MA in Supervisory Practice
Awarding Body: National University of Ireland (NUI)
Duration: One–year full–time programme
Delivery: 3 day block monthly
The MA in Supervisory Practice builds on the Higher Diploma in Supervisory Practice or its equivalent by providing practical training in core supervisory skills, coupled with the opportunity to work under supervision with supervisees. Particular attention is paid to growth in the skills necessary for developing and setting supervisory contracts in which the key elements of effective supervision are identified, for running effective supervisory sessions, and for supervision report writing. Participants will develop grounded criteria with which to critically practice supervision in a range of clinical, spiritual, pastoral, and caring profession context.
Characteristic of skills training will be the creation of simulated experiences of ethical and trans-cultural issues to enable participants to become skilled in the formulation of an ethical code of action, in the implementation of ethical decisions, and in the management of ethical uncertainty. Skills training will be enriched by the participants’ personal experience of conducting ten sessions of supervised supervision and by the critical review of both in assignments and supervisor reports. Most importantly, as part of developing an effective professional style of supervision, participants are required to develop a critical awareness of adult education and learner-centred theories.
Aims of Programme
The programme aims to:• enable participants to acquire a critical awareness and insight into the frontier issues in the contemporary practice of supervision in various settings
• facilitate participants in acquiring a sound skills base and the advanced understanding of the complex processes of supervision congruent with them
• challenge participants to develop and articulate their own philosophically grounded approach to the art of supervision
• encourage participants to evaluate critically the scholarship related to supervisory practice
• introduce participants to novel and emerging techniques in supervision in a variety of settings.
Access, Transfer and Progression Routes
• Candidates will normally present with a Higher Diploma in Supervisory Practice or an equivalent professional qualification from a recognised higher education and/or accrediting body. Applicants who do not meet this requirement may be admitted if they have other qualifications that may be brought to Higher Diploma level by relevant bridging modules.• To ensure an appropriate readiness to participate in the Programme, all candidates will be required to attend an interview with two members of the Institute staff before a place will be offered.
• A standard of English appropriate to participation in class, research and writing is required. A candidate for whom English is a second language will be required to provide evidence of their knowledge of English before an invitation to attend for interview is offered.
Modules in the Programme
The Foundation components of this programme will introduce students to ethical dilemmas in supervision and evaluation in the supervisory process. The Applications component will explore the contracting of the Supervisory Relationship and the supervisory process for the individual and the group. The Personal Process component will consist of a minimum of ten sessions of supervision work with supervisees and peers. The material brought to personal supervision with a qualified practitioner is grounded in the participants’ personal professional practice. A central part of this programme is the experience of supervising and bringing this experience to supervision to elicit the insights and issues to which it gives rise.Mode of Delivery
This is a one-year full-time programme grounded in the experience of being a trainee supervisor working with supervisees under supervision. The course is articulated in four three-day intensive modules of 24 hours contact time each. On their own time, participants are required to engage in 10 one-hour sessions of personal supervision, and engage in supervised individual supervision with not more than three supervisees.A variety of learner-centred teaching methodologies, guided by best practice in adult education, will be used, and will include: lectures; guided reading; microanalysis of video-taped supervision sessions; small and large learning group participation; multimedia presentations; and conferences.
Modes of Assessment
Assessment procedures will provide for a flexible, learner-centred framework. Such procedures will include satisfactory completion of course components, satisfactory completion of assessment assignments, satisfactory levels of personal supervision confirmed by a supervisor’s report, and satisfactory completion of the final integration paper. The aim of the assessment procedures listed here is to ground participants in a sound theoretical base to prepare them for more advanced skills training in supervisory practice. Forms of assessment include: essays, microanalysis of videotaped supervision sessions; case reports; supervisor’s report; and a final viva examination.Grants and Tax Relief
This programme is covered by the Higher Education Grants Scheme, and information regarding application procedures, eligibility and related matters may be obtained from the student’s Local Authority (or of the local Education and Library Board for students from Northern Ireland).This course is eligible for tax relief under Section 473A, Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997 by the Department of Education and Science.
Delivery Dates 2008 - 2009
Module 1 - 2008: Sept 25th, 26th and 27thModule 2 - 2008: Nov 27th, 28th and 29th
Module 3 - 2009: Jan 22nd, 23rd and 24th
Module 4 - 2009: Feb 19th, 20th, 21st
Concluding interviews April 24th and 25th
Dates correct at time of printing, may be subject to change.
Core Teaching Staff
Margaret Benefiel, PhD, visiting lecturerMaureen Conroy rsm PhD, visiting lecturer
Kieran Cronin ofm MA, PhD. senior lecturer
John Finnegan sdb BA, Ped Lic, DD, associate professor
Thomas Grenham sps MA, PhD, LGSM, lecturer
Geraldine Holton, BA Th, H Dip Ed, M Sc (Counselling), lecturer
Denis Robinson cssp BD, MA, PhD, Head of Department