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 Arts: Biblical Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
15662  Master of Arts: Biblical Studies 
ORIGINATOR
Rand Afrikaans University 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
Was CHE until Last Date for Achievement  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Master's Degree  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  Religious and Ethical Foundations of Society 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  256  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 2663/05  2006-07-01  2009-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2010-06-30   2013-06-30  

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 is replaced by: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
73945  Master of Arts in Biblical Studies  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  180  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide learners with:
  • a more advanced theoretical and practical knowledge of research methods applied to a new topic and/or texts of the Old Testament and New Testament;
  • a more advanced theoretical knowledge of aspects of the Old Testament and New Testament Socio-cultural world, introduction, theology, Hermeneutics, Methodology and Ethics;
  • a more advanced competence to interpret the Bible authoritatively and apply Biblical knowledge to personal, social, educational and religious (e.g. homiletic and pastoral) contexts. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    To enrol for this qualification, potential learners must demonstrate that they have acquired advanced intellectual competencies and practical skills to discuss, problematise and investigate the background and content of the Bible as holy scriptures of Christianity as well as contemporary ethical matters

    NQF level 7 in Biblical Studies or equivalent qualification with a minimum score of 60%; 128 credits, cumulative 488.

    Recognition of prior learning:
    All potential learners not in possession of an FEC, must provide proof of an equivalent qualification. Those who claim that they have achieved relevant prior learning that would give them access to the programme, need to apply to the Accreditation Committee of the Faculty of Arts for recognition of prior learning.

    Potential learners who want to be credited for prior learning and/or experience in respect of a particular module or modules, must apply in writing to the Chairperson of the Department, offering the module or modules the learner wish to be credited for, clearly stating the title(s) of the module or modules they want to be credited for as well as the basis on which they believe the accreditation should be granted.

    The principles or RPL are subscribed to, and will be implemented, in a flexible manner. The principle of flexible and open access will, however, be offset against the provision that this is not be to the detrimental of the potential student and that his/her chances to success must be reasonable.

    The committee will assess learners' competencies in order to determine whether they are eligible for
  • access to, or
  • advanced placement in, or
  • recognition of status for this qualification 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The learners should be able to:

    1. -display advanced critical and creative thinking about Religious and ethical problems as well as critically assess and apply theoretical concepts and approaches to Biblical texts and in concrete community situations;

    2. -demonstrate an advanced ability to facilitate problem identification and problem solving in the religious community and in society in general;

    3. -demonstrate advanced ability to make sophisticated moral and religious decisions;

    4. -demonstrate advanced research skills by collecting, analysing, organizing and critically evaluating Biblical, theological and ethical information for the purpose of advanced research work;

    5. -demonstrate advanced insight into religious and ethical dimensions of human interaction and the ability to communicate theological and ethical insights and knowledge persuasively;

    6. -use modern electronic aids and media (e.g. internet, computer programs, radio, television, video) at an advanced level to the benefit of research and society;

    7. -demonstrate advanced insight into religious and ethical dimensions of human interaction and the ability to communicate theological and ethical insights and knowledge persuasively;

    8. -apply at an advanced level appropriate research techniques, make use of published work and source material effectively in the research process, and know the different theories in the research field;

    9. -demonstrate at an advanced level insight into religious and ethic dimensions of human interactions of local, national and global communities, show awareness of religious and ethical responsibility towards all people in society;

    10. -demonstrate at an advanced level cultural and aesthetic sensitivity by appreciating other people's religious, ethical and cultural viewpoints, conduct and customs;

    11. -teach at an advanced level religious studies or an equivalent subject at school or tertiary education level; demonstrate their ability to act informatively on Biblical and religious matters in society at large, putting them in a position of being a leader as shapers of public opinion in the Christian Church, civil services, SABC, government bodies, etc;

    12. -develop entrepreneurial opportunities by initiating and developing Bible training centres on behalf of congregations, act in an advanced consulting capacity on various religious and ethical matters. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The learner can: / Does the learner:

    1. -display advanced critical and creative thinking about Biblical and ethical problems;
    evaluate and, where relevant, apply theoretical concepts and approaches to Biblical texts and in concrete community situations;

    2. -demonstrate the advanced ability to facilitate problem identification and problem solving in the field of Biblical Studies and Biblical ethics and with regard to religious matters in the community;

    3. -make sophisticated moral and religious decisions relevant to practical situations in the church and in the society in general;
    this is assessed by means of assignments and in practical outcomes in the church and society;

    4. -collect, analyze, organize and critically assess Biblical, theological and ethical information;
    write a dissertation of at least 100 pages or mini-dissertation of at least 50 pages in the case of a master's by course work, on a specific topic which is technically and orthographically correct;

    5. -communicate at an advanced level theological and ethical insights and knowledge logically and persuasively in written assignments, during group discussions and in the community;

    6. -demonstrate an advanced capability to use appropriate electronic media (e.g. Biblical computer software) for exploring Biblical sources of information;
    implement technology effectively while teaching religious maters in public or through the media of radio, television and video;

