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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Philosophy in Occupational Therapy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
97842  Doctor of Philosophy in Occupational Therapy 
ORIGINATOR
University of the Western Cape 
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  Rehabilitative Health/Services 
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
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 qualification is to provide highly skilled human capital in the field of occupational therapy and occupational science research and to enable graduates to effectively compete in the global information/knowledge economy.

At the end of the PhD qualification the learner will be able to demonstrate that he/she has/is:
  • Made an original contribution in a specific area of specialisation in the field of occupational therapy.
  • Capable of independently initiating and conducting research in the chosen area of specialisation in occupational therapy.
  • Excellent literature skills and the ability to perform critical reading of scientific research papers.
  • Acquired specialist knowledge in an identified field of occupational therapy.
  • Capable of producing a dissertation which meets international standards of scholarly and professional writing.

    Rationale:
    The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Occupational Therapy qualification will allow for an international hub for the innovative discovery and development of occupational therapy practices and techniques to improve wellness and health. It will create an extensive regional and international network through which occupational therapy researchers can collaborate to develop new knowledge and provide scientific evidence for practice and/or education. It will build important bridges of learning within occupational therapy, between the developing and the developed worlds to the benefit of people everywhere. It will enable occupational science to develop as a transformative science that facilitates new ways of thinking about and acting in relation to occupational therapy practice and occupational inequities within local, regional, national and global contexts. Finally the PhD qualification will marry excellence in research with the needs of people and communities in South Africa (as well as Africa and other developing countries) by promoting in-depth investigation of occupational therapy and occupational science topics to the benefit of the country, the region, the profession and health care. The introduction of a PhD at the Institution will contribute to alleviating the skills shortage and thus realising the goals of government. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    Access to the qualification can also be provided in terms of the Institution Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) policy and its admission criteria stipulated by Senate. In the RPL process learners have to undergo a Portfolio Development Course to support the learner's admission. The PDC will focus on written submission explaining the reasons for the candidates' interest in OT as an adjunct to their existing professional competencies and indicating the nature of a possible research project. In addition an application can be made in terms of rule A.2 via Senate.

    Entry Requirements:
    A Masters' Degree qualification in Occupational Therapy. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is a Doctoral Degree by dissertation at NQF Level 10, totalling 360 Credits. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Contribute to academic knowledge in the field of occupational therapy through research. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • An original contribution in a specific area of specialisation in the field of occupational therapy is made.
  • The ability to independently initiate and conducting research in the chosen are of specialisation in occupational therapy is displayed.
  • Excellent literature skills and the ability to perform critical reading of scientific research papers are demonstrated.
  • Specialist knowledge in an identified field of occupational therapy is acquired.
  • A dissertation which meets international standards of scholarly and professional writing is produced.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The learners' knowledge of Occupational Therapy will be assessed by the supervisor and faculty members via a formal proposal for PhD research by the end of their first year. This will be assessed by a committee of at least three professors, one of which must be external. Learners will complete a research project to be presented as a thesis. Assessment of the thesis will be carried out by Faculty members and international examiners. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    The University of Illinois in Chicago offers a Doctor in Occupational Therapy. The Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) focuses on developing advanced practitioners with special expertise, advanced knowledge and skills, and the ability to take on leadership and educational roles in the field.

    The University of Walsh in Ireland offers a Doctor in Occupational Therapy. The core of values-based curriculum at Walsh University lies in a rigorous, highly structured, learner-centered learning process designed to meet the challenges of evidence-based practice. Through a strong curriculum, continuous assessment of learners, and a caring faculty, they optimise the learner's ability to achieve entry-level competence in a doctoring profession.

    Conclusion:
    This qualification compares favourably with the above cited international qualification in terms of the focus on knowledge in occupational therapy. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification is at the highest Level of the NQF and may articulate horizontally with relevant cognate Doctoral qualifications. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    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 the Western Cape 


    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.