Health Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Medical Social Work

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Social Work is a degree programme that equips students with knowledge and skills in in medical social work. The programme falls under the Health Sciences category and typically spans 4 years of full-time study at accredited Kenyan universities.

The curriculum covers Medical Social Work and Healthcare Social Services, Psychosocial Assessment and Case Management, HIV and AIDS Social Work, Child Protection and Safeguarding, Gender-Based Violence and Victim Support, Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care. Students engage with both theoretical foundations and practical applications, developing competencies in Advanced Epidemiology, Advanced Pharmacotherapy, Anesthesiology, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Behavioral Sciences. The coursework is designed to build progressive understanding from foundational concepts to advanced topics.

Throughout the programme, students study Mental Health Social Work, Medical Social Work and Healthcare Social Services, Disability and Elderly Care, HIV and AIDS Social Work, Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care. The teaching approach combines lectures, laboratory practicals, tutorials, assignments and independent research projects. This blend ensures graduates can apply theoretical knowledge to real-world problems in their field.

The programme offers specialisations in HIV and AIDS Social Work, Child Protection and Safeguarding, Palliative Care and Bereavement Support. Students can focus their studies on areas of particular interest, allowing them to tailor their degree to specific career goals. The flexibility enables graduates to pursue diverse professional paths within the sector.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Medical Social Work pursue careers as University Lecturer / Social Work Researcher, Child Protection Officer, GBV Counsellor / Victim Support Officer, Psychosocial Support Officer. They find employment in various sectors including government agencies, private companies, research institutions, non-governmental organisations and academic institutions. The degree opens doors to both local and international opportunities.

The programme is accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE) and offered at recognised universities across Kenya. Students benefit from industry attachments, fieldwork and practical training that complement classroom learning and enhance employability upon graduation.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 243,762
Private, up to: Ksh 160,000
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 6 months
Average class: 40 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Medical Social Work and Healthcare Social Services
Psychosocial Assessment and Case Management
HIV and AIDS Social Work
Child Protection and Safeguarding
Gender-Based Violence and Victim Support
Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care
Mental Health Social Work
Disability and Elderly Care
Community Health and Health Promotion
Research Methods and Professional Ethics

Modules

10 in the programme

Medical Social Work and Healthcare Social Services
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Medical social work, healthcare social services, psychosocial assessment, social case management, discharge planning, patient advocacy, family support, grief counselling, bereavement support, and s...
Psychosocial Assessment and Case Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Psychosocial assessment, case management, care planning, referral systems, interdisciplinary collaboration, patient-centred care, family assessment, social support systems, and supporting psychosoc...
HIV and AIDS Social Work
Year 1Semester 33 creditsCore
HIV and AIDS social work, HIV counselling, ART adherence support, disclosure support, stigma reduction, support groups, TB social work, TB treatment support, and supporting HIV and AIDS social work.
Child Protection and Safeguarding
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Child protection, child safeguarding, child abuse prevention, vulnerable children, OVC, child welfare, Children Act 2022, child rights, family preservation, family support, and supporting child pro...
Gender-Based Violence and Victim Support
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
GBV, domestic violence, IPV, violence prevention, victim support, crisis intervention, safety planning, legal support, trauma-informed care, and supporting GBV and victim support.
Palliative Care and End-of-Life Care
Year 2Semester 33 creditsCore
Palliative care, end-of-life care, hospice care, psychosocial oncology, grief counselling, bereavement support, spiritual care, family support, and supporting palliative care and end-of-life care.
Mental Health Social Work
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Mental health social work, psychosocial support for mental illness, deinstitutionalisation, community-based mental health, rehabilitation social work, family support, and supporting mental health s...
Disability and Elderly Care
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Disability social work, disability rights, inclusion, support for PWDs, elderly care, geriatric social work, elderly support, home-based care, and supporting disability and elderly care.
Community Health and Health Promotion
Year 3Semester 33 creditsCore
Community health social work, community mobilisation, health promotion, health education, BCC, health advocacy, community-based rehabilitation, and supporting community health and health promotion.
Research Methods, Ethics and Research Project
Year 4Semester 16 creditsCore
Research methods, biostatistics, research ethics, NACOSTI, scientific writing, KCSW regulations, professional conduct, confidentiality, informed consent, documentation, independent research project...

Specialisations

Medical Social Work
Focuses on hospital social work, psychosocial support, discharge planning, and patient advocacy. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
GBV and Trauma Counselling
Focuses on GBV counselling, victim support, crisis intervention, and trauma-informed care. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
HIV and AIDS Social Work
Concentrates on HIV counselling, ART adherence support, stigma reduction, and support groups. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Child Protection and Safeguarding
Specialises in child protection, child abuse prevention, OVC support, and family preservation. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.
Palliative Care and Bereavement Support
Focuses on palliative care, end-of-life care, grief counselling, and bereavement support. This specialisation equips graduates with discipline-specific competencies for professional practice in Kenya and the East African region, with pathways to postgraduate study and professional certification.

