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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Master of Public Health Nutrition 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
98957  Master of Public Health Nutrition 
ORIGINATOR
Stellenbosch University 
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 qualification encourages advanced intellectual achievement in the form of productive scholarship and research. The Exit Level Outcomes of the qualification is to ensure learners will be able to:
  • Access, critically review and apply relevant scientific information.
  • Develop, design and implement a research project.
  • Critically discuss the application of ethical principles to nutrition support therapies for patients with various clinical conditions.

    Rationale:
    The aim of public health nutrition interventions is to implement effective and sustainable policies and strategies to deal with the increasing public health challenges related to diet and health. Nutrition is a major modifiable determinant of chronic disease, with scientific evidence increasingly supporting the view that alterations in diet have strong effects, both positive and negative, on health throughout the lifecycle (Scanlan, 2004). Dietary adjustments may not only influence a person's present health, but may determine whether or not such an individual will develop a disease later in life, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, or diabetes. Current nutrition and food strategies are focusing on the treatment of disease and are not addressing the prevention of the chronic diseases that beset the population. Thus the Public Health Nutritionist's role is to focus on the level of nutrition and health among the population, as well as conduct nutrition and agriculture interactions for improved health.

    Therefore this qualification will provide interdisciplinary training in public health, food and nutritional sciences to prepare the learners for careers as public health nutritionists in public health practice, government agencies, academic institutions, health care systems and the private sector. The public health nutrition field must be prepared to respond to the challenges facing the achievement of the millennium development goals. The qualification aims also to up skill current nutritionists and other health care workers or other practitioners in related fields in new areas to face the demands of a dynamic public health climate in areas such as nutritional assessment, food accessibility, food policy and assurance, conducting, monitoring and surveillance of healthy people and making a contribution to reducing hunger through sustainable food security programmes. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution has an Assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning (ARPL) policy in place.

    The Master of Public Health Nutrition conforms to the institution's Policy for the Assessment and Recognition of Prior Learning (ARPL) as well as the RPL policy of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

    The policy defines the process that must be followed in the assessment of an application for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) at postgraduate level and provides information pertaining to assessment tools that can be used in the assessment of RPL applications. In order to meet the requirements for the Master of Public Health Nutrition learners would need to submit a portfolio outlining their relevant prior learning. The RPL process is subjected to the Faculty's quality assurance process. Unsuccessful learners may appeal according to the relevant appeal procedures as stated in the Institution's General Calendar Part 1.

    Entry Requirements:
    For admission to the Masters of Public Health Nutrition a learner should have an NQF Level 8 qualification (or international equivalent) in Health, Natural or Agricultural Sciences. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification is offered either as a dissertation or as a coursework. For the coursework option, the qualification comprises compulsory modules and elective modules at NQF Level 9, totalling 180 Credits. For the dissertation option there is a module comprising 180 Credits.

    Coursework:
    Compulsory Modules:
  • Nutritional Epidemiology, 30 Credits.
  • Economic Evaluation in Health Care, 12 Credits.
  • Introduction to Health Systems and Services Research, 12 Credits.
  • Research Thesis in Public Health Nutrition, 90 Credits.

    Elective Modules:
  • Nutrition, Health and the Environment, 9 Credits.
  • Food Security, 9 Credits.
  • Advanced Nutrition Analysis, 9 Credits.
  • Food, Nutrition and Livelihood in Humanitarian Emergencies, 9 Credits.
  • Nutrition and Economic, Human and Social Development, 9 Credits.
  • Public Health Nutrition Policies and Programming, 9 Credits.
  • Nutrition in Health and Disease Prevention, 9 Credits.

    Or
    Dissertation (Compulsory):
  • Research Thesis in Public Health Nutrition, 180 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Access, critically review and apply relevant scientific information.
    2. Develop, design and implement a research project.
    3. Critically discuss the application of ethical principles to nutrition support therapies for patients with various clinical conditions. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The nutritional effects of policies in other sectors, such as, environment, education and social development are evaluated.
  • Sustainable food-based approaches are formulated and implemented in solving population nutrition and health problems at local, regional and international level.
  • Understanding of the environment and circumstances of the community are understood and this is related to the nutritional problems observed.
  • Insights from the scientific literature are applied to understand the Food Security situation with a particular Focus on Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Insights from research, policy and programmatic literature are applied to assess approaches to addressing food insecurity in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
  • The contribution of nutritionists and dieticians are evaluated to addressing food security challenges in SSA.
  • Policies are planned and developed to improve nutrition in populations that require advanced nutrition assessment and analysis.
  • Nutrition monitoring and surveillance system are planned and implemented for a community or populations.
  • The possible role of international nutrition and aid organisations are appraised to assist in the management of emergency and crisis situations with respect to food and nutrition security
  • Evidence-based approaches and strategies are proposed to promote health and nutrition security.
  • Success factors in public health micronutrient interventions are critically analysed.
  • Recommendations are made relating to key evidence base nutrition interventions for maternal and child health

