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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Science in Psychology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
84426  Master of Science in Psychology 
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
Master's Degree  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Life Sciences 
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 
Purpose:
The primary purpose of the Master of Science dissertation is to provide learners with specialised advanced education and training while meeting the requirements of a specific research component so that learners can master the required experimental and technological skills and necessary fieldwork competencies such as innovation, decision-making, strategic thinking and organisational skills. A dissertation-based Master of Science qualification consists of a comprehensive study of a specialised area in the field of specialisation, reported on and submitted in the form of a dissertation at the end of the qualification. The qualification demands a high level of intellectual and theoretical knowledge and insight into problems related to the field of study and of critical reasoning, formulation, analysis and evaluation of a specific problem in the field of study.

Rationale:
  • The Master of Science dissertation is to provide students with specialised advanced education and training while meeting the requirements of a specific research component so that learners can master the required experimental and technological skills.
  • The Master's study programme comprises a research project based on an approved topic. A dissertation, which gives evidence of the research capability of the learner, is required. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning:
    Experienced learners are recommended to the Executive Dean and the HOD who will appoint a panel to follow the official procedure for Recognition of Prior Learning.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirements for this qualification:
  • Bachelor of Science Honours in Psychology, NQF level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
  • Dissertation, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    Exit Level Outcomes and the Associated Assessment Criteria:
    Students should be able to:
    1. Demonstrate the ability to identify to and solve problems in the field of psychology by applying the highly advanced theoretical principles correctly and reflect on the application made (problem solving skills).
    2. Demonstrate the ability independently to generate a plan of work that includes all aspects of the research project such as statement of aims, motivation for the study, identification of theoretical scheme, description of analytical method, demarcation of scope of investigation, presentation of findings, and recording of bibliographical material.
    3. Communicate effectively both orally and writing at an advanced level with the various role players in the field of psychology by applying the theoretical principles of communication and reflecting on the application and reflecting on the application made (communication skills).
    4. Develop an accountable theoretical practical macro vision of the role of psychology internationally, nationally, provincially/regionally and locally (development of macro vision).
    5. Organise and coordinate resources and opportunities in the field of psychology by applying advanced relevant theoretical aspects and reflecting on the application thereof (including entrepreneurship, where relevant) as well as accept responsibility for their own activities in the field of psychology (entrepreneurship, self-responsibility skills).
    6. Practise accept social sensitivity in the relationship with others and working effectively in team by implementing the relevant theory and reflecting on the implementation thereof (team ship).
    7. Utilise appropriate technology (computer, e-mail, fax, psychometric tests) effectively in the psychology environment (technological and environmental literacy).
    8. Explore different effecting learning strategies to acquire the different capabilities of a practitioner the field of psychology (explore learning strategies).
    9. Promote responsible citizenship through their approach towards the holistic application of psychology related skills in the field of psychology (promoting citizenship).
    10. Practise acceptable social, cultural and aesthetic sensitivity towards the people of different communities and the role players in the field of psychology by applying the appropriate theoretical principles and reflecting on the application made (cultural and aesthetic sensitivity).
    11. Acquire acceptable employment seeking skills for entry into different sectors of the psychology by utilizing the highly advanced theoretical principles of employment seeking and reflecting on the application thereof (employment seeking skills).
    12. Plan, execute and write up research, investigation or development in the science area of specialisation under some supervision. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Integrated Assessment:
    In the case of the research Master's qualification the dissertation is the only assessment requirement that has to be fulfilled. The final assessment mark (which carries a weight of 100%) will be the average of the marks given by the supervisor (50%) and the external assessor (50%). 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The program is compared with international curriculum through Peer review and external moderation. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Science in Clinical Psychology, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in 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 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 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.