Advanced Diploma in Somatology
Health Sciences and Social Services - Curative Health
Purpose and Rationale
Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to provide further education in the field of Somatology, building on prior knowledge and skills obtained through the Diploma in Somatology also offered by the Department or which applicants may have acquired at other institutions, both public and private. The Advanced Diploma in Somatology will allow learners to broaden their scope of practice with new knowledge and skills in advanced therapies in a professional health, beauty and skincare environment working in a multidisciplinary team under the supervision of registered health professionals where necessary. Through comprehensive didactic and hands-on practical training for various medical aesthetic procedures learners will learn how to effectively perform advanced treatments using state of the art technology.
Learners will be prepared to deal with the rigorous demands and pressures of the industry. The qualification develops problem-solving skills, advanced skincare diagnosis, specialized product knowledge, client education, and salon management skills. This qualification was designed to develop program-specific graduate outcomes in terms of application of knowledge, skills, and attitudes to professional practice. Critical thinking and application of knowledge towards problem-solving forms the basis of the learning strategy. This qualification will focus on techniques and therapies to develop the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of the learners for career enhancement and the development of specialization. The focus on conceptual and contextual knowledge will be balanced with problem-based and project-based learning. Furthermore, the qualification will ensure that Somatologists receive the appropriate education at a level which will ensure that the graduates enter into the workplace or industry with all the skills and competencies required to perform advanced therapies.
Learners' research and writing skills will be developed and the ability to work with practitioners and healthcare workers from other disciplines will be enhanced. Thus, the Advanced Diploma in Somatology will provide exposure to related fields of practice and widen the educational experience that will render diplomats more employable.
Rationale:
The Universities of Technology (UoT's) have identified a need to develop an Advanced Diploma in Somatology. Members of the departmental Advisory Board and various other stakeholders took part in the situational analysis, including salon owners, spa consultants, cosmetic house representatives, and trainers and educators. Related specialists included a plastic surgeon, an alternative health practitioner, a gynecologist, and a researcher with an interest in skin aging related to menopause. The needs for an Advanced Diploma were identified to equip learners with specialized skills.
The Advanced Diploma in Somatology graduates will be enabled to work as part of a multidisciplinary team related to Somatology and skincare which may include working under the supervision of medical practitioners. The graduates will also show competence in devising and applying clinical and specialized dermal and alternative health therapies in a health environment such as beauty clinics, health spas, medical practices, and laser clinics and alternative health retreats. The graduates will also possess entrepreneurial skills to open or manage their own business in the industry.
There is currently no other Advanced Diploma available and this qualification offers graduates the opportunity to bridge current skills gaps to meet the need for specialization within the Somatology industry in medical and alternative health therapies. Several of these components were retained, but further developed from the Bachelor of Technology (B Tech): Somatology, which will be phased out by December 2020.
In the Advanced Diploma in Somatology, learners will gain competence in applying clinical and specialized therapies that may be practiced under medical supervision in a multidisciplinary team. More and more Somatologists are being employed in aesthetic practices where the requirement for epidermal resurfacing skills exists. There also now exists a growing need for laser therapists, another area covered by the Advanced Diploma in Somatology. Furthermore, there is currently a growth in medical and alternative health therapies within the industry, including aspects of complementary and alternative therapies as well as permanent cosmetic procedures which have been included in the Advanced Diploma in Somatology.
In the cosmetic industry, positions appear to be reserved for Somatologists with a Postgraduate level of training which will be provided by the Advanced Diploma. Employment as educators both in private colleges and at UoT's require Postgraduate qualifications. Employment in institutions of higher education is dependent on higher qualifications and currently requires a minimum of a Master's Degree.
Benefits of the Advanced Diploma in Somatology are threefold. Firstly, increased probability of employment in sectors of the job market which have previously not been considered due to the constraints of the nature of the qualifications on offer. Graduates may also increase their earning capacity by being offered a better and a wider range of jobs.
Secondly, the Advanced Diploma intends to provide the learners with the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes (KSAs) for further studies for a career path in any of the specialized areas namely: Light-Based Therapies, Epidermal Resurfacing Techniques, Complementary Therapies and Permanent Cosmetic Procedures. Furthermore, the qualification will build on research skills enabling learners access the Postgraduate Diploma in Somatology which will enable learners to enter into a Master's program.
It is envisaged that such research-orientated Somatologists can add value to the rapid developing Somatology industry, as well as the health and wellness sector of the entire community. The Advanced Diploma in Somatology will also attend to the need in South Africa for more skilled and specialized Somatologists as indicated by various research studies and statistical evaluations conducted in South Africa (SASA, 2012: online, Global Spa and Wellness, 2015: online).
Outcomes
- Apply and critically integrate existing knowledge with new subject specific knowledge in conjunction with other subject platforms in order to construct an appropriate individualised treatment plan.
- Critically reflect on client information in order to select and implement appropriate treatment techniques.
