Master of Social Work (MSW) Syllabus, Scope and Salary

Master of Social Work (MSW) is a professional degree with specializations, pursued after Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or any other Bachelor's degree. MSW promotes macro and micro-aspects of professional social work practice, whereas the BSW focuses more on direct social work practices in community, hospitals, schools and other fields of social services.

Average Course fee charged by these institutes ranges from INR 50,000 – 1 Lakh.

A master’s degree in social work (MSW) traditionally takes two years to complete and is a requirement for those who aim to hold a clinical, supervisory, or program director role. An MSW is currently considered the terminal degree in the field of social work,in spite of the availability of  higher degrees. 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.

Obtaining a Master’s degree in social work can open the door to a number of new and exciting career opportunities. MSW programs develop both basic and advanced practice skills, in fact, they include a year’s worth of courses in each. Average starting salary offered to MSW degree holders’ ranges from INR 2 to 10 Lakh.

MSW: Courses Highlights

MSW: What is it About?

In the growing times, the state of people is deteriorating. It increases the number of helpless, deprived and disadvantaged. Here the role of social work comes into play. Social work utilize resources to eradicate the problems of such people and try to release and alleviate their pain and suffering. Social workers try to prevent social problems caused by poverty, unemployment, inadequate health and education facility, alcoholism, drugs abuse and other such vices.

They also try to improve the life of certain disadvantaged category like the disabled, old aged, orphan and women. The days are gone when social work was done for a philanthropic purpose. But now it has become a professional course offered by institutes like TISS, IRMA and Delhi School of Social Work who keep close eye on the proliferation of NGOs in every corner of the country. Many students now prefer social work for its nobility, novelty and their urge to help the underprivileged.

Master in Social Work (MSW) is a 2 years course open to all graduates from any stream. Candidates with Sociology background would get some preference. Many government colleges, universities and private educational institutions are offering this course. Moreover, there are also M.Phil. and PhD programmes in Social Work. Besides educational qualifications, a successful career in social work requires certain personality traits like compassion for the underprivileged and strong urge to help them, capacity to work under difficult conditions, patience and dedication. 

MSW: Top Institutes

MSW: Eligibility

Duration: 2 years divided into 4 semesters

Citizenship: The nationals of India can apply under the General Category. Foreign nationals or Non Resident Indians or Indian nationals supported by NRI relatives can apply under the Foreign/NRI Category.

MSW: Admission Procedure

Admissions are done on the basis of marks obtained in the qualifying examination and Interview. There is no entrance test.

Foreign/NRI Category: Admissions are done on the basis of marks obtained in the qualifying examination.

Note: Candidates can apply either under General Category or Foreign/NRI Category. Those submitting applications under both General and Foreign/NRI categories will be considered only under the General Category. Change of category at a later stage will not be entertained under any circumstances.

MSW: Syllabus and Course Description

MSW: Career Prospects

The career opportunities for graduates of MSW are quite high.  All jobs in this field are related to social service or charity work.  Jobs are available in the government sector because of abundant opportunities.

A few of the reputed organizations that work for the  socio-economic support as well as welfare of the disadvantaged, orphans, people with disabilities are:

• CINI
• CRY
• Department of Rural Development
• HelpAge India
• UNESCO
• UNICEF

It is possible for graduates also to work with educational institutions. After gaining enough spectrum in this field, aspirants can work as consultants in many renowned organizations. Their areas of work may comprise of:

• Clinics
• Correction Cells
• Counseling Centers
• Disaster Management
• Department
• Education Sector
• Gender Issues
• Associations or Groups
• Health Industry
• Hospitals
• Human Rights Agencies
• Mental Hospitals
• Natural Resources
• Management Companies
• Old Age Homes
• Prisons

A short description of each job type is listed below:

Master of Social Work (MSW) Syllabus, Scope and Salary

Master of Social Work (MSW) is a professional degree with specializations, pursued after Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or any other Bachelor's degree. MSW promotes macro and micro-aspects of professional social work practice, whereas the BSW focuses more on direct social work practices in community, hospitals, schools and other fields of social services.

