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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
93856  Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology Management 
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
Doctoral Degree  Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences  Information Technology and Computer Sciences 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  360  Not Applicable  NQF Level 10  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 the qualification is to develop the applied competence of the learner on an advanced (executive) level in the mastering, analysis, interpretation and understanding of Information Technology (IT) Management principles and methods. Through a Doctoral dissertation, the learner will show evidence of scientific research and the ability to reflect thereon in the holistic context of IT Management. The qualification will assist in the continuing professional development of experienced and senior managers, and learners from South Africa and other African countries will benefit. The qualification will further promote the development of IT Management skills for learners and executive delegates within both local and international contexts.

On completion of the qualification learners will be able to demonstrate competence in:
  • Research writing and creative thinking skills in IT Management.
  • Applying related research methodology.
  • Taking strategic decisions in the context of IT Management.
  • Reflecting on managerial decisions and applications to assess the effect thereof in the holistic context of IT Management.

    Rationale:
    This qualification is designed to address the needs of learners with high potential who will pursue innovative managerial, technical and leadership practices suited to a dynamic business environment. In line with the mission of the Faculty of Management, the proposed Degree will contribute to the empowerment of staff and learners. Master of Commerce (IT Management) is currently being presented at The Institution and in order for the learners to progress to the next degree; the Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology Management (PhD IT Management) becomes a necessity. The intention of the Professional Doctor of Philosophy in Information and Technology is to equip learners with necessary knowledge, technical and leadership skills in the context of which they function. This Degree aims at training and educating researchers in the field of IT Management who can contribute to the development of knowledge at an advanced level. In this way, graduates will be prepared for advanced and specialised professional employment. This Degree serves the needs of learners who aspire to move into leadership positions in the IT Management field. Other benefits of offering the PhD IT Management would be that The Institution will be better positioned as a contributor of intellectual capital and will attract more academically orientated learners.

    This is also the highest step in providing postgraduate possibilities at Doctoral degree level. Offering this qualification will have limited impact on current resources as existing staff will be used for the programme.

    Geographically, the Department of Applied Information Systems (AIS) plans to serve learners on the Auckland Park Bunting Road (APB) campus as this is where learners would have completed the Master of Commerce (IT Management) programme. The qualification will also be offered to any community member who shows an interest and meets the entry level requirements.

    IT Management is a relatively new field. The Master of Commerce in IT Management qualification has been running since 2012 and the need for further articulation has been identified.

    At the moment, The Institution is the only university in SA that offers both the Bachelor of Commerce Honours in IT Management qualification and Master of Commerce in IT Management. This has proven a popular choice as many corporations prefer learners with a multidisciplinary background (business and IT). By providing articulation possibilities, The Institution can establish itself as the leader in the field of IT Management and differentiate itself from other local universities. The Department of AIS's position in the Faculty of Management also differentiates it from other IT departments at other universities.

    The qualification will deliver learners to satisfy the growing need in industry for professionals with both IT and business knowledge. This has become the trend internationally as well. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The University of Johannesburg accepts Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) as an integral part of the academic qualification and as an initiative to support transformation of the education and training system in South Africa.

    Two types of assessment are used at the University:
  • Module-match assessment:
    > RPL is conducted mainly on a subject/module/course-match basis where an applicant qualifies for RPL for certain modules in a subject/module/course/programme. This applies to all qualification levels.
    > Assessment is conducted by matching prior learning with the learning outcomes of individual subjects/modules/courses.
    > Assessment mechanisms may be supplemented by means of an interview.
  • Qualification status.
    > Granting of status is applicable where a candidate complies with all the exit level outcomes of a qualification e.g., Certificate, Diploma or Degree.
    > A letter of status only is issued and not a qualification. The letter of status allows access to the next level of study.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum admission requirements are a relevant Masters Degree at NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The qualification consists of one compulsory module worth 360 Credits.
    Module:
  • Research Thesis, 360 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate evidence of independent scientific research and the ability to reflect thereon in the holistic context of IT Management. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Contribution to the theoretical development of the IT Management discipline is made.
  • Independent research and writing coupled with creative thinking skills in IT Management are applied.
  • Competence in the application of related research methodology is displayed.
  • Strategic decisions in the context of IT Management are taken.
  • Managerial decisions and applications to assess the effect thereof in the holistic context of IT Management is reflected.
  • A Doctoral dissertation of acceptable quality to merit publication is submitted.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Learners will submit a research dissertation. The supervisor will be responsible for the diagnostic and formative assessment of the product in order to provide feedback in terms of the final evaluation criteria. Teaching and learning of research methodology topics are promoted in this manner and is also a way of monitoring learner progress. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    It is imperative to compare qualifications at higher level such as Doctor Degrees with similar qualifications of best practice from other countries internationally. Growth in a particular sector will be guided by the quality of learners who enrol and complete qualifications such as this one. Researchers and lecturers are developed from such qualifications that will then pass down the expertise to the aspiring or prospective learners.

    The qualification was compared to the following qualifications from the identified institutions:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Information Technology Management at the Eli Broad Graduate School of Management at Michigan State University.
  • The School of Engineering at NYU Polytechnic School of Engineering offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Technology Management (PhD-TM) to educate and train scholars who will produce first-rate technology management research and who will become faculty members in leading universities.
  • Indiana State University offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Technology Management that is designed to prepare learners for positions of leadership in the public and private sectors of society.
  • The University of South Australia offers a wide range of research Degrees with the Division of Information Technology, Engineering and the Environment that enable learners to immerse themselves in a flourishing technology hub of theoretical, applied and cross-disciplinary research. One of the qualifications the University offers is a Doctor of Philosophy in Computer and Information Science.
  • The International Islamic University, Malaysia, offers a Doctor of Philosophy in Information and Technology.

    Conclusion:
    The Doctor of Philosophy in IT Management compares favourably with these qualifications. The focus is to prepare Doctoral learners to become productive researchers and also those interested to become teachers at top research universities. The commonality is that a final thesis is submitted at the end of the study period. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    While this is the highest qualification possible in an academic institution, successful completion of the Doctor of Philosophy IT Management will lead to a Post-Doctoral qualification. Learners who complete the qualification successfully can pursue careers primarily as academics or, where necessary, work in IT Consultation, IT Management, IT Project Management, Business Analysis and Information Security Management - among many mothers.

    Learners may also pursue Certification after successful completion of the qualification through any of the recognised relevant professional bodies. Certifications include CISA, CISM, PMP and CAPM. These Certifications are highly sought after in industry and also provide international working opportunities for learners. 

    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 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.