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

Master of Social Services 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
15758  Master of Social Services 
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  People/Human-Centred Development 
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 
The purpose of the Magister in Social Work qualification is:
  • To build on an undergraduate qualification as a subsequent level in the career path for a social worker and serve as a requirement for entry of a PhD study.
  • To provide in depth knowledge of research and to develop the skill in planning and executing a research project.
  • To develop specialised knowledge and skills for social work interventions in the respective fields of Social Development and Social Policy, Social Work Management, Social Health Care, Play Therapy and Employee Assistance Programmes.
  • To promote lifelong learning. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Matriculation certificate
    First degree: B Soc Sc specialising in Social Work
    Other:
    Equivalent qualifications at other tertiary institutions presented at NQF Level 6, and/or NQF Level 7 Diploma.
    M Diploma pegged on NQF Level 7 and which provides credits for the specialised M Soc Sc programmes.
    In order to register for the M Soc Sc a candidate should at least have included eight modules in the major discipline for the specialisation in his/her first degree. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    M SD

    Learning outcomes:
    The M.SD degree with specialisation in one of the following fields:
    Social Development and Social Policy, Social Work Management, Social Health Care, Play Therapy, Occupational Social Work, includes coursework modules, and an essay (lesser credits than a dissertation) as end product of independent research.
  • The student has to apply critical thinking and problem solving skills in order to plan and implement a research project, and to report on the findings of the project in the format of a dissertation.
  • The student has to acquire sufficient theoretical grounding in the chosen field and must be able to integrate this background when planning an appropriate research project.
  • The student should develop the necessary practice skills, founded in professional values and principles, to enable him/her to do responsible research on a relevant topic, taking into account the ethical implications, research needs of RSA, the extenuation of science and the advancement of social service professions in general.

    Critical cross-field outcomes:
    Critical cross-field outcomes for this programme include but are not limited to various competencies and applied competencies such as:
  • identifying and solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made concerning solutions for problems related to individuals, groups, families, communities and people with special needs
  • work intersectorally with other disciplines as a member of a team, group, organisation, community in both the public and private sectors;
  • demonstrate an understanding of the interaction between systems from an ecological approach by understanding social needs, problems and resource capacity within an international, national and local context;
  • develop holistic, integrated strategies and programmes for social sciences founded on the collection, analyses, organising, implementation and critical evaluation of theory, information and processes;
  • demonstrate effective utilisation of technology for strategies aimed at broadening the scope of the Humanities and science in general;
  • organise and manage their work load responsibly and effectively by means of a scheduled programme allowing for a learning environment such as reading scientific journals in the field as well as becoming a member of professional bodies, attending seminars and conferences, doing research and rendering voluntary services to facilitate professional growth and development;
  • communicate effectively with people of all target groups, including people who are literate and illiterate, children and the youth, using visual and language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion;
  • contribute to the full personal development of each learner regarding strategies for learning, such as furthering a culture of life-long learning, scientific involvement, expressing a non-discriminating attitude across a range of social contexts based on the value of social justice and a sensitivity for cultural diversity and awareness of similarities, and to explore and develop career opportunities such as entrepreneurial initiatives to promote social and economical independence and opportunities for personal development. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    To assess whether the specific outcomes have been achieved by learner performance, a wide range of modalities will be used integratively. This will include methods used to ensure reliability of assessment outcomes.

    Integrated assessment:
    Portfolios
    Simulations
    Work-place assessments
    Written examinations
    Oral examinations
    Other:
    Assessment of applied competence in terms of specific outcomes achieved, will be done on a continual integrated manner and also of the end product, the thesis. Formative means of assessment include assignments, discussion forums and seminars. Summative assessment will include oral examination as well as an internal and external examination of a dissertation/essay. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Related qualifications:
    Master's degree based on course-work
    Ph D based on research

    Ph D based on research serves as an entry point to the related qualification

    Master's degree based on course-work provides credits for the related qualification

    Other articulation possibilities, either generic or specific arrangements:
    Admission to the M SD degree (level 7) accommodates all students from other South African universities who are able to illustrate that all the requirements for an undergraduate degree (level 6) have been met. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Measures to ensure that assessment is fair, reliable and valid are in place according to a set of guidelines for internal second examiners as well as external assessors, assessment panels and/or other experts. In addition to the study leader, two external examiners are appointed. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Qualifications required:
    MA, Ph D, D Litt, DPhil or D Litt et Phil

    Career experience required:
    The South African Council for Social Services Professions is registered as an Education and Training Quality Assurance body in accordance with criteria established for this purpose by a Standards Generating Body and it therefore acts as an assessor of all social work practices. 

    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.