MA in Clinical Supervision in Professional Practice
Course Overview
The area of clinical supervision is evolving as one of significant professional interest within the Irish health and social care setting.
This is an ICHAS course delivered at Griffith College by ICHAS.
This programme is designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to become confident, critical, analytical, and reflective practitioners who can make the most of resources, including research, in their day-to-day practice.
The programme is aimed at learners who wish to develop their professional competence in clinical supervision of professional practitioners.
Why Study Clinical Supervision in Professional Practice at Griffith College?
The programme is based on the following premises and beliefs:
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The Supervisory Relationship as a Catalyst for Change: A strong, supportive supervisory relationship is fundamental to effective professional development and transformative clinical practice.
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Discipline-Specific and Interdisciplinary Approaches: Clinical supervision can be tailored to individual disciplines or designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration.
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Open Dialogue and Respect for Diversity: Successful clinical supervision depends on open, respectful communication and the ability to work effectively with diversity in professional practice.
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Transpersonal Awareness and Professional Autonomy: Supervision respects the transpersonal aspects of a practitioner’s life, supporting sovereignty, self-responsibility, and ethical decision-making in clinical settings.
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The Impact of Social Relationships on Professional Practice: Social connections and interpersonal dynamics play a crucial role in shaping clinical judgment and professional behaviour.
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Socio-Political Awareness and Personal Values in Practice: Effective clinical supervision acknowledges the influence of socio-political contexts, personal experiences, and individual belief systems on professional actions.
Intake Dates
- Dublin - Full-Time, Part-Time - September 2025
- Limerick - Full-Time, Part-Time - September 2025
Course Details
The Programme is divided into 9 modules each of which has Educational Credits (ECTS) associated with them. Each Module may also be taken on a standalone basis. It is also important to note that learners who complete 60 ECTS and who wish to exit the programme without completing their Dissertation may be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Supervision in Professional Practice.
Modules
The aim of this Module is to support learners to acquire the necessary knowledge of the theoretical basis for Clinical Supervision in Professional Practice. Learners will focus on the theoretical basis for Clinical Supervision approaches over the period of the Module and will be required to appraise the evidence base for the range of explanatory theories and practices associated with this mode of practice.
The aim of the module is to facilitate students to critically evaluate the differing approaches and methods used for the generation of evidence.
The aim of the module is to facilitate students to explore and critically evaluate skills and competencies used in Clinical Supervision in Professional Practice. This module provides students with the opportunity to engage in simulated learning with the practices and processes of a range of supervisory approaches. The module will enable students to integrate the theoretical approaches with their own overall theoretical orientation.
The aim of this Module is to support learners to acquire the necessary knowledge of the Integrative Models of Clinical Supervision. Learners will focus on theoretical basis for Integrative Models of Clinical Supervision over the period of the Module and will be required to appraise the evidence base for the range of explanatory theories and practices associated with this model of practice.
The aim of this Module is to support learners to acquire the necessary knowledge of Developmental Models of Clinical Supervision. Learners will focus on theoretical basis for Developmental Models of Clinical Supervision over the period of the Module and will be required to appraise the evidence base for the range of explanatory theories and practices associated with this model of practice.
The aim of this Module is to support learners to acquire the necessary knowledge of the Psychotherapeutic Models of Clinical Supervision. Learners will focus on theoretical basis for Psychotherapeutic Models of Clinical Supervision over the period of the Module and will be required to appraise the evidence base for the range of explanatory theories and practices associated with this model of practice.
The aim of this Module is to support learners to gain a depth level understanding of the factors that support clinical governance and to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to make an effective contribution to the attainment of excellence in professional practice in health and human service contexts.
