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: 

Further Education and Training Certificate: Journalism 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
67296  Further Education and Training Certificate: Journalism 
ORIGINATOR
Damelin 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-   OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Further Ed and Training Cert  Field 02 - Culture and Arts  Visual Arts 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  180  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 0695/12  2012-07-01  2013-04-26 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2013-04-26   2015-04-26  

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 
Purpose:

The Certificate in Advanced Journalism aims to provide the learner with the required theoretical background and practical skills required by the profession:
  • Politic understanding for journalists.
  • Laws applicable to journalists.
  • Shorthand for Journalists.
  • Multimedia Web authoring.
  • Page Layout and Design.
  • Writing specialists publications.
  • Features for print.
  • News journalism for print.

    The specific purpose of the qualification is to train and develop candidates to:
  • Communicate effectively and use mathematical literacy in the workplace.
  • Demonstrate the ability to utilize the different applications in photography as a journalist.
  • Understand political theories within journalism.
  • Develop shorthand skills and use them practically.
  • Apply and demonstrate knowledge of the principals and techniques of multimedia web authoring.
  • Display advanced knowledge and practical ability by application of page design and layout.
  • Apply and demonstrate the ability to write features for print.
  • Apply and demonstrate the ability of writing for specialists publications
  • Demonstrate the ability to operate successfully in a news journalism environment.

    Rationale:

    The primary purpose of the qualification is to provide knowledge and attitudes qualifying learners with the ability to use within the Journalism field and related industries.
    This qualification also aims to effectively develop skills such as shorthand to ensure the learner is equipped with the relevant practical skills to survive in pressured journalism environment. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Candidates accessing this qualification should at least demonstrate their ability to read, analyse and reflect on study material on NQF Level 4. Candidates should be able to demonstrate:
  • Knowledge, comprehension and application of language at NQF Level 3/Grade 11 or equivalent.
  • Basic knowledge, comprehension and application of Mathematics at NQF Level 3/Grade 11 or equivalent.
  • Previous written work, publications or a keen interest in journalism or writing fields.
  • Interview is compulsory and assessment of the written English is advisable.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    The Certificate in Advanced Journalism, NQF Level 4 allows for open access and may be achieved in part or in whole through the process of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Provision should be made for prior learning to be recognized if a learner is able to demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes embedded in this Qualification. Candidates must, at the time of application, provide proof in the form of a portfolio of evidence to substantiate prior learning. Such competencies may help gain access to the programme leading to this qualification, or advanced placement therein.

    Access to the Qualification:

    This qualification is for all candidates who have interest in the journalism environment. This qualification is also appropriate for those who are in the industry and would like to further their knowledge and skills. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The learning programme leading to this qualification should consist of:
  • Fundamentals: 56 credits.
  • Core: 114 credits.
  • Electives: 10 credits.

    The qualification consists of at least 144 credits on NQF Level 4 or above. The remaining 105 credits could be on NQF Level 4 or 5. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Exit Level Outcomes:

    Successful candidates awarded the Certificate in Advanced Journalism will be able to:
  • Communicate effectively and use mathematical literacy in the workplace.
  • Demonstrate the ability to utilize the different applications in photography as a journalist.
  • Understand political theories within journalism.
  • Develop shorthand skills and use them practically.
  • Apply and demonstrate knowledge of the principals and techniques of multimedia web authoring.
  • Display advanced knowledge and practical ability by application of page design and layout.
  • Apply and demonstrate the ability to write features for print.

    Learners are to select one of the following specialisations:
  • Apply and demonstrate the ability of writing for specialists publications.
  • Demonstrate the ability to operate successfully in a news journalism environment.

    Specific Outcomes for Fundamentals:

    1. Communicate and evaluate oral text.

    2. Read, analyse and respond to written texts.

    3. Write for specific contexts.

    4. Use mathematics for personal calculations.

    Specific Outcomes for Cores:

    5. Demonstrate the ability to utilize the different applications in photography as a journalist.

    6. Understand political theories within journalism.

    7. Investigate and understand the laws applicable to journalists.

    8. Develop shorthand skills and use them practically.

    9. Apply and demonstrate knowledge of the principals and techniques of multimedia web authoring.

    10. Display advanced knowledge and practical ability to apply page design and layout.

    11. Apply and demonstrate the ability to write features for print.

    Specific Outcomes for Electives:

    12. Apply and demonstrate the ability of writing for specialists.

    13. Demonstrate the ability to operate successfully in a news journalism environment.

    Critical Cross Field Outcomes:

    The programme aims to develop the SAQA critical cross-field outcomes listed below:
  • Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made.
  • Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation, community.
  • Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively.
  • Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written presentation.
  • Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing that problem solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

    Note: Assessors should ensure that critical cross-field outcomes are assessed within the context of the specific outcomes. It should be ensured that learners have the competency to apply critical outcomes to his/her work or field of learning. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Fundamentals:

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

    Assessors should ensure that learners demonstrate the following competencies:
  • An appropriate response as a listener is demonstrated.
  • Own responses are evaluated.
  • Own position is put forward and defended.
  • Tone, approach and style is appropriate to context.
  • Discourse is evaluated.
  • Interaction successfully with audience.
  • Manipulative use of language is identified.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

    Assessors should ensure that learners demonstrate the following competencies:
  • Text within context is analysed and critically evaluated.
  • The values, attitudes and assumptions embedded in text are identified and explained.
  • Readers' responses to specific texts are evaluated.
  • Basic research is conducted and findings are analysed.
  • Reading and viewing strategies are used to demonstrate understanding of a text.
  • Implicit messages in texts are identified and explained.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

    Assessors should ensure that learners demonstrate the following competencies:
  • A range of topics are written effectively and creatively.
  • Writing is edited for fluency and ease of communicating.
  • Information required to write own text is identified and collected.
  • A text is composed using plain language.
  • A text is organised and structured appropriately.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

    Assessors should ensure that learners demonstrate the following competencies:
  • Mathematics is used to plan and control financial instruments.
  • Simple and compound interest is calculated.
  • Costs and revenue are calculated.
  • Date are collected, organized and represented.
  • Theory on probability is described and used correctly.
  • Probability models are used correctly.
  • Quantities are measured, estimated and calculated.
  • Geometrical relationships are described and interpreted.

