Undergraduate & honours qualifications

Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychometry

Qualification code: 90185
NQF level: 8
Total credits: 120
SAQA ID: 119985
APS/AS: 65
Rules:
Students should note that during the course of their studies they would be required to have access to a computer, printer and the internet.
Purpose statement:
The Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychometry aims to provide learners with a high level of theoretical engagement, intellectual independence, and specialist skills basis on the complexities of the ethical and professional practice of psychometry (that is psychometrics and processes of psychological assessment). The focus is on psychometry practice as applied in diverse South African-based client socio-cultural contexts, and educational, organisational and community settings. This qualification prepares learners for specialist knowledge and advanced scholarship in the broader field of psychology, including industrial and organisational psychology, and postgraduate research studies. Upon completion of this qualification, qualifying learners will be able to: Demonstrate and take full responsibility for their work, decision making and use of resources that make meaningful contributions as a professional. Apply psychometrists to clients, organisations, and communities through their competencies in, and services of psychometry. Apply ethical and good practice under different levels of supervision in the use of psychometric tests, including test development and test adaptation, test selection, test administration, scoring of tests, and interpretation of test scores. Communicate and report on test results, psychological assessments relating to a group, and individually administered tests for adults and children relating to the assessment of general cognitive ability, specific cognitive, perceptual, and psychomotor functions, personality-based functioning, tests for career guidance and counselling, and organisational type tests for individual, team, and organisational development, including job selection. Assess and contribute to the development of psychometric tests and other assessment devices or techniques in the South African context. Evaluate and apply specialist knowledge and skills, within the boundaries of the scope of practice for psychometry and under different levels of supervision, in compiling appropriate test batteries, administering tests, scoring, and interpreting tests, communicating, and providing written and oral feedback on psychological assessments appropriate to the client context and psychological assessment service need. The qualification may lead to professional registration as a Psychometrist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa after passing the National Board Examination of the Professional Board for Psychology.
This qualification will be presented using both online and distance learning modes.

Who can register?

  • Applicants (new applicants & Unisa students who applied for admission to a new qualification) may only register if they have received an offer of placement from Unisa and have accepted the offer online. Unisa reserves the right to not process and / or to cancel your registration if it is found that you were incorrectly admitted to a qualification. 
  • Re-registering students may register for the 2024 academic year once the registration period opens.

Please note: Should you wish to start a new qualification, please apply online for the alternative qualification during the prescribed application period.


How to choose your modules

Each Unisa qualification is structured in such a way that you need to pass a certain number of NQF level credits within a certain amount of time in order to graduate.

  • Co-requisite: Module A is a co-requisite for Module B. You want to register for Module B, but have not yet passed Module A. You must then register for both Modules A and B simultaneously. You may NOT cancel your registration for Module A unless Module B is also cancelled.

  • Pre-requisite: If Module A is a pre-requisite for Module B, you must pass Module A before you may register for Module B.

You may not register for more than the allowed maximum number of credits / modules per academic year and / or semester: 60 credits per semester or 120 credits per academic year.

The maximum number of credits do not include supplementary and / or aegrotat examinations from a previous semester. Modules taken for non-degree / non-diploma purposes also count towards the maximum number of credits allowed.

You must take your available time into consideration when choosing your modules, as this will impact your academic performance. You need approximately

  • 6 to 8 hours per week for semester modules.
  • 4 to 6 hours per week for year modules.

Click here for more information on managing your studies.

Curriculum for this qualification

While you are deciding on the modules for which you will be registering, write down the module names and codes so that you have something to refer to when completing your registration.

Please click on the modules below to see further information (eg semester/year module, NQF level)

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
HMEMS80 - Research Methodology
IOP4801 - Psychological Assessment and Psychometrics: Theory, Science and Practice Co-requisite:HMEMS80; IOP4802; IOP4803; IOP4804
IOP4802 - Career Psychology and Counselling Skills Co-requisite:HMEMS80; IOP4801; IOP4803; IOP4804
IOP4803 - Personality and Organisational Psychology Co-requisite:HMEMS80; IOP4801; IOP4802; IOP4804
IOP4804 - Research Project in Wellness Co-requisite:HMEMS80; IOP4801; IOP4802; IOP4803
IOP4805 - Practicum (Workplace Experiential Learning) in Applied Psychometry Pre-requisite:HMEMS80; IOP4801; IOP4802; IOP4803; IOP4804