Average Course fee charged by these institutes ranges from INR 50,000 – 1 Lakh.

A master’s degree in social work (MSW) traditionally takes two years to complete and is a requirement for those who aim to hold a clinical, supervisory, or program director role. An MSW is currently considered the terminal degree in the field of social work,in spite of the availability of  higher degrees. 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.

Obtaining a Master’s degree in social work can open the door to a number of new and exciting career opportunities. MSW programs develop both basic and advanced practice skills, in fact, they include a year’s worth of courses in each. Average starting salary offered to MSW degree holders’ ranges from INR 2 to 10 Lakh.

MSW: Courses Highlights

MSW: What is it About?

In the growing times, the state of people is deteriorating. It increases the number of helpless, deprived and disadvantaged. Here the role of social work comes into play. Social work utilize resources to eradicate the problems of such people and try to release and alleviate their pain and suffering. Social workers try to prevent social problems caused by poverty, unemployment, inadequate health and education facility, alcoholism, drugs abuse and other such vices.

They also try to improve the life of certain disadvantaged category like the disabled, old aged, orphan and women. The days are gone when social work was done for a philanthropic purpose. But now it has become a professional course offered by institutes like TISS, IRMA and Delhi School of Social Work who keep close eye on the proliferation of NGOs in every corner of the country. Many students now prefer social work for its nobility, novelty and their urge to help the underprivileged.

Master in Social Work (MSW) is a 2 years course open to all graduates from any stream. Candidates with Sociology background would get some preference. Many government colleges, universities and private educational institutions are offering this course. Moreover, there are also M.Phil. and PhD programmes in Social Work. Besides educational qualifications, a successful career in social work requires certain personality traits like compassion for the underprivileged and strong urge to help them, capacity to work under difficult conditions, patience and dedication. 

MSW: Top Institutes

MSW: Eligibility

Duration: 2 years divided into 4 semesters

Citizenship: The nationals of India can apply under the General Category. Foreign nationals or Non Resident Indians or Indian nationals supported by NRI relatives can apply under the Foreign/NRI Category.

MSW: Admission Procedure

Admissions are done on the basis of marks obtained in the qualifying examination and Interview. There is no entrance test.

Foreign/NRI Category: Admissions are done on the basis of marks obtained in the qualifying examination.

Note: Candidates can apply either under General Category or Foreign/NRI Category. Those submitting applications under both General and Foreign/NRI categories will be considered only under the General Category. Change of category at a later stage will not be entertained under any circumstances.

MSW: Syllabus and Course Description

MSW: Career Prospects

The career opportunities for graduates of MSW are quite high.  All jobs in this field are related to social service or charity work.  Jobs are available in the government sector because of abundant opportunities.

A few of the reputed organizations that work for the  socio-economic support as well as welfare of the disadvantaged, orphans, people with disabilities are:

• CINI
• CRY
• Department of Rural Development
• HelpAge India
• UNESCO
• UNICEF

It is possible for graduates also to work with educational institutions. After gaining enough spectrum in this field, aspirants can work as consultants in many renowned organizations. Their areas of work may comprise of:

• Clinics
• Correction Cells
• Counseling Centers
• Disaster Management
• Department
• Education Sector
• Gender Issues
• Associations or Groups
• Health Industry
• Hospitals
• Human Rights Agencies
• Mental Hospitals
• Natural Resources
• Management Companies
• Old Age Homes
• Prisons

A short description of each job type is listed below:

Aspirants seeking admission to 2-year MA Program should have passed the corresponding Degree Examination under the 10 + 2 + 3 pattern with one core/main subject and two complementary/subsidiary subjects from any of the Universities in Kerala or of any other University recognized by Mahatma Gandhi University as equivalent thereto for admission, subject to the stipulation regarding marks.