Ms. Maria Jose is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work with academic and professional experience across healthcare, education, and media. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English with Journalism from S.B. College, Changanacherry, and a Master of Social Work (Medical and Psychiatric Social Work) from Kristu Jayanti (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru. She also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in School Counselling and is a Certified Couple Therapist. She is currently a Part-Time PhD Scholar at Christ (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, with research interests focused on families, children, and psychosocial wellbeing.

Her professional journey reflects a strong integration of theory and practice. She has worked as a Critical Care Counsellor at Rainbow Children’s Hospital, supporting children and families during medical crises, and as a School Counsellor at Marygiri Public School, addressing adolescent mental health and behavioural concerns. Her earlier career in media as a content writer with Hotstar and a television presenter for Shalom TV strengthened her communication, public engagement, and training skills qualities she effectively brings into the classroom.

Her academic focus includes family systems, child and adolescent wellbeing, trauma-informed care, and community-based psychosocial interventions. She is committed to preparing socially responsible, ethically grounded, and practice-ready social work professionals.