Doctor of Policing
Purpose:
Source: SAQA official qualification record. Yiba Verified does not own the underlying qualification data shown on this page.
Qualification type
Doctoral Degree
Credits
360
Sub-framework
HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework
Providers listed
1
Qualification snapshot
Official qualification identity fields captured from the qualification record.
Originator
Stadio (Pty) Ltd
Quality assurance functionary
CHE - Council on Higher Education
Field
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security
Subfield
Justice in Society
Qual class
Regular-Provider-ELOAC
Recognise previous learning
Y
Important dates
These dates are carried directly from the qualification record.
Registration start
2020-09-29
Registration end
2027-06-30
Last date for enrolment
2028-06-30
Last date for achievement
2031-06-30
Purpose and entry context
Official SAQA text formatted for easier reading.
Purpose and rationale
Purpose
The purpose of the Doctor of Policing qualification is to enable learners to develop in-depth, advanced discipline-specific skills and applied competence in Policing to provide opportunities for continued personal intellectual growth, productive economic activity and making a rewarding contribution to society. Also, the qualification aims to empower learners to solve complex policing-related problems in a focused way, to effectively manage and allocate resources, to communicate effectively and to contribute to knowledge.
The qualification endeavours to provide South Africa with highly skilled individuals, particularly from disadvantaged communities. In order to ensure that the leadership base of innovative and knowledge-based economic and scholarly activity is strengthened and diversified.
Rationale
The qualification provides a learner with the opportunity to undertake independent research and advanced study under the guidance of a supervisor, building on knowledge gained in a particular subject area, generally at masters or equivalent level. The thesis presented will constitute a substantial contribution to knowledge in the chosen field of study (policing) and will embody the original work of the learner.
The qualification will provide South Africa, the policing environment and the field of Justice in Society with researchers who have specialised theoretical knowledge and practical skill in a research area from which the institution can research the highest level, thereby contributing to the national development agenda.
Entry requirements and RPL
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
The institution conducts RPL in terms of the policy and guidelines of the institution to recognise other forms of formal, informal and non-formal learning and experience. In cases where learners do not comply with the formal admission requirements, the institution applies its RPL policy.
Entry Requirements
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is
- Master of Policing Practices, NQF Level 9.
Replacement note
This qualification replaces
Structure and assessment
Qualification rules, exit outcomes, and assessment criteria from the SAQA record.
Qualification rules
This qualification consists of a compulsory thesis at Level 10, totalling 360 Credits.
Compulsory Modules, 360 Credits
- Thesis, 360 Credits.
Exit level outcomes
- Independently design a research project and execute such a project.
- Apply advanced scientific methods responsibly.
- Efficiently manage the collection, organisation and analysis of relevant information.
- Analyse theory and practical problems in order to contribute to the existing body of knowledge related to a specific aspect of policing.
- Contribute to the development of new theories, models and practices.
- Conduct further academic research independently in order to contribute to local research output.
- Present the technical reports to professional audiences, including the policing and safety and security environment.
Associated assessment criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1
- Conceptualise new research initiatives.
- Identify, address and manage emerging ethical issues.
- Demonstrate intellectual independence, research leadership, management of research and research development in policing.
- Operate independently and taking full responsibility for work.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2
- Develop new methods, techniques, processes and systems in original, creative, innovative and sophisticated contexts.
- Apply specialist knowledge and theory in critically reflective ways to address complex theoretical problems.
- Implement advanced processes of ethical decision-making.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3
- Make independent judgements about managing incomplete or inconsistent information or data in an iterative process of analysis and synthesis.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4
- Produce substantial, independent, in-depth and publishable work which meets international standards.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5
- Create new knowledge or practice.
- Contribute to scholarly debates around theories of knowledge.
- Contribute to knowledge production in Policing.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6
- Produce substantial, independent, in-depth and publishable work which meets international standards.
- Independently design, sustain and manage change within a system or systems.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 7
- Produce relevant work which meets the needs of policing and safety and security professionals.
Integrated Assessment
The qualification consists of research by thesis only. The qualification has three (3) phases of assessment as set out below:
PROPOSAL
Assessments
Assignment 1: Submission of proposal.
Assignment 2: Defence of proposal.
Assignment 1 requires the submission of a full proposal within the first year of enrolment. The proposal has to contain at least the following components:
- Chapter 1: Introduction and background (approximately 10 pages).
- Chapter 2: Literature review (approximately 15 pages).
- Chapter 3: Research methodology (approximately 10 pages).
The proposal will make a substantial contribution to the thesis and demonstrates the student's initial competency in the particular area of research, as well as the selection of a particular research methodology.
If the proposal is accepted the student is required to defend the proposal as part of Assignment 2 in front of a panel appointed by the Doctoral Research Committee.
COMPLETION OF THE RESEARCH AND THESIS
Assignment 3: Completion of thesis.
Assignment 4: Presentation to panel.
The thesis, as Assignment 3, is completed under the guidance of a supervisor.
EXAMINATION OF THE THESIS
Handing in the thesis.
A learner can hand in the thesis at any time, but the supervisor has to sign off. The marking process for the thesis will start immediately and feedback will be provided with feedback as soon as possible.
Marking and final submission.
Once the thesis has been submitted (three ring-bound copies) with permission from the supervisor, it is sent for external examination. After examination, some students may then still need to make corrections for the thesis to be of the required standard for submission of the three leather-bound copies to the Learning Resources Centre/Library. Students who require extensions on the thesis may do so in terms of the extension rules and subject to the exclusion provisions.
Marking, presentation and results.
