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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Nursing 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96520  Doctor of Nursing 
ORIGINATOR
University of Venda 
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 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
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
2027-06-30   2029-06-30  

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 major purpose of the Doctoral Degree in Nursing is to:
  • Prepare scholars with expertise in selected substantive areas who will contribute Nursing theory and practice through systematic enquiry and evidence based health care.
  • Prepare scholars who will demonstrate advanced knowledge of Nursing related Sciences and Humanities, and Methods of Enquiry.
  • Expand research base of Nursing theory and practice.
  • Serve at the International, the nation and health care issues in a scholarly manner.

    Rationale:
    Univen being a rural based, comprehensive university has the mandate of the department of Higher Education to provide training programmes at all levels, from certificate to Doctorate to address provincial, national and regional needs of communities in a manner that the gap in access to education due to the disparity in educational opportunities between the rural and urban cities will be bridged. The National Plan for Higher Education (DoE: 2001) indicates that research plays a key role in the production, advancement and dissemination of knowledge and the development of high-level human resources. This Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) will also contribute to the promotion of Nursing practice, Education and Research in this field. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The university's Policy on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is applied. The RPL policy takes into account the relevant knowledge and skills gained in practice that meets the minimum requirements of the programme.

    Entry Requirements:
  • Masters of Nursing. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
  • Thesis. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate ability to plan and write a research proposal.
    2. Demonstrate ability to communicate effective using oral, written and electronic medium.
    3. Ability to access, critically review and apply relevant scientific information.
    4. Demonstrate ability to develop, design and implement guidelines, strategies, models and programme. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Write a research proposal for implementation.
  • Describe the different research approach and designs as they apply to Nursing practice.
  • Review appropriate literature on Nursing related topics.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Ability to present a scientific review article with current issues on Nursing practice using oral, written and or poster communication skills.
  • Apply research skills during data collection.
  • Prepare and present papers in national and international conferences.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Critical analysis of Nursing research results related to quality patient care.
  • Write a scientific article for publication in an accredited journal.
  • Ability to retrieve information using different search engines.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Implement a research project by collecting data.
  • Analyse data collected.
  • Develop a model, strategies, guidelines and programme.
  • Write a research thesis.

    Integrated Assessment:
  • Continuous interaction between the student and the promoters will determine the quality of thesis that will be submitted for examination purpose.
  • The Degree is assessed based on the scientifically produced thesis of 100,000 words.
  • Two internal examiners and 2 external examiners shall mark the doctoral thesis.
  • In addition, there shall be a public defence of the thesis organised the Higher Degree Committee School of Health Sciences. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The qualification is comparable with the Doctorate Programme in Health Studies in the following universities:
  • Makerere University of Technology, Tanzania.
  • Virginia University, United States of America.
  • Linnaeus University, Sweden. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The candidate will progress to Post-Doctoral qualification. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced 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 Venda 


    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.