    Cores:

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

    Assessors should ensure that learners demonstrate the following competencies:
  • A variety of tools used for photographic purposes are investigated.
  • A variety of methods of taking photographs are applied.
  • An overview of developing processes are demonstrated.
  • Photojournalist and the career field is investigated.
  • Photography projects are completed and photos, based on news worthiness, are taken.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:

    Assessors should ensure that learners demonstrate the following competencies:
  • Political theories applicable to the journalist are investigated.
  • Current political trends and occurrences are investigated.
  • The role of the journalist in current political environments are identified and discussed.
  • Political protocols are discussed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:

    Assessors should ensure that learners demonstrate the following competencies:
  • Legal requirements and procedures applicable to the journalist are identified and discussed.
  • Past and current laws influencing the journalist are discussed and applied.
  • Exercises and projects regarding media law are initialised and successfully completed.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:

    Assessors should ensure that learners demonstrate the following competencies:
  • The skill of writing using shorthand is applied and mastered.
  • Shorthand is simulated in a pressured environment.
  • Shorthand is mastered and this skill is applied in a live environment.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:

    Assessors should ensure that learners demonstrate the following competencies:
  • The characteristics of web authoring are identified.
  • The skills pertaining web authoring are applied.
  • Web authoring practises and live simulation are demonstrated.
  • Web authoring is simulated and skills applied in a live environment.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 10:

    Assessors should ensure that learners demonstrate the following competencies:
  • The skills of page design are identified and applied.
  • The skills to page layout are identified and applied.
  • The processes involved between page layout and page design are identified and applied.
  • Page design and layout are successfully applied and demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 11:

    Assessors should ensure that learners demonstrate the following competencies:
  • Features for print media are identified.
  • Features for print media are applied and simulated.
  • Factors and characteristics of print media are investigated and applied.

    Electives:

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 12:

    Assessors should ensure that learners demonstrate the following competencies:
  • Specialist publication writing skills are investigated and applied.
  • Specialists publication environments are simulated and experienced.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 13:

    Assessors should ensure that learners demonstrate the following competencies:
  • The news journalism environment is investigated and anaysed.
  • The charactiristcis of news journaislm are identified.
  • A news journalism environment is sumulated and experienced.

    Integrated assessment:

    Assessment of competence is done through a combination of formative and summative assessment methodologies, tools and procedures, which will not discriminate against learners in an unjust or invalid way. Formative assessment integrates theory with practice, with transfer of skills being conducted in a real or simulated workplace environment. Assessment practices are fair, transparent, valid and reliable.

    The purpose of assessment is to determine whether a learner has met the outcomes of the qualification in terms of theory and practice. Integrative techniques are therefore used to assess applied competence. Candidates should be required to demonstrate that they can perform the outcomes with understanding and insight.

    Assessment should ensure that all exit level Outcomes and Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are evaluated. Assessment of the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes should be integrated with the assessment of the exit level outcomes. The Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are implicit in the learning and assessment programmes are designed to extend and further reflect integration. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Scholars in Journalism view the UK and America as standard setters for this field of study. Given the history of printing and newspapers which originated in Europe, the UK plays a leading role the past century.

    The Certificate in Advanced Journalism compares well with the BA (Hons) in Journalism (Foundation year entry) as offered by the University of Central Lancashire in the UK. The BA Hons Foundational aims to prepare students for undergraduate study in this field and could therefore be compared to the NQF Level 4 qualification. The subjects offered are to a great extend the same and cover the most important aspects to empower students to become journalists. As the BA Hons (Foundational) aims to prepare students to enter degree studies, the Certificate is a vocational qualification and prepares students to enter the world of work. For this reason, the Certificate offers a focus on the world of work in addition to the theoretical and practical aspects of Journalism.

    In the USA most of the universities are offering Jounalism on Masters and doctorate level. The Northwestern University (Private) in Evaston offers an undergraduate programme with a "freshman year" which compares well to the Certificate. Both qualifications provide for the essential knowledge pertaining to Journalism, but the Certificate offers photography journalism as well.

    The Certificate in Advanced Journalism (at NQF Level 4) is also in line with a similar qualification offered by EDEXCEL in the United Kingdom. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Access to qualifications on the same level:

    Learners who are (have been) registered for the same or another related qualification on NQF Level 5 will be able to enter another relevant learning programme on the same level, given the rules of access have been complied with. Such learners will retain credit for relevant unit standards that have been passed at the previous institution and could enroll for a relevant certificate level programme.

    Access to qualifications on a higher level:

    Having obtained this qualification, a learner could progress to a first degree in Journalism. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Assessors and moderators assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of an assessor against this Qualification must be registered as an assessor and/or moderator with a relevant Education and Training Quality Assurance (ETQA) Body.
  • Formative assessment will be conducted internally with internal moderation being done by registered moderators. The moderation body is the relevant Education and Training Quality Assurance (ETQA).
  • Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the Qualification. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    For an applicant to register as an assessor for this Qualification, the applicant should:
  • Hold a relevant qualification at least on NQF Level 5.
  • Be declared competent in all the outcomes of the enclosed unit standards as stipulated by South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA)
  • Declared competent in all the exit level outcomes of the qualification as stipulated by South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2009; 2012. 

    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.
     
    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.