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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Higher Certificate in Counselling and Communication Skills 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
84966  Higher Certificate in Counselling and Communication Skills 
ORIGINATOR
The South African College of Applied Psychology - Pretoria 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Higher Certificate  Field 07 - Human and Social Studies  General Social Science 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  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:

This qualification is aimed at equipping students for work in community development, health counselling and social services. Specialisations provide the opportunities to deepen an interest in a particular counselling field or in relation to a specific client group. It thus meets the current increasing demand for trained lay counsellors in all sectors of community mental health in South Africa.

This qualification thus enables students to:
  • Apply the skills of effective communication and basic counselling in a multi-cultural South Africa.
  • Apply cultural and contextual influences on counselling and communication.
  • Explain important terminology in the field of applied psychology and counselling.
  • Explain the applicability of human behavioural sciences and models of counselling.
  • Critically reflect on their own methodology of learning.

    Rationale:

    The long-term demand for lay counsellors will increasingly become more urgently needed as communities across South Africa face a growing challenge of transition to the new South Africa. Poverty, HIV, and Health care needs all present a long term challenge for better and more sustained community mental health care training. The qualification addresses the current growing and acknowledged need for training and equipping a wide range of community based organisations, and agencies in counselling skills. The increased enquiries of those interested in the training at the South African College for Applied Psychology (SACAP) have indicated the need for this qualification. Currently, there is also an indication that many lay counsellors in the various communities have a wide range of skills/experience but no qualifications. SACAP's Recognition of Prior Learning policy gives access to such students. At the core of what SACAP is doing is providing students with value-based training. SACAP is one of only a few private higher educational institutions in South Africa offering accredited training for counselling and communication skilling. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Applicants are required to:
  • Be in possession of a National Senior Certificate or other recognised Grade 12 equivalent.
  • Be able to read, write and communicate in English and in one other official language.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:

    To acknowledge the life-long learning of individuals and to ensure that due recognition is given to an individual's past and present formal and informal learning experiences, the College, in accordance with Government and University guidelines, provides applicants with recognition of learning for certain core modules. If there is sufficient evidence in the application and portfolio, no further assessment may be necessary. If further assessment is required, it may take any practical form consistent with the assessment criteria for the claimed competencies and the principles of validity, reliability, fairness and flexibility.

    Mature students wishing to enrol into the Higher Certificate Programme are required to provide a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Motivation letter. Applicants who fall outside the standard entry criteria but who show considerable merit and satisfy the College that they have the potential to successfully undertake study at the required academic level are given conditional enrolment. Such applicants will be required to meet the conditions laid down by the College during their first term of study in order to achieve full enrolment.

    Access to the Qualification:

    A National Senior Certificate or other recognised Grade 12 equivalent. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises 11 compulsory modules at NQF Level 5 to the total of 120 Credits.

    List of compulsory modules:
  • Introduction to Psychology A, 12 Credits.
  • Interpersonal Communication, 12 Credits.
  • Counselling Methods 1, 12 Credits.
  • Research and Study Skills, 6 Credits.
  • Introduction to Psychology B, 12 Credits.
  • Practical Counselling Skills 1, 12 Credits.
  • Development through the lifespan, 12 Credits.
  • The Family in Contemporary Society, 6 Credits.
  • Counselling Methods 2, 12 Credits.
  • Introduction to Mental Health Issues, 12 Credits.
  • Cultural Diversity in a South African Context, 12 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Apply the skills of effective communication and basic counselling in a multi-cultural South African context.

