Overview
This one-year part-time course will give you the skills and knowledge to grow your career and pursue more senior clinical supervisory and managerial roles.
Our university-accredited course is open to experienced counsellors, healthcare workers, psychotherapists, psychologists and anyone working in the social care field who is seeking career development.
A broad-based, dynamic approach
You’ll study dominant models of clinical supervision including the Seven-Eyed, Cyclical and Integrative Developmental models, as well as learn more about power, diversity and learning styles. You’ll also explore ethical, legal and professional issues that arise within the work environment, and put your research and study into practice.
Led by specialists in innovative research, supervision practice and supervisor development, this dynamic programme gives you an integrative, evidence-based understanding of clinical supervision practice. Our teaching methods include role play, analysis of recorded practice, peer and tutor feedback and independent study. You’ll also gain practical experience in class and get support to help you find external experience.
Once you graduate, you’ll have the skill set and knowledge to take your career to the next level and pursue more senior supervisory and managerial roles in the statutory, not-for-profit, community and private sectors.
DCU People
Careers & Further Options
Careers
As university-accredited supervisors, you will have a unique and in-depth portfolio of transferable knowledge and competencies to provide high standards of individual, shared, group and peer supervision in the statutory, not-for-profit, community and private sectors.
It will also help professionals gain valuable postgraduate clinical/practice education, thereby helping them to progress in their chosen career.
"DCU graduates are highly sought after by employers. Our Graduates work in environments ranging from large multinationals to SMEs, family businesses and start-ups across every sector.
DCU Careers Service has a number of learning and development initiatives in place for our students, giving them the skills they need for a successful career path."
Entry Requirements
The Professional Diploma in Clinical Supervision is designed to provide postgraduate education and training to experienced and accredited counsellors, psychotherapists, psychologists, mental health, health and social care professionals and supervisors who are seeking professional and career development.
There are two entry routes to this programme:
Applicants seeking direct entry into the Professional Diploma in Clinical Supervision must:
Hold a minimum of a relevant undergraduate degree (Level 8 qualification/ H2.2) or equivalent (for example, though not exhaustively, psychotherapy, counselling, psychology, mental health, nursing, community development, social sciences or education);
Have a minimum of four-years recent relevant professional experience (for example in psychotherapy, counselling, clinical/counselling psychology, mental health);
Successfully undertake a selection interview.
OR
Recognition of Prior Learning Route
Have accreditation from a recognised professional body in the fields of psychotherapy, counselling, clinical or counselling psychology, or mental health;
Have a minimum of four years’ recent relevant professional experience (for example in psychotherapy, counselling, clinical/counselling psychology, guidance counselling);
Standard entry procedures for international applicants and for applicants with disabilities will apply.
Programme Structure
The Professional Diploma in Clinical Supervision provides a comprehensive, university-accredited training in the dominant theoretical approaches, conceptual models and modes of clinical supervision, taking an integrative, relational and evidence-based approach to supervision practice. It comprises two modules and the indicative content is as follows:
- Theory bound approaches to clinical supervision
- Conceptual Models of clinical supervision
- Individual, shared, peer and group modes of supervision
- National and international qualitative and quantitative supervision research studies
- Integration and application of theories and models of supervision to clinical supervision practice
- Practice in individual, shared, peer and group modes of supervision
- Consideration of different contexts of supervision – private, team, organisational and e-supervision
- Development of awareness and skills in developing and maintaining healthy and productive supervisory relationships
- Reflection and practice in attending to professional issues including contracting, boundary setting, managing roles and responsibilities in supervision, and ending supervisory alliances
- Development of awareness and skills in attending to ethical and legal issues in supervision, including attention to relevant ethical codes of professional and supervisory practice
- Development of capacity in working with multicultural competence, attending to diversity and power in supervision
- Development of skills in relation to feedback, evaluation, report-writing and gate keeping in supervision practice
- Practical, professional and personal development in clinical supervision.
The programme involves 100 hours of in-class training delivered on a modular basis between September and April, in line with IACP (Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) and IAHIP (Irish Association for Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy) criteria for supervision training.
