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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Occupational Therapy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
7525  Master of Occupational Therapy 
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch 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 
1. To equip students with a sophisticated knowledge and understanding of the theory pertaining to the profession of occupational therapy

2. To ensure mastery in the profession via high level analysis of new information, the ability to deal with complexity and to find workable solutions to problems and challenges.

3. To enable students to do advanced and independent research through rigorous training in research methodology and to introduce them to the world of scholarly communication, inter alia by assisting them to start publishing on their own

4. To prepare students who aspire to move to the highest level of academic study for the Doctoral qualification and to promote an approach based on academic integrity and professional ethics.

5. To contribute to the pool of academics and professionals with the competence and critical intellectual abilities to ensure advancement of the profession and meeting the country's need for a skilled workforce of the highest calibre. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
First degree: Bachelor in Occupational Therapy.

Honours degree: Honours Bachelor in Occupational Therapy.

Additional qualification requirements:
  • Written application to the Senate, or the Executive Committee on behalf of the Senate
  • A minimum of two years clinical experience after obtaining the Bachelor degree in Occupational Therapy.
  • Successful completion of a provisional examination for direct acceptance to the Thesis Master's in Occupational Therapy. Students who completed an acknowledged course in research and or advanced study may be exempted from the provisional examination. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    N 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1). GENERIC / CRITICAL CROSS FIELD OUTCOMES

    The Master in Occupational Therapy graduate will:

    1. Show advanced critical and creative thinking in problem solving, clinical reasoning and accountable decision-making.

    2. Manage professional activities effectively and responsibly, thereby contributing to the goals of the organisation and profession.

    3. Communicate effectively and efficiently, using appropriate technology in collaboration with all role players.

    4. Apply a holistic approach and consider all professional actions to contribute to the well being of all in the immediate as well as in the wider community

    5. Further own professional development by reflecting on learning strategies, participating in and utilising learning opportunities as well as generating professional entrepreneurial services.


    2). SPECIFIC OUTCOMES

    The Master in Occupational Therapy graduate will:

    6. Demonstrate a sound knowledge of the use of research methodology

    7. Show an appreciation of the importance of research principles in professional practices and ongoing research

    8. Demonstrate advanced skills in presentation of scientific reports

    9. Demonstrate the ability to manage occupational therapy services on the tertiary, secondary and primary level within the various health care programmes

    10. Show an in-depth understanding of advanced occupational therapy theory

    11. Contribute to the development of the theory and practice foundation of occupational therapy by applying advanced cognitive, psychomotor and affective ability/skills in research

    12. Demonstrate competence in applying clinical reasoning based on advanced occupational therapy knowledge to address direct and indirect services on all levels of care

    13. Demonstrate the ability to confidently and independently apply well developed research skills 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    1).

    1. The assessment used for Master's in Occupational Therapy ensures that the purpose of the qualification is achieved.

    2. A range of formative and summative assessment methods, such as portfolios, simulations, assignments, oral and written presentations and written and oral examinations are used in the structured programme

    3. The required range of modalities is used integratively to assess whether the specified outcomes have been achieved

    4. The assessment used meets the standard and level of achievement for NQF level 8.

    To demonstrate competence in outcome (1, 3, 8 and 11) a student must be able to communicate logical and coherent way in both verbal and written presentations.


    The criterion used to assess outcome (6, 9, 10) is largely whether the information and conceptual content of the assignment the student submits are correct and shows an advanced knowledge application.

    Competence in outcome (6 and 11) will be demonstrated if the student shows an ability to compile, correlate, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information and concepts to develop or expand on occupational therapy theory and practice.

    The student's written and oral presentations must be of an acceptable standard in terms of use of Afrikaans or English language and the structural organisation of presentations.

    The criterion used to assess outcomes (2, 6, 9 and 13) is largely whether the information and conceptual content of the work are reflected in assignments and the final assignment or thesis.

    The criterion used to assess outcomes (5, 8 and 12) is largely whether the student shows enthusiasm, participate in discussions and present the knowledge attained in practical applications in assignments and discussions.

    The criterion used to assess outcome (4) is largely whether the student apply advanced clinical reasoning in all professional activities.

    The criterion used to assess outcome (13) is largely whether the student complete the final assignment or thesis independently.

    The criterion used to measure outcome (8 and 13) is largely whether the thesis judged by an external examiner complies 100% with the requirements set by the department and the university.


    INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT


    The research assignment/thesis constitutes the ultimate assessment of the student's integration and application of advanced knowledge, critical and creative thinking, advanced clinical reasoning and management of outcomes (services onn all levels, own development and the management process). The research assignment/thesis integrates a comprehensive literature review, data selection and analysis, discussion of results and recommendations and presentation of the study in a well formulated/thoroughly evaluated / well written (logical and coherent) document. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Bachelor in Occupational Therapy serves as an entry point to the HonsB in Occupational Therapy (US) regarding the research modules, university of Stellenbosch Postgraduate Business School regarding modules in Management.

    Other articulation possibilities, either generic or specific

    Master's in Occupational Therapy at the university of Cape Town (UCT) and Western Cape (UWC) regarding various specific topics in advanced occupational therapy theory, university of Stellenbosch Postgraduate Business School regarding modules in management. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The university of Stellenbosch has a system of external peer review and evaluation of departments. One of the aspects of the system is an evaluation of the standards and assessment practices of the department.

    In addition to two or more internal examiners (which will usually be staff members of the university of Stellenbosch) standard university regulations require that one external examiner of scholarly repute has to assess the thesis. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    The academic staff of the university of Stellenbosch will be used in a manner that fits into the quality asurance system of the university.

    In addition to two or internal examiners (which will usually be staff members of the university of Stellenbosch) standard university regulations require that one external examiner has to assess a Master's thesis in terms of a list of standard criteria and submit a written report 

    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: 
     
    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. Stellenbosch 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.