Clinical Supervision in Professional Practice

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:

• 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.

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

• Research Methodologies & Design 10 ETCS

• The Practice & Process of Clinical Supervision 10 ECTS

• Integrative Models of Clinical Supervision 5 ECTS

• Developmental Models Of Clinical Supervision 5 ECTS

• Psychotherapeutic Models of Clinical Supervision 5 ECTS

• Clinical Governance & Clinical Supervision 5 ECTS

• Clinical Supervision Practicum 10 ECTS

• Dissertation 30 ECTS



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.

• 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.

Applications for this course are submitted through the ICHAS website. When you click on "Application Weblink" above, you will be directed to ICHAS to complete your application.

1 Year (Full time) & 2 Years (Part Time).



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.

Intake Dates:

Dublin - Full-Time - September 2026

Limerick - Full-Time - September 2026

Limerick - Part-Time - September 2026

Dublin - Part-Time - September 2026

Cork - Part-Time - September 2026

Cork - Full-Time - September 2026

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.