- Identify, analyse and critically reflect on theoretical and practical subject knowledge in order to address skin irregularities.
- Execute a variety of techniques following the occupational health and safety standards.
- Inculcate the principles of professional and ethical conduct in the management of all aspects of the business and in the relationships with all stakeholders.
- Plan and execute the research proposal and prepare and submit a final research report.
Assessment Criteria
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
- Interpret and apply existing theoretical and advanced knowledge inclusive of anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology and cosmetic science to construct an individualised evidence-based appropriate treatment plan.
- Gather, synthesise, and interpret acquired information to develop an appropriate treatment for the case study.
- Apply research principles to justify and motivate the selected appropriate treatment plan.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
- Apply different types of techniques by drawing on theoretical subject knowledge within practice.
- Analyse a client's skin condition for various factors and document the findings.
- Design and conduct an appropriate treatment plan including homecare, nutritional, and lifestyle advice.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
- Develop, compare, and communicate learners' own ideas and opinions in well-formed arguments using appropriate academic discourse.
- Justify treatment plans by applying evidence-based solutions based on principles of available techniques.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
- Conduct techniques including various procedures while adhering to Occupational Health and Safety regulations.
- Demonstrate the ability to work independently to accurately identify and execute an appropriate treatment plan.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 5:
- Demonstrate and explain marketing strategies for small businesses.
- Define and apply commonly used new venture business planning concepts.
- Understand and apply core elements to construct and present a written business plan.
Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 6:
- Plan and design a research proposal.
- Compile an ethics application to obtain ethical clearance.
- Interpret and apply acquired statistics knowledge using statistical software.
- Write a research report using advanced academic writing skills.
Integrated Assessment:
Integrated Assessment forms part of continuous assessment at the institution and takes the form of an appropriate mix of both formative and summative assessment methods. Assessment policy and practices at the institution promote constructive alignment of the curriculum, student-centred learning and assessment, and the importance of feedback to enhance student engagement. Assessment practices should be fair, reliable, and valid. It should also be in keeping with academic disciplinary and professional field norms and standards. Integrated Assessment cuts across a number of subjects/modules of a programme and is aimed at the holistic development of learners and contributes to learners' personal and professional development in the field of study in terms of foundational, practical, and reflexive competence. As a whole, evidence of professional competencies must be demonstrated through a variety of options which includes case studies, problem-solving assignments and strategies, logbooks, portfolio of learning materials, projects and presentations, written and oral assessments, authentic practical exercises and demonstrations. Some strategies will be more suited to assess theoretical competence while others are more suited to assess practical and reflexive competence. Furthermore, the assessment strategy should examine the ability of learners to assess the physical condition of the client by applying appropriate complementary methods and techniques including designing a suitable treatment plan according to the assessed needs of the client, perform the treatment procedure according to the designed treatment plan and advising the client on improvement regimes in a professional manner (practical competence). An understanding of the theoretical basis for these above mentioned actions (theoretical competence), and reflecting on such actions in order to adjust to their practices accordingly (reflexive competence) is of paramount importance. Lastly, the assessment strategy is not compartmentalised. Accumulated knowledge and skills will be assessed using various forms of assessments both formative and summative for learners with the academic support provided by lecturers. Integration of subjects and assessments will be encouraged in a holistic manner. Assessments are continuous and lecturers will make use of integrated assessments aligned to learning outcomes appropriate to the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) level descriptors for the qualification. Graduate attributes will be embedded in the subject learning outcomes which will be aligned to learner's competencies to be achieved. Learners will be awarded re-assessment opportunities to achieve the required competencies. Formative and summative assessments will be utilised and focuses on integrated learning encouraging learners to think critically. A deeper understanding of learning is encouraged and the learners are assessed on a continuous basis to ensure learning gaps are reduced. Feedback is provided after each assessment. Learners are required to include self-reflections with assessments, which encourage them to look at their own work critically and elucidate on areas of excellence as well as those requiring improvement.
Formative Assessment:
Formative Assessment is aimed at enhancing student learning and provides learners with an opportunity to reflect critically on their own learning and to improve their levels of personal accountability and time management. It consists of a variety of assessment tasks relevant to the field of study such as written theory assessments, assignments, reflective assignments, case studies, practical demonstrations, group learning work, quizzes, debates, and tutorials.
Summative Assessment:
Summative Assessment includes practical assessments, final case study presentations, research reports, written and online assessments, and assignments. It takes place at the end of a section of work/quarter and assesses learners' attainment against the learning outcomes of the programme and subject(s). Summative assessments are internally and externally moderated based on institutional policy and requirements.
Qualification Details
- Type
- Advanced Diploma
- NQF Level
- 07
- Min. Credits
- 120
- SAQA Source
- More Information
Education Cost Calculator
This page includes information from the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) . Builtneat Pty Ltd trading as Study Start, has modified all or some of this information. SAQA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.