SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Master of Commerce: Industrial and Organisational Psychology

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
84867	Master of Commerce: Industrial and Organisational Psychology
ORIGINATOR
University of South Africa
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 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies		Human Resources
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	180	Not Applicable	NQF Level 09	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 does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:

The primary purpose of the Master of Commerce: Industrial and Organisational Psychology, is to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of new knowledge at an advanced level in the field and practice of industrial and organisational psychology, and to enhance students' career prospects and the social value of their work. The qualification provides graduates with comprehensive and specialist knowledge of the principles, major theories and paradigms, methods and technology of the science and profession of industrial and organisational psychology. It equips graduates with the required advanced and specialised intellectual and practical skills and expertise in various sub-areas of professional practice at the forefront of the field to act as industrial and organisational psychology research specialists or as human resource practitioners in an organisation.

The Master of Commerce: Industrial and Organisational Psychology will provide students with two options: A coursework and research programme and a research only option. The Coursework and Research Option requires a high level of intellectual independence and theoretical engagement from students during the first year with various sub-areas of specialisation by means of a coursework programme. Students are required to complete an advanced research project in a chosen area of specialisation which culminates in the production and acceptance of a limited dissertation during the second year of study. Following a period of internship, the Master of Commerce: Industrial and Organisational Psychology (coursework and research option) places graduates in a position to register as Industrial Psychologists with the Professional Board for Psychology of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

The research only option requires a high level of intellectual independence and theoretical engagement from students with a chosen area of specialisation and the completion of an advanced research project which culminates in the production and acceptance of a full dissertation.

Both options place graduates in a position to register as Master Human Resource Practitioners with the South African Board for Personnel Practices (SABPP).

Rationale:

The qualification provides advanced and specialised education, training and scholarship in the field and practice of industrial and organisational psychology. The profession of industrial and organisational psychology has become increasingly relevant in the modern era, as evidenced by the burgeoning research-based publications devoted to the study, understanding and improvement of human work behaviour and the psychological conditions of workers in the multiculturally diverse local and global socio-economic, socio-political and legal work contexts. Master of Commerce: Industrial and Organisational Psychology can contribute to the conceptualisation, design and implementation of methods of enquiry, including the application of specialised knowledge, skills and technologies relevant to the profession to address complex and challenging human behaviour problems both in the African and the global organisational contexts. The solutions, insights and new knowledge generated by means of advanced scholarship and research may contribute to improved quality of work-life and organisational productivity.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Candidates accessing this qualification should:

Be able to read and critically evaluate academic text in English and communicate information and own ideas orally and in written text that is grammatically correct, well structured and concise, using the convention of academic/professional discourse reliably and appropriately.

Be able to independently and responsibly plan, schedule and take responsibility for the success of their learning in an Open Distance Learning (ODL) tuition environment.

Be able to identify, access, retrieve and integrate information from scholarly, research-based and other professional literature sources relevant to the field.

Be able to use technology to such an extent that they can access and participate in the qualification by means of online delivery and also use the library and other electronic services in support of the learning and any other additional resources related to the qualification.

Have comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects of the field of industrial and organisational psychology.

Have an NQF Level 8 qualification with specialisation in Industrial and Organisational Psychology.

Recognition of Prior Learning:

Admission this Master's Degree could be granted to learners not in possession of the specified degree that meets the admission requirements at the discretion of the Institution and in agreement with the relevant Quality Council.

Assessors should assess and give credit for evidence of learning that has already been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience.

Access to Qualification:

A relevant Honours Degree with specialisation in Industrial and Organisational Psychology.

OR

A "Professional" Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 96 credits at NQF Level 8 and with specialisation in Industrial and Organisational Psychology.

OR

A Postgraduate Diploma: Organisation Development or a specialisation sub-field relevant to Industrial and Organisational Psychology.

Candidates will undergo a screening and selection process that should be completed to the satisfaction of the admissions committee of the department before they can proceed with the Master's degree. The screening process will be aimed at determining the proficiency of the student in research and the field of industrial and organisational psychology.

The student must also have access to all types of South African media.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

A minimum of 180 Credits is required to complete the qualification.

All Modules are at NQF Level 9.

Coursework and Research Option:

Organisational Psychology; 24 Credits.

Personnel Psychology; 24 Credits.

Career Psychology and Professional Growth; 24 Credits.

Psychological Assessment; 24 Credits.

Research Methodology; 12 Credits.

Research Proposal; 12 Credits.

Limited Dissertation; 60 Credits.

Total Credits: 180 Credits.

Research only option:

Research Proposal; 12 Credits.

