Overview

The Department of Social Work represents an essential socio-clinical discipline addressing the psychosocial, systemic, and economic dimensions of human health and welfare. Situated uniquely within the medical sciences framework, our department focuses on macro and micro-level social interventions, psychological support systems, and community empowerment. We prepare committed professionals who serve as navigators, counselors, and advocates for vulnerable populations facing acute and chronic social and health vulnerabilities.

History and Evolution

In response to the growing national demand for expert social planning and clinical social counseling, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences officially welcomed its first undergraduate cohort of Bachelor of Social Work students in October 2020 via the national university entrance exam. Supported by dynamic faculty members, the department rapidly solidified its undergraduate foundation and received approval to launch two specialized postgraduate Master’s programs (M.Sc. in General Social Work, and Child and Adolescent Social Work) starting in 2023.

Academic & Research Scope

The department prepares social work practitioners and researchers across multiple operational tiers:

• Academic Degrees: Offering a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Social Work and specialized Master’s tracks in General Social Work and Child & Adolescent Welfare.
• Clinical & Hospital Social Work: Crisis intervention, medical counseling, and family stabilization for patients navigating chronic illness, organ transplantation, and trauma.
• Child and Adolescent Social Protection: Specialized interventions, policy development, and protective counseling addressing the developmental, educational, and emotional needs of youth.
• Social Policy & Community Consultation: Designing community welfare programs, conducting sociomedical research, and offering strategic consultation on complex social issues.

Mission and Vision

• Our Mission: To cultivate analytical, compassionate social workers and policy consultants equipped to mitigate social disparities, protect child and family wellness, and integrate social health with modern medical practice.
• Our Vision: To be the leading academic authority in clinical and psychiatric social work education in eastern Iran, recognized for human dignity advocacy and transformative social care research.