
| Course Level | Post Graduate |
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Examination type | Annual System |
| Eligibility | Graduation from a recognized University |
| Admission Process | Direct admission to colleges. Entrance test in some cases. |
| Course Fee | INR 10,000 to 1,50,000 |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 3,00,000 to 6,00,000 |
| Employment Areas | Colleges & Universities, Govt. Hospitals, Medical Labs, Mental Healthcare Centres, Military Services, Nursing Homes, Private Clinics, etc. |
| Job Profiles | Associate Professor, Clinical Psychologist, Junior Occupational Therapist, Psychiatric Nurse, Teacher & Lecturer, etc. |
| Top Recruiting Organizations | AIIMS, Lilavati Hospital & Research Centre, TATA Memorial Centre, Ocala Health System, Apollo Hospitals, Fortis Hospital, etc. |
M. Sc in Psychiatric Nursing or Master of Science in Psychiatric Nursing is a two-year postgraduate course in Nursing which deals in mental illness of patients of all age groups. Diseases like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychosis, depression etc come under its jurisdiction and the prime concentration of the course is the mannerism of clinical practice in areas of mental health service provisions. The program designed under this course teaches students how to identify and resolve mental issues and how to handle and undergo situations like dual diagnosis, illness management and recovery of mentally sick patients of all age groups, carry out psycho-educational interventions and so on.
A bachelor’s degree in nursing or equivalent discipline and Registered Nurse (RN) license in most cases also a minimum aggregate score of 50% at the level of graduation.
| College Name | City | Approx.Avg.Fee INR |
| Bharath University | Chennai | 30,000 |
| West Bengal University of Health Sciences | Kolkata | 1,00,000 |
| Saveetha University | Chennai | 1,05,000 |
| The Tamilnadu Dr. MGR University | Chennai | 6,000 |
| Aditya College of Nursing | Bangalore | 1,00,000 |
| SCS College of Nursing Sciences | Mangalore | 1,44,000 |
| Aruna College of Nursing | Tumkur | 1,20,000 |
| Year I | Year II |
| Nursing Education | Nursing Management |
| Advanced Nursing Practice | Nursing Research (Dissertation) |
| Nursing Research and Statistics | Clinical Specialty |
| Nursing Research and Statistics | Medical Surgical Nursing |
| - | Psychiatric Nursing |
| Job Profile | Average Entry Level Salary | Average Medium Salary | Average Maximum Salary |
| Nurse | 3.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Nurse Educator | 4.0 | 5.75 | 7.0 |
Annual Salary Trend
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 2. How long does this course last? 3. Who is eligible to study M.Sc in Psychiatric Nursing? 4. How are admissions done for this course? 5. What subjects are studied in this course? 6. What skills will I gain from this degree? 7. What career options are available after M.Sc in Psychiatric Nursing? 8. Where can psychiatric nursing graduates work? 9. What is the typical salary after completing this course? 10. Is M.Sc in Psychiatric Nursing a good career choice?
1. What is M.Sc in Psychiatric Nursing?
M.Sc in Psychiatric Nursing is a postgraduate nursing programme that trains nurses to provide advanced care for people with mental health disorders. It focuses on understanding, managing, and supporting individuals with conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other psychiatric illnesses.
The programme typically lasts 2 years, divided into four semesters with both theory and clinical practicals.
To be eligible, you generally need a B.Sc Nursing or Post Basic B.Sc Nursing degree from a recognised institution with 55 % aggregate marks and registration as a nurse and midwife. Many colleges also ask for one year of clinical nursing experience after B.Sc Nursing.
Admissions are usually based on merit (qualifying degree marks) or entrance exams conducted by universities/institutes. Some colleges use entrance tests and counselling.
The syllabus covers topics like advanced psychiatric nursing, mental health assessment, psychopharmacology, psychosocial rehabilitation, therapeutic communication and research methodology, along with clinical rotations in mental health settings.
You will develop expertise in mental health assessment, therapeutic care, counseling techniques, case management, leadership, communication, critical thinking and research skills relevant to mental healthcare.
Graduates can work as Psychiatric Nurse, Mental Health Nurse Specialist, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Educator, Nursing Manager, Rehabilitation Specialist, or Research Nurse in healthcare settings.
Job opportunities exist in general and mental health hospitals, psychiatric units, rehabilitation centres, community health organisations, government health services, NGOs, and academic institutions.
In India, starting salaries for psychiatric nursing roles often range from ₹3 LPA to ₹6 LPA. With more experience or senior positions like nurse educator or clinical specialist, salaries can rise further (around ₹6 LPA+).
Yes — it’s a rewarding and important healthcare career if you are passionate about mental health and patient support. With rising awareness of mental health issues, qualified psychiatric nurses are increasingly needed in clinical, community, and educational settings.
Watch the M.Sc in Psychiatry Nursing video