A day as a student

A typical day starts with morning lectures on medical social work, psychosocial assessment, or child protection, followed by fieldwork, clinical rotations, or hospital attachments. Students conduct psychosocial assessments, provide counselling, support patients and families, coordinate discharge planning, participate in case conferences, conduct home visits, facilitate support groups, and work on their research project. Fieldwork at hospitals, child protection units, HIV treatment centres, and NGO programmes provides hands-on experience.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand — healthcare, child protection, HIV, TB, and GBV services create strong demand for medical social workers.
Direct impact — social workers directly improve patient wellbeing, protect vulnerable children, and support families.
Diverse settings — graduates work at hospitals, child protection units, HIV centres, NGOs, and community organisations.

Against it

Emotional demands — working with trauma, illness, and grief can be emotionally challenging.
Complex cases — medical social work involves complex family dynamics, legal issues, and interdisciplinary coordination.
Resource constraints — social work services often face funding, staffing, and resource challenges.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public148k to 244k

148k at MMUST244k at JKUAT

Private105k to 160k

105k at Mount Kenya University (Social Work)160k at Catholic University of Eastern Africa (Social Work)

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

JKUAT BSc Medical Social Work Ksh243,762/yr; MMUST ~Ksh148k/yr. Private: MKU/CUEA Social Work Ksh105k-160k/yr.

Students can access HELB undergraduate loans and KUCCPS placement. County bursaries, NGO sponsorships, and international social work scholarships are available.

Funding options

HELB Undergraduate Loan
KUCCPS Placement
County Government Bursaries

Scholarships

5 recorded

Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan citizens pursuing undergraduate studies at accredited universities.
NGO Sponsorships
ScholarshipKsh 150,000
NGOs including UNICEF, World Vision, and Red Cross may sponsor social work students.
County Government Bursaries
BursaryKsh 50,000Kenyan
Students from specific counties. Varies by county.
Ministry of Health Kenya Scholarships
ScholarshipKenyan
Healthcare workers sponsored by national or county governments
NGAAF Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Women, youth and persons with disabilities from vulnerable backgrounds

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Diploma in Social Work, Community Development, or related fields from recognised institutions may be considered for upgrading. Relevant social work or healthcare experience is advantageous.

Biology or Biological Sciences
C+
English or Kiswahili
C
Mathematics
C
Any Social Science
C

How you are assessed

5 components

Fieldwork and Clinical Practicum Examinations
Practicum30% of the mark
Assessment of fieldwork competencies including psychosocial assessment, counselling, case management, and discharge planning.
Research Project
Research10% of the mark
Independent medical social work research project, assessed through written report and presentation.
Hospital Attachment Assessment
Clinical10% of the mark
Assessment of hospital attachment including case management, patient support, interdisciplinary collaboration, and supervision evaluation.
Continuous Assessment Tests and Assignments
Cat20% of the mark
Assignments, tests, presentations, case studies, and fieldwork reports throughout each semester.
End of Semester Written Examinations
Exam30% of the mark
Written examinations covering medical social work, psychosocial assessment, child protection, GBV, and palliative care.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The Kenya Council of Social Workers (KCSW) registers social workers. The Children Act 2022 governs child protection. The Health Act guides healthcare social services.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
NationalRequired
CUE accredits all university programmes in Kenya.
Kenya Council of Social Workers
ProfessionalRequired
KCSW registers social workers and regulates social work practice in Kenya. The Children Act 2022 governs child protection.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

6 roles

University Lecturer / Social Work Researcher
Low demandKsh 70,000 to Ksh 150,000
Teaches social work at universities, conducts research, and supervises student fieldwork.
Child Protection Officer
High demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 150,000
Protects children, investigates child abuse cases, provides family support, and coordinates child welfare services at child protection units or the Department of Children's Services.
GBV Counsellor / Victim Support Officer
High demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 140,000
Provides counselling, safety planning, and support for GBV survivors at hospitals, GBV recovery centres, or NGOs.
Psychosocial Support Officer
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 130,000
Provides psychosocial support for HIV, TB, cancer, or palliative care patients at treatment centres, hospitals, or NGOs.
Medical Social Worker
High demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 140,000
Provides psychosocial support, case management, discharge planning, and patient advocacy at hospitals, health centres, or HIV treatment centres registered with KCSW.
Palliative Care Social Worker
Medium demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 140,000
Provides psychosocial support, grief counselling, and family support for palliative care patients at hospices, hospitals, or home-based care programmes.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as medical social workers and psychosocial support officers. Medical social work is in high demand driven by healthcare needs and child protection. Salaries range from KES 60,000 to 150,000 per month. Ministry of Health, county governments, hospitals, child protection units, and NGOs offer the main opportunities.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Tools you will learn

ChatGPT / Claude
Ai
DHIS2
DatabasePrimary
Google Workspace
Cloud
KenyaEMR
Medical
Microsoft Excel
SpreadsheetPrimary
SPSS
Analytics

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Medical social work is just about counselling.
This programme covers psychosocial assessment, case management, discharge planning, child protection, GBV support, palliative care, HIV and TB social work, and healthcare advocacy — it's a comprehensive healthcare social work discipline.
Social workers only work in child protection.
Medical social workers work in hospitals, HIV treatment centres, TB clinics, cancer centres, palliative care, child protection units, and community health — social work skills are needed across healthcare settings.
Social workers have limited career opportunities in Kenya.
Kenya's healthcare sector, child protection services, HIV and TB programmes, palliative care, and NGOs create demand for medical social workers at hospitals, county governments, and NGOs.
This programme has limited career opportunities.
Graduates pursue diverse career paths across multiple sectors in Kenya and internationally.