Undergraduate Courses

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BACHELOR OF HEALTH SCIENCES IN COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE (B9CM1Q)

Programme Duration

  • Full-time: Minimum 4 years and Maximum 6 years
  • NQF Level 8, 480 Credits

Purpose

The purpose of this qualification is to provide the qualifying student with the necessary knowledge, skills and competencies required to successfully consult, treat pre-diagnosed patients and communicate holistic advice to patients. The graduate will be a team player capable of working in multidisciplinary teams to promote the profession.

Outcomes

On completion of this programme the graduate will be competent to practice as a Complementary Medicine (CM) healthcare therapist within the community. The graduate will be eligible to register with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa as an acupuncture therapist. The graduate will be able to conduct research within the field of CM in order to advance professional development and provide health education to individuals and communities.

Rules of Access and Admission Requirements

A Senior Certificate with matriculation exemption, or an equivalent qualification at an equivalent standard as determined by a Status Committee, with the following:

Two of the following subjects:
1. Mathematics with at least a Higher Grade D or Standard Grade C symbol.
2. Physical Science with at least Higher Grade D or Standard Grade C symbol.
3. Biology with at least Higher Grade D or Standard Grade C symbol.

A National Senior Certificate (NSC) – APS Score with minimum requirements as shown below:
(Exclude Life Orientation when calculating APS) Minimum APS: 26

  • Language of teaching and Learning(English):5
  • Mathematics: 4
  • Mathematical Literacy: Not Accepted
  • Physical Sciences:4
  • Life Sciences: 4

Selection Criteria

Selection is based on:

1. Academic merit.
2. A personal interview.
3. Letters of recommendation from at least 1 practitioner of CM.
4. Letter of orientation from the Health Training Centre, UJ.
5. Completion of an assignment.

Pass Requirements

1. Students are promoted:
a. To full second-year status if they have passed all the first-year modules.
b. To full third-year status if they have passed all the second-year modules.
c. To full fourth-year status if they have passed all the third-year modules.
2. The pass mark for all clinical/practical modules is 60% from the third year of study.
3. In order to gain readmission to the programme, first year students must pass a minimum of 60% of the first year modules.
4. Students may enrol for a module in the following year, provided that:
a. They have passed the prerequisite module.
b. They have passed both the theory and practical final summative assessments in a module comprising a theory and a practical component.
5. Students retain credit for all modules passed.
6. Students must pass all components of the module(s) to obtain credit for the module(s).
7. Students may not register for module combinations that lead to timetable clashes.
8. 100% attendance of and participation in the practical and/or clinical components are compulsory. If students fail to comply with this requirement, they may fail the module and be required to repeat the full module.
9. If students fail any third or fourth year module(s), they must repeat all the practical/clinical modules of the respective year. The practical and theoretical components are assessed in an integrated manner and students will therefore be required to repeat and pass the module(s) in entirety, as indicated in the relevant learning guide. If students fail to comply with this requirement, they may not be promoted to the following year of study.
10. Students will be required to complete a stipulated clinical component (in line with any relevant Professional Board requirements) prior to conferment of degree.

Student Registration with Professional Council

1. Students must register with the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa (AHPCSA) at the beginning of each year of registration, at which time a fee is payable to the AHPCSA. It is the students’ responsibility to ensure they are registered from the second year of study.
2. After graduation, students may apply to the AHPCSA for registration as an Acupuncturist. Full registration will only be granted after completion of a period of Community Service/ Internship as determined by the Allied Health Professions Council of South Africa.

Curriculum

All modules are Continuous Evaluation modules.