Master of Social Science in Clinical Psychology

Purpose

The qualification strives to maintain a balance between

(1) Equipping students with core competencies required by the Professional Board of Psychology in South Africa.

(2) Promoting indigenous knowledge systems by responding to the local context.

While African Psychology is infused throughout the modules, through the Community Interventions in Professional Psychology module, in particular, learners are exposed to culturally and contextually appropriate evidence-based models of care and mental health promotion and prevention. This qualification exposes students to the mental health challenges that confront South Africa and the urgent need to expand access to psychological services through context-sensitive approaches, as well as the provision of culturally congruent care that is in coterminous with people's belief systems. To meet this aim the qualification exposes learners to clinical psychological assessments, treatments and theories that are informed largely by African research in the field. This is in alignment with the draft mental health policy of South Africa as well as the recent approval of the World Health Organisation's Mental Health Action Plan by the 66th World Health Assembly.

Rationale

The rationale for the qualification is the need to train Clinical Psychologists. Professional Clinical Psychologists provide psychological services that include assessment, diagnosis and psychological interventions. The scope of practice and target population varies according to the registration category of the professional and is regulated by the Professional Board of Psychology under the auspices of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). The qualification meets the demand for skills in Clinical Psychology in South Africa. In addition, the qualification is also focused on meeting the needs for training in clinical psychology on the African continent.

Recognition of Prior Learning

The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be dealt with through the institution's policy on the subject, which if formulated in terms of the Institution's General Rule GR7a) and b), which makes provision for the evidence-based recognition of prior knowledge.

Learners who do not meet the minimum entry requirements may be admitted to the qualification through RPL. Credit towards the qualification may also be awarded through RPL.

Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirement is

• A Bachelor of Science Honours in Mathematical Science or Physical Sciences.

Or

Computational Sciences or Psychology.

Or

Level 8 or equivalent Level 8 qualification.

The qualification consists of the following compulsory modules at Level 9 totalling 208 Credits.

• Short Dissertation: Clinical Psychology Level 9, 96 Credits.
• Psychological Interventions: African and Global, Level 9, 16 Credits.
• Theory and Practice of Clinical Psychology, Level 9, 32 Credits.
• Psychology of Personality and Abnormal Behaviour, Level 9, 16 Credits.
• Assessment in Psychological Practice, Level 9, 16 Credits.
• Community Interventions in Professional Psychology, Level 9, 16 Credits.
• Research Methods in Psychology, Level 9, 16 Credits.

At the end of this Degree, students will have

1. Conduct professional clinical interviews and clinical assessments while demonstrating the ability for independent practice.
2. Demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills in report writing and case formulation.
3. Critique, evidence-based therapeutic interventions related to clinical psychology (particularly interventions for psychiatric disorders in a hospital setting).
4. Provide task shifted interventions at the primary health care and community levels of care (development of contextually and culturally appropriate evidence-based manualised psychosocial and mental health promotion/ prevention interventions that can be delivered by general health care workers (HCWs) and lay counsellors.
5. Train, supervise and support general HCWs and lay counsellors.
6. Conduct psychological assessments and diagnosis independently.
7. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of theories related to psycho-pathology, culturally-sensitive interventions, assessment, mental health promotion and preventative approaches, developmental psychopathology, ethics and psychopharmacology, reflecting critically on theory and application across a range of contexts.
8. Complete a research project.

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge in psychopathology and personality theory.
• Demonstrate advance skills in psychological assessment.
• Carry out competency in community based interventions and theory.
• Carry out and complete a research project.
• Apply psychological methods.
• Apply advanced clinical skills.

Integrated Assessment

The learning outcomes of each module are assessed in an integrated way through

(1) Clinical supervision: Supervision integrates the assessment and evaluation of interviewing skills, report writing, diagnostic skills, clinical psychometric assessment skills.

(2) Case study: The case study integrates assessment of diagnostic skills, psychometric assessment skills, knowledge of psychopathology/psychiatric disorders and research skills.

(3) Case presentation: Case presentations assess diagnostic skills, knowledge of therapeutic interventions and presentation skills.

(4) Oral exam: The oral exam assesses diagnostic skills, psychometric assessment skills, knowledge of psychopathology/psychiatric disorders, psychopharmacology, formulation skills and knowledge of community interventions.