As the world moves forward with the advancement in health practices, psychological care is also advancing with new therapies and practices focusing on the mental health of patients and their families. Such a new emerging field in psychology is that of psycho-oncology — made with the intersection of two domains — psychology and oncology. Psycho-oncology focuses on the social, behavioral, and emotional aspects of cancer patients and their families.
This blog shall be covering all necessary details regarding the PG Diploma in psycho-oncology, the best college for PG Diploma in Psycho-oncology, career in psycho-oncology, psycho oncology scope and expected average salary.
Outlines
- What is psycho-oncology?
- What is a PG Diploma in Psych-Oncology?
- Psycho-Oncology vs. Other psychology programs
- Skills developed during PG Diploma in Psycho-Oncology
- Admission to PG Diploma Psycho-Oncology
- Scope of PG Diploma in Psycho-Oncology
- Career opportunities after PG Diploma in Psycho-Oncology
- Best PG Diploma in Psycho-oncology university in India: SGT University
- Mid-Article CTA: How to apply at SGT University?
- Related Internal Links
- Conclusion
- FAQs
What is psycho-oncology?
Psycho-oncology is a part of psychology that studies how cancer affects a person’s thoughts, feelings, behaviour, and social life. The field not only focuses on the patients but also their families suffering through the trauma of such a hazardous illness. The key role of psycho-oncologists includes:-
- Treatment-related trauma
- Adjustment to lifestyle changes
- Trauma generated from the financial crisis
- End-of-life thoughts
- Grief and existential distress
Hands-on learning experience in psycho-oncology makes individuals job-ready.
Why choose a PG Diploma in Psycho-Oncology?
Cancer is not always life-threatening; the patients can be cured if they have the will to live and fight the disease. Some researchers have found that patients surrounded by an extreme caring and supportive environment and hope to live within themselves have high chances of recovering from cancer-like diseases. Hence, it becomes of utmost importance that cancer patients and their families are in psychological care.
A Postgraduate Diploma in Psycho-Oncology is designed for individuals willing to work with cancer patients and their families. The reasons that make PG Diploma in Psycho-oncology the best choice are — high demand for psycho-oncologists, interdisciplinary learning, and the program is specialised in oncology.
Psycho-Oncology vs. Other psychology programs
Here’s how psycho-oncology is different from other prominent psychological specializations:-
| Parameters | Psycho-oncology | Clinical psychology | Counselling psychology |
| Specialisation level | High | Broad | Moderate |
| Settings | Rehabilitation centres, cancer hospitals, NGOs focused on cancer rehab | Hospitals, clinics, rehab centres | School, college, hospital, private practices |
| Issues | Cancer related trauma and distress | Wide variety — mental illness diagnosis and treatment | Emotional growth, problem solving and addressing psychological issues. |
Skills developed during PG Diploma in Psycho-Oncology
Common skills required as a psycho-oncologist include empathy, compassion, emotional resilience, grief counselling techniques, trauma handling counselling, cancer knowledge, and psychological caring.
Admission to PG Diploma Psycho-Oncology
The eligibility criteria for PG Diploma (Psycho-Oncology) are that the passionate students must have completed either of the following courses — MA/MSc psychology, BSc Nursing, BAMS, B. Pharma or MBBS.
Scope of PG Diploma in Psycho-Oncology
In India, the field of psycho-oncology is growing with the number of cancer patients and the awareness of mental wellbeing. Hospitals are creating such departments of integrative oncology, including psychological services, in both government and privately-owned hospitals.
There are various opportunities in:
- Specialty oncology centres and cancer centres
- Hospitals and palliative care centres
- Cancer rehabilitation NGOs
- University and research centers
- Health organisations in the communities
- Online counselling platforms and Teletherapy
Career opportunities after PG Diploma in Psycho-Oncology
Top career opportunities after PG Diploma in Psycho-Oncology include:
- Psycho-oncologist: They provide psychological care and therapy to patients undergoing cancer treatment, chemotherapy or related illness.
- Palliative Care Psychologist: They specialise in end-of-life care and help people to overcome grief and distress in life.
- Rehabilitation Counsellor: They help cancer survivors cope with the aftermath of cancer treatment.
- Educator: After further qualification, the passionate can educate interested students in the field.
- Researcher: Contribution in psychology or oncology research can be made by PG Diploma in Psycho-Oncology pass-out students.