Students on the Professional Diploma will attend 15 days over the academic year (9.45am-5pm, Fridays and Saturdays), with a minimum 80% attendance requirement. Most class days will involve in-person attendance at the School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health, DCU Glasnevin campus, with two to three days of online/remote class attendance
Students will undertake 50 hours of supervision practice (25 hours with internal supervision practice with peers and 25 external hours of supervision practice) and attend 5 hours of external supervision consultation.
Fees and Funding
Fees
All programme fees are per annum and subject to an annual increase.
How To Apply
All Applicants must submit:
All Applicants must apply through DCU's Student Application Portal which is available here. Here's a quick step by step guide if you need help with your application.
- Academic transcripts for each and every year of study (with English translation where applicable) or RPL candidates must submit a cover letter affirming their intent to apply for RPL along with evidence of previous training, transcripts and accreditations.
- Personal statement (300 words) outlining interest in undertaking the Professional Diploma in clinical supervision
- Two references, Academic Reference and Professional Reference. Please see student application portal.
- If applicable, provide evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements. Please see link http://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml.
Those direct entry applicants, who successfully complete the paper application stage, will be invited for interview.
Due to the specialist nature of this programme, additional criteria may be used to assess suitability to undertake this programme. For further information, please contact the Programme Chair using the contact details above.
Recognition of Prior Learning
For those applicants who do not directly meet the entry criteria, a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Board assesses applications for equivalent prior learning regarding academic/ training achievements and clinical/ practical experience. This Board comprises members of the Programme Admissions Panel.
After an application has been made on the Postgraduate Application System those applicants, applying through the RPL route will be invited to complete a portfolio of evidence that is presented for consideration by the RPL board for entry to the Professional Diploma in Clinical Supervision.
Those RPL applicants, who successfully complete the paper application stage, will be invited for interview.
Application Deadlines
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the programme is full or until:
- Closing date for EU applicants is 29th May 2026.
-
Closing date for Non-EU applicants was 29th May 2026.
Please note if you are a non EU student and require a study visa, you are not eligible to apply for part-time programmes as study visas are only granted for full-time programmes.
All entry requirements should be met before the commencement of the programme.
Application Queries
For EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/eu-postgraduate-taught-admissions or email postgraduateadmissions@dcu.ie
For non EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/international-admissions-undergraduate-and-postgraduate or email internationaladmissions@dcu.ie
Commencement of Programme
The programme commences in September 2026.
Life On Campus
At DCU, our students can expect a unique campus experience. We are known for our excellent teaching and learning facilities, our active clubs and societies, and our great social and sporting facilities. All this makes DCU an exciting place to be.
DCU has three academic campuses; Glasnevin, St. Patrick’s and All Hallows (both in Drumcondra), all close to Dublin City centre.
They can be reached by public transport, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, with our Drumcondra campuses a ten minute walk from Drumcondra Train Station. Glasnevin is a 20 minute walk from St Patrick’s and All Hallows. They are also linked by Dublin Bus.
Each campus has a library (O’Reilly, Cregan and Woodlock Hall), study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. There are sports facilities on Glasnevin and St. Patrick’s, and there is a dedicated sports campus, St Claire’s, located near Glasnevin on the Ballymun Road.
DCU’s 19,000 students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
These include modern learning theatres, research centres, a new media and TV studio, radio/podcast studios, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of Languages, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and Biotechnology, as well as a Sports Performance centre and a training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.
We continue to improve and update our facilities. For example, construction of a new world-class STEM facility is underway on the Glasnevin campus. With capacity for an extra 3,000 STEM students, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science and health, computing and engineering disciplines.
Studying in DCU isn’t just about course work. The university is rich in student life and activities.
There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year. They span everything from rugby to rock climbing, anime to jazz.
