Master of Social Work [MSW] Course Details - Admissions, Eligibility, Duration and Course Fees

The acronym of Master of Social Work is MSW. It is a master degree program focusing mainly on the community work and health care sector. The course duration of MSW is 2 years. Eligibility criteria for the MSW course are a bachelors degree from a recognised board or university. The course curriculum is designed covering subjects like- Community Organisation, Women and Child Development, Labour Welfare and Legislation, Communication and Counseling, etc. One having qualities like- social and self-awareness, critical thinker, emotional concerned with society along with good communication skills can take up this course.

MSW Course Fee in India:

The course fee will vary from universities to universities according to their standards. The average MSW course will ranges from INR 10,000 to 60,000 per annum. 

MSW Salary in India:

The average course salary in India is INR 3.96 lakh per annum. There will be a deviation in salary based on experience and skills one is having. 

MSW Course:

Social work, in simple terms, refers to various services designed to aid the poor and aged and to improve their welfare. The full form of MSW is a Master of Social Work. It is a postgraduate academic degree awarded for the program in the field of social work. The duration of the MSW course is 2 years, divided into 4 semesters.

It is commonly abbreviated as MSW or MA (SW) which stands for Master of Arts in Social Work. Masters in Social Work or Master Degree Programme in Social Work is aimed at training individuals who are already working or desire to work in the development and Welfare sectors.

The top colleges in India which offer MSW course are enlisted below:

• Madras School of Social Work, Chennai
• Tata Institute of Socal Sciences, Mumbai
• Christ University, Bangalore etc.

The eligibility criteria for the MSW course is a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a recognized Institute with a minimum of 50% in the post-graduation subject. The course provides students with problem-solving skills, critical analysis, and research skills in terms of social work or society as well as knowledge on the vast ocean of difference between Indian culture and the other cultures around the world.

The course curriculum mandates aspirants to attend and arrange workshops in different areas for the well-being of the people. Most of the universities and colleges encourage their students to opt for internships in different organizations to enable them to have full insight into the idea behind social work and the requisite hands-on work experience.

MSW Course Quick Links:

• Introduction to MSW Course
• Reasons for Opting for MSW Course
• Entrance Exams for Admission into MSW Course
• Preparation Tips for MSW Course
• Subjects in MSW Curriculum
• Fee Structure for MSW Course
• Syllabus in the MSW Curriculum
• Eligibility Criterion for Admission into MSW Course
• Admission Procedure for MSW Course
• MSW Specializations in MSW Course
• Job Opportunities for Graduates of MSW Course
• Salary Packages for Graduates of MSW Course
• Top MSW Colleges in India
• Correspondence MSW
• MSW Course FAQs

What is MSW Course?

The question "What is MSW course?" can be easily answered as "MSW course is a Masters course in social work and its various applications to bring about a change in the lives of the deprived". The duration of the MSW course is two years. The MSW curriculum focusses on the logic and concept of Social Work and its acknowledged impact on the various genesis of humans and animals.

The course is tailor-made for those who aim to hold a clinical, supervisory, or program director role in NGOs and NPOs. An MSW is currently considered the terminal degree in the field of social work, in spite of the availability of higher degrees. Working on Social Statistics across the nation and helping people with the principals of Social Welfare are some of the lessons to be taught during the Master's course.

Some of the subjects which are pursued as part of the MSW syllabus under the conduit of the curriculum are listed below:

• History, Philosophy, and Fields of Social Work.
• Theory and Practice of Counselling.
• Project Planning and Management.
• Social Work Research and Social Statistics.

An aspirant can opt to pursue a prospective lucrative career in some of the most prolific yet famous NGO's like Smile Foundation, Nanhi Kali, among others. MSW job scope is vast and huge in India with regards to the profession in social development and social work. The admission procedure for the MSW course varies from colleges to colleges across the nation.

Why Choose MSW?

Social work is one of the professions which is unique on its own, wherein the aspirants apart from the pen-paper test can actually test their skill-sets and principles in a practical and creative nature. Post-graduation, aspirants of this course can opt to work with some of the renowned and active NGO's or welfare work associations which are authorized by UNESCO and UNICEF across the globe.

A graduate in Master of Social work can grab seats in some of the reputed and authentic media channels across the globe like Al-Jazeera, Reuters, CNN, and others. A graduate in MSE can expand his/her employment opportunities in NGO's for several sectors like Women Empowerment, Animal Prodigy, Human Trafficking, Social Injustice and more for the welfare of the society.

Those who complete this degree may work in the medical, mental health, and educational fields, providing support as therapists, healthcare social workers, school social workers, and as clinical social workers. Many students now prefer social work for its nobility, novelty and their urge to help the underprivileged. An aspirant will gain an opportunity to initiate his/her own NGO which may be recognized by Government and other global-based associations like the United Nations.  

MSW Entrance Exams:

The list of entrance exams which an aspirant needs to clear in order to gain admission into the MSW course are enlisted below:

1. Aligarh Muslim University [AMU] MSW Admission Test
2. Jamia Millia Islamia MA Admission Entrance Test
3. Calicut University MSW Entrance Examination
4. IGNOU Entrance Examination
5. KUCET Social Work Entrance Exam
6. Manipal University Entrance Exam
7. Sree Sankaracharya University MSW Entrance Examination
8. Tata Institute Of Science And Technology Social Work Entrance Exam
9. University of Delhi Combined Entrance Examination
10. University Of Mysore Entrance Exam

MSW Course Preparation Tips:

• Set up a full proof study Plan: A good study plan will help the students accomplish their goals. The plan must be pragmatic and should be in accordance with the schedule and other daily requirements of the students. Students must plan their day and do it accordingly. By following this method, they will increase the effectiveness of their plan and lower the possibility of stress and even minor headaches.
• Ladders in preparing for the Exam: Students must plan their time meticulously. They can, first of all, divide their study sessions so that they will be able to finish their portions within time. Apart from getting acquainted with the study material, it is also needed for them to understand the difficulty level they have on specific topics. One thing they must constantly keep in mind is to never overwork them. Not only will this do them no good, but they also won’t be able to concentrate on their portions for long.

