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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Higher Certificate in Criminal Justice 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
93594  Higher Certificate in Criminal Justice 
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
Higher Certificate  Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security  Justice in Society 
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:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare learners, who do not comply with the minimum institutional admission requirements for access to Diploma or Degree studies in the College of Law, especially in the various fields in Criminal Justice, for access to qualifications at higher levels.

The qualification is intended to introduce learners to the main fields of Criminal Justice theory and practice by imparting systematic knowledge, skills, and theoretical competence within the field to prepare them for more specialised training. It is furthermore the intention of this qualification to deliver graduates who have sound knowledge and the confidence to apply their skills in contemporary society and to enable further study in the College of Law, especially in the various fields in Criminal Justice, or even in other colleges.

Rationale:
This qualification provides learners who do not meet the stipulated minimum university requirements, an opportunity to gain access to qualifications offered in the College of Law, especially in the various fields in Criminal Justice.

This qualification also addresses the workplace need for basic knowledge of Criminal Justice issues. The majority of learners who aspire to this qualification are likely to be those already employed in the criminal justice system. The qualification will, therefore, give them the opportunity to develop skills and acquire vital knowledge that is essential for successful execution of their duties. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
Learners can achieve this qualification through RPL; the institution's RPL policy guides this process. Skills, knowledge and experience in respect of competencies acquired through informal and non-formal learning are also assessed in the RPL process. The learner can be granted access to the qualification through RPL.

Entry Requirements:
To gain access to this qualification learners require one of the following:
  • A National Senior Certificate (NSC) with a minimum of 30% in the language of learning and teaching of the Higher Education Institution.
  • A Senior Certificate issued prior to 2008.
  • An appropriate Further Education and Training Certificate or equivalent. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises 10 compulsory modules at NQF Level 5 totalling 120 Credits (12 Credits each):
  • English for Academic Purposes.
  • Academic Literacy.
  • End-User Computing.
  • Introduction to Criminology: Crime, Criminals and Criminal Behaviour.
  • Basic Language Skills in at least one of the official languages.
  • Forensic Methods and Techniques.
  • Crime Prevention Principles for Policing Module 1.
  • Social Dimensions of Justice.
  • Introduction to Corrections Science.
  • Security Principles and Practices. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate an informed understanding of the core areas of criminal justice.
    2. Communicate information reliably, accurately and coherently, using conventions appropriate to the context, in written or signed form, including an understanding of and respect for conventions around intellectual property, copyright and plagiarism, including the associated legal implications.
    3. Demonstrate the ability for further Higher Education studies in an open distance learning (ODL) environment in criminal justice disciplines. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • An understanding of the key terms, concepts, facts, general principles, rules and theories of the criminal justice disciplines is demonstrated.
  • An awareness of how knowledge or a knowledge system develops and evolves within criminal justice disciplines is demonstrated.
  • Identify, evaluate and solve defined, routine and new problems within a familiar context, and apply solutions based on relevant evidence and procedures or other forms of explanation appropriate to criminal justice disciplines demonstrating an understanding of the consequences.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Academic writing skills are used to produce well-written and communicative documentation.
  • Texts are interpreted and responded to in writing in a range of contexts.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • General computer skills are demonstrated.
  • Standard methods, procedures or techniques are selected and applied within criminal justice disciplines.
  • An implementation process within a well-defined, familiar and supported environment is planned and managed.
  • Prescribed organisational and professional ethical codes of conduct, values and practices applicable to criminal justice disciplines are taken account of and applied. Guidance on ethical and professional issues are sought where necessary.
  • Information from a range of sources is gathered, to select information appropriate to the task, and basic processes of analysis, synthesis and evaluation are applied to information.
  • Critical self-assessment that reflects an awareness of taking responsibility for own activities, ethical behaviour and continued personal development in the field of criminal justice is undertaken.
  • Reasoning reflects an acceptable social sensitivity in the learner's relationships and interactions with others in the criminal justice and other work environments.

    Integrated Assessment:
    To be awarded the qualification, a learner must achieve each of the compulsory modules and must demonstrate the ability to engage in these fields of criminal justice in an integrative way, dealing with divergent demands related to these work operations, effectively. Evidence is required that the learner is able to achieve the purpose of the qualification as a whole at the time of the award of the qualification. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification and the component modules have been compared with the qualifications and programmes and the curricular of international Universities such as the:
  • Criminal Justice Certificate Program offered by the University Of Wisconsin-Madison.
  • Professional certificate programs in Criminal Justice, Security, and Corrections offered by Kaplan University.

    Conclusion:
    Although generally this qualification and its component modules compare favourably with their international counterparts emphasis is placed on removing the current Eurocentric bias in order to Africanise and align the module offerings in accordance with the University's transformation policy. 
    		•

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

    This Qualification articulates horizontally with other cognate Higher Certificates and vertically with other cognate Advanced Certificates and Diplomas at NQF Level 6. 

    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 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 South Africa 


    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.