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: 

Master of Occupational Therapy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
72917  Master of Occupational Therapy 
ORIGINATOR
University of KwaZulu-Natal 
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 
1) To produce a cadre of qualified occupational therapists (OT's) with an advanced level of professional knowledge, expertise and insight

2) To equip OT's with the knowledge and skills to enable them to conduct appropriate research into the role, scope and efficacy of OT intervention, teaching or practice. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
1) A basic degree in OT

2) 2 years full-time (or equivalent thereof) clinical experience


3) RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING
Accredited prior learning as determined by one or more of the following:
  • Indepth interview.
  • Submission of a portfolio of prior experience, reading/publication, course attendance, service certificates, letters of recommendation. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1) Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of theoretical constructs underpinning the field of study

    2) Demonstrate adequate knowledge of research methodology as well as have developed skill to effectively and independently design, implement, write up and evaluate a research project.

    3) Demonstrate the integration of professional insights, knowledge and skill within a research context

    4) Submit a dissertation of approximately 40,000 words

    5) Demonstrate self directed work and study 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated assessment

    The assessment will consist of:

    1) Evaluation of the research proposal submission

    2) Ongoing supervision, monitoring and feedback at different stages of the research process

    3) Submission of dissertation

    4) Oral examination on dissertation

    5) Self and peer appraisal

    6) Use of competent assessor within the field of study from disciplines other than OT if indicated 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    With universities offering masters and PhD studies on OT between the disciplines of Occupation Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech therapy & Audiology as well as field of study within psychology, industrial psychology and social work. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    1) The suitability of the qualification for registration with the HPCSA will be determined by the Professional Board for Occupational Therapy and Medical Orthotics and Prosthetics

    2) Moderators and examiners will be appointed from suitably qualified experts from within and outside of the profession

    3) Accreditation bodies are the Council for Higher Education and the HPCSA 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    Assessor should:

    1) Demonstrate recognised expertise in the area/topic of study in particular and in the field of OT in general

    2) Have attained at least a Master qualifications or have demonstrated suitable research capacity through implementation and publication of such research in recognised publications and settings

    3) Evidence of appropriate teaching and/or clinical experience in the field of study

    4) Where appropriate, assessors from outside the profession of OT but with the necessary knowledge and skills in the particular area of study 

    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: 
    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. University of KwaZulu-Natal 


    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.