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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Management in Public Relations Management 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96949  Master of Management in Public Relations Management 
ORIGINATOR
Vaal 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 03 - Business, Commerce and Management Studies  Public Relations 
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:
Learners obtaining this qualification will be able to demonstrate a high level of overall knowledge in the Public relations field ranging from fundamental concepts to advanced theoretical or applied knowledge.

Rationale:
Learners obtaining this qualification will be able to contribute to the improvement and development of the functions and operations of some specialised area(s) of Public Relations industry, as well as to demonstrate a high level of overall knowledge in such specialised area(s), ranging from fundamental concepts to advanced theoretical or applied knowledge. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
A panel will assess the applicants RPL portfolio according to the institution s' RPL policy. The portfolio will entail the following:
  • Qualification of Level 7.
  • Evidence of substantial experience and professional development in the field of Public Relations Management/ Communication Science.

    Entry Requirements: 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
  • Full Dissertation, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate knowledge, skills and values in researching a related field in public relations or communications.
    2. Compile and present research findings, conclusions and proposals in a properly set out dissertation.
    3. Disseminate the research findings. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made.
  • Organise and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively.
  • Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • Explore public relations or communication science.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Communicate effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Use information technology effectively and responsibly.
  • Reflect on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.
  • Be culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts.
  • Contribute to the full personal development of each learner as a researcher, the subject field and society at large, by making it the underlying intention of the public relations qualification to make learners aware of the importance of participate as a responsible citizen in local, national and international community issues.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The learner's competence will be assessed by means of a proposal and dissertation that demonstrate. An understanding of the theoretical frameworks as well as the practices and strategies in industry. The ability to critically analyse industry practices and strategies. The insight to identify areas that need improvement or development. Familiarity with various research methodologies utilised in the industry. The skill to apply appropriate methodology. The ability to compile and analyse findings in order to make constructive recommendations. The written dissertation will demonstrate that all the capabilities have been integrated. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    There are similar courses abroad in, for example, Australia, UK and the USA but individual institutions have unique offerings, which may/may not articulate with ours entirely. There is undoubtedly synergy in courses with variations ranging from slight to extreme synergy depending on the institution.
    Benchmarked against the following International Qualifications:
  • University of Southern California: Public Relations/Image management.
  • University of Southern California: Communication and Media Studies.
  • New York University: Communication and Media Studies. 
    		•

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

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Technology in Public Relations Management, NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Technology in Public Relations Management, 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. Vaal 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.