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 Nursing Science: Nursing Education 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
6101  Master of Nursing Science: Nursing Education 
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 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Preventive Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  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 Master of Nursing Science degree (M Cur) in Nursing Education, at the University of Pretoria is a two-year career-oriented whole qualification. Its purpose is to educate and train postgraduate students to function as nurse educators, with advanced skills and competencies.

Furthermore, the programme aims to develop post-baccalaureate scholars in Nursing Science with an in-depth knowledge and a comprehensive scientific and philosophical foundation for professional practice within the field of Nursing Education.

The programme includes the development of postgraduate nursing scholars, as adult learners, both personally and professionally, to achieve a recognisable level of expertise within the area of specialisation. This includes critical, analytical evaluation, creative thinking and innovation, problem solving and communication skills and abilities.

Graduates will demonstrate comprehensive, specialised educational competencies and well developed research skills within the field of Nursing Education. Students will learn to appreciate the value of life-long learning through their personal and professional development. A positive attitude towards continuing education will be promoted. This programme will also provide the basis for doctoral studies in nursing science.

Successful completion of the programme will enable the student to register an additional qualification with the South African Nursing Council (SANC). 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Matriculation certificate
First degree: Bachelor's degree in Nursing Science (e.g. B Cur or equivalent)
Other:
A special selection process applies. A limited number of vacancies, per speciality area, will be available each year. Application forms are to be handed in before the 30th of November to be considered for the following academic year.

The following prerequisites apply:
  • Experience of at least two (2) years, as a professional nurse in an appropriate health care service.
  • Proof of employment, on a part-time or full-time basis, in a health care facility deemed appropriate, by the Head of the Department.

    Prospective students will be expected to provide proof of their current registration as professional nurses (general and community), midwives/accoucheurs and nurse educators with the South African Nursing Council (SANC). 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    M Cur

    Learning outcomes:
    Successful completion of the programme requires a minimum of two (2) years of intensive study and preparation after which the following exit level outcomes should be realised:

    Nurses who successfully complete the programme will be advanced specialist practitioners functioning as:

    Advanced professional nurse practitioners, managers and leaders:
  • Show respect for the dignity and uniqueness of human beings (as individual members of groups, families, organisations and their communities of concern) within their socio-cultural and religious contexts. This implies approaching human beings, as health service consumers, as physical, psychological and social beings within these contexts.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the complexity and inter-dependency between human beings and their environment and between the bio-diverse organisms sharing our world as well as the influence of different views of life on the thoughts and behaviour of human beings.

    Demonstrate competency in:
  • Effectively organising and managing own tasks, duties and responsibilities while prioritising all activities involved with Nursing Education at an advanced level.
  • Obtaining, co-ordinating and liasing with the necessary support services to ensure optimal care of health service consumers in both community and institutional settings.
  • Effectively managing and leading a team approach in Nursing Education.
  • Functioning within, and limiting own practice to, a proven scope of skills, knowledge, competency and proficiency.
  • Functioning within the professional, ethical and legal framework governing the nursing profession and society as a whole.
  • Collaborating harmoniously within nursing and multidisciplinary health care teams, in accordance with the principles of interdependence and co-operation in attaining common goals. Co-operation implies that human interactions, in teams, groups or organisations, should be effective in attaining such common goals.

    Postgraduate (master's) scholars in Nursing Science:
  • Demonstrating scholarly characteristics related to nursing science, at a postgraduate (master's) level, with reference to scientific inquiry into phenomena related to the art and science of nursing education.
  • Demonstrate the ability to obtain, organise, analyse, evaluate and manage scientific data, review scientific literature and identify researchable problems in nursing practice.
  • Demonstrate the ability to develop nursing science, in the area of specialisation, through active research involvement.
  • After thorough, analytical and critically evaluative reasoning and creative thinking, demonstrate the ability to effectively utilise the scientific and technological aids and resources, as well as innovation, which underlie the scientific approach to Nursing Education.
    This implies an inquiring approach to science and technology.
    Furthermore it implies a willingness to initiate and/or accept innovation and change and to show a sense of responsibility towards the environment and the health of others whilst considering such changes and innovation
  • Demonstrate the ability to analyse and apply nursing theory to educational settings.
  • Exhibit a commitment to continuing education and professional development and to the value of life-long learning.
  • Demonstrate the ability to actively participate in, or initiate, the setting of standards for quality assurance in nursing practice.

