The competencies to act as a consultant/specialist in the application field of both human resources management and Industrial and Organisational Psychology.
  • The competencies to act as a Psychologist (specialisation in Industrial psychology) in the fields of Industrial psychology and Human Resources Management
  • He/she should also have the ability to develop strategic plans for the human resources function and industrial psychological inputs in an organisation and should also be able to conduct effective research for problem-solving purposes in these fields.

    M Com Industrial Psychology (D Psych Reg. Level)

    Learning outcomes:
  • Undertaking independent research in the fields of Human Resources Management and Industrial Psychology.
  • Application of psychological and Industrial Psychological principles in the field of Human Resources Management and Industrial Psychology.
  • Developing a transformation strategy for an organisation, as well as an organisational development plan.
  • Understanding and applying basic principles and theories of motivation, as well as leadership theories and the dynamics of leadership.
  • Applying strategic human resources and industrial psychological management in practice.
  • Developing a portfolio of techniques and practices applicable to all the fields of Human Resources Management and the field of Industrial Psychology.
  • Applying knowledge and skills at a fundamental level in the field of Industrial Psychology.
  • Possessing in depth knowledge (theoretical and practical) of the principles of interviewing, psychometric assessment instruments, their administration, scoring and interpretation, the integration of assessment results, and report writing. Graduates are also able to make a psychological diagnosis within the context of the fields of Industrial Psychology and Human Resources Management.
  • Graduates are able to autonomously deal with complex problems of human psychological functioning, taking multiple contexts into consideration. This is based on the ability to assess problems accurately, to consider and evaluate alternative arguments, and to synthesise relevant information. They are able to perform specialised, complex, advanced reconstructive and long-term interventions, at the levels of both sub-and total systems. The nature of these interventions depends on the field of practice, and includes:
    - The implementation and evaluation of specific therapeutic and organisational/occupational related interventions and approaches.
    - Advanced psycho-education and training.
    - Promotion of primary, secondary and tertiary psychosocial well being.
  • Competency to perform well in team and multi-disciplinary work. This includes:
    - Work effectively in, and assume leadership as a member of a multi-professional team
    - Refer to professional peers.
    - Act as consultants within field of practice.
    - Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, on a professional and academic level through accurate reporting of information.
  • Graduates are able to practice independently as a Psychologist and perform sophisticated functions, such as giving expert opinion in the specific field of practice (Industrial Psychology/Human Resources Management)
  • Awareness of the need to act professionally and ethically, and to perform psychological acts only within the ambit of their accredited competence.
  • The ability to work independently, both on a scientific and professional level, in an information based, globalised and rapidly changing environment. Graduates understand the requirement to keep abreast of developments in the discipline and profession, and that they will be required to demonstrate this through obtaining credits for continuing education specified by the Professional Board for Psychology to retain their licensing.

    Critical cross-field outcomes:
  • Collecting, analysing, researching, organising and critically evaluating information. This should contribute towards personal development, continued effective learning and the ability to deal with rapid changes.
  • Understanding principles and inter-related nature of different fields of knowledge application.
  • Identifying and solving problems in the human resources and industrial psychological fields.
  • Applying scientific principles and technology in all the applied fields of Human Resources Management.
  • Stimulating creative thinking in subordinates and management.
  • Working effectively with others as a member of the team, group, organisation or community.
  • Responsibility and effectively organising and managing oneself and own activities.
  • Effectively communicating by means of visual and language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasions.
  • Contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the society at large.
  • Developing sensitivity to diversity and individual uniqueness and understanding similarities shared with others.
    Contributing towards the psychological well being of others and quality of work life in the organisation. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Continuous, formative and summative assessment methods are used in the format of written and oral tests and exams, supervision of practical work, presentation of case studies, simulations, assignments and practical assessment of applicable skills.

    A multi-dimensional approach is followed in the assessment of learners:
  • Knowledge
  • Abilities
  • Thinking processes
  • Metacognition
  • Affect.

    The students are cognitively assessed for the ability to:
  • Recall theoretical and practical knowledge.
  • Apply theoretical and practical knowledge.
  • Integrate theory and practice.
  • Identify causal relationships between information and practice.
  • Predict future trends in the macro and micro organisational environments.
  • Understand, maintain and adapt systems and subsystems.
  • Design processes to meet theoretical requirements.
  • Evaluate systems, processes and behaviour of groups and individuals.

    The research competencies of learners are assessed by the supervisor and one external examiner. The dissertation is evaluated in terms of the student's ability to:
  • Identify a suitable research problem.
  • Plan a research project.
  • Select and implement appropriate research methods.
  • Critically review the literature and to document it according to accepted scientific practices.
  • Analyse the data utilising relevant qualitative or quantitative methods.
  • Integrate the theoretical knowledge with empirical data.
  • Formulate relevant conclusions.
  • Evaluate research findings.
  • Make applicable recommendations based on the research findings.

    Assessment includes both assessment by the lecturer(s) and peer-assessment resulting in a statement of what the learner has achieved (research conclusions, procedures, processes, etc).

    Assessment criteria are discussed with the learners resulting in co-operative learning and the development of collaborative skills (group discussions, group assignments).

    Integrated assessment:
    Portfolios - written assignments
    Simulations
    Work-place assessments
    Written examinations
    Oral examinations
    Other:
    Group projects.
    Individual reports.
    Colloquium.
    Dissertation based on empirical research. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Related qualifications:
    D Admin (Human Resources Management)
    D Com (Human Resources Management)
    M Com / M Admin (Human Resource Management)

    D Admin (Human Resources Management) serves as an entry point to the related qualification
    D Com (Human Resources Management) serves as an entry point to the related qualification

    M Com / M Admin (Human Resource Management) provides credits for the related qualification 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    All examination will be moderated by an external examiner

    The programme will be accredited with the Professional Board for Psychology.

    To register with the South African Health Professions Council, candidates will have to pass a national examination set by the College for Professional Psychology, which functions under the auspices of the Professional Board for Psychology. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Qualifications required:
    A master's degree or doctorate in Human Resources Management/Industrial Psychology, together with recognised expertise in the field of practice to enable assessment at NQF level 7

    Career experience required:
    University experience.
    At least three years experience in lecturing or practising in the field of human resources/industrial psychology practice.

    Other criteria:
    Applicable registration with the South African Health Professions Council (Psychologist in Industry) 

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

    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.