Study Online Accredited Courses at SACAP

As a student, you can now study from almost anywhere as well as at institutions based across the country and world. Making the decision to study online with seemingly endless possibilities. SACAP (The South African College of Applied Psychology) has developed a range of online courses that you can choose from. The range of courses are accredited and internationally recognised. Courses are designed to fit into your lifestyle and therefore are offered on a part-time and full-time basis. 

One of the biggest advantages of SACAP’s online learning programme is its Work Integrated Learning (WIL) approach. This provides the opportunity to gain practical experience while studying. SACAP has established relationships with over 100 placement sites throughout South Africa. Through these, students are assigned to projects that allow them to make a positive difference in people’s lives. While at the same time having supervisors on-hand to offer insight and support online.

Online Study Options at SACAP

SACAP Online offers a collaborative online learning experience. It’s designed such that students have weekly course requirements and platforms to interact with other students and educators.

There are 5 categories of online qualifications that SACAP’s prospective students can apply for:

1. Higher Certificates.
2. Diplomas.
3. Bachelors’ Degrees.
4. Honours’ Degrees.
5. Masters’ Degree

Online Higher Certificates

In order to be eligible for application to the SACAP Higher Certificate courses, one of these three criteria needs to be applicable to you:

1. A National Senior Certificate with a minimum of 45% in English as certified by the Council for General and Further Education and Training (Umalusi), or
2. A national Certificate (Vocational) Level 4 with a minimum of 45% in English issued by the Council for General and Further Education and Training (Umalusi), or
3. A Senior Certificate (pre-2008) with a minimum overall D-aggregate (50%) with a minimum of 45% in English, or an equivalent school leaving certificate, or
4. Applicants 24 years of age and older who do not meet the above requirements should provide a portfolio of evidence demonstrating formal, informal, and non-formal knowledge, training, work experience, and/or learning equivalent to a National Senior Certificate (NQF level 4) to support admission into the programme on the basis of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Higher Certificate in Counselling and Communication Skills

• Focus: An introduction to counselling, communication and academic literacy, research and study skills.
• Qualification: NQF level 5. CHE accredited. Eligible to apply for SACAP’s Bachelor of Applied Social Science Degrees with the potential for selected module credit transfer.
• Application: Improved communication and counselling skills within a work (and personal) setting.

Higher Certificate in Business Management

• Focus: Teaching an understanding of how to balance employee needs and company goals / requirements. As well as functions and dynamics of a business environment. Coupled with practical, ready-to-use skills. 
• Qualification: Upon successful completion, graduates are eligible to apply to SACAP’s Bachelor of Applied Social Science (with specialisation in Business Management) or any of SACAP’s other Bachelor of Applied Social Science streams.
• Application: Able to work successfully in an extensive range of public and private sector enterprises.

Higher Certificate in Human Resource Management

• Focus: Develop graduates who are responsive to both employee and employer needs. Can drive and develop individuals and teams within the workplace. And are practically equipped to work within the HRM field.
• Qualification: NQF 5, CHE accredited. Upon successful completion, graduates are eligible to apply to SACAP’s Bachelor of Applied Social Science (with specialisation in Human Resource Management) or any of SACAP’s other Bachelor of Applied Social Science streams.
• Application: Able to work successfully in an extensive range of public and private sector enterprises.

Study an Online Diploma

One of the following criteria is required in order to be eligible for consideration and acceptance into a Diploma at SACAP.

1. A National Senior Certificate with a minimum of 45% in English as certified by the Council for General and Further Education and Training (Umalusi). Coupled with an achievement rating of 3 (Moderate Achievement, 40-49%) or better in four recognised NSC 20-credit subjects, or
2. A National Certificate (Vocational) Level 4 as certified by the Council for General and Further Education and Training (Umalusi). With an achievement of at least 50% in three fundamental subjects including English, and an achievement of at least 60% in the three compulsory vocational subjects, or
3. A Senior Certificate (pre-2008) with a minimum overall D-aggregate (50%) with English passed at Standard Grade or better, or an equivalent school-leaving certificate, or
4. A Higher Certificate (NQF level 5), a SAQA verified equivalent qualification, or Advanced Certificate in a cognate field, or
5. Applicants 24 years of age and older who do not meet the above requirements should provide a portfolio of evidence demonstrating formal, informal, and non-formal knowledge, training, work experience, and/or learning equivalent to a National Senior Certificate (NQF level 4) to support admission into the programme on the basis of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Diploma in Counselling and Communication Skills

• Focus: A comprehensive, two-year, vocational qualification. Intended to increase your knowledge and insight in counselling, communication, psychology, human behaviour and community-based mental health. With scope to develop deeper knowledge in specific areas of personal interest.
• Qualification: Comprehensive nationally benchmarked vocational qualification, with practical work integrated experience. Able to register with the Counsellors with the SAQA recognised Association for Supportive Counsellors & Holistic Practitioners (ASCHP). Qualify to apply for SACAP’s Bachelor of Applied Social Science Degrees, with the potential for selected module credit transfer.
• Application: Ability to work in a variety of environments linked to areas of personal interests. Within settings which require applied counselling and good communication skills.

Bachelors’ Degrees Online

SACAP offers undergraduate degrees grounded in Psychology with a Work Integrated Module that allows students to graduate with experience.

