MSW (Master of Social Work) – MSW is an abbreviation for Master of Social Work. It is a specialised postgraduate degree that consists of macro and micro aspects of professional social work activities in communities, hospitals, schools, and other social service settings. MSW in India is a two-year degree programme.
Aspirants can pursue an MSW course after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in a related field with at least 50% marks from a recognised university. MSW Admission 2022 would be based on either a merit list or an admission exam. MSW Eligibility requires students to have completed a bachelor’s degree in a related discipline.
What is MSW (Master of Social Work)?
A Master of Social Work is a two-year postgraduate program. This program not only prepares students for a successful professionals but also benefits society by allowing them to work for the welfare of individuals and the community as a whole. One of the most honourable professions of all time is that of a social worker.
They contribute to society by improving the overall functioning of their community. Aspirants should keep in mind that this course requires a lot of patience, work ethic, empathy, and altruism. It is a giving career that entails putting smiles on the cheeks of others around you.
Master of Social Work is a reasonably priced degree that may be pursued for a charge ranging from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 60,000 each year. The major entrance exams for admission to MSW programmes are DSSW, AMU, Jamia Millia Islamia, TISS, and others.
These entry exams consist of English, reasoning, and general awareness assessments, followed by a group discussion and a personal interview round. An aspirant with a master’s degree in social work can work as a child welfare social worker, drug addiction counsellor, and other positions.
Why Choose Master of Social Work?
A job as a social worker entails a great deal of responsibility, as well as opportunities to contribute back to society and the nation. The following are some of the reasons why pursuing an MSW degree can lead to a rewarding job.
Opportunities for employment
The course improves your chances of getting a job. Every month, the leading job search websites show that there are more than 100 job vacancies for social workers. On LinkedIn, there are over 490 job vacancies for social workers. Social workers can find employment in both the government and commercial sectors.
Opportunity to work in a rapidly developing field
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the social work sector will increase at a pace of 16% over the next decade, giving new chances to MSW graduates worldwide. In India, social work is classified as the third sector of the economy, contributing more than USD 30 billion to the GDP.
MSW Course Eligibility Criteria
Each university has a separate admissions criteria requirement. However, the most prevalent is as follows:
- Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from a recognised college with a minimum of 50% marks.
- Aspirants from the reserved category are given a 5% reduction in the minimum percentage of aggregate marks attained.
- Graduates from the Humanities/Social Science/Science/Management and other fields are also eligible for the MSW programme provided they have a minimum of a 50 per cent grade point average from a recognised institution or institute.
- As previously stated, candidates must also pass any admission exams.
MSW (Master of Social Work) Courses Admission Process
Admission is based on the grades received at the graduation level. Entrance examinations are used in some circumstances to determine admission. The Common Admission Test, also known as the Skill Assessment Test, is followed by a group discussion and a personal interview. For further information, see the MSW Admission Process. Aspirants can apply for a course directly by filling out the online application form or submitting it during the application process.
MSW Merit-based admission
In the event of merit-based admission, candidates must go to the college website and fill out an application form with all of the relevant information. The accompanying documentation must be supplied in the appropriate format. Aspirants must finish their application procedure by paying the application form costs.
They must check the merit list on a regular basis by visiting the college website. Colleges, like Delhi University, create a cut-off list that states the minimal percentage necessary for admission. If they make the merit list, candidates can finish the admission procedure by paying the entrance fee.
MSW Entrance Exams
In the event of entrance-based admission, candidates must go to the website of the agency or university. Following the completion of the registration procedure, candidates must submit the required papers in the proper format as well as the application costs. They administer an Entrance Exam to assess a candidate’s talents and critical thinking capacity.
Following the announcement of a test result, a Personal Interview or Group Discussion is held to assist the college admission committee in screening candidates. Following all of these rounds, chosen candidates are contacted by email or a merit list is prepared based on their aptitude, talents, and the number of seats available in that college.
| Entrance Exam | Read More | Official Website |
|---|---|---|
| DUET | Click Here | Click Here |
| BHU PET | Click Here | Click Here |
| TISS NET | Click Here | Click Here |
| AMU | Click Here | Click Here |
MSW Entrance Preparation Tips
MSW admission examinations contain both aptitude and knowledge assessment questions. As a result, being well equipped with it would be beneficial. Because the tests themselves just provide a summary of the course, it would be more beneficial to conduct in-depth research. The following are some preparatory recommendations created by specialists for candidates interested in pursuing an MSW.
- Time Management: The applicant must be able to answer all of the questions in the allotted time. It would be lengthy because it requires ability and language.
- Reading Newspapers: Questions on general knowledge and current events are frequently posed in entrance tests, as well as in personal interviews and group discussion rounds.
- Skills: Attempting to focus more on general knowledge, aptitude, and so on, all of which are contained in the questions.
- Planning: In order to prepare thoroughly, applicants should practise using sample question papers, mock examinations, and quizzes. Aspirants might improve their chances of passing admission tests by examining their mistakes.
MSW (Master of Social Work) Course Fee structure
MSW course charges may differ depending on the college. Because of its infrastructure and resources, a government-based institute charges less than a private institute. An MSW education in a private institute charges around INR 20K – 2LPA on average.
| Name of the Institute | Fees Per Annum |
|---|---|
| Gurugram University, Gurgaon | INR 20K |
| Don Bosco College Sulthan Bathery, Wayanad | INR 52K |
| Silver Oak University, Ahmedabad | INR 30K |
| Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj University, Mumbai | INR 65K |
| AIMS Institutes Bangalore | INR 1.6 LPA |
MSW Specializations
Aspirants can go for any one of the following specializations during the last year of the course. Master of Social Work programmes includes family and child welfare, medical and psychiatric social work, urban and rural community development, and other specialisations. Please provide us with a summary of these specialisations.