They can refer to guides as well as short notes. This can be purchased from all leading book stores. A few of the recommended books include:

• Government of India: Encyclopedia of Social Work in India from Ministry of Welfare
• India Social Problems by G.R. Madan
• Principles of Population Studies by Asha A. Bhende and Tara Kanitkar
• Sociology by C.N. Shankar Rao

MSW Subjects:

The subjects included in the curriculum of MSW course are enlisted below. Certain minor deviations may be observed in the curricula of certain colleges, institutes and universities across the nation but the crux of the composition is maintained.

1. Social Work Profession
2. Social Group Work
3. Social Case Work
4. Community Organisation
5. Concurrent Field Work including Social Work Camp
6. Concurrent Field Work including Study Tour
7. Analysis of Indian Society
8. Social Policy, Planning & Development
9. Dynamics of Human Behaviour
10. Social Work with Rural, Urban and Tribal Community
11. Study of Indian Economics
12. Social Work Approaches for Social Development
13. Study of Indian Constitution
14. Social Work and Social Justice
15. Social Work Research and Statistics
16. Social Work Administration
17. Concurrent Field Work including Summer Placement
18. Concurrent Field Work with Case Studies
19. Dissertation
20. Block Placement
21. Women & Child Development
22. Labour Welfare & Legislation
23. Criminology & Correctional Administration
24. Human Resource Management
25. Introduction to Disaster Management
26. Medical & Psychiatric Social Work
27. Communication and Counselling
28. Personal & Professional Growth

MSW Course Fees:

The average course fees for an aspirant of MSW course ranges between INR 10,000 - 60,000 per annum. This valuation may vary based on the prestige and faculty of the institute, college or university in which the aspirant is pursuing his or her degree as well as government and management quotas.

MSW Course Syllabus:

The course syllabus as specified in the MSW curriculum is tabulated below. This syllabus structure may vary based on the college or institution but the crux of the syllabus structure remains constant throughout.

MSW Course Eligibility:

The eligibility of the Master of Social Work degree course is the obtaining of the Bachelor of Social Work degree from a recognized Institute. Candidates who have a Bachelor's degree in Humanities/Social Science/Science/Commerce or Management subjects are also eligible. Students with a background in social work, psychology, social science, sociology or any other related fields are given preference over others.

The selection is conducted on the basis of one's performance in the respective entrance test, group discussion, and an interview. The test measures one's mental ability and general awareness. The aim of the interview is to establish a candidate's genuine interest in Social Work. Candidates belonging to the SC/ST require at least 40% marks at the qualifying examinations. This percentage may vary depending upon the University.

MSW Course Admission:

Aspirants are mandated to appear for entrance exams which are conducted by the individual university in accordance with their eligibility criteria. Aspirants have to download the application form from the university for their choice while can refer to any counselling centres nearby. The individuals who aspire to pursue the specific course have to submit the application form without fail to the mentioned designated individual or any other administrator.

The declaration of the results of the entrance exam depends upon universities in terms of their admission procedure. Aspirants have to attend the counselling process as the next step for the admission conducted by the particular university.

MSW Specialisations:

The specialisation options available to graduates of MSW course are enlisted below:

1. Community Social Work
2. Child, Family, and School Social Work
3. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Work
4. Social Work with Military Members and Veterans
5. Social Work Administration
6. Domestic Violence Counseling
7. ElderCare

MSW Job Opportunities:

The large variety of job opportunities available to aspirants of MSW course are enlisted below:

1. Assistant Director
2. District Consultant
3. Documentation and Communication Officer
4. Humanitarian Values and PMER Officer
5. National Secretary of Community Development
6. Junior Research Fellow
7. Project Coordinator
8. Professor
9. Programme Co-ordinator 
10. Senior Manager - Human Resources
11. Sub-Regional Training Coordinator

MSW Course Salary:

The average course salary of an aspirant in MSW is INR 3.96 lakhs per annum. This valuation varies based on the sector and firm of employment as well as the dedication, diligence and perseverance of the aspirant at the workplace. 

List of MSW Colleges:

The top colleges in India offering MSW course are listed below:

Distance MSW:

The colleges offering MSW course through distance learning module or correspondence module are listed below:

1. Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli
2. Madhya Pradesh Bhoj University, Bhopal
3. Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishwavidyalaya, Satna
4. Indira Gandhi National Open University [IGNOU], Bengaluru

MSW Course FAQs:

1. What is the use of MSW course?
   - An MSW degree program provides students with advanced critical analysis, problem-solving and research skills, in preparation for various types of social work.MSW programs are generally intended for graduates with a Bachelor's degree in social work, sociology or related field.

2. Is MSW professional course?
   - Yes, MSW is a professional course which lasts for 4 semesters covering two years.

3. Can we do MSW after BBA?
   - Yes, you can pursue MSW after your BBA. In fact, aspirants with a background in all the streams (Humanities, Commerce & Science) can pursue MSW.

Other Related Courses in India:

• BSW Course
• MPH Course