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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Higher Certificate in Criminal Justice 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
91795  Higher Certificate in Criminal Justice 
ORIGINATOR
Lyceum College (Pty) Ltd 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Higher Certificate  Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security  Justice in Society 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  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   2028-06-30  

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:
This qualification is designed to provide opportunities for the qualifying learner to access positions in:
  • Public law enforcement agencies.
  • Metropolitan police departments.
  • Safety and security.
  • Military police.
  • Private security agencies.
  • Private investigators.

    Rationale:
    Criminal Justice is a career, requiring exceptional skills and knowledge. Security and risk control practice is fast becoming a specialised field of study in the safety and security industry. This qualification is directed at a broad range of law enforcement agencies including the private security industry, correctional institutions, as well as the broader field of policing. Learners will be afforded the opportunity to improve their knowledge within the criminal justice environment. The learner will acquire a comprehensive and interrelated understanding of current and relevant policing theories and practices prevalent in law enforcement and crime prevention.

    The qualification will also facilitate access to, mobility and progression within education and training as well as progression along a learning path for learners who:
  • Have worked in the security industry or related field for many years, but have not obtained a formal qualification.
  • Wish to extend their range of skills and knowledge of this field of study so that they can become competent law enforcement officials. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that the learner is competent in the language of instruction of the Institution and the general theoretical, practical and academic knowledge accomplished at NQF Level 4.

    Recognition of Prior Learning:
    An application for prior learning will be considered in accordance with the prescribed policies and procedures of the Institution. It implies that learning has been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal means and is recognised for the fulfilment of the requirements of this qualification or part thereof. It is required that through assessment practices, the learner shall demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills and values implicit in this qualification. Recognition of Prior Learning is performed by means of integrated assessment.

    Recognition of Prior Learning may allow for access and credits will be granted where competency in a specific module is established.

    Access to the Qualification:
    A learner entering this qualification must have achieved a National Senior Certificate granting access to Higher Certificate study or a National Certificate Vocational at NQF Level 4 granting access to Higher Certificate study or a Further Education and Training Certificate at NQF Level 4 or equivalent, with Mathematics/Mathematics Literacy and English. 

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of six modules at NQF Level 5 totalling 120 Credits.
    Compulsory modules:
  • Communication and Life Skills, 20 Credits.
  • Introduction to Legislation, 20 Credits.
  • Introduction to Criminal Justice, 20 Credits.
  • Principles of Policing, 20 Credits.
  • Community Policing, 20 Credits.

    Optional modules (choose one):
  • Security Practice, 20 Credits.
  • Traffic and Metropolitan Policing, 20 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    At the end of this qualification the learners will be able to:
    1. Implement a law enforcement strategy by applying the key principles of law enforcement in a non-SAPS environment.
    2. Participate in the processes of the criminal justice system by applying the pre-trial procedures required by law, conducting preliminary criminal investigations and presenting evidence in a court of law.
    3. Record the statements of persons allegedly connected to committing an offence in a manner that reflects the requirements for criminal liability.
    4. Explain the basic principles of criminology.
    5. Explain the nature and elements of selected common law crimes and statutory law offences and the impact of the Bill of Rights on law enforcement.
    6. Adhere to professional conduct and organisational ethics.

    Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:
  • Identify and solve problems in which responses display that responsible decisions, using critical thinking have been made.
  • Work effectively with others as a member of a team, organisation or legal community.
  • Organise and manage the learner and the learner's activities responsibly and effectively.
  • Collect, analyse, organise and critically evaluate information.
  • Communicate effectively using visual and language skills for written and oral presentations.
  • Use technology effectively and responsibly.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem solving in a law enforcement context does not exist in isolation.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of their role in participating as a responsible citizen of the country.
  • Demonstrate an awareness of their role and display a requisite level of sensitivity to diversity and culture across a range of social contexts.
  • Interpret data in order to maximise efficiency and effectiveness. 
    		•

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • The approach towards law enforcement is discussed.
  • The main components of a law enforcement strategy are described.
  • The process required to implement a law enforcement strategy is explained.
  • The way in which the principles of customer care are applied in a law enforcement environment is explained.
  • The application of the problem-solving approach to law enforcement is described.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • The processes required by the criminal justice system to bring an offender to book are explained.
  • The role of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights in law enforcement is described.
  • The steps required to be completed before a case gets to court are discussed.
  • The manner in which preliminary criminal investigations are conducted is explained.
  • The required presentation of evidence as presented in a court of law is explained and demonstrated.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • The requirements for criminal liability that must be contained in a statement are explained.
  • The principles that are required for a statement are described.
  • The layout of a statement is discussed.
  • The regulatory requirements for statements under oath or affirmation are explained.
  • A statement that complies with the above criteria is recorded.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • The principles of criminology applicable to law enforcement in a non-SAPS environment are explained.
  • The causes of criminal behaviour are discussed.
  • The relative utility of various explanations of the causes of crime are assessed.
  • Emerging, critical and global versions of criminology are explained.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
  • The elements of selected common law crimes and statutory law are described.
  • The way in which the elements of selected common law crimes and statutory law find application in the law enforcement process is explained.
  • The way in which Human Rights are addressed in the Bill of Rights find application in the law enforcement process is explained.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
  • The requirement for adherence to professional conduct is explained.
  • The ethical principles that should be applied in the law enforcement process are described.

    Integrated Assessment:
    This qualification will use both formative and summative assessment to assess the competencies of the learners. This integrated assessment will be in the form of tests, assignments, case studies and a portfolio of work. All assessment opportunities will be internally and externally moderated. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    A general comparison with similar qualifications internationally revealed that the range of competencies is well articulated worldwide. This qualification compares favourably with the following international qualifications:
  • A Criminal Justice Certificate qualification which is offered at the University of Wisconsin - Madison in the United States of America (USA).
  • A Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science Degree which is offered at Penn Foster College in New York, USA.
  • A Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice which is offered at Griffith University in New Zealand.

    Conclusion:
    The investigation that was conducted to determine the international comparability of this qualification revealed that a few countries offer Higher Certificate qualifications in Criminal Justice. This qualification compares favourably with the international counterparts in terms of module competencies, but not in its entirety as some of the international qualifications named are at higher NQF Levels. 
    		•

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification articulates horizontally with similar Certificates at NQF Level 5, such as the Certificate in Law Enforcement.

    This qualification articulates vertically with similar Diplomas at NQF Level 6 such as the Diploma: Criminal Justice. 

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Moderation processes and procedures ensure that all learners are assessed in a consistent, accurate and well-designed manner. Moderation verifies that assessments are fair, reliable, valid, practicable and transparent and also evaluates assessor performance. The moderation will be done internally and externally by academics in the field. 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    The assessor must have:
  • A qualification in the related field which is at NQF Level 6 or above.
  • At least 5 years' lecturing/work experience in the field. 
    		•

    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. Lyceum College (Pty) Ltd 


    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.