Full dissertation; 168 Credits.

Total Credits: 180 Credits.

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Coursework and Research Option:

1.1. Demonstrate coherent and critical understanding founded on a comprehensive and systematic grasp of research methodologies, ethical standards, technologies and professional practice in all the areas.

Range: Organisational psychology, group facilitation, employee counselling, personnel psychology, career psychology, psychological assessment and continued professional growth.

1.2. Creatively and systematically apply knowledge about ethical standards, theoretical principles, research methods, techniques and technologies to complex and real-world problems and issues in all the areas.

Range: Organisational psychology, group facilitation, employee counselling, personnel psychology, career psychology and psychological assessment.

1.3. Use an academic/professional discourse to gather data and information appropriately, reliably and accurately, and apply sound judgements in reaching conclusions which are communicated clearly to both specialist and non-specialist audiences.

1.4. Demonstrate self-direction and originality in dealing with human behaviour problems in an organisational context, by using a wide range of specialised skills in conceptualising, designing and implementing methods of enquiry in the form of a research proposal to tackle and solve identified problems.

1.5. Apply specialised knowledge, skills, technologies and ethical standards relevant to the profession in planning and implementing an advanced research project and, using the resources of an academic/professional discourse, write up a dissertation of limited scope which meets the standards of scholarly/professional writing.

1.6. Demonstrate capacity to manage and self-assess learning tasks autonomously, professionally, responsibly and ethically with due consideration to own continued professional growth and development as an aspiring industrial psychologist.

2. Research Option:

2.1. Use a wide range of specialised skills to conceptualise, design and implement methods of enquiry, in a sub-area of professional practice at the forefront of the field of industrial and organisational psychology, to tackle and solve complex and real-world problems and issues relating to human behaviour problems, in the form of a research proposal.

2.2. Use available data and information found in an academic/professional discourse appropriately, reliably and accurately to make sound judgements and communicate conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

2.3. Apply specialised knowledge, skills, technologies and ethical standards relevant to the profession to plan and implement an advanced research project and, using the resources of an academic/professional discourse, write up a full dissertation which meets the standards of scholarly/professional writing.

2.4. Demonstrate capacity to manage and self-assess learning tasks autonomously, professionally, responsibly and ethically with due consideration of own continued professional growth and development.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

Identify and solve challenging, complex and real-life human behaviour problems in an organisational context and make decisions using advanced self-directed critical and creative thinking.

Autonomously collect, analyse, research, organise and creatively evaluate information and make sound judgements, reflecting critical self-reflection and a consideration of consequences and ethical standards.

Work effectively with others as members of a team, group, organisation or community by taking full responsibility for own work and, where appropriate, accountability for leading and initiating processes and implementing systems, ensuring good resource management and governance practices.

Organise and manage self and own activities responsibly and effectively, develop own learning strategies which sustain independent learning and academic or continued professional development and interact effectively within the learning or professional group as a means of enhancing learning.

Communicate effectively using visual and/or language skills in the mode of oral and/or written presentations, including the use of the resources of academic, professional or occupational discourses, to communicate and defend substantial ideas that are the products of research or development in the field of industrial and organisational psychology. Use a range of advanced and specialised skills and discourses appropriate to the profession, to communicate to a range of audiences with different levels of knowledge and expertise.

Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation. This includes making interventions at an appropriate level within a system, based on an understanding of hierarchical relations within the system, the socio-economic, socio-political and legal contexts, ethical standards and the intended and unintended consequences of interventions.

Develop sensitivity to diversity and individual uniqueness and understand similarities shared with others.

Promote responsible citizenship by contributing towards the psychological wellbeing of others and quality of work life within the organisation, including the full personal development of individuals, and the social and economic development of society at large.

Develop a well-rounded and systematic theoretical knowledge base in the field of industrial and organisational psychology and a practical macro vision, taking into account socio-political, legal and multicultural factors influencing economic, business and people management internationally, nationally and locally. This includes making autonomous ethical decisions which affect knowledge production, or complex organisational or professional issues, and contribute to the development of ethical standards in a specific organisational context.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

The following set of generic assessment criteria apply to the qualification as a whole:

Insight, knowledge and understanding of the relevant theoretical and ethical principles, research methodologies and techniques are applied to complex, unfamiliar and/or real-world human behavioural problems, in an organisational context and in a manner that reflects the acquisition of the required professional expertise.

Current research and multiple sources of scholarly literature are reviewed, rigorously critiqued and evaluated in order to develop creative responses to ill-defined and unfamiliar problems and issues in the African organisational context.

