Program Overview

MA in Clinical Supervision in Professional Practice

Overview

The area of clinical supervision is evolving as one of significant professional interest within the Irish health and social care setting.

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:

• The Supervisory Relationship as a Catalyst for Change: A strong, supportive supervisory relationship is fundamental to effective professional development and transformative clinical practice.
• Discipline-Specific and Interdisciplinary Approaches: Clinical supervision can be tailored to individual disciplines or designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration.
• 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.
• 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.
• The Impact of Social Relationships on Professional Practice: Social connections and interpersonal dynamics play a crucial role in shaping clinical judgment and professional behaviour.
• 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

Related Course

• MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Person Centred Modalities)

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

• Principles of Clinical Supervision In Professional Practice (10 ECTS)
  • The aim of this Module is to support learners to acquire the necessary knowledge of the theoretical basis for Clinical Supervision in Professional Practice.
• Research Methodologies & Design (10 ECTS)
  • The aim of the module is to facilitate students to critically evaluate the differing approaches and methods used for the generation of evidence.
• The Practice & Process of Clinical Supervision (10 ECTS)
  • The aim of the module is to facilitate students to explore and critically evaluate skills and competencies used in Clinical Supervision in Professional Practice.
• Integrative Models of Clinical Supervision (5 ECTS)
  • The aim of this Module is to support learners to acquire the necessary knowledge of the Integrative Models of Clinical Supervision.
• Developmental Models Of Clinical Supervision (5 ECTS)
  • The aim of this Module is to support learners to acquire the necessary knowledge of Developmental Models of Clinical Supervision.
• Psychotherapeutic Models of Clinical Supervision (5 ECTS)
  • The aim of this Module is to support learners to acquire the necessary knowledge of the Psychotherapeutic Models of Clinical Supervision.
• Clinical Governance & Clinical Supervision (5 ECTS)
  • 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.
• Clinical Supervision Professional Practicum (10 ECTS)
  • 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.
• Dissertation (30 ECTS)
  • 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.

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.
• 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.

Tuition Fees

• Irish/EU citizens, living in Ireland
  • Dublin Main Campus: EUR 7,800 (Full-Time), EUR 8,200 (Part-Time)
• International: 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.

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.