1. A National Senior Certificate with a minimum of 45% in English as certified by the Council for General and Further Education and Training (Umalusi), coupled with an achievement rating of 4 (Adequate Achievement 50-59%) or better in four recognised 20-credit NSC subjects, or
2. A National Certificate (Vocational) Level 4 as certified by the Council for General and Further Education and Training (Umalusi), with an achievement of at least 60% in three fundamental subjects including English, and an achievement of at least 70% in four vocational subjects chosen from the NC (V) Level 4 subject list, or
3. A Senior Certificate (pre-2008) with Endorsement with English passed at Standard Grade or better, or an equivalent school-leaving certificate, or
4. Applicants 24 years of age and older who do not meet the above requirements should provide a portfolio of evidence demonstrating formal, informal, and non-formal knowledge, training, work experience, and/or learning equivalent to a National Senior Certificate (NQF level 4) to support admission into the programme on the basis of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Bachelor of Applied Social Science majoring in Psychology and Counselling

• Focus: Development of a robust theoretical and methodological understanding of the discipline of psychology embedded within the social sciences
• Type of Qualification: NQF 7, CHE. Graduates are able to register with Association for Supportive Counsellors & Holistic Practitioners (ASCHP) as a Wellness Counsellor.
• Application: Allows graduates to work in many different careers across the public and private sectors. As well as move easily on to complete various additional qualifications.

Bachelor of Applied Social Science majoring in Psychology and Business Management

• Recommendation: To have Numerical Competency and Data Skills (although not an eligibility requirement)
• Focus: Equipping students to be able to understand the interrelation between the external business landscape and the psychosocial factors within organisations.
• Type of Qualification: NQF 7, CHE. Eligible for admission into an honour’s degree or postgraduate studies in psychology, the social sciences or business management. Or related fields, both locally and internationally.
• Application: Graduates are well suited to fulfil management roles and to be entrepreneurs.

Bachelor of Applied Social Science majoring in Psychology and Human Resource Management

• Focus: Theoretical knowledge and practical ability to increase workplace productivity and enhance workplace well-being and satisfaction.
• Qualification: Specialisation within HRM and Psychology. Eligibility for admission into an honour’s degree or postgraduate studies in psychology, the social sciences, or related fields. Qualification is both nationally and internationally recognised.
• Application: Attain theoretical and practical, in-depth, understanding of workplace dynamics. Thereby, enabling a graduate to increase productivity and work satisfaction.

Honours Online

SACAP offers two online postgraduate degrees that are nationally accredited and internationally recognised. Additionally, these degrees meet the best practice standards of quality and excellence in their relevant fields.

Applicants 24 years of age and older who do not meet the below requirements should provide a portfolio of evidence demonstrating formal, informal, and non-formal knowledge, training, work experience, and/or learning in a cognate field of study equivalent to an NQF level 7 qualification to support admission into the programme on the basis of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Psychology

To apply, you would need a minimum of an appropriate Bachelor’s Degree (NQF level 7) or appropriate Advanced Diploma with a psychology major, having achieved a grade point average (GPA) of 65% and/or above in all psychology subjects undertaken in the final year (exit level) of study.

• Focus: Increasing knowledge and understanding acquired through a cognitive undergraduate programme. 
• Qualification: NQF 8, CHE, locally and internationally recognised. Enables eligibility to a professional or non-professional masters degree in a cognitive field.
• Application: Able to work within academic and various private and public settings. Applying critical analysis, theoretical and practical psychological principles as well as systematic organisational skills. Design, implement and monitor programmes.

Bachelor of Social Science Honours in Human Resource Management

To apply, you would need a minimum of an undergraduate degree with a human resource management, industrial psychology, or organisational psychology major (NQF 7), having achieved a grade point average (GPA) of 65% and/or above in all human resource management-related subjects undertaken in the final year (exit level) of study.

• Focus: Development of a robust knowledge, skill set and understanding of human resource theories, practices, methodologies and competencies.
• Qualification: NQF 8, CHE accredited and Aligned with the SABPP competencies in design
• Application: Enables graduates to work across an extensive range of private and public sector enterprises within specialist and generalist HR roles.

Study a Masters’ Degree Online

All applicants are required to undergo a screening and selection process. Acceptance is limited to a maximum number of students per academic year.

1. A relevant Bachelor of Honours Degree (NQF level 8), relevant Postgraduate Diploma, or SAQA verified equivalent qualification in a recognised cognate field with a grade point average (GPA) of 65% or above, or
2. Applicants 24 years of age and older who do not meet the above requirements should provide a portfolio of evidence demonstrating formal, informal, and non-formal knowledge, training, work experience, and/or learning equivalent to a National Senior Certificate (NQF level 4) to support admission into the programme on the basis of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Master of Social Science in Community Mental Health Promotion

• Focus: Development of leaders who can strategically and innovatively address community mental health challenges, while enhancing community wellbeing through advocacy and policy development.
• Qualification: NQF 9, CHE
• Application: Employable in a wide range of public and private sector enterprises, including but not limited to NPOs. NGOs and corporate companies.

Study Online at SACAP

If you want to find out more about the online learning experience at SACAP, and the courses listed above, you can enquire now. SACAP advisors are available, via one-on-one appointments, to prospective students.  They can discuss which courses your current NQF qualification allows you to apply for. What you are considering and how it is applicable to your career goals. As well as how to go about ensuring your application is completed correctly. If you already know which online course you would like to study, apply online today.