Psycho-oncologist’s salary ranges from INR 4,00,000 to INR 6,00,000 depending upon the educational qualifications and experience.
Best university in India for PG Diploma in Psycho-oncology: SGT University
In the past 13 years, SGT University has ranked among the best colleges for behavioral sciences in India securing an NAAC A+ grade. Such incredible achievements of the university show the dedication of the faculty members and their hard work to provide the best to their students. The university is equipped with modern cognitive labs and instruments for the students to have a remarkable learning experience. The curriculum of SGT University has not been designed to teach only theory, but it also focuses on the holistic development of students.
| Particulars | Details |
| Course name | Postgraduate Diploma in Psycho-Oncology |
| Course level | Diploma |
| Faculty | Faculty of Behavioral Sciences |
| Duration | 2 years (4 semesters) |
| Eligibility | Passed with MA/MSc psychology, BSc Nursing, BAMS, B. Pharma or MBBS. |
| Fees | INR 40,000 (per annum) |
If you are looking for the best Faculty of Behavioural Sciences, your search ends here!
Apply at SGT University today! SGT University Online Admissions 2025.
Mid-Article CTA: How to apply SGT University?
Ready to upgrade your psychological research and therapeutic skills? Apply now at SGT University, one of the best universities in India for the course. The detailed process of applying at SGT University:
Online process-
Fill out the application form for admission to the PG Diploma in Clinical Psychology program at SGT University Online Admissions 2025.
Offline process-
Visit the D-block of SGT University, Budhera, Gurugram, Haryana, 122505.
Related Internal Links- Add ons
Conclusion
It is not merely an academic choice to take a PG Diploma in Psycho-Oncology but a choice to engage in warm and caring care, strength of mind, and a way to healing. The curriculum has been designed for passionate students to work in a hospital, research laboratory, or NGO the course will give you the means to work with one of the most significant overlaps within contemporary care: Cancer and Mental health.
Developed countries have psycho-oncology teams that are focused on the psychological wellbeing of patients facing chronic conditions because the needs of such patients have become well-established. The demand for psycho-oncologists is globally high. SGT University ensures that interested students in psycho-oncology learn from the best professionals in the field, and have direct exposure to hands-on learning practice at SGT Hospital.
FAQs
Q1. What is the duration of the PG Diploma in Psycho-Oncology?
The duration of the PG Diploma in Psycho-Oncology is 2 years (4 semesters).
Q2. Does SGT University provide scholarships?
Yes. SGT University provides up to 100% scholarships to eligible students.
Q3. What are some top cancer psychology careers?
Top careers in cancer psychology include psycho-oncologist, counseling psychologist in oncology, palliative care psychologist, psycho-oncology researcher, NGOs working with mindfulness of cancer patients, and academic faculty in psycho-oncology.
Q4. How to apply?
Visit SGT University Admissions 2025 for online admission in PG Diploma in Psycho-Oncology.
Q5. What is the eligibility for PG Diploma in Psycho-Oncology?
To be eligible for PG Diploma (Psycho-oncology), the individual must have passed with MA/MSc psychology, BSc Nursing, BAMS, B. Pharma or MBBS.
Q6. How do psycho-oncologists cope with emotional breakdown?
Listening to real-life sorrows and pain of the clients, it is quite common for psycho-oncologists to face emotional breakdown. The best way to cope with it is through journaling, meditation, or exercise.
Q7. Which is the best university in India for Psycho-Oncology?
SGT University is one of the best universities in India for PG Diploma in Psycho-oncology.
Q8. Who are the top recruiters of psycho-oncologists after a PG Diploma in Psycho-Oncology?
Fortis Hospital, Max Healthcare, Vimhans, Adyar Cancer Institute and Madanta are some of the top recruiters in Psycho-oncology.
Q9. Is it mandatory to be a postgraduate in Clinical Psychology before pursuing a PG Diploma in Psycho-Oncology?
No, it is not compulsory, but completing a Master’s in Clinical Psychology before a PG Diploma in Psycho-Oncology widens the scope in psychology careers.
Q10. What is the initial oncology psychologist salary?
The oncology psychologist’s salary varies as per their educational background and experience.
The average salary for students who have completed their bachelor’s and PG Diploma in Psycho-oncology in India ranges from 15k to 35k per month. As for the individuals who have completed their master’s and PG Diploma in Psycho-Oncology, they can expect a higher salary — up to 80k per month.
