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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Arts in Psychology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
8109  Master of Arts in Psychology 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Western Cape 
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 07 - Human and Social Studies  General Social Science 
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 qualification trains research psychologists who may register with the Professional Board of Psychology in the category of Research Psychologist.

Given the history of the institution and current learners' backgrounds, the qualification has impacted on the existing imbalances of race, class and gender within the discipline and practice of psychology and more broadly, by prioritising the development of black, women and African-language speaking researches.

The qualification forms part of the objective of the institution to 'expand and develop and make the institution the locus of Allied Health Sciences and Public Health, in order to prepare learners for the rapidly changing provision of health service regionally and nationally'.

The qualification attempts to address social needs, particularly those evident within the field of mental health by training research psychologists who are socially aware and representative of historically disadvantaged communities and social groups. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.

Entry requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Psychology, NQF Level 8.
    Or
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Develop the skills necessary to practice in the category of Research Psychologist. The skills covered fall broadly into two groups: metatheoretical knowledge and research methodology. Metatheoretical knowledge involves becoming acquainted with a wide range of philosophical frameworks within the period of modernity to post-modernity. A wide range of philosophical frameworks and methods of research are covered and learners gain practical skills of the research process as well.
    2. Identifying and solve problems using thinking: The qualification trains learners to identify psychological problems (assessment) and address them through the design of a research project. Learners also gain other skills of intervention, such as psycho-education for the practical work that they carry out as part of the qualification.
    3. Work effectively with others in organisational/team structures: The qualification provides opportunities for learners to work in a team and in community settings/organisations. This takes place both through their practical qualification in the first year and in their internship year where they are based in an institution, working in a team which is usually interdisciplinary (e.g. other social science researchers, health practitioners).
    4. Organise and manage activities effectively: Learners gain some skills and experience in managing a project, including a research and community intervention based project.
    5. Collecting, analysing, organising and evaluating information: Learners are required to carry out a research project for their mini-thesis.
    6. Communicate effectively: The qualification provides learners with skills and experience in interviewing, group facilitation skills, counselling and psycho-education, in which they are required to communicate information effectively with individuals and groups.
    7. Use science and technology effectively and critically: Debates in this respect are integrated into the qualification and learners gain skills in technological equipment of use in their profession, such as computer processing, statistical computer packages, visual and audio tape recording.
    8. A contextual understanding: There is a strong emphasis in the course on community and contextual theoretical and methodological understandings of psychological problems. This focus is integrated into all courses.
    9. Contribute to the personal development of the learner: In respect of developing entrepreneurial opportunities, the qualification offers a professional training which opens options of private or public employ for learners. The process of developing skills in psychology assumes a strong focus on personal development and self-understanding in order to be effective as a helping-agent. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated Assessment:
  • Integrated assessment is appropriately incorporated to ensure that the purpose of the qualification is achieved.
  • Continuous assessment and final exams. Assessment of theoretical knowledge as well as skills. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers both possibilities of horizontal and vertical articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Arts, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial Psychology, 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: 
     
    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 the Western Cape 


    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.