Professional
Designations
MASA is committed to giving effect to the greater professionalism of the overall South African marketing industry.
Marketing professionals at all levels in the industry can benefit from being professionally designated based on defined criteria and industry-endorsed standards, thereby enhancing their professional recognition and certification in the marketing profession. Anyone who aspires to obtain a marketing designation will start the process by attending an Orientation Workshop. This will inform and prepare all candidates to complete a Portfolio of Qualifications and Experience (PQE) regardless of their current level of expertise.
Minimum Requirements
NQF Level 5 Marketing related Qualification and/or at least 3-5 years’ experience.
01.
Complete the online application form for Designations.
02.
Attend the next PQE Orientation Workshop –– please see the Calendar for dates. The purpose of a PQE Orientation Workshop is to be brought up to speed on MASA, Professional Designations, the minimum standard set down for marketers in the industry and for you to understand where your skill-set is benchmarked in comparison. In addition, each attendee will receive in-depth training on putting together a PQE (Portfolio of Qualifications and Experience) – see Step 3.
03.
Proceed to the three month RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning)/PQE (Portfolio of Qualifications and Experience) process. An accredited RPL Advisor will be assigned to you. He/she will officially only be available for a maximum of 2 calendar months after the Orientation Workshop for assistance/guidance for the compilation of your PQE. In the third month, you will finalise your PQE for submission by the stipulated deadline.
04.
After submission, all PQEs are assessed and independently moderated by accredited professionals (this takes approximately four weeks). After the PQE assessment, you will receive your results, including your designation certificate, letter of results, and feedback on your gaps analysis. You will be designated as either an Associate Marketer or a Marketing Practitioner.
Should you be designated as a Marketing Practitioner who also meets the requirements for Chartered Marketer, you will be invited to the fifth and final Step.
05.
Attend the Chartered Marketer (CMSA) Board Exam and its mandatory Preparatory Workshop (both taking place annually in November). You will remain a Marketing Practitioner in the interim until you write and pass the CMSA Board Exam.
What is RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning)?
The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process through which formal, non-formal and informal learning are measured, mediated for recognition across different contexts and certified against the requirements for credit, access, inclusion or advancement in the formal education and training system or workplace. (Source: National Policy for the Implementation of RPL: par 30).
The aim is to make it possible to obtain formal recognition for knowledge gained throughout life, such as in workplaces and own reading or experiences. The RPL process also entails supporting a candidate to ensure that learning is discovered and displayed in a relevant qualification registered on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).