GD Goenka University launches RCI-Recognised Clinical Psychology programs in collaboration with Fortis Healthcare
Gurugram, 12th July 2025: GD Goenka University, in partnership with Fortis Healthcare, has launched a suite of Clinical Psychology programmes through its School of Liberal Arts. This suite includes a two-year full-time MA Clinical Psychology (provisional approval from the Rehabilitation Council of India), Professional Diploma in Clinical Psychology (PDCP), and B.Sc. (Hons.) Clinical Psychology - awaiting approval from RCI. The new clinical psychology programmes will provide a unique combination of rigorous academic training and structured clinical exposure, designed to educate the future leaders of clinical professionals in mental health. The new course will seek to address the urgent requirements of mental health professionals in India. According to the Indian Journal of Psychiatry India, there are 0.7 mental health professionals for every 100,000 people in India.
In accordance with the policies of the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI), these curricula will ensure that learners have gained the requisite skills to function as mental health professionals across developing and diverse care environments and contexts. With Fortis Healthcare as the clinical training provider, students will experience learning and skills application within mental health units in Fortis Hospitals clinically and be engaged with actual psychological assessment, therapeutic intervention, and interdisciplinary clinical service delivery.
"We are very pleased to announce the Clinical Psychology programmes at GD Goenka University. The programs are representative of our commitment to excellence and development in the mental health education space. By establishing a new curriculum that integrates academic rigour with real-world clinical training we will develop mental health professionals who will be empathetic, ethical, and ultimately well-prepared to contribute to global mental health service delivery," Mr. Nipun Goenka, Managing Director of GD Goenka Group, says.
Dr. Anjali Midha, Dean, School of Liberal Arts, GD Goenka University, highlighted the increasing need for mental health professionals. "Our partnership with Fortis Healthcare is both timely and critical, as India struggles to keep up with the need for psychological support. These programmes will ensure students not only understand the theory behind Clinical Psychology programmes but are also able to employ theoretical knowledge in the practice of clinical work. As we know, mental health matters now more than ever, and we have an important responsibility to equip our students with the right knowledge, skills, and values so that they can help change people's lives and society," Dr. Midha said.
The MA Clinical Psychology program will be taught over a 2-year period and encompass a broad range of coursework, such as psychopathology, psychological testing, therapeutic practices, and managing clinical cases. For admissions eligibility, candidates must have completed a four-year BA / B.Sc. Degree in Psychology with at least 55% aggregate marks, from a UGC recognized University. Candidates with a three-year degree must have completed a bridge course, or completed a first year in MA/MSc Psychology, with at least 55% marks. The selection process will be based on a combination of an entrance test: 70% of the selection, and a personal interview: 30% of the selection. Graduates will be ready to take up positions such as Clinical Psychologist (with registration by RCI), Mental Health Consultant, Researcher, Academic, and Rehabilitation Specialist, or to advance into higher specialisation with higher degrees such as PsyD.
The PDCP (Professional Diploma in Clinical Psychology) is a full-time and intensive one-year program subject to RCI approval. The program is targeted at postgraduates who have completed a minimum of an MA/MSc in Psychology (Clinical, Counselling, or Applied) and have obtained a minimum of 55% or equivalent at a UGC recognised University. Admission is based on an entrance test, practical examination, group discussion, and individual interview. On successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to work as supervised Associate Clinical Psychologists in hospitals/mental health centres, work as a mental health practitioner in a community or school setting, and work as a Counsellor in Rehabilitation centres.
The BSc (Hons) Clinical Psychology programme, which also requires RCI approval, is a four-year undergraduate degree programme that aims to provide you with a fundamental learning of psychology along with clinical experience. Eligibility in the programme requires applicants to have completed 10 + 2 from a recognised board in the Science stream or equivalent. The selection criteria include an entrance test (70%) and an interview (30%). Graduates from the programme will usually take starting positions as Clinical Assistants, Mental Health Coordinators in community programs, Psycho-social Support Workers in crisis intervention or disaster relief, assistant-level positions in assessments or research.
Under the academic direction of GD Goenka University and the clinical expertise of Fortis Healthcare, these Clinical Psychology programmes are geared toward developing their graduates to be future-ready professionals who are prepared to elevate the quality of mental health care in both clinical/community/academic environments.