For many students, sport is an important part of the DCU experience. DCU’s Sports Complex boasts a 25 metre swimming pool, fitness centre gym, all-weather pitches and squash courts, as well as soccer, GAA and rugby pitches. DCU Dóchas Éireann, the university’s GAA club, is the largest third level Gaelic Games club in the country. Meanwhile, DCU Athletics has been Ireland’s highest achieving university club for many years. And DCU has dozens of other clubs to get involved in, from Archery to Weightlifting.
The Glasnevin campus is home to our purpose built, state-of-the-art student centre, The U, which serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body. Here, you will find the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub. Also located on our Glasnevin campus is The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
On our St Patrick’s campus, we have the Java Student Hub, a vibrant, warm and welcoming space where students can meet for coffee, play music, use the projector to watch events, or just relax. The walls of the Java Hub were designed based on the cultural history of St Patrick’s Campus, including the special references to the notable sporting history and history of the arts.
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice & Learning Skills Centre - Offers a wide range of supports and services to students and advice
The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year
Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules
Student Learning - facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.
Careers work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.
Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.
DCU Glasnevin Campus
FAQs
The DCU Professional Diploma in Clinical Supervision (PDCS) is a university-accredited one-year parttime professional supervisor training programme (level 9 NFQ, 30 credits). The PDCS programme provides training in the dominant theoretical approaches, conceptual models and modes of clinical supervision, taking an integrative, relational and evidence-based approach to supervision practice.
1. How is the course accredited? The PDCS is accredited by Dublin City University, providing an internationally recognised Postgraduate Diploma qualification on satisfactory completion of the programme. Of relevance to counsellors and psychotherapists, where professional standards and requirements apply for supervisor training and accreditation, the PDCS programme is in line with IACP (Irish Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) and IAHIP (Irish Association for Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy) criteria for supervisor training (see https://iacp.ie/How-do-I-become-an-Accredited-Supervisor and https://iahip.org/Supervision_Accreditation).
2. How and when are PDCS course days scheduled? The course is delivered in person in the School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health in DCU, (Glasnevin campus, Dublin 9) with two of the 16 class days delivered online. All teaching is supported by Loop (Moodle) as its online learning platform.
The PDCS programme involves 100 hours of in-class training over 16 days (10am-5pm) in two modules across one academic year (8 days per module), in eight two-day blocks (4 blocks per semester). The DCU academic calendar runs over two semesters, each semester typically running over a 12-week period (from September to late November/early December in semester 1, and January to April in semester 2). Course days are normally on Fridays and Saturdays and the final timetable will be available well in advance of programme commencement. As this is a professional training programme, students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of each of the two PDCS module classes across the academic year.
3. What are the entry requirements and how do I apply? Applicants seeking direct entry into the Professional Diploma in Clinical Supervision will:
- Hold a minimum of a relevant undergraduate degree (Level 8 qualification/min. H2.2) or equivalent (e.g., in psychotherapy, counselling, psychology, mental health, nursing, community development, social work, social care, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, education, or similar);
- Have a minimum of four-years recent relevant professional experience (e.g., in psychotherapy, counselling, psychology, mental health, nursing, community development, social work, social care, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, education, or similar);
- Successfully undertake a selection interview.
All applicants should apply through https://dcuie.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/ using the application code DC768. The application portal is normally open from November of the previous year and the closing date for applications is normally the end of May. Applicants who successfully meet programme eligibility criteria will be invited for interview, which will typically be in June and may be in a group format.
The usual intake to the PDCS is a class of 15 students. Every alternate year, one of the two PDCS modules is shared with second year DCU Doctorate in Psychotherapy (DPSY) students, so this involves a combined class of approximately 25-30 students (this won’t be a shared module in 2026-27). An advantage of having completed a module that is also part of the DPSY programme is that graduates who go on to do the DPSY programme can apply for and complete an alternative non-attendance module in their second year with reduced assessment requirements.
