Master of Social Science in Community Mental Health Promotion
Course Details
next intake
Term 1
Applications Open
1 August 2023Applications Close
30 December 2023
duration
2 years, part-time
accreditation
NQF 9, CHE
download pdf
how to apply
Why take this course
SACAP’s Master of Social Science Community Mental Health Promotion Degree is a two-year part-time degree that seeks to develop leaders who can strategically and innovatively address community mental health challenges and enhance community wellbeing.
Candidates will develop the capacity to act as catalysts to bring together various sectors to tackle the social and mental health challenges that our country faces. They will also be encouraged in social innovation and intervention and develop skills for policy development and advocacy around community mental health issues.
The Master of Social Science Community Mental Health Promotion Degree also seeks to build a continuous entrepreneurial mind-set in order to harness opportunities within community contexts.
Testimonials
What you can expect
- The degree will advance scholarship around a relevant community psychology, as well as build research capacity focused on social intervention.
- It will develop actors who can leverage human resources and social capital to build supportive and stimulating environments in the context of widespread risk.
- The degree will build skills for complex project implementation and management.
Course highlights
Builds transformative leadership around community mental health and wellbeing.
Positions you for potential admission to a cognate doctoral degree.
Structured so that you can balance your career and studies.
Who is this course for?
Do you:
- Want to become a community change agent who can relate your knowledge at an advanced level in the development of community mental health promotion.
- Want to commit to a high level of theoretical engagement and intellectual independence.
- Have an honours degree in a cognate field and want a master’s degree that will build competencies as a strategic leader and social innovator in the field of community mental health.
- Have an interest in acting as a catalyst to lead the charge in pro-actively contributing to the mental health and wellbeing of South African communities with self-direction and originality in approaching and solving problems.
- Have experience in leadership positions with a focus on community development, mental health advocacy and promotion, policy implementation or change management and want to enrich your effectiveness through a rigorous master’s-level academic programme.
- Seek to study further or be eligible for admission to a cognate doctoral degree, typically aligned to the area of specialisation in the master’s degree.
- Seek employment in an extensive range of public and private sector enterprises including, but not limited to, a variety of NPOs, NGOs, and corporate companies with a social development focus.
- Want training that is in line with the National Skills Development Strategy III and the National Development Plan 2030 to be able to advance, lead, and innovatively contribute to the mental health of all South Africans.
Why study your Master’s at SACAP? – Presented by Dr Poppy Masinga (Head of Social Work and Community Development Faculty)
Career opportunities
As a SACAP MSocSci graduate you will be well suited for employment in an extensive range of public and private sector enterprises including, but not limited to, a variety of NPOs, NGOs and corporate companies focusing on: community/social development, management and leadership, mental health promotion and advocacy, human rights advocacy, policy development and implementation, and change management. In addition to consulting, research, education and academia, among others.
Master of Social Science in Community Mental Health Promotion modules
Core modules
- Discourses and Diversity in Community Psychology (NQF 9, 18 credits)
- Effective Community-Based Intervention (NQF 9, 10 credits)
- Theory and Practice for Community-Based Participatory Action Research (NQF 9, 18 credits)
- Health Systems, Human Rights and Advocacy (NQF 9, 10 credits)
- Social Innovation: Theory and Impact (NQF 9, 18 credits)
- Strategic Leadership (NQF 9, 10 credits)
- Mental Health Promotion and Project Management (NQF 9, 18 credits)
- Mini-Dissertation on Community-Based Participatory Action Research Project (NQF 9, 60 credits)
- Social Entrepreneurship (NQF 9, 10 credits)
- MSocSci Preparative Workshops (NQF 9, 12 credits)
Download our master’s module descriptors here
Additional information
British Accreditation Council (BAC)
SACAP is fully accredited by the British Accreditation Council (BAC) as an Independent Higher Education Institution
The BAC accreditation is a globally recognised hallmark of quality assurance, and achieving this accreditation demonstrates that we have met the high standards set by the BAC. This accreditation is validation of our commitment to excellence and our mission to provide our students with a world-class education that prepares them for success in their future careers.
Our students can be assured that their education provider has met a gold standard. To maintain BAC accreditation SACAP needs to continue to meet BAC’s standards. BAC ensure that colleges, universities and training providers provide high quality education and a great learning experience for students.
Important notes
Please note: This is not a professional programme and does not lead to registration with the HPCSA in any professional category of registration.
Admission requirements
Minimum Entrance Requirements:
All applicants for this programme are required to undergo a screening and selection process. Acceptance into this programme is limited to a maximum of 20 students per campus per academic year.
- A relevant Bachelor 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
- Applicants 24 years of age and older who do not meet the above requirements should provide a portfolio of evidence demonstrating either by examination, research experience, publication, considerable relevant work experience in the field, or a record of appropriate training and/or development, that they have reached a level in the subject or a cognate subject, that is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours Bachelor’s degree/NQF 8 qualification. RPL applications for this programme are only considered for admission into the programme and not for advanced standing or module exemption.
Please Note:
- SACAP limits its intake to the MSocSci (Community Mental Health Promotion) to 20 students per campus per year to ensure the integrity of our educational philosophy in this programme.
- SACAP’s educational philosophy is student-centred and is focused on providing a supportive learning environment to help students attain their academic goals.
See SACAP’s full Admissions Policy here
Intake / Selection process
- SACAP limits its intake into the Master of Social Science in Community Mental Health Promotion to 20 students per campus per year to ensure the integrity of SACAP’s educational philosophy in the context of this programme.
- SACAP’s educational philosophy is student-centred and is focused on providing a supportive learning environment to help students attain their academic goals.
How can I apply
You will need these docs
- Application form
- Certified copy of your ID
- Certified highest qualification
- A sample of your academic writing
- Addendum and 2 Referee reports
- Proof of application fee of R600.00
Apply Online HERE
Course details
This 2-year part-time programme is designed to fit around your working life. You have the flexibility to study online. There are only 4 intensive modules over the duration of the programme, making it easier to block out your time in your diary.
- Duration: 2 years, part-time
- Modules: 10, including core modules, intensive modules, workshops and a mini dissertation.
- Accreditation: Aligned with the National Skills Development Strategy 111 and the National Development Plan 2030. It is NQF9 and CHE-accredited.
SACAP Fee Structure
Click here to see our fees
