Program Overview

Social Development Program

The Master of Arts by Coursework and Research Report in the field of Social Development is a postgraduate degree offered as a full-time (1 year) or part-time (2 years) program.

Overview

The program comprises four different modules: three addressing relevant issues in the field of Social Development and the fourth module being a research report. The program code is ACA00, and the plan code is AFASDEV60.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes the following modules:

• SOCW 7013A: Social Development: This module contextualizes and conceptualizes social development globally, regionally, and within the South African context.
• SOCW7014A: Social Policy: This module contextualizes and conceptualizes social policy globally, regionally, and within the South African context.
• SOCW7015A: Programme Design and Management: This module equips students with in-depth knowledge and advanced skills in designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating projects/programs within the social development context.
• SOCW7017A: Research Report (full-time) OR SOCW7027A: Social Development Research Report (part-time) - Part 1 SOCW7028A: Social Development Research Report (part-time) - Part 2: The completion and submission of a research report between 20,000 and 30,000 words on an approved topic relevant to the field of Social Development is required.

Entry Requirements

Entrance requirements include:

• An Honours degree with subjects in the Social Sciences, approved by the Social Work Department
• SAQA NQF level 8 for international Honours degrees
• Minimum average of 65% in the Honours degree (excluding the research mark)
• Minimum of 65% for the Honours research report
• Ability to attend three one-week classes in the first year of study (full-time) or three one-week classes in the first year and one week of classes in the second year of study (part-time)
• Attendance at a selection interview
• Accepted applicants are required to attend a five-day orientation program inclusive of a research methodology refresher course

University Application Process

Applications are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre (SEnC). Once the application is complete in terms of requested documentation, it will be referred to the relevant School for assessment.

University Fees and Funding

The current average tuition fees can be found on the university's website. The Fees site also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, please refer to the University's Postgraduate Funding portal.

Program Details

• Programme Code: ACA00
• Faculty: Humanities
• School: Human and Community Development
• Qualification: MA
• Duration: 1 - 2 years
• Study Mode: Full-time; Part-time
• Closing Date: 30 November 2025
• Programme Coordinator: Dr. Samkelo Bala