    7. -demonstrate advanced insight the religious and ethical dimensions of human interaction and the ability to communicate effectively theological and ethical insights and knowledge orally to follow students, in written assignments, in mini-dissertation or a long dissertation, to various congregational groups and to other religions;
    identify and assess critically different points of view;

    8. -demonstrate at an advanced level appropriate research techniques in the writing of assignments, a mini-dissertation or a full dissertation;
    make advanced use of published works and source material effectively in the research process;
    implement at an advanced level different theories in the research field in writing assignments and a mini-dissertation in the case of a master's by course work, or a full dissertation in a research master's;

    9. -identify and critically assess, at an advanced level, religious and ethical dimensions of humans interactions of local, national and global communities;
    apply religious and ethical responsibility towards all people in society at an advanced level;

    10. -demonstrate at an advanced level cultural and aesthetic sensitivity by being familiar with and appreciating other people's religious, ethical and cultural viewpoints, conduct and customs during seminars, in writing assignments and mini-dissertation in the case of a master's by course work, or a full dissertation in a research master's;

    11. -convey at an advanced level relevant information interactively on religious studies or an equivalent subject to learners at school or tertiary education level;
    explain clearly and formulate sharply;
    demonstrate an advanced ability to act informatively on Biblical and religious matters in society at large, such as the Christian Church, civil services, SABC, government bodies etc;

    12. -identify the needs of their communities with regard to religious matters;
    draw up an advanced integrated plan for a full course in Bible training ;
    organize and direct in a practical way Bible training sessions;
    act as an advanced consultant on various religious and ethical matters for congregations and the community at large.

    Integrated assessment appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved:
    Continuous assessment practices form an integral part of the design of this qualification. Learning outcomes are made explicit to learners and there is a coherent assessment strategy in place for each module in the case of the Master's by course work, with a fair balance between formative and summative assessment strategies.

    Formative assessment practices that will be implemented:
    A range of formative assessment strategies is used. Formative assessment strategies include, among others: written assignments (Master's by course work), presentations in small groups, and the submission and discussion of research results on a continuous basis during the research process. Self-assessment activities are included in study guides. Opportunities for peer assessment are included.

    Summative assessment practice that will be implemented:
    Integrated assessment, focusing on the achievement of the exit-level outcomes, will be done by means of end of semester final examinations in three selected sub-disciplines in the field of research and a mini-dissertation of approximately 60 pages on a specific topic in the case of the master's by course work. In the case of the research master's a full dissertation of approximately 120 pages is assessed. A publishable article on the research results must be submitted with the mini-dissertation and the dissertation. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Articulation to qualifications on a lower level:
    Articulation is possible with a qualification in Biblical Studies at NQF level 7 or an equivalent qualification, e.g. BA Honours (religious Studies) or BA Honours (Theology) or BTh Honours.
  • Access to qualifications on the same level:
    Learners who are (or have been) registered for this qualification may, with the permission of the Dean, switch over to MA (Theology) midstream, provided that the rules of access have been complied with. Such learners will therefore be credited for prior learning. Learners who are (or have been) registered for this, or a related qualification at another higher education institution, will be allowed, with the permission of the Dean of Arts, to enter midstream , provided that the rules of access have been complied with. Such learners will therefore be credited for prior learning.
  • Access to qualifications on a higher level:
    Having obtained this qualification, the following possibilities for further study in higher education programme exist:
    DLitt et Phil.(Biblical Studies) or DTh or Dlitt et Phil (Theology) or Ddiv or DD 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • External processes:
    External examiners will be appointed for all NQF level 8 modules and for the mini-dissertation of the master's by course work by the Dean of the Faculty concerned, on the recommendation of the department in which NQF level 8 modules are taken.
    External examiners will be appointed for the dissertation of the research Master's by the Dean of the Faculty concerned on recommendation by the academic department involved.
  • External examiners and the institutions they represent:
    One external examiner per NQF level 8 module will be appointed, and one external examiner for both the mini-dissertation of the master's by course work and dissertation of the research master's. The external examiners for the NQF level 8 modules need not be the same as for the mini-dissertation. External examiners will be selected from other education institutions or from the ranks of professional people outside of academia. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
  • Criteria regarding formal qualifications that an assessor should have:
    An assessor should have at least an MA in an appropriate field of study and/or be regarded as an expert in the subject field.
  • Criteria regarding job or learning experience:
    An assessor should be an expert in the subject matter of the learning area in which he/she is assessing.
  • Criteria regarding experience of or exposure to assessment:
    An assessor needs to have prior assessment experience and/or be trained in assessment practices at higher education level:

    *through qualifying as an education and training practitioner, or
    *through a mentoring process, or
    *through on-the-job training, or
    *through additional study of a unit standard or qualification on assessment. 
    		•

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

    NOTES 
    This is an old qualification that has been recorded in June 1998 under the same title. This MA with endorsement qualification is registered as a separate qualification only with SAQA. At the Department of Education it is not registered separately, but is included in the registration of the generic MA. 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some of their learning programmes are moved to being recorded against the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replacement.
     
    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.
     
    NONE 


    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.