[Public Comment Home page] [Search Qualifications] [Search Unit Standards]
SAQA 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.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Master of Philosophy in Paediatric Rheumatology 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
90915  Master of Philosophy in Paediatric Rheumatology 
ORIGINATOR
University of Cape Town 
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  Curative Health 
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
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 091/21  2021-07-01  2023-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   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 primary aim of the Master of Philosophy: Paediatric Rheumatology is to train specialist paediatricians to be competent in the management of the sub-speciality of Paediatric Rheumatic Diseases, now Gazetted as such by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). This will be the first such qualification of its kind in Africa.

This Degree will have at its core evidence-based practice and a research-driven agenda. The qualification will create specialist paediatricians competent to manage paediatric rheumatic conditions in children and adolescents, with specific reference to the socio-economic, health and cultural context of Africa.

Rationale:
This Master's Degree aims to advance training, care and research in the field of paediatric rheumatology in South Africa and the rest of the African Continent. While paediatric rheumatology is a well-established discipline in Europe and the Americas, it is in its infancy in Africa. This qualification will provide a level of expertise for qualified specialist paediatricians to train further at "super specialist" level in Paediatric Rheumatology and will provide certification for a standard of Paediatric Rheumatology aimed at local and supernumerary subspecialist trainees from elsewhere in Africa. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
The applicant is assumed to be competent in specialist paediatric knowledge and skills at NQF Level 9.

Recognition of Prior Learning:
Recognition of Prior Learning may be awarded at the discretion of the relevant Faculty, in consultation with the HPCSA.

Access to the Qualification:
Candidates accessing this qualification must be:
  • In possession of a Bachelor of Medicine: Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) Degree.
  • In possession of a recognised paediatric speciality qualification.
  • Currently registered with the HPCSA as a Paediatrician. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    The Master of Philosophy: Paediatric Rheumatology comprises two compulsory parts, viz. course work to the value of 120 credits, followed by research and the submission of a dissertation to the value of 60 credits.

    The qualification content is offered through:
  • Lectures (face to face, limited interaction or technologically mediated).
  • Tutorials: Individual groups of 30 or less.
  • Syndicate groups.
  • Practical workplace experience (experiential learning/work-based learning).
  • Independent self-study of standard texts and references, including study guides, books, journal articles.
  • Independent self study of specially prepared materials including case studies, multi-media.

    Research may be conducted concurrently with the clinical training, preferably in the latter part of the period of learning. It will include training in the analysis of data and an understanding of the principles and practice of clinical research. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Demonstrate a coherent and critical understanding of the theory, research methodologies and techniques relevant to paediatric rheumatology.
    2. Rigorously critique and evaluate current research and participate in scholarly debates in an area of paediatric rheumatology.
    3. Relate theory to practice and vice versa and think epistemologically.
    4. Identify, analyse and deal with complex and/or real world clinical problems and issues drawing systematically and creatively on the theory, research methods and literature of paediatric rheumatology.
    5. Apply advanced information retrieval and processing skills to identify, critically analyse, synthesise and independently evaluate quantitative and/or qualitative data and undertake a study of the literature and current research in paediatric rheumatology.
    6. Produce a relevant dissertation or research report under supervision which meets the standards of scholarly/professional writing.
    7. Present and communicate the results of the research to specialist and non-specialist audiences using the resources of an academic/professional discourse.

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

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    The following Assessment Criteria are applied in a generic manner to individual, some or all of the given Exit Level Outcomes:
  • A comprehensive and systematic knowledge base in paediatric rheumatology is consistently demonstrated.
  • Mastery of the application of research methods towards a dissertation is demonstrated.
  • The capacity to operate effectively in complex, ill-defined clinical contexts is achieved.
  • The capacity to critically self-evaluate and continue to learn independently for continuing professional development is consistently demonstrated.
  • The ability to manage learning tasks autonomously, professionally and ethically is demonstrated.
  • The capacity to critically evaluate own and others' work with justification is attained.
  • The pharmacology of drugs used in the rheumatic diseases is internalised and applied.
  • The role of the professions allied to medicine in the management of the rheumatic diseases is understood and utilised when relevant.
  • The role of manipulative and mobilisation techniques as practised by physicians is understood and utilised when relevant.
  • The roles of patient education and staff management in the handling of rheumatic diseases are appreciated and utilised.
  • The social and legal and ethical aspects of rheumatic diseases are understood and continuously considered in the treatment and/or management thereof.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Assessment will be in alignment with the assessment of other sub-speciality Master of Philosophy programmes offered by the institution and in adherence to the institution's overall assessment policy.

    Dissertations are externally examined. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    Comparison of this Master of Philosophy: Paediatric Rheumatology was made with similar qualifications offered at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver and University of Western Australia, Perth.

    In terms of the required research component, as well as the theoretical knowledge and practical application at the required level, this qualification complies with international best practice and meets the accepted norms for a Master's Degree. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
    This qualification articulates horizontally with other cognate Master of Philosophy Degrees at NQF Level 9.

    Vertical Articulation:
    This qualification articulates vertically with any cognate Doctoral Degree at NQF Level 10. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • Internal moderation of all assessment is carried out by the academic staff of the institution.
  • All moderators must be qualified at least at one NQF Level higher than that of the qualification being assessed.
  • External moderation of assessment is performed by suitably qualified persons from recognised institutions who are experienced in the relevant field. 
    		•

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
  • All assessors must be in possession of a relevant qualification at least one NQF Level higher than that of this qualification.
  • All assessors should have practical experience in the areas being assessed and should preferably have practical experience in the areas being assessed. 
    		•

    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 Cape Town 


    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.