    Critical cross-field outcomes:
    The following critical cross-field outcomes are combined with the specific programme (exit level) outcomes and are considered to be an integral part of the expected outcomes at the exit level of master's degree in nursing science:
  • Problem solving, critical thinking and creativity.
  • Effective team building and teamwork.
  • Organisational and management skills.
  • Information management.
  • Language, communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Responsible utilisation of scientific knowledge and technology.
  • Global perceptions of humanity and the interrelationship between human beings and their environment.
  • Personal and professional development of postgraduate students to the benefit of the South African society at large. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    An integrated system of assessment and evaluation will be used to ascertain students' competency and proficiency in the art and science of Nursing Education.

    A combination of formative and summative evaluation strategies will be employed. Assessment and evaluation will be based on knowledge, skills, values and attitudes.

    Students will be required to provide proof of their competency and proficiency in advanced Nursing
    Education.

    Assessment and evaluation will be done within the contexts of:
  • The theoretical content of the learning programme.
  • The ethical and legal framework of the nursing profession.
  • South African systems of health care delivery.
  • Moral and ethical codes and values governing the nursing profession's communities of concern.
  • Comprehensive, holistic and multi-disciplinary health care.
  • Scientific and technological advances in health care and nursing science.

    Assessment and evaluation should include focusing on the contextual roles of the nurse manager as identified in the programme outcomes.

    Students will be assessed and evaluated on acceptable norms, values and standards of advanced Nursing Education, including their use of the scientific approach to Nursing Education, the health professions and science in general. Students should provide proof of their competence and proficiency in the assessment, diagnosis and comprehensive nursing management of human health needs and responses to actual or potential health problems through the use of the scientific approach to nursing (nursing process).

    Evidence of student's scholarly activities in advanced nursing science (at the master's level) will include:
  • Evidence of the ability to utilise multiple approaches to Nursing Education.
  • Undertaking, analysing and communicating a scientifically acceptable research study in the recognised format of a dissertation of limited scope.

    Integrated assessment:
    Portfolios
    Simulations
    Work-place assessments and practical
    Written examinations
    Oral examinations
    Other:
  • Written assignments and creative work
  • Projects and seminars
  • Journal assessment and self-evaluation
  • Peer-group and preceptor evaluation
  • Problem-based education (PBE) strategies
  • Mini-dissertation 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Related qualifications:
    D Cur on topics related to Nursing Education
    Post-basic and postgraduate certificates and diploma courses in Nursing Education and related topics

    D Cur on topics related to Nursing Education serves as an entry point to the related qualification

    Post-basic and postgraduate certificates and diploma courses in Nursing Education and related topics provides credits for the related qualification

    Other articulation possibilities, either generic or specific arrangements:
    Related master's degree programmes at other tertiary education institutions, usually by special arrangement. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    All nursing science assessment and evaluation papers and tools are checked and approved by the lecturing staff of the Department of Nursing Science. Second and/or external examiners are used for all formal examination-type evaluations.

    External examiners should be in possession of appropriate master's or doctorate degrees and academic experience in the specific area to be assessed or evaluated. All moderators should be registered as professional nurses and nurse tutors with the SANC. Additional registration as nurse administrators would be highly recommended. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Qualifications required:
    An appropriate master's degree or equivalent qualification, preferably in Nursing Education.

    Career experience required:
    Lecturers at recognised university departments of nursing science with postgraduate (master's) course work experience.

    Other criteria:
    Registration with the SANC as professional nurses (general and community), midwives or accoucheurs, and nurse tutors is compulsory. 

    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.