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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Doctor of Philosophy in Optometry 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
73912  Doctor of Philosophy in Optometry 
ORIGINATOR
University of Johannesburg 
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 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
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
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 replaces: 
Qual ID Qualification Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Min Credits Replacement Status
3675  Doctor of Philosophy: Optometry  Level 8 and above  NQF Level 10  360  Complete 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
The primary purpose of this qualification is to provide qualifying learners with the ability to:
  • Perform independent, original and creative scientific research.
  • Contribute significant knowledge to and insight into optometry as well as the specific discipline of research.
  • Display skills in related research methodologies and in proper formulation through a doctoral dissertation.
  • Reflect upon decision-making, self-directedness and contributions to optometric science. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    A learner who claims to have achieved entry requirements through experimental learning will be assessed. If the learner is found to be competent the learner may gain access to the qualification but, where necessary, additional studies, for example, in fields including Statistics, may be required.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Master of Optometry, NQF Level 9.
    Or
  • Master of Philosophy in Optometry, NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Identify and solve significant research problems through critical and creative reasoning.

    2. Work independently and/or, where necessary, in a team with peers, advisors and lecturers.

    3. Persevere and execute a research project at the appropriate scientific level.

    4. Show self-motivated ability to collect, organise, analyse and critically evaluate information.

    5. Communicate, in writing and verbally, with advisor/s, fellow learners and health care providers.

    6. Apply science and technology in the context of research, the environment and public health.

    7. Visualise one's research project in the broader context of society and the environment at large.

    8. Acquire learning abilities in the research context including the ability to assess scientific literature critically.

    9. Conceptualise the research project within the context of the community, local, national and global.

    10. Recognise and be sensitive to cultural differences in various communities and population groups.

    11. Identify and explore employment opportunities in research and other environments.

    12. Recognise and create opportunities including employment and other opportunities. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The learner can:

    1. Identify and solve research problems, through critical and creative reasoning, that contributes substantially to the science of Optometry.

    2. Work independently and/or where necessary, in a team with peers, advisors and lecturers.

    3. Preserve and execute a research project at the appropriate level that contributes substantially to the science of optometry.

    4. Show self-motivated ability to collect, organise, analyse and critically evaluate information that contributes substantially to the science of optometry.

    5. Communicate, in writing and verbally, with advisor/s, fellow learners and health care providers.

    6. Apply science and technology in the context of research, the environment and public health.

    7. Visualise the research project in the broader context of society and the environment at large.

    8. Acquire learning abilities in the research context including the ability to assess scientific literature critically.

    9. Conceptualise the research project within the context of the community, local, national and global communities.

    10. Recognise and be sensitive to cultural differences in various communities and population groups.

    11. Identify and explore employment opportunities in research and other environments.

    12. Recognise and create opportunities that contribute substantially to the development of optometry.

    Formative assessment practices that will be implemented:

    Learners will be assessed continually through discussions with the advisor/s and through attendance at and presentation of seminars.

    Summative assessment practices that will be implemented:

    The dissertation, seminars and related publications produced will be assessed. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Doctor of Optometry, 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. University of Johannesburg 


    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.