The aim of this module is to support learners to acquire the skills, knowledge and attitude to work within applied settings at a higher order level using a defined structure to enhance ongoing performance. The field of Clinical Supervision has dimensions that extend beyond the acquisition of theoretical knowledge alone, and the professional Clinical Supervision Professional Practicum placement affords the opportunity for learning to take place in appropriate professional contexts. This module aims to extend the professional experience of learners through exposure to varied counselling and psychotherapeutic approaches and philosophies, and allow them the opportunity to experience a range of service provision models. This experience will allow learners to reflect critically on issues relating to the quality and delivery of practice. The module will further explore the concepts of professionalism, ethical practice and continuing professional development, enabling learners to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes for dealing with issues both personal and professional.
As a capstone module, the aim is to facilitate students to complete a research project, drawing on their own learning within the programme and enabling them to focus on an area of specialism that is of particular interest and relevance to their own practice. The Dissertation module will be a culmination of the research-based practice/independent practice and in the form of an Academic Dissertation.
This programme has been structured to provide learners who wish to study Clinical Supervision principles and practices through a more inter- and transdisciplinary perspective. It covers the Principles, practices and processes of clinical supervision, while also evaluating current and developing models of clinical supervision practices. The clinical Supervision Practicum module (Work Based Learning) module requires learners to engage in 50 hours of clinically supervised supervision work, where learners will integrate both theoretical and competency-based learning.
Course Contact
Caroline Finn
If you have any queries or would like to receive further information, please contact:
Timetables
Timetable
Timetables will be made available closer to the course start date.
This course is delivered over two Years part-time or one year full-time. In the case of the full-time programme, Lectures are delivered one evening a week from 6pm-9pm and on approximately eight Saturdays from 9:30am-4:30 pm in the academic year (Sept-May).
In the case of the Part-Time programme, Lectures are delivered two evenings a week from 6pm to 9pm and on approximately eight Saturdays from 9:30am to 4:30 pm in the academic year (Sept-May).
Please email ichas@griffith.ie for further information.
How to Apply
Entry Requirements
- Applicants will normally have a minimum of two years of experience in areas of relevant practice such as a helping or caring role, or related leadership or teamwork role. This could include experience gained in helping roles within undergraduate studies.
- The knowledge, skills and competence required to successfully participate in and complete this Level 9 Programme.
- Applicants will normally have achieved a Level 2:2 award in a relevant Human Science Level 8 degree.
- Those who have completed other relevant education programmes or have relevant professional experience, etc., where Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) and Acquired Prior Learning (APL) can be applied to the programme by submission of programme content, qualification, and assignments equivalent to an appropriate Level 8 award at an Honours 2:2 standard can also be considered.
- All applicants undertake a selection interview to support applicants to make an informed decision regarding their choice of programme and to ensure suitability.
- Successful applicants would be required to complete Garda Vetting at the College.
- If English is not your native language, you must meet the minimum English language proficiency requirement. The minimum English language proficiency requirement for this programme is B2+ in the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which is equivalent to an IELTS score of 6.5.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
The College is committed to the recognition of prior learning attained both formally and informally. It may be recognised either to facilitate access to a higher education programme or to allow an award of credit, as in the case of allowing exemption from a module.
It is the responsibility of the learner to make a formal written application to the College requesting an exemption and supplying all appropriate supporting evidence, i.e. transcript of results and module descriptor/syllabus including intended learning outcomes. Recognised prior learning is assessed on a case-by-case basis with an emphasis on academic and clinical experience.
Fees
There are options around the payment of tuition fees, with payment plans available to learners.
Please note that not all study modes may be offered at all times; for confirmation, refer to the Intake dates on the Overview tab.
Tuition Fees
Study Mode: Full-Time
Dublin Main Campus
EUR 7,800
Study Mode: Part-Time
Dublin Main Campus
EUR 8,200
This programme is offered on a full-time (1 Year) or part-time basis (2 Years), and there are options around the payment of tuition fees, with payment plans available to learners.
A central component of the ICHAS vision is the provision of flexible and affordable education for all.
For details on international fees and bursaries available, please click here.
Progression
Progression:
The programme will facilitate graduates of programmes in relevant disciplinary areas who wish to study towards and meet professional accreditation requirements for clinical supervision, as well as provide leaders in professional practice who are capable of engaging with and initiating necessary professional discourse at policy levels.
