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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Doctor of Philosophy: Emergency Medical Care 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
90818  Doctor of Philosophy: Emergency Medical Care 
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
Doctoral Degree  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Curative Health 
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
Reregistered  SAQA 1141/23  2021-07-01  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2027-06-30  

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.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
The purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy: Emergency Medical Care Degree is to promote the career advancement of students in the field of emergency medical care and rescue by enabling students to conduct independent, novel research in emergency medical care and rescue.

Rationale:
This Doctoral Degree: Emergency Medical Care will provide students with an opportunity to conduct independent original research through scientific discourse and independent investigation contributing to the development of the field of emergency medical care and rescue. The outcome of this field-specific Doctoral Degree is a comprehensive and systematic grasp of an in-depth body of knowledge in the field of emergency medical care and rescue with the development of specialist expert knowledge, thereby contributing to evidence based professional practice. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
It is assumed that the student:
  • Has specialist knowledge in research methodology.
  • Is knowledgeable about ethical considerations in relation to research in Emergency Medical Care and Rescue.
  • Is competent in research proposal writing.
  • Is competent to undertake research.
  • Is competent in report writing and dissemination.
  • Has expertise in the area to be investigated.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:
    Through our Recognition of Prior Learning process, access to this Doctoral Degree could be granted to students not in possession of a Master's Degree that meet the admission requirements at the discretion of the institution and in agreement with the relevant Quality Council.

    Access to the Qualification:
    An appropriate Master's Degree in the field of Emergency Medical Care and Rescue is required. Alternatively, conferment of status may be granted through an internal evaluation process in alignment with institutional policies; or Recognition of Prior Learning granted through an internal process. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The Doctoral Degree is awarded on production and submission of an original thesis that has been assessed, suitably published and accepted by relevant peers. 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the field of Emergency Medical Care and Rescue and a mastery of the skills and methods of research associated with the field of Emergency Medical Care and Rescue.
    2. Demonstrate the ability to conceive, design and implement research with scholarly integrity.
    3. Make a contribution through original research that extends the frontier of knowledge by developing a substantial body of work in an area of Emergency Medical Care and Rescue, some of which merits national or international refereed publication.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:
    All the Critical Cross-Field Outcomes are addressed in this qualification. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Expertise and critical knowledge in the field of Emergency Medical Care and Rescue is demonstrated.
  • New research initiatives are conceptualised and new knowledge or practice in Emergency Medical Care and Rescue is created.
  • Intellectual independence, research leadership and management of research and research development in an ethical and accountable manner in Emergency Medical Care and Rescue is demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • New methods, techniques, processes, systems or technologies are developed in original, creative and innovative ways appropriate to specialised and complex contexts within Emergency Medical Care and Rescue.
  • Specialist knowledge and theory is applied in critically reflexive, creative and novel ways to address complex practical and theoretical problems in Emergency Medical Care and Rescue.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • Substantial, independent, in-depth and publishable work that meets international standards is considered to be new or innovative by peers and makes a significant contribution to Emergency Medical Care and Rescue is produced and disseminated.

    Integrated Assessment:
    The general research rules of the institution provide rules for the examination of the thesis and are outlined in the Postgraduate Student Guide. The examination will be conducted by at least two appropriate examiners, external to the institution and approved by the Higher Degrees Committee. Supervisors will be excluded from examining students' work.

    During the preparation of the thesis the work will be regularly presented to the supervisor for formative assessment in preparation for the final submission to the examiners for summative assessment. If applicable, the proposal will be submitted to the institutional Research Ethics Committee for ethical clearance prior to commencement of the research. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This Doctor of Philosophy: Emergency Medical Care is based fully on research.

    In terms of the required theoretical and practical knowledge and requirements for the production of a relevant thesis, this qualification complies with international practice apropos the requirements for a Doctoral Degree. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification has both horizontal and vertical articulation possibilities:

    The qualification articulates horizontally with other cognate Doctoral or Doctor of Philosophy Degrees.

    The qualification articulates vertically with Post-Doctoral studies in related fields, inter alia, triage, disaster management and special rescue. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    The general research rules of the institution include rules for the examination of the thesis. The examination will be conducted by at least two appropriate examiners, external to the institution, approved by the Higher Degrees Committee. Supervisors will be excluded from examining students' work.

    During the preparation of the thesis, the work will be regularly presented to the supervisor for formative assessment in preparation for the final submission to the examiners for summative assessment. If applicable, the proposal will be submitted to the Institutional Research Ethics Committee for ethical clearance prior to commencement of the research. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    At least two external examiners of national/international stature, usually recommended by the research supervisor, must be approved by the relevant institutional hierarchy.

    A formal assessment report must be submitted by the external examiners for submission to the Faculty, which, in turn, will submit these for consideration and recommendation to the relevant institutional hierarchy. 

    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. Durban University of Technology 


    All qualifications and part qualifications submitted for public comment, or 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.