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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Arts in Child and Family Studies 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
86178  Master of Arts in Child and Family Studies 
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  People/Human-Centred Development 
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:
  • Among the myriad problems South Africans faced and continue to face today are high levels of unemployment, crime, HIV/AIDS, drug use and abuse, teen pregnancies, child abuse and neglect, etc.
  • Most black families in society, through apartheid policies such as influx control, immorality act, forced removals and labour migrations, suffered various negative social, psychological, and economic consequences.
  • The democratic government's efforts to rebuild communities that were torn apart by the nefarious policies of apartheid essentially boil down to ensuring the welfare of families which are the nuclei of such communities. Thus, the research and teaching focus would be based on the centrality of the family as an institution in the social and economic organisation of society.

    Rationale:
    Most black families in society, through apartheid policies such as influx control, immorality act, forced removals and labour migrations, suffered various negative social, psychological, and economic consequences. The democratic government's efforts to rebuild communities that were torn apart by the nefarious policies of apartheid essentially boil down to ensuring the welfare of families which are the nuclei of such communities. Thus, the research and teaching focus would be based on the centrality of the family as an institution in the social and economic organisation of society. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning:
    Access to the qualification can also be provided in terms of the University's Recognition of Prior Learning policy and its admission criteria stipulated by Senate. In the Recognition of Prior Learning process learners have to undergo a Portfolio Development Course to support the learner's admission. The PDC will focus on written submission explaining the reasons for the learners' interest in Child and Family Studies as an adjunct to their existing professional competencies and indicating the nature of a possible research project.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is a:
  • Postlearner Diploma in Child and Family Studies, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Postlearner Diploma in Marriage and Family Counselling, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Arts Honours in Sociology, NQF Level 7.
    Or
  • Bachelor of Arts in Social Work, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Master of Arts: Child and Family Studies, NQF Level 8, 120 Credits.

    Learning Components:
  • Advanced Classical and Contemporary Theories about the Family.
  • Advanced Quantitative Research Methods.
  • Advanced Qualitative Research Methods.
  • South African Families and Households.
  • Constructions of Children and Childhood.
  • Policies and Programmes for Families in Poverty.
  • Child Protection.
  • Children's Rights and the Law.
  • Mini Thesis. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    By the end of the qualification, qualifying learners will:
  • Do a research project in applied settings to assist political, community, business and other leaders build and manage successful social qualifications, especially family-related qualifications.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of such contemporary family-related problems and issues as child and spousal abuse, poverty, crime, divorce, child custody, marital and extramarital sex, illegitimacy, feminism and teenage parenthood in areas such as:
    > Childhood as a social construction.
    > Historical notions of childhood.
    > Understand the notion of cultural diversity in South African parenting.
    > Analyse the notion of parenthood.
    > International and South African childhoods.
    > The Convention on the Rights of the Child: Children's rights as human rights.
    > The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and relevant international law. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Display specialised scholastic and basic research skills in Child and Family Studies as outlined in the prescribed module descriptor. Lecturers set assignments, class tests and the final assessment papers in terms of module outcomes viz. Adequate level of relevant text comprehension to be demonstrated, adequate range of relevant sources to have been accessed and relevant problems to have been grasped, and appropriate theoretical and practical assignments and case studies as well as solutions to problems to have been presented. 

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares well with similar qualifications at Portland State University and the Syracuse University in the USA. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification allows possibilities for both vertical and horizontal articulation.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Arts, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Child and Family Studies, 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. 

    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.