Doctor of Philosophy in Occupational Therapy

Apply educational knowledge, skills, principles and methods competent to work as authorities in their field against the background of original research:

• Responding to the needs of the community.
• Responding to business and industry needs.
• In life-long learning and the appreciation of the value of education and society.

Qualifiers will demonstrate knowledge, skills and applied competence in the field of study that provide opportunities for continued personal growth, gainful economic activity and rewarding contributions to society.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The qualification recognises formal and non-formal prior learning (incorporating experiential learning) at an appropriate Higher Education and Training Certificate Level 9 in Occupational Therapy or a functional equivalent.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is

• Master of Occupational Therapy, NQF Level 9.
• Master of Philosophy in Occupational Therapy, NQF Level 9.

The planned combination of learning outcomes are integrated with critical cross-field outcomes for this Qualification

Practical Competency

The demonstrated ability/skill to achieve the major Skills/Applied Competency of the qualification.

Foundational Competency

The demonstrated understanding, by the Learner, of the embedded knowledge that underpins the end result/outcome.

Reflective Competency

The demonstrated ability/skill to integrate or connect our performances and to reflect on, evaluate and adopt the above competencies.

To successfully complete the certificate the learner will have to demonstrate his/her learning via module specific learning outcomes as well as critical cross-field learning outcomes.

Module specific outcomes will include capabilities relating to module knowledge and the understanding thereof within a specific context and capabilities relating to integrated knowledge and skills from a variety of disciplines within the field.

Critical cross-field outcomes will include those specified in the learning outcomes for approved modules in the Certificate and as appropriate to the learner's field of practice:

1. Working as authorities/specialists in the field;
2. Conducting independent original research;
3. Serving the community nationally and internationally by making a contribution to the field through the generation of new knowledge.

The learner will be able to analyse and apply the basic principles relevant to the following

1. Work as an authority in their specialist field;
2. Execute an original research project of national and international standard;
3. Work as a specialist assuming a leadership role as a member of a multi professional team.

A learner should provide evidence of learning competency (knowledge, skills and attitude) by means of the following

1. Formative evaluation - the process, developmental nature and end-product (outcome) are important.
2. Theory and practice are integrated.

Integrated assessment

Competence is achieved, through continuous assessment by demonstrating the ability to achieve the outcomes of the Qualification.

Learners must be able to demonstrate the achievement of stated outcomes at different levels throughout the duration of the research project, and eventually by a thesis written to comply with set research standards, and standards set by the university and professional board.

Assessment documents are moderated to ensure that

• They conform to the scope and context of the competency as stipulated in the qualification.
• They are constructed in such a way that the Assessor assesses the critical outcomes applied, during the Learner's activity performances, towards achieving an outcome.

Assessments are

• To include confirmation of the Embedded Knowledge component to ensure that the Foundational Competency is achieved.
• To be verified by Internal Verifiers to ensure valid, credible, true and fair results.