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Social determinants of health is synthesised and applied to content, and the necessary skills are gained to design, analyse and present data.
  • An understanding of the process of acquiring, handling and analysis of data from a conceptual through to implementation, of nutritional situation analysis at individual, household, community and population level is shown.
  • The difference between a (narrative) review, systematic review and meta-analysis is understood and applied appropriately.
  • Articles based on the strength of evidence are assessed and articles are appraised based on systematic review criteria.
  • Statistical inferential techniques are applied and interpreted.
  • Limitations to sampling error and sampling bias in planning dietary intake studies are explained.
  • Design strategies for either qualitative or quantitative or mixed method research are employed correctly.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • The ethical aspects of epidemiological research is explained and employed correctly.
  • The main ethical principles in medical and nutritional research are understood.
  • The importance of patient autonomy in the decision-making process is discussed.
  • Familiarity with the various regulations of health research in South Africa is shown.

    Integrated Assessment:
    There will be both formative and summative assessments for the coursework. Final marks for theoretical modules will consist of class mark (35% - Sun Learn discussions, assignments, tasks) and examination (65%). A minimum of 50% is required for all individual modules. The research final marks will be 15% protocol, 10% project execution, 65% thesis and 10% oral examination/result presentation. The research will be assessed as follows: 15% protocol, 10% project execution, 65% thesis and 10% oral examination/result presentation. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification is internationally comparable with the:
    Master of Science in Public Health Nutrition from the University of Westminster in London, United Kingdom (UK)

    Overview:
    Within the UK's national health system, tackling obesity and the chronic diseases remains a priority. This is reflected in the growing provision of locally based food and lifestyle projects intended to prevent obesity and other diet-related diseases, and designed to address inequalities in health. These challenges have led to a growing demand for trained public health nutritionists to work in a range of different projects.

    This qualification enables learners to acquire specialist scientific knowledge and practical skills that are needed to meet those challenges, and to be able to play an active role in public health nutrition in a range of different settings. Training in statistics, epidemiology, research methods, nutritional assessment, and health promotion and behavioural change enhances the learner's professional skills and competencies, employability and development as a public health professional.

    Upon completion of the qualification, the learner will be able to:
  • Develop a critical understanding of the scientific basis of nutritional requirements, factors that influence them, and how they are applied to populations throughout the life cycle.
  • Acquire the necessary skills and be able to use the necessary tools for information gathering, needs analysis, implementation of intervention strategies to address diet related chronic diseases.
  • Use theory and techniques to assess nutritional status, and gain practical skills in the measurement of body composition, energy expenditure and anthropometry.
  • Apply research methods in the area of Public Health Nutrition.

    Also at the University of Massachusetts in the United States of America the Master of Public Health in Nutrition Degree is being offered. This qualification is designed for health and nutrition professionals, including those with Doctoral or Medical Degrees, Registered Dieticians, Nurses, Pharmacists, Dental Hygienists, Health and Nutrition Educators, and those in other related fields.

    The goal of the qualification is to provide nutrition and health practitioners and those with Advanced Degrees the opportunity to continue their careers, while earning a Master's Degree of Public Health in Nutrition that emphasises a broad background in public health and advanced training in public health nutrition.

    Learners will develop the following skills:
    Provide evidenced-based approaches in coursework.

    Incorporate critical thinking and experiential learning to solve current community-based health problems ranging from obesity and chronic disease to malnutrition, food insecurity, and nutritional deficiencies.

    Advanced training in public health nutrition and health program management will help nutrition professionals and other health practitioners gain skills to provide services for the growing populations of older adults and diverse groups and to increase the focus of services on prevention and wellness.

    Conclusion:
    This qualification compares favourably with the above cited international qualifications in terms of the competences the learners will develop and be able to apply. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Upon completion of the qualification the learner may articulate:

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Master of Dietetics, at NQF Level 9.
  • Master of Food Security, at NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Nutrition, at NQF Level 10.
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Dietetics, at NQF Level 10. 
    		•

    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. Stellenbosch University 


    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.