4. Can I still apply if I don’t meet the exact entry criteria? It isn’t possible to compensate for not having the required professional experience but if you do not have a relevant level 8 degree, it is possible to apply for consideration of other relevant qualifications, learning and experience through completing a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) application. The RPL application is submitted only after successful online application and interview for the PDCS. However, it is important to closely review what is required in the RPL application form before submitting your online application to the PDCS and to include in your submitted personal statement your intention to apply through RPL, and on what grounds. The RPL application form is available from the PDCS programme administrator, Catherine Timmins (catherine.timmins@dcu.ie).
As an RPL applicant you will be required to:
- Have accreditation/registration with a recognised professional body in the field of psychotherapy, counselling, psychology, mental health, nursing, community development, social work, social care, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, education, or similar.
- Have a minimum of four years’ recent relevant professional experience in one of the above areas or similar.
- Demonstrate evidence of the equivalence of level 8 (min H2.2.) academic study.
5. What are the fees and are there any additional costs? The fee for the Professional Diploma in Clinical Supervision is €4,100 for EU students (2026-27) academic year; fees can be subject to revision from year to year). Students will also need to pay separately for 5 hours of external supervision consultation (as described in sections 6 and 9 below). Fees for non-EU students are available on the DCU PDCS webpage, as well as further information on the programme and the application process: https://www.dcu.ie/courses/postgraduate/school-nursing-psychotherapy-and-communityhealth/professional-diploma
6. What supervision practice will I have to do, and will I get help with sourcing supervisees? In addition to attending course days, students are required to undertake 25 hours of external supervision practice and to attend 5 hours of external supervision consultation for that practice. Students also undertake 25 hours of internal supervision practice in class with fellow students (50 hours of supervision practice in total is required on the programme). You will be supported to explore options for the external supervision practice, and will be guided regarding contracting for this practice, including the option of contracting as trainee supervisors with colleagues in your current work settings. Past PDCS students have also worked with volunteer supervisees from our MSc in Psychotherapy programme for some of their practice hours. Typically, students will gain their 25 external practice hours with 2-3 individual supervisees; some group supervision practice hours can also be included where relevant.
7. Can I supervise trainees or professionals from other disciplines? The 25 hrs of external supervision practice can be with practising helping professionals of any discipline, either in training or fully qualified/accredited/registered with a professional body. However, when contracting for this supervision, it must be clearly specified that you are a trainee supervisor – this means that if the supervisee is in training or needs supervision from an accredited supervisor, their supervision with you will be additional to their own supervision requirements.
8. Do I need professional insurance for my supervision practice? Yes, once you start supervisor training and practice on the PDCS, you will need to update your professional insurance policy to include supervision work if that is not already included.
9. Are there specific requirements for my external supervisor? For DCU, the 5 hours of external supervision consultation can be with any qualified supervisor who is accredited/registered with a professional body and has professional insurance for supervisory work. However, you are advised to check with the professional body that you intend to apply to for supervisor accreditation so that you follow their specific requirements (e.g., IACP require that the external supervisor is IACP, IAHIP or BACP accredited).
10. Can I do my external supervision practice and attend my external supervision consultation outside of Ireland? Yes, it is possible to do your external practice hours and external supervision consultation with professionals in another country. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have professional insurance for the country you are practising in. It is also possible to do some of your supervision practice hours online, although you will also need to gain experience of in-person supervisory work during your supervisor training (currently there is no required ratio).
11. What professional disciplines can do the PDCS? Once our entry requirements are met, we welcome practitioners from across the helping professions onto the PDCS, including (but not limited to) psychotherapy, counselling, psychology, mental health, nursing, medicine, community development, social work, social care, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and education. Having a disciplinary mix on the PDCS programme enhances the learning experience and offers opportunities to develop skills in transdisciplinary clinical supervision.
12. Can I undertake the programme if I am a non-EU student or if I’m not a native English speaker? DCU welcomes international students. Students applying from outside the EU are advised to contact the international office https://www.dcu.ie/international to have their qualifications verified by the university and to get information on living and studying in Ireland prior to application. Non-EU fees apply to international students (check the link to fees information on the PDCS webpage). Guidance regarding English language competency requirements and testing/certification are available at this link: https://www.dcu.ie/registry/english-languagerequirements-non-native-speakers-english-registry
International students applying to take the programme should check their national requirements for training and practising as a clinical supervisor as standards vary from state to state.
