Medical and Psychiatric Social Worker
Supports patients and families with the emotional, financial and social side of illness in hospitals and NGOs.
Facts checked 29/10/2026
Is this for me?
- Helping people through a hard time and seeing a family find a way forward
- Working as one member of a team with doctors, nurses and therapists
- Solving practical problems, such as finding a scheme, a shelter or a school for a child
- Emotionally heavy cases, such as long illness, death or abuse, need good self-care
- Hospital workloads are often heavy, with a lot of paperwork, and entry pay can be low
- Some jobs need shift work, travel or a local language, so check each job's conditions
- Class 11–12 subjects
- Any Class 12 stream. Then a bachelor's degree in any subject, with at least 50% overall. Some colleges accept 45%, and many give a small relaxation for SC, ST and OBC candidates. Psychology, Sociology or Social Work in your degree is helpful but not always required.
- First degree
- Bachelor's degree in any subject (3 years), then an MSW (Master of Social Work), 2 years, with Medical and Psychiatric Social Work as the specialisation.
- Entrance exams
- CUET PG for TISS and many central universities. Some colleges run their own test, a group discussion and an interview, or select on merit alone.
- Licence or registration
- None needed to start working.
What the work is like
Assessing the social, emotional and money problems that come with illness; counselling patients and family members; helping families reach government health schemes; planning discharge and follow-up care; writing case notes; working with doctors, nurses and therapists. Works in hospitals, mental health centres, de-addiction centres, rehabilitation centres and NGOs.
A day in the work
A medical social worker in a hospital often starts with the list of new admissions and the ward round. She might meet a family whose income has stopped, check which government health scheme can help with the bills, and help them fill the forms. Later she counsels a patient in the psychiatry ward with a family member present, then writes case notes and joins a team meeting with doctors and nurses. The day often ends with a discharge plan or a call to a shelter or NGO.
The path, step by step
- Step 1 · Class 11–12Any stream is fine. Psychology, Sociology or Home Science helps you understand people and society. Start reading about mental health and common illnesses in your state.
- Step 2 · Bachelor's degree (3 years)Take any degree with at least 50% marks. Some universities accept 45%. Check the exact cut-off for each college, since it differs.
- Step 3 · Entrance test (final year of graduation or after)Apply through CUET PG for TISS and many central universities. Some colleges run their own test, group discussion or interview, or select by merit. Exam windows change each year. (reported — check with the official body)
- Step 4 · MSW, 2 yearsChoose Medical and Psychiatric Social Work as your specialisation, where your college offers it. Fieldwork in hospitals, rehabilitation and de-addiction settings is a core part of the course.
- Step 5 · First job, then optional M.Phil or PhDMost people start in a hospital, NGO, de-addiction centre or mental health setting. For a teaching or research path, NIMHANS offers an M.Phil and a PhD in Psychiatric Social Work, and both ask for a 2-year master's in social work.
Time and money
| Stage | Time | Government college or body | Private college | Help available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 11–12 (any stream) | 2 years | Your school's fees | Your school's fees | — |
| Bachelor's degree (any subject, 50% marks; some accept 45%) | 3 years | Check the college's fee page | Check the college's fee page | Scholarships may be available through the college or government schemes; ask before applying |
| Entrance test: CUET PG for TISS and many central universities, or college's own test/interview (reported) | 1 day exam | Check the notice | Check the notice | — |
| MSW with Medical and Psychiatric Social Work specialisation (includes hospital fieldwork) | 2 years | Check the college's fee page. TISS MA Social Work (Public Health): about ₹1.64 lakh total | Check the college's fee page. TISS Rural Development MSW: about ₹1.53 lakh total | Scholarships may be available through the college or government schemes; ask before applying |
Fees from: TISS admissions: MA Social Work (Public Health), fee structure. Fees change every year — check the college's own fee page before you pay.
What people earn
Pay depends a lot on whether you work in a government hospital, a private hospital, an NGO or a mental health centre, and on your city and experience. Entry-level pay is usually modest, and a specialist MSW and years on the job tend to raise it over time.
Myth and fact
Try it now
- Class 7–9With your parents' permission, visit or volunteer for a day at a local NGO or hospital help desk. Watch how staff talk to families.
- Class 10–12Take a free introductory course on psychology or mental health on SWAYAM, and note what a counsellor or social worker actually does in the course.Open link ↗
- College or afterAsk a hospital or de-addiction centre if you can observe a social work team for a few days, or do a short fieldwork placement during your degree.
Good to know
- There is no single national licence for medical social workers in India. Hiring rules vary by hospital, state and employer, so read each job description carefully.
- A Tamil Nadu state mental health rule is reported to require hospitals to have an MSW-qualified social worker. Check the rules in your own state.
- Many hospital jobs ask for an MSW, and some ask for 1–3 years of experience. Freshers with a mental health interest can also apply for some posts.