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

Master of Social Science: Social Work 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
15925  Master of Social Science: Social Work 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Free State 
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  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 
Apply educational knowledge, skills, principles and methods to function in the professional role of a social worker being a professional service aimed at the enhancement of the social functioning of people in general and specifically aimed at the enhancement of interpersonal relationships in accordance with the South African Council for Social Service Professions, minimum requirements, to integrate the theory and practice in a specialised field in the social work profession, integrate the theory on social work research in practice according to the research process with reference to a field of specialisation in the social work profession, develop and/or rehabilitate in accordance with the national and international need for social development in a specific field and continue studies on NQF level 8(b).

Qualifiers will demonstrate knowledge, skills and applied competence in the field of study that provide opportunities for continued personal growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Learners who register for this qualification can:
  • Learn from predominantly written material;
  • Communicate what they have learnt comprehensively in the medium of instruction;
  • Learn and take responsibility for their own progress.

    Registration as a social worker at the SA Council for Social Service Professions.

    RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

    The qualification recognises formal and non-formal prior learning (incorporating experiential learning) at a Higher Education and Training Certificate Level 7 in social sciences or a functional equivalent. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    The planned combination of learning outcomes are integrated with critical cross-field outcomes for this qualification:

    Practical Competency
    The demonstrated ability/skill to achieve the major Skills/Applied Competency of the qualification.

    Foundational Competency
    The demonstrated understanding, by the Learner, of the embedded knowledge that underpins the end result/outcome.

    Reflective competency
    The demonstrated ability/skill to integrate or connect our performances and to reflect on, evaluate and adopt the above competencies.

    To successfully complete the qualification the learner will have to demonstrate his/her learning via module specific learning outcomes as well as critical cross-field learning outcomes.

    Module specific outcomes will include capabilities relating to module knowledge and the understanding thereof within a specific context, and capabilities relating to integrated knowledge and skills from a variety of disciplines within the field.

    Critical cross-field outcomes will include those specified in the learning outcomes for approved modules in the certificate and as appropriate to the learner 's field of practice.

    1. Render social work services on the levels of development and rehabilitation in the implementation of ONE of the following fields of specialisation namely the:
  • Narrative method
  • Community development and empowerment
  • Social work management and supervision
  • Play therapy
  • Loss and trauma
  • Multicultural relationships and life skills

    2. Manage the following social work process of in the selected field of specialisation with all client systems:
  • Involvement
  • Assessment
  • Goal formulation
  • Intervention
  • Evaluation
  • Termination

    3. Implement advanced research as a secondary social work method.

    The learner will be able to analyse and apply the basic principles relevant to the following:

    1. Implement developmental and enrichment programmes aimed at the enhancement of the social functioning of the client system.
    2. Implement therapeutic and/or statutory interventions aimed at social pathological circumstances.
    3. Develop and utilise the social work process while working with various client systems (individuals, couples, families, groups and communities).
    4. Aim the process at the enhancement of the social functioning of the client systems.
    5. Identify and demarcate a worthwhile social work theme for research.
    6. Formulate a research problem, hypotheses or research questions, goals and objectives and determine appropriate research methodology.
    7. Investigate the research theme by means of a literature and empirical investigation.
    8. Critically analyse the results, come to conclusions and recommendations and present the findings in a research report.
    9. Make the results known to both formal and informal role players with the aim of improving social work services and the circumstances of the client system. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    A learner should provide evidence of learning competency (knowledge, skills and attitude) by means of the following:

    1. Developing and implementing a multifaceted preventative, developmental and culturally sensitive enrichment programme aimed at unique client systems.
    2. Integrating theory and practice within a rehabilitative and therapeutic programme and writing appropriate reports for statutorily intervening in socio-pathological circumstances.
    3. Compiling a report on the implementation of the phases in the social work process in any practical situation with a specific client group according to an applicable method and selected theoretical frameworks.
    4. Implementing the research process, compiling a research report and making the results known to relevant stakeholders.

    Integrated assessment:

    Competence is achieved, through continuous assessment by demonstrating the ability to achieve the outcomes of the Qualification.

    Examination of the research report by internal and external examiners regarding the candidates' ability to:
  • Tests
  • Assignments in both practical and theoretical work
  • Written examinations
  • Oral examinations
  • A limited research report with internal moderation.

    This will be supported by a module credit system, followed by a final exam on the modules for which credit was not obtained.

    Assessment documents are moderated to ensure that:
  • They conform to the scope and context of the competency as stipulated in the qualification.
  • They are constructed in such a way that the Assessor assesses the critical outcomes applied, during the Learner's activity performances, towards achieving an outcome.

    Assessments are:
  • To include confirmation of the Embedded Knowledge component to ensure that the Foundational Competency is achieved.
  • To be verified by Internal Verifiers to ensure valid, credible, true and fair results. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Vertical: Vertical access to further studies in Social Work e.g. Ph.D. (Social Work).

    Horizontal: Equivalent Master's degree. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • A system of external peer review and evaluation of departments including evaluation of the standards and assessment practices per Department.
  • Qualifications: The minimum academic and workplace experience requirements at a level above the level of moderation.
  • Appropriate professional criteria will be drafted in the case of workplace assessment.
  • Mentorship: All junior and new members of staff are mentored by senior members as they work together in teams All assessment done by external assessors is quality controlled by internal staff.
  • Any moderation criteria as determined by the ETQA. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    The academic staff of the University of the Free State complies with standards set by Senate and will exercise their assessment within the approved quality assurance system of the University. Assessors will also meet all criteria as stipulated by the relevant ETQA.

    Assessors are:
  • Subject matter specialists
  • Registered with the awarding body
  • Accredited by the awarding body after achieving competency against Unit Standards of competence for Assessors
  • To be administrated, advised and coached by an Internal Verifier. 
    		•

    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 the Free State 


    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.