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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Arts in Social Science Clinical 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96970  Master of Arts in Social Science Clinical 
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
Master's Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Rehabilitative Health/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
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 purpose of the Master's in Clinical Social Work is to provide specialised clinical and research competencies in the application of scientific and theoretical principles of clinical social work to qualified social workers so that they can contribute to the well-being and social development of the full range of social work beneficiaries.

Rationale:
Clinical Social Work is a specialised field of social work practice that is in the process of being registered as a statutory specialisation by the SACSSP. The University of Johannesburg's Department of Social Work has played a leading role in this process in 2014/5, thus ensuring the alignment of the qualification with the SACSSP requirements.

Clinical social work involves a combination of advanced counselling competencies and expertise in the field of mental health (psychiatry). Social work plays an important role nationally in supplementing the comparatively smaller number of psychologists available for providing psychotherapeutic services. Clinical social work is key to upskilling social workers with the basic Bachelor of Social Work to provide these more advanced services. Such services are provided both by social workers in private practice (at far cheaper rates than Psychologists and Psychiatrists) and in Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO's), government, etc. In addition, social work is a member of the multidisciplinary team in psychiatric settings, such as psychiatric hospitals and clinics, and according to the Mental Health Act are regarded as a mental health practitioner, along with Psychologists and Psychiatrists. However, the basic Social Work qualification provides inadequate training in psychiatry. A Postgraduate specialist qualification is required to develop this competence. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
This qualification includes a social work internship. Only individuals who are registered as a social work with the statutory registering body in South Africa, the SACSSP, are permitted to do a 'social work' internship. Thus only registered social workers are admitted into the programme. There is thus no RPL process for this qualification.

In the case of international applicants, they are considered and accepted if:
  • They are registered as a social worker in their home country, or where there is no registering council, if they are regarded as a social worker.
  • They conduct the internship in their home country, under the statutory regulation of their social work body.

    Entry Requirements:
    A potential student should be in possession of:
  • A four-year Bachelor's Degree in Social Work.
    Or
  • A three-year Bachelor's Degree in Social Work.
    And
  • An Honours Degree in Social Work.
    And
  • In the case of South African, be registered as a social worker with the South African Council for Social Service Professions. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    Compulsory Modules:
  • Minor dissertation, at Level 9, 90 Credits.
  • Contemporary Social Work Issues, at Level 9, 9 Credits.
  • Social Work Theory, at Level 9, 9 Credits.
  • Behavioural and Environmental Change, at Level 9, 90 Credits.
  • Assessment, Intervention and Evaluation, at Level 9, 90 Credits.
  • Clinical Practice in Diverse Environments, at Level 9, 90 Credits.
  • Professional Development and Management, at Level 9, 90 Credits.
  • Advanced Social Work Research and Technology, at Level 9, 18 Credits.
  • Clinical Social Work Internship, at Level 9, 18 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Engage critically with current debates and ideas on a range of contemporary social issues.
    2. Critically explain the nature and application of social work theory to research, social policy, and clinical social work practice in a changing national and global environment.
    3. Critically describe and apply a range of evidence- based assessment strategies, upon which to build and evaluate suitable intervention strategies in a clinical context.
    4. Critically describe and apply a range of clinical intervention models, centred on a person-in-environment framework, to address complex multi-dimensional client problems.
    5. Assess and plan social work interventions for people with mental health complaints.
    6. Examine and apply a range of dimensions of professionalism and self-development through ethical practice and management principles.
    8. Conceptualise and design an advanced research proposal.
    9. Conduct Postgraduate research independently. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Demonstrate understanding of concepts and theoretical perspectives relating to contemporary social work issues.
  • Identify, and evaluate dimensions of critical theoretical reflection.
  • Use concepts and perspectives to analyse contemporary social issue in particular practice situations.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Understand what theory is and how theory is constructed.
  • Know what the political, ideological, social and cultural factors are that impact on theory and how theory is critiqued.
  • Know the meaning of definitions, statements, conceptual frameworks, models, paradigms and epistemology in the social and human sciences.
  • Understand the approaches to social and human science theory.
  • Discuss selected theories that inform social work knowledge, practice, social policy and research.
  • Apply a theory to describe and explain a contemporary issue.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Understand the principles of accountable practice.
  • Describe and apply different evidence-based assessment techniques.
  • Develop an evidence-based assessment protocol.
  • Select and implement a suitable intervention strategy in the context of their practice setting.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Analyse a person-in-environment context of social problems.
  • Identify different intervention options from a behavioural or environmental change perspective.
  • Present case studies of complex multi-dimensional problem contexts and suitable interventions.
  • Critical examination of approaches to changing either the person's behaviour or the dynamics of the social environment.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • Articulate the unique contribution of social work to mental health at micro, meso and macro levels.
  • Conduct a clinical assessment of a person with mental health complaints.
  • Utilise the DSM-5 as a framework for defining the psychosocial functioning of a person with mental health complaints.
  • Develop a psychosocial formulation of a person with mental health complaints.
  • Develop an intervention plan for a person with mental health complaints.
  • Engage sensitively with cultural presentations of mental health complaints.
  • Critique various perspectives on mental health.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • Apply principles of practice management in their context.
  • Critically appraise own practice ethics and behaviour.
  • Develop and implement self-development strategies.
  • Explore strategies for managing clinical practices.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7:
  • Identify relevant areas for professional development.
  • Develop a self-directed programme for skills development.
  • Acquire new knowledge and skills.
  • Assess skills acquisition.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 8:
  • Clearly outline the different approaches to Social Work research.
  • Identify and conceptualise a research problem Write a research proposal.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 9:
  • Conduct research independently (under guidance).
  • Make use of various sources critically and integrate these into a research report.
  • Write a research proposal and minor dissertation.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The qualification comprises six theory modules, one research module, one internship module and the minor dissertation:
  • Each theory module has at least two (but not usually more than two) assessments, at least one of which (but most often both of which) is in the form of a critical essay at Level 9. In some cases, assessments build on each other, facilitating cumulative learning.
  • The research module culminates in a research proposal which constitutes half the final mark. A series of continuous summative assessment opportunities occur throughout the year that lead the student towards the final proposal, such as the formulation of a research problem, the articulation of research aim and objectives, a literature review, etc.
  • The internship extends over 12 months and involves a series of preparatory assessments (laying the knowledge foundation for practice), supervised practice over a period of several months, with formative assessments to ensure students are on track, and culminating in the submission of a portfolio of evidence.
  • The minor dissertation is assessed, according to University of Johannesburg protocol, by two external assessors on completion of the dissertation.