The analyses and interpretation of quantitative and qualitative data and information demonstrate coherent and critical insight by means of well-rounded, theory-based and research-driven arguments and critical self-reflection.

Problems and diagnoses of human psychological functioning in an organisational context are accurately assessed and interpreted, taking multiple contexts and professional and ethical standards into consideration.

The solutions and insights generated contribute new knowledge in understanding human behaviour and improving organisational productivity and demonstrate a macro-vision that considers the consequences at local and global socio-economic and socio-political levels.

Scholarly literature and own insights and viewpoints are effectively communicated (orally and in writing) to the different role players in the field of industrial and organisational psychology and human resource management, showing an awareness of the audience and using academic/professional discourse appropriately and accurately.

Critical self-assessment reflects an awareness of taking responsibility for own activities, ethical behaviour and continued professional development in the field of industrial and organisational psychology and general human resource management.

Reasoning, viewpoints, insights and ideas reflect an acceptable social sensitivity in the student's relationship and interaction with others and work in the scholarly, industrial and organisational psychology and human resource management work environment.

Ethical decisions which affect knowledge production or complex organisational or professional issues are made with social sensitivity and awareness of consequences in an autonomous manner.

Integrated Assessment:

Competence is achieved through continuous assessment by demonstrating the ability to master the outcomes of the qualification.

To be awarded the degree for the coursework and research option of the qualification, a candidate must have successfully achieved the outcomes of each of the compulsory/core modules that constitute the qualification, and have completed an approved research proposal and dissertation of limited scope under guided supervision.

To be awarded the degree for the research option of the qualification, a candidate must have completed an approved research proposal and full dissertation under guided supervision.

Evidence is required by means of comprehensive and integrated assessment (constituting a range of formative and summative assessments) that the candidate is able to achieve the purpose of the qualification as a whole at the time that the qualification is awarded.

Coursework and research option:

Continuous formative and summative assessment methods are used during the one-year coursework programme in the form of written and oral tests and exams, supervision of practical work, presentation of case studies, group discussions, simulations, assignments and practical assessment of applicable skill and expertise. During the second (research) year students should provide evidence of learning competency (knowledge, skills, attitudes and expertise) by means of an approved research proposal and limited dissertation in a specialised field of industrial and organisational psychology that complies with Master's Degree level standards.

Research option:

Students should provide evidence of learning competency (knowledge, skills, attitudes and expertise) by means of an approved research proposal and full dissertation in a specialised field of industrial and organisational psychology that complies with Master's Degree level standards.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

In terms of the required research component and theoretical knowledge (and practical skills - where applicable) this qualification meets international standards in terms of the requirements for a Master's Degree.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

Horizontal Articulation:

This qualification articulates vertically with any cognate Master's Degree at NQF Level 9.

Vertical Articulation:

This qualification articulates horizontally with any cognate PhD or equivalent qualification at NQF level 10.

MODERATION OPTIONS

The moderation of formative and summative assessment must comply with the rules outlined in the Assessment Policy of the University of South Africa. The examination of the both the limited and full dissertations must comply with the rules outlined in the Higher Degrees Policy of the University of South Africa. All examinations are moderated by an internal (second) and an external examiner or moderator. All first and second examiners are Unisa lecturers. External examiners or moderators are senior academics at other tertiary institutions or specialists in the field. Both internal and external examiners are appointed by the Dean of the College of Economic and Management Sciences upon recommendation of the Department of Industrial and Organisational Psychology at this institution. Second examiners appointed by the relevant department will act as internal moderators or examiners. Appointments of external assessors and examiners or moderators will be made in accordance with the Unisa Assessment Policy.

The University of South Africa has a system of internal and external peer review and evaluation of each course for quality assurance purposes. One of the aspects of the system is an evaluation of the standards and assessment practices of the department and institution by local and international universities, and moderators are alternated for better quality control.

The coursework and research option of the qualification is accredited by the Professional Board for Psychology of the HPCSA and external moderation is conducted by the HPCSA.

CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS

Academic staff members of the University of South Africa or, in the case of external assessment or examination, academic staff members from other universities who have at least a Master's Degree in Industrial and Organisational Psychology, will act as assessors. Assessors, assessment and moderation practices must comply with the requirements stipulated in the Assessment, Learner Support and Open Distance Learning policies of the University of South Africa.

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2012; 2015.

NOTES

Graduates who have successfully completed the Coursework and Research option of the Master of Commerce: Industrial and Organisational Psychology and who wish to register with the HPCSA will have to complete an internship and pass a National Board Examination set by the College for Professional Psychology, which functions under the auspices of the Professional Board for Psychology of the HPCSA.

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 South Africa