The Doctoral Research Committee will manage the marking process and will appoint two external examiners to mark the thesis. Should the external markers and the Committee be of the opinion that the thesis is not up to standard, it will be referred back to the student to address the shortcomings. Supervisors are not allowed to be part of the Committee for the purpose of considering and discussing the submission of a particular student.
Once the thesis has been accepted the student will be requested to present and defend the research, as Assignment 4, in front of a panel appointed by the Doctoral Research Committee. The supervisor of the particular student may not be a member of the panel. Upon passing the panel presentation, the student will be notified of the outcome. Should the student fail, another presentation has to be scheduled at a later date.
Work-integrated learning does not form part of the qualification.
Progression and comparability
Articulation options
This qualification offers possibilities of horizontal articulation.
Horizontal Articulation
- Doctor of Philosophy in Criminology, NQF Level 10.
International comparability
In this comparative study, universities from the United Kingdom, Australia and Africa were used as the basis to compare the learning outcomes as well as focus areas for the qualifications with the outcomes of this qualification.
United Kingdom
1. University: Liverpool John Moores
The Liverpool John Moores University in the United Kingdom offers a PhD Advanced Policing qualification with research focused on policing, criminal justice, security and related fields. The focus is on interdisciplinary methodologies, and the Policing Studies qualifications focus on developing the professionalisation agenda for policing.
The postgraduate research qualification focuses on the following
- Design and execute a research project.
- Apply scientific methods.
- Manage the collection and analysis of information.
- Conduct academic research independently. Some of the focus areas are:
> Transnational and public order policing.
> Serious organised crime.
> Victimology and domestic violence.
> Terrorism and counter-terrorism.
> Intelligence-led policing and human trafficking.
2. University: Glasgow
The University of Glasgow offers a PhD criminological research-based qualification with an applied focus. The postgraduate research qualification focuses on the following:
- Independently design a research project.
- Independently execute a research project.
- Apply advanced scientific methods responsibly.
- Organise and analyse relevant information.
- Follow an evidence-based approach to a research project.
- Conduct action research: personal change through prison education in secure settings.
3. University: London Global
London's Global University in the United Kingdom offers a PhD on security crime scenes. The postgraduate research qualification focuses on the following:
- Designing a research project.
- Researching a topic or area of specialisation.
Applying scientific methods responsibly some of the focus areas are
> Individual change through prison education.
> Counter-terrorism: situational prevention of terrorism.
> Technology for counter-terrorism.
> Transferable training between crime and terrorism.
> Crime mapping: innovation in crime mapping methods; prospective crime mapping.
> Crime policy analysis and evaluation: evaluation of crime prevention schemes; knowledge transfer.
> Designing out crime: role of design in crime prevention; environmental design; crime risk and administrative procedure design.
> Forensic sciences: forensic science reconstruction; interpretation of evidence; trace evidence dynamics (including DNA, residues/particulates, environmental evidence).
Australia
The Victoria University in Melbourne, Australia offers a PhD that contributes to the theory of change in society, with the focus on offering access to real-world scenarios for investigation. The postgraduate research qualification focuses on the following:
- Expert understanding of a substantial body of theory and its practical application at the frontier of a field of work or learning, including substantial expert knowledge of ethical research principles and methods applicable to the field.
- Intellectual independence and cognitive skills to undertake a systematic investigation, reflect critically on theory and practice and evaluate existing knowledge and ideas, including identifying, evaluating and critically analysing the validity of research studies and their applicability to a research problem.
- Expert cognitive, technical and creative skills to design, develop and implement a research project to investigate a research problem systematically; develop, adapt and implement research methodologies to extend and redefine existing knowledge; manage, analyse, evaluate and interpret data, synthesising key ideas and theorising within the context of crucial literature.
- Expert communication skills to explain and critique theoretical propositions, methodologies and conclusions; disseminate and promote new insights; and cogently present a complex investigation of originality, or original research, both for external examination and to specialist (research peers) and non-specialist (industry and community) audiences through informal interaction, scholarly publications, reports and formal presentations.
- Capacity to reflect on, develop and evaluate strategies for achieving own learning and career goals.
- Intellectual independence, initiative and creativity in new situations and for further learning.
- Ethical practice and full responsibility and accountability for personal outputs.
- Autonomy, authoritative judgement, adaptability and responsibility as an expert and independent scholar.
Some of the focus areas are
> Governance and regulation.
> The scholarship of legal education.
> International law.
> Courts and justice.
Botswana
The University of Botswana offers the MPhil and PhD qualifications with the focus on offering access to real-world scenarios for Policing. The postgraduate research-based qualification focuses on the following:
- Supervised research, but which may require coursework.
- Qualifications available through all faculties and departments of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET).
- Further studies, research and supervisory arrangements that will be determined by the FET Interdisciplinary Supervisory Committee and will require the approval of the School of Graduate Studies Board.
Courses for learners
MPhil learners take one of the two core courses in Research Methods, as appropriate to their background and the intended topic of research, on the advice of the institution. The two core courses in Research Methodology are as follows:
- Analytical Research Methods.
- Design Research Methods.
From the comparative study of the different countries and universities, it is evident that the outcomes of this qualification are the same or slightly different. However, the focus of the qualification remains the independent design of a research project, execution of the project, application of scientific methodologies as well as the collection, organisation and analysis of information. In the analysis of the information, theoretical as well as practical problems in the field of policing are identified and researched to develop new theories, models and practices for implementation.
Providers currently listed
This reflects provider names published on the official record. It is useful for qualification discovery, but it should not be treated as a substitute for checking the relevant quality body’s latest provider status.
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