SAQA 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Health Sciences in Environmental Health 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96828  Master of Health Sciences in Environmental Health 
ORIGINATOR
Durban University of Technology 
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  180  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 purpose of the Master of Health Sciences (MHSc) in Environmental Health qualification is to educate and train researchers who can contribute to the development of knowledge in Environmental Health at an advanced level. Further, this qualification aims to promote the career advancement of learners in the field of Environmental Health by enabling them to conduct independent research. Qualified learners will be required to engage with complex problems, both systematically and creatively and demonstrate independence and originality in problem-solving by designing and implementing research in Environmental Health.

Rationale:
This qualification will provide learners with an opportunity to conduct independent research through scientific discourse and independent investigation contributing to the development of the field of Environmental Health. Primary Health is the cornerstone to preventative health in South Africa, and Environmental Health is considered to be the profession most suitable to be a significant role-player in the new health system. This qualification will develop cognitive, technological and scientific enquiry capability and promote the research, innovation and management skills necessary for development of the Environmental Health profession. This qualification also aims to develop an understanding of the multi-disciplinary approach to effective, efficient health care, with emphasis on equity in health care, social upliftment and reduction of the burden of disease. It is aimed to develop fundamental knowledge of the principles of environmental health and the ability to apply this knowledge to investigate related problems through rigorous research. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The qualification may be achieved in part through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) according to the institution's RPL policy. As part of this policy, the learner is required to provide a portfolio of evidence to prove that the necessary competencies of the qualification have been achieved through experience that complies with the Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum requirement for admission into this qualification is:
  • Bachelor of Health Sciences in Environmental Health, NQF Level 8. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification comprises a compulsory dissertation at NQF Level 9 totalling 180 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules Level 9, 180 Credits:
  • Dissertation, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Integrate knowledge of Environmental Health with the principles of research.
    2. Design and implement a research study addressing a valid hypothesis.
    3. Implement assigned research or work tasks including, data collection and management, evaluation, and data analysis.
    4. Disseminate research effectively by using both written and oral communication strategies. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Understand and critically evaluate research findings in the field of Environmental Health.
  • Conceptualise, identify and investigate problems.
  • Demonstrate intellectual independence, research scholarship and management of research.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Acquire a thorough understanding of the scientific method and its purpose.
  • Understand and practise the ethical principles of research.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Identify and investigate a problem and provide its rationale.
  • Investigate the problem using appropriate research methodology.
  • Manage, analyse and interpret data.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Defend findings orally in a national or international conference.
  • Produce a dissertation that conforms to national and international standards.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The learner will submit a dissertation for assessment in compliance with the institution's requirements. Through the dissertation, the learner is expected to present mixed research findings, interpreted and linked to the existing literature but with critical self-reflection, across the entire area of investigation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The Master of Health Sciences in Environmental Health compares favourably with the outcomes of similar qualifications internationally (excluding the African continent). The Master of Science in Environmental Health Sciences from the University of Alberta in Canada is a comprehensive research-based Masters and has similar outcomes. Learners are required to conceptualise, design, conduct, analyse and interpret observational studies and experimental research. In contrast, the Master of Science Environmental Health qualification from the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom is taught using formal lectures; workshops; group work; case studies and learner-centred learning, recognising the importance of technical and practical skills as well as academic knowledge. Even though this course work structure has advantages, it has limitations concerning actual engagement with the research process. A full research master provides the opportunity for the learner to develop their critical thinking and research skills in an active learning context. In Africa, most Postgraduate Masters qualifications related to Environmental Health are offered in a coursework Masters in Public Health format.

    The Environmental Health was also referred to as Public Health up to about 2000 in South Africa, so the curriculum is comparable. Universities in Africa offering a Master's in Public Health which is akin to this qualification include Makerere University in Uganda and the University of Zimbabwe. These are coursework masters qualifications where learners can choose sub-disciplines within the field of Environmental Health as their research focus. 

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Public Health, Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences Education, Level 10. 
    		•

    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. Durban University of Technology 


    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.