13. Is there any advance reading I can do before starting the PDCS? Two core textbooks we recommend are:
- Hawkins, P., & McMahon, A. (2020). Supervision in the helping professions (5th ed.). McGraw Hill Open University Press.
- Page, S., & Wosket, V. (2015). Supervising the counsellor and psychotherapist: A cyclical model (3rd ed.). Routledge.
These books will be available to you in the DCU library once you have registered as a student.
Further enquiries regarding the PDCS are welcome to the programme administrator, Catherine Timmins (catherine.timmins@dcu.ie) or the Programme Chair, Dr Aisling McMahon, aisling.mcmahon@dcu.ie.
Sample PDCS timetable (from 2025-26)
| Semester 1 | Time | Module | Module coordinators/Lecturers |
| Fri 12th Sept | 10am-5pm | Theoretical and Conceptual Approaches to Supervision PST | Dr Aisling McMahon |
| Sat 13th Sept | 10am-5pm | Professional Supervision Practice PST1034 | Dr. Stephanie Finan |
| Fri 3rd Oct | 10am-5pm | Theoretical and Conceptual Approaches to Supervision PST | Dr Aisling McMahon |
| Sat 4th Oct | 10am-5pm | Professional Supervision Practice PST1034 | Dr. Stephanie Finan |
| Fri 31st Oct | 10am-5pm | Theoretical and Conceptual Approaches to Supervision PST | Dr Aisling McMahon |
| Sat 1st Nov | 10am-5pm | Professional Supervision Practice PST1034 | Dr. Stephanie Finan |
| Fri 28th Nov | 10am-5pm | Professional Supervision Practice PST1034 | Dr. Stephanie Finan |
| Sat 29th Nov | 10am-5pm | Theoretical and Conceptual Approaches to Supervision PST | Dr Aisling McMahon |
| Semester 2 | Time | Module | Module coordinators/Lecturers |
|
Fri 16th Jan ONLINE |
10am-5pm | Professional Supervision Practice PST1034 | Dr. Stephanie Finan |
|
Sat 17th Jan ONLINE |
10am-5pm | Theoretical and Conceptual Approaches to Supervision PST | Dr Aisling McMahon |
| Fri 20th Feb | 10am-5pm | Professional Supervision Practice PST1034 | Dr. Stephanie Finan |
| Sat 21st Feb | 10am-5pm | Theoretical and Conceptual Approaches to Supervision PST | Dr Aisling McMahon |
|
Thurs 12th Mar (NOTE THURS) |
10am-5pm | Professional Supervision Practice PST1034 | Dr. Stephanie Finan |
| Fri 13th Mar | 10am-5pm | Theoretical and Conceptual Approaches to Supervision PST | Dr Aisling McMahon |
| Fri 10th April | 10am-5pm | Theoretical and Conceptual Approaches to Supervision PST | Dr Aisling McMahon |
| Sat 11th April | 10am-5pm | Professional Supervision Practice PST1034 | Dr. Stephanie Finan |
Is DCU all one campus?
DCU is a multi campus university - the Glasnevin, St Patrick's and All Hallows campuses. The St Patrick's campus is where the Education courses are taught and some of the subjects from the BA Joint Honours degree. There is a 20-25 minute walk between the campuses but there are buses and bikes available to go between them also.
Click here to see maps of all of our campuses
If I'm studying on the St Patrick's campus, can I use the library and sports centre on the Glasnevin campus?
Yes, all facilities such as sports and accommodation are open for all DCU students to avail of.
Are there libraries in DCU and if they have wifi and work stations?
We have a brand new state of the art four floor library on our St. Patrick's Campus which complements the existing library on the Glasnevin campus. There is free wifi, work stations as well as desktop computers.
Does DCU provide accommodation?
DCU does have on-campus accommodation for undergraduate and postgraduate students, and you can find out more and apply via the Accommodation Office webpage.