    The final assessments (i.e. exams, research proposal, portfolio of evidence and dissertation) are externally moderated by academic experts in the field. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification conforms to international definitions of Clinical Social Work, which emphasise advanced therapeutic practice (including assessment, treatment planning, intervention and evaluation) and/or working with mental health problems (including familiarity with psychiatric assessment and diagnosis, psychodynamic formulation and treatment planning, within a multidisciplinary context).

    The American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work (https://abecsw.org/clinical-social-work/clinical-social-work-described/) define clinical social work as follows: "Clinical social work is a healthcare profession based on theories and methods of prevention and treatment in providing mental-health/healthcare services, with special focus on behaviouralJ 11Q and bio-psychosocial problems and disorders. Clinical social work's unique attributes include use of the person-in-environment perspective, respect for the primacy of client rights, and strong therapeutic alliance between client and practitioner." The underlined words are closely aligned with the Exit Level Outcomes (ELO) for this qualification.

    The National Association of Social Workers in the United State of America (USA):
    (http://www.socialworkers.org/practice/standards/clinical_sw.asp#definitions) defines clinical social work as follows: "Clinical social work shares with all social work practice the goal of enhancement and maintenance of psychosocial functioning of individuals, families, and small groups. Clinical Social Work practice is the professional application of social work theory and methods to the treatment and prevention of psychosocial dysfunction, disability, or impairment, including emotional and mental disorders. It is based on knowledge of one or more theories of human development within a psychosocial context. The perspective of person-in-situation is central to clinical social work practice. Clinical social work includes interventions directed to interpersonal interactions, intrapsychic dynamics, and life-support and management issues. Clinical Social Work services consist of assessment; diagnosis; treatment, including psychotherapy and counseling; client-centered advocacy; consultation; and evaluation. The process of clinical social work is undertaken within the objectives of social work and the principles and values contained in the NASW Code of Ethics." The underlined words are closely aligned with the ELOs for this qualification.

    The ASWB (Association of Social Work Boards, representing the USA and Canada) has an examination program to assess the knowledge, skills and abilities of clinical social workers (https://www.aswb.org/wp- content/uploads/2014/02/ClinicalKSAs.pdf). This exam has four main domains, all of which are covered in our qualification:
  • Human development, diversity and behaviour in the environment (addressed in our Exit Level Outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4).
  • Assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning (addressed in our Exit Level Outcomes 3, 4, 5 and 8).
  • Psychotherapy, clinical interventions and case management (addressed in our Exit Level Outcomes 3, 4, 5 and 8).
  • Professional ethics and values (addressed in our Exit Level Outcomes 6 and 8).

    While this qualification does not automatically lead to licensing as a clinical social worker in other countries, the content and outcomes of the qualification are neatly aligned to their criteria. Furthermore, our qualification includes a supervised internship, which is a requirement of most international licensing bodies. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    The Masters of Arts in Clinical Social Work grants graduates full access to the Doctorate in Social Work, depending on their meeting other entrance requirements, such as a minimum average mark.

    Depending on the admission criteria for other disciplines, such as Sociology or Psychology, graduates may be eligible to apply for a Doctorate in other disciplines. 

    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 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.