Diploma in Somatology

Purpose

The qualification aims to address the growing interest from the public's point of view in Health care and sensible lifestyle advice, including the improvement of the physiological and psychological well-being of the client and to reduce stress levels of normal day to day living. A qualifying learner who has achieved the assessment criteria of this qualification will be able to:

• Demonstrate knowledge of the main areas of Somatology.
• Apply the acquired competence as reflected in the communication through the design and implementation of appropriate programmes.
• Evaluate, select and apply the appropriate applications and techniques to solve problems in familiar and unfamiliar contexts.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical and social implications of management decisions and actions on the organisation, community and society at large by analysing existing societal structures.

Rationale

The need for suitably qualified practitioners in the field of Somatology has become evident as measures need to be taken to address the challenges of sports management. Somatology aims to equip learners with knowledge, skills, values and attitudes that will enable them to be confident and independent and to contribute responsibly in the economic reconstruction, development and growth, and to adapt to and survive in an economically complex world.

The qualification is designed to provide the necessary theoretical and vocational education and skills to be employed as a Somatology therapist as well as the necessary theoretical and practical foundation required by the field of Somatology and its associated professional bodies. After three years of intensive training the qualified learner will be fully capable of functioning as a Health and Skincare therapist and meet the high standards and the requirements set by the Health and Skincare industry and enable the Health and Skincare therapist to be in demand nationally and internationally.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Learning that has been acquired through formal, informal and non-formal means is recognised for the fulfilment of the requirements of this qualification or part of the qualification. It is required that through assessment practices, the learner should demonstrate competence in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit in this qualification. Recognition of Prior Learning is performed by means of an Integrated Assessment as mentioned in the previous paragraph.

This Recognition of Prior Learning may allow for accelerated access to further learning. All Recognition of Prior Learning is subject to quality assurance by the relevant accredited Education and Training Quality Assurance Body and is conducted by a registered workplace assessor.

Entry Requirements

Learners are required to have the following qualifications in order to be considered for admission

• National Senior Certificate (NSC) allowing entry to Diploma studies.

Or

• Senior Certificate (SC).

Or

• National Certificate Vocational (NCV) at NQF Level 4.

This qualification comprises compulsory and elective modules at NQF Level 5, 6 and 7 totalling 360 Credits. Learners must choose one elective.

Compulsory modules at NQF Level 5, 120 Credits

• Soma Techniques - Theory and Practical 105, 30 Credits.
• Skincare and body therapy - Theory and Practical 105, 30 Credits.
• Anatomy, Physiology and pathology 105, 15 Credits.
• Science, Physics and Chemistry for Health and Skincare Therapy Theory 105, 15 Credits.
• Nutrition 105, 10 Credits.
• Psychology 105, 10 Credits.
• Sales and Marketing 105, 10 Credits.

Compulsory modules at NQF Level 6, 170 Credits

• Soma Techniques - Theory and Practical 206, 30 Credits.
• Skincare and body therapy - Theory and Practical 206, 30 Credits.
• Anatomy and Physiology 206, 20 Credits.
• Science, Physics and Chemistry for Health and Skincare Therapy Theory 206, 20 Credits.
• Nutrition 206, 10 Credits.
• Spa therapy - Theory and Practical 306, 40 Credits.
• Science, Physics and Chemistry for Health and Skincare Therapy Practice 306, 20 Credits.

Electives at NQF Level 6; 20 Credits

• Psychology 206, 10 Credits.
• Sales and Marketing 206, 10 Credits.

Compulsory modules at NQF Level 7; 60 Credits

• Soma Techniques- Theory and Practical 307, 30 Credits.
• Anatomy and Physiology 307, 7, 20, Compulsory, 307, 20 Credits.
• Nutrition 307, 7, 10, Compulsory, 3, 10 Credits.

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the main areas of Somatology.
2. Apply the acquired competence as reflected in the communication through the design and implementation of appropriate programmes.
3. Evaluate, select and apply the appropriate applications and techniques to solve problems in familiar and unfamiliar contexts.
4. Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical and social implications of management decisions and actions on the organisation, community and society at large by analysing existing societal structures.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1

• Key terms, concepts, laws, principles, rules and theories of health and skincare, including the knowledge and application of appropriate biological and physiological concepts are understood.
• The principles and practice of anatomy, physiology and pathology and how they relate to the fields of health and beauty treatment in spa management and new product and electrical treatment development is understood.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2

• The operation, functions and applications of electronic and electrical components and equipment as used and applied in the health and skincare practice in a salon and spa environment are understood.
• Appropriate electro-technical applications and skills are evaluated, selected and applied according to particular industrially accepted methods and procedures and techniques within the context of a clearly defined problem in a health and beauty, familiar context.
• Defined electro-technical challenges in an unfamiliar health and beauty related field such as skin, health, and medical related technology fields is identified and evaluated.
• Known theory and skills to solve new unfamiliar problems within the context are applied.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3

• The most appropriate information related to the tasks is selected.
• Well-developed processes of analysis, synthesis and evaluation based on acquired appropriate information are demonstrated adequately.
• Similar and different systems operating within the same context indicating clearly the existing or non-existing relationships that characterise different electro-technical systems and their potential impact on each other are compared and evaluated.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4

• Full cognisance of ethical implications such as intellectual property issues, privacy, copyright and confidentiality within the context of the Somatology profession, including the optimum and correct application and use of appropriate computer software, proprietary processes, design principles and data management and security is understood.
• The different sources of information such as the quality and legitimacy of information pertaining to electro-technical applications are evaluated.

Integrated Assessment

Formative Assessments

• Assignments.
• Tests.
• Projects.
• Tasks.

Summative Assessments

• Examinations.
• Structured assignments.
• Projects both individual and group assessments.
• Tasks.