    2. Demonstrate an awareness of cultural and contextual influences on counselling and communication.

    3. Identify and explain important terminology in the field of applied psychology and counselling.

    4. Explain the applicability of human behavioural sciences and models of counselling.

    5. Critically reflect on own counselling methodology.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

    All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in this qualification. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

    1.1 Information is communicated reliably, accurately and coherently, using conventions appropriate to the context, either in writing, verbally or in practical demonstration.
    1.2 Understanding of and respect for conventions around intellectual property, copyright and plagiarism is clearly demonstrated.
    1.3 An ability to answer for own actions and an ability to work effectively with and respect others is demonstrated.
    1.4 Supervisory responsibility for others in a defined context is taken, as well as for the responsible use of resources where appropriate.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

    2.1 Actions are taken in accordance with prescribed organisational and professional ethical codes of conduct, values and practices.
    2.2 Guidance on ethical and professional issues is sought from registered professionals or mentors where necessary.
    2.3 Due consideration is given to and sensitivity is demonstrated at all times in issues of cultural, religious sexual orientation and language diversity.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

    3.1 The main areas of one or more fields, disciplines or practices are described.
    3.2 Core topics in the discipline, including key terms, concepts, facts, principles, rules and theories of a field, discipline or practice are explained.
    3.3 The development and/or evolvement of knowledge (or a knowledge system) within the discipline of Psychology is explained.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

    4.1 Understanding of different kinds of systems, their constituent parts and the relationships between these parts is demonstrated.
    4.2 The ways in which actions taken in one area impact on or affect other areas within the same system, are explained in terms of counselling methods.
    4.3 An ability to operate in a range of familiar and new contexts is demonstrated.
    4.4 The planning, management and implementation of the counselling process within a supported environment is demonstrated.
    4.5 The application of standard methods, procedures, and/or techniques in the field, discipline or practice within a supported environment is demonstrated.
    4.6 Information appropriate to the task is gathered from a range of sources, including oral, written and/or symbolic texts.
    4.7 The processes of analysis, synthesis and evaluation of that information are applied in the completion of a basic research project.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:

    5.1 Routine and new problems within a familiar context are identified, defined, evaluated and solved.
    5.2 Solutions based on relevant evidence and procedures and/or other forms of explanation appropriate to the field, discipline or practice are applied.
    5.3 Own and others' performance is assessed and appropriate action is taken where necessary.
    5.4 Responsibility is taken for own learning within a structured learning process and the learning of others is promoted.

    Integrated Assessment:

    The student's ability to achieve the exit level outcomes will be assessed according to an integrated assessment strategy. An Integrated Assessment strategy includes both formative and summative assessment where competencies are assessed through case studies, research assignments, reports, presentations, role-plays and critical reflection.

    An important aspect of assessment is that it should develop in students the ability to independently evaluate the quality of their work.

    The formative purpose of assessment is to encourage an in-depth approach to learning through students' own activity and engagement with the subject.

    The summative purpose of assessment is to lead to the certification of achievement or ability of students for external audiences. 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares favourably with a similar qualification offered in Australia, where counselling is seen as a profession that gives considered and appropriate advice to people with everyday behavioural problems, rather than dealing with issues of abnormal behaviour, which is the province of Psychiatrists and Psychologists. The aims of the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors course correlate with this qualification, although, in South Africa, this qualification does not qualify counsellors to establish their own practices.

    This qualification also compares with the Diploma in Counselling offered by the Kenya Institute of Social work and Training Development (KISWCD), which is an independent organisation not affiliated to any Governmental, Religious or Political group. The institute is committed to empowerment of the community through training and management. The Diploma in Counselling is an eighteen month course, which is both theoretical and experiential and is designed for people who wish to gain understanding and critical insight into professional counselling. It requires learners to develop an extensive knowledge of counselling psychology, the applications of counselling and practical competence in counselling skills. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:

    This Qualification articulates horizontally with any cognate Higher Certificate at NQF Level 5.

    Vertical Articulation:

    The Qualification articulates vertically with any cognate Advanced Certificate at NQF Level 6. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    College educators participate in a moderation process for the purposes of academic accountability, consistency of assessment feedback and grading and professional development. If moderation of marked assessments is to take place within a particular module during a term of study, the educator will inform the students that moderation is taking place and discuss with students any concerns they may have in regard to confidentiality. Please note that moderation is about the educator's quality of feedback and grading - it is not directly concerned with the content or authorship of the assessment. 

    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 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    The provider, the South African College of Applied Psychology, is accredited to offer this qualification in both Contact and Distance Learning modes.
    . 

    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. The South African College of Applied Psychology - Cape Town 
    2. The South African College of Applied Psychology - 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.