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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Philosophy in Theology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
24374  Doctor of Philosophy in Theology 
ORIGINATOR
South African Theological Seminary NPC 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Doctoral 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  360  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 10  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

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.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The Doctor of Philosophy: Theology degree is a research-based programme designed to extend the student`s research skills acquired in the Master`s programme. This qualification further enables learners to conduct original research and to contribute new knowledge in the field of Theology.

Rationale for the qualification:

At a time in South Africa`s history when it is experiencing high crime rates and a moral decline, the Christian Church can play a vital role in contributing towards the solution. Indeed the government has appealed to the Christian church to provide assistance in these areas. In order to do so there is a great need for research-based programmes in which students can make substantive contributions. More and more pastors, Christian workers and missionaries are expressing the need to further their theological studies at this level. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that a learner entering this programme has a relevant, accredited Masters degree or equivalent qualification.

Recognition of prior learning (RPL):

Prior learning credits are awarded to learners for relevant, accredited learning and for relevant life experience. 

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
Y 

QUALIFICATION RULES 
N/A 

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
On achieving this qualification learners will be able to:
  • Equip themselves for advanced and specialised professional employment in a theological or related field.
  • Contribute new knowledge in a field of theology, at the highest level of academic rigour.
  • Undertake rigorous research in a theological field and communicate the results by means of a thesis or dissertation, which meets internationally acceptable standards. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    In particular assessors should check that learners demonstrate an ability to consider a range of options and:
  • Use methods that are varied to allow learners to display independent thinking and decision-making in the demonstration of required tasks.
  • Display appropriate standards of academic rigour in line with international norms at this level.

    Integrated Assessment:

    Integrated assessment at this level is confined to ensuring that internationally acceptable standards are maintained in the research and production of a thesis/dissertation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    On completion of this qualification, learners will have satisfied the requirements of any Internationally accepted degree at this level and will have access to any position requiring a Doctoral degree in this field, as the scope of this qualification is comparable to that of related qualifications, both locally and in many other countries. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification will provide articulation at the highest level with all related qualifications in the field of Theology and Ministry. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this qualification must be accredited as a provider with the Council on Higher Education.
  • Assessment and moderation of assessment will be conducted by personnel suitably qualified in terms of ETDP assessor standards. Assessors must be certified by arrangement with the Council on Higher Education.
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at the exit point of the qualification, unless Council on Higher Education policies specify otherwise. 
    		•

    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. South African Theological Seminary NPC 


    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.