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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Social Science in Clinical Psychology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
72811  Master of Social Science in Clinical Psychology 
ORIGINATOR
North West University 
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  180  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 09  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 Master of Social Science in Clinical Psychology:
  • Equips learners with a high competency of specialised knowledge of human behaviour; to equip them with life skills which will contribute to their personal growth and development; to enhance their employment opportunities through broadly applicable functional (work related) skills.
  • Equips learners for specialisation in specific fields/categories of Psychology, as stipulated by the Professional Board for Psychology.
  • Equips learners to be registered, as professional Clinical Psychologists, with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.
  • Provides the theoretical and practical structure for learner, specialising in Psychology, including course work, practical work and an internship of one (l) year at accredited institutions in the Mafikeng area of the North West Province, namely, Ipelegeng Child and Family Centre, and Mafikeng Provincial Hospital (Bophelong Hospital).
  • Equips learners with appropriate research skills, which will give them competency to complete a mini-thesis. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Psychology, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Exit Level Outcomes:
    1. Reflect a general fund of knowledge regarding fields/categories of specialisation.
    2. Have developed skills in practical application of knowledge during an internship qualification of one (l) year at an accredited institution.
    3. Have had eight (8) hundred hours of practical experience in administering psychological tools, techniques and methods.
    4. Have developed professional attitudes and a personal style and interpersonal skills, sense of responsibility and accountability.
    5. Conduct research independently and write scientific reports.
    6. Have been involved in development of psychological qualifications in rural areas of the North West region.


    Exit Levels Outcome:
    1. Critically analyse, integrate and evaluate.
    2. Creative approach in utilisation and integration.
    3. Practical Experience.
    4. Professional Attitudes, interpersonal skills.
    5. Research and Reportwriting skills.
    6. Development in Rural Areas. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Expands understanding by purposefully seeking information.
  • Systematic, complete assessment procedure.
  • Skill and good judgement in following up cues.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Good observation and consideration of nonverbal reactions of patient.
  • Realistic appraisal of the recourses and limitations of the patient and family and appropriate structuring of goals.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Shows understanding of the uses and limitations.
  • Can extract relevant information, and interpret in the context of the particular case.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Establishes rapport with patients, reduces tensions and inspires confidence by exhibiting interest, considerations and a relaxed professional manner.
  • Takes decisions and responsibility within the limits of competence.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Independent research and quality of thesis.
  • Concise, clear, pertinent.
  • Applied Value.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Flexible according to needs of clinical situation.
  • Cross-Cultural efficiency.
  • Ongoing mutual assessment of progress.

    Integrated Assessment:
  • Knowledge of theoretical work will be determined by means of tests, examinations, assignments, report writing.
  • Supervision of practical work will be done by registered, Clinical Psychologists, according to the rules and regulations of the Professional Board for Psychology.
  • Completion of a mini-thesis. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Psychology, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    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: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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. North West University 


    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.