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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Arts in Social and Behavioural Studies (HIV/AIDS) 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
94601  Master of Arts in Social and Behavioural Studies (HIV/AIDS) 
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 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Promotive Health and Developmental Services 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  128  Not Applicable  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:
The primary purpose of this qualification is to develop the necessary research knowledge and skills in the field of social and behavioural aspects of HIV and AIDS within a multi-, inter- and trans-disciplinary (MIT) context within Africa and globally.

The qualification will also give learners the opportunity to engage critically and systematically with existing and new social and behavioural research in HIV and AIDS; to make judgment on their appropriateness and applicability within the African context. Through their research they will then be able to communicate conclusions and recommendations which are towards the research needs of the AIDS pandemic at an individual, family, community, workplace and society level. This qualification is a Master's Degree by dissertation.

Rationale:
Most of the scientific research in the field of HIV and AIDS is undertaken from either a biomedical or psycho-social perspective, and there is a need to integrate these perspectives within a multi-, inter- and trans-disciplinary perspective, thus combining social and behavioural sciences in order to understand the AIDS pandemic in its full context, especially in Africa (Barret and Whiteside 2008). It is also within this social and behavioural context that HIV and AIDS interconnect with other pandemics such as TB, Malaria and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), as well as social issues such as gender, poverty, violence, etc. This has resulted in these social pandemics interconnecting with each other and having a dramatic impact on sustainable development and the quality of life on the African continent and in the Southern African region. This interconnection between these pandemics and social issues is due to the complexity and diversity of social behaviour and interaction at an individual, community and society level (UNAIDS 2010).

Prevention strategies must be directed from a social and behavioural perspective to ensure sustainable mobilisation at the level of the individual, the community, the workplace, the household and society as a whole. Social and behavioural researchers must be developed who can work alongside biomedical interventions towards HIV-prevention and treatment to ensure a more integrated development approach to the impact of the AIDS pandemic on sustainable development and the quality of life in Africa and Southern Africa. This group of researchers will contribute to existing and new knowledge which could reduce the impact of the AIDS pandemic and help develop sustainable prevention strategies. These researchers will also be able to conduct MIT research that is meaningful to policy formulation and programme development - not only in the field of HIV and AIDS, but also in the mitigation and reduction of the impact of other pandemics and social issues.

The Masters of Arts in Social and Behavioural Studies (HIV/AIDS) will provide a cadre of social and behavioural researchers which can combine these two perspectives to ensure sustainable behaviour. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Entry Requirements:
For entrance to the qualification:
  • Learners must have completed a Bachelor of Arts Honours Degree in Social and Behavioural Studies (HIV/AIDS), Human and Social Sciences.
    Or
  • A Postgraduate Diploma with a 36 Credits research project at NQF 8 Level equivalent with an average of 60%. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification Master of Arts in Social and Behavioural Studies (HIV/AIDS) comprises two focus areas namely:
  • Research Proposal, NQF Level 9, 24 Credits.
  • Research Dissertation, NQF Level 9, 156 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Identify an appropriate and applicable research topic within the field of the social and behavioural aspects of HIV and AIDS.
    2. Compile a coherent and consistent research proposal for a dissertation on a selected topic in social and behavioural aspects of HIV and AIDS.
    3. Produce a dissertation on a selected topic related to social and behavioural aspects of HIV and AIDS which meet the standards of scholarship under supervision. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • A literature review on appropriate and relevant information related to the social and behavioural field of HIV and AIDS is conducted.
  • A mind-map on possible research topic on-line is formulated.
  • Appropriate theories and/or models on the social and behavioural aspects of HIV and AIDS related to the topic are selected.
  • Possible research designs or methodologies appropriateness and applicability to the selected topic are identified.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Resources of academic/professional discourse to plan, execute and produce a sound research proposal are used.
  • In an academically coherent and consistent way a sound research proposal under supervision is written.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Draft and final dissertation under the guidance of a supervisor is produced.
  • Research is conducted independently in a coherent and consistent way.
  • Full responsibility of own work is taken and accountability is shown.
  • Ethical decision-making skills throughout research are used.
  • Research findings or results to an appropriate audience are presented to promote the implementation of the findings or results.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Students will be assessed through:
  • Formative Assessment:
    > 5 research papers towards research proposal.
    > Draft and final research proposal.
    > On-line group discussions.
    > On-line searches.
    > Peer evaluation.
    > Case studies.
    > Experiential Learning.
  • Summative assessment:
    > Dissertation on selected research topic. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    A comparative analysis was conducted between Van Hall Larenstein, University of Applied Sciences which offers Master of Management of Development in Rural Development and HIV/Aids and the Master of Public Health in Social and Behavioral Sciences offered at the Boston University in order to establish the comparability to the qualification offered at UNISA.

    Van Hall Larenstein, University of Applied Sciences in Netherlands programme - Master of Management of Development in Rural Development and HIV/Aids responds to the HIV AIDS epidemic from a development perspective.

    This Master's programme reflects on a profound understanding of the complex relationship between development and HIV/AIDS. The programme ensures that participants acquire the skills they need to apply this understanding in practice. The programme appeals to professionals who work in rural development organisations (governmental and non-governmental) and are involved in for instance service delivery, community development, small business development and micro financing.

    The entry requirements for admission are a Bachelor Degree, or an equivalent qualification as well as a minimum of 2 years of relevant working experience.

    Boston University offers the Master of Public Health in Social and Behavioural Sciences which focuses on identifying and analysing the social determinants and behavioural risk factors that are associated with public health problems, and using this knowledge to understand and promote healthy behaviour within communities. The Master of Public Health in Social and Behavioural Sciences trains students to plan, implement, and administer programs designed to resolve compelling public health problems created or exacerbated by individual behaviours and social disparities such as the prevention and treatment of alcohol and drug abuse, tobacco control, injury control, mental health, domestic violence, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV, adolescent health, communications, and grassroots political and community organising. Students explore the social and behavioral aspects of health, quantitative and behavioral research, and program planning and evaluation, applying their skills and knowledge to selected topics in the discipline. Outside of the classroom, students may participate in departmental research opportunities. Graduates are prepared for careers in a variety of public health settings, including hospitals, non-profit agencies, academic institutions, and public health departments.

    Competencies:
    In addition to the program competencies that all MPH graduates master, upon completing the requirements for the MPH in Social and Behavioural Sciences, graduates are able to:
  • Access and analyse archival and other data to assess a public health problem for a specific place and population.
  • Apply social and behavioural theories and quantitative and qualitative methods to the development of innovative and effective public health intervention programs.
  • Develop rigorous evaluation trials to assess the efficacy of public health interventions.
  • Communicate findings to the public and to policy-makers.
  • Advocate for the institutionalisation of evidence-based public health programs.

    Conclusion:
    The comparison conducted reveals that the purpose of each of the qualifications as well as the Exit Level Outcomes appears to be similar. However, they differ with regard to the naming of the qualifications in the different regions and the entrance requirements to the qualification. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The following qualification with an overall average of 60% will allow students to negotiate entrance vertically to a Doctoral Degree in Human and Social Sciences. 

    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.