- Family and Child Welfare
- Medical and Psychiatric Social Work
- Urban and Rural Community Development
- Criminology Administration
MSW (Master of Social Work) Syllabus
The MSW programme is a two-year curriculum with four semesters. It includes themes such as social work history, research and quantitative analysis in social work, social policy and labour welfare, and so on. Each college may have its own topics and subjects, depending on the course modules. Among the issues covered are:
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|
| History and Philosophy of Social Work | Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy |
| Social Problem and Social Development | Rehabilitation and Resettlement |
| Social Work Research and Quantitative Analysis | Social Work Methods |
| Human Growth and Development | Visual Culture |
| Social Work Practical-I (Structured Experience Laboratory and Research Methodology Practical) | Social Work Practical-III (Concurrent fieldwork – Community Placement) |
| Social Work Practical-II (Skill Development Assessment) | Social Work Practical-IV (Learning Social Work through Participatory Approach) |
| IT in Social Sector | Community Intervention and Entrepreneurship Development |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 |
| Ideology and Ethics of Social Work | Social Work Administration |
| Social Legislation and labour Welfare | Corporate Social Responsibility |
| Vulnerable Children and their Development | Tribal Anthropology and Social Work |
| Elective-I | Elective-II |
| Social Work Practical-V (Concurrent fieldwork – Agency Placement) | Fundamental of Medical Social Work |
| Social Work Practicum-VI (Micro Level Study on Social Exclusion) | Block Field Work Placement |
Higher Studies after MSW
An MSW degree provides a plethora of professional opportunities. It is even feasible to continue your education after finishing the course. Doctorate degrees, which students can get in many specialities featured in the course module, are the most generally pursued path in this area. There are several alternatives in the field depending on the stream chosen. When higher education and a postgraduate degree are combined, students have a wide range of work opportunities. Among the courses are:
- M.Phil (Social Work)
- PhD (Social Work)
- Certificate in Therapeutic Skills for Helping Professions (Counseling)
- Certificate Course in Advanced Social Research Methodology
- Certificate Course in Social Perspective in Disaster Management
MSW (Master of Social Work) Scope
Master of Social Work is a course that will always be relevant. It is one of the sectors that contribute to the betterment of society. Aspirants who accept this obligation not only excel in their jobs but also serve mankind to the best of their abilities. This training will not only help students succeed in their different jobs, but it will also provide them with the gratification of putting smiles on people’s faces.
MSW Job Profiles
Following completion of an MSW education, the aspirant can work in both the public and private sectors, depending on the sort of employment they desire or their talents. They also have the option of additional specialisation through courses such as a PhD or further extension through other full-time studies. However, due to the need and requirements, even an MSW degree has a broad career scope. The following are some of the finest job designations for MSS graduates in the government sector:
- Research Assistants
- Project Fellow
- General Manager
- Trainee
- Assistants
- Counsellor
The following are some of the greatest MSW job opportunities in the private sector:
- Project Coordinator
- Professor/Lecturer
- Program Coordinator
- Junior Research Fellow
- District Consultant
- Documentation and Communication Officer
MSW Employment sectors
The following are the job sectors where MSW graduates can work as professionals.
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Counselling Centres
- Mental Hospitals
- Old Age Homes
- Prisons
- NGO’s
MSW (Master of Social Work) Salary
The pay provided after completing social work courses is not enticing. This field necessitates a great deal of patience, empathy, and selflessness. Aspirants who are drawn to social work and find consolation in helping others or society, in general, might pursue a career in this sector. However, an entry-level salary of Rs. 3 lakhs to Rs. 3.89 lakhs may be expected from this area, which can be enhanced with expertise.
| Job Profile | Average Total Salary |
|---|---|
| Social Worker | INR 3.88 LPA |
| Project Coordinator | INR 3.90 LPA |
| Professor/Lecturer | INR 7.50 LPA |
| Program Manager | INR 4.10 LPA |
| Consultant | INR 3.5 LPA |
| Counsellor | INR 4.2 LPA |
| Documentation Specialist | INR 3.10 LPA |
| Community Health Worker | INR 2.39 LPA |
| Case Manager | INR 5.0 LPA |
MSW (Master of Social Work) colleges
MSW courses are available at a number of colleges in India. Because it is a type of speciality, it necessitates both practical and theoretical study, which allows them to get an in-depth understanding of the course. According to the updates provided in 2021, these are the top ten colleges in India.
| S.No. | Name of the College |
|---|---|
| 1 | Amity University, Gurgaon |
| 2 | St. Albert’s College |
| 3 | Amity University, Noida |
| 4 | Chaudhary Charan Singh University |
| 5 | Gurugram University, Gurgaon |
| 6 | Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University |
| 7 | Tata Institute of Social Sciences |
| 8 | Presidency College, Chennai |
| 9 | Christ University, Bangalore |
| 10 | St. Xavier’s University, Kolkata |
Read More
| Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor of Business Administration |
| Bachelor of Management Studies | Bachelor of computer applications |
Frequently Asked Questions
Candidates who pursue this course not only excel in their vocations but also serve mankind to the best of their abilities. As a result, it is one of the most meaningful jobs.
This programme typically costs between Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 60,000.
A Social Worker’s annual income in India ranges from Rs. 3.60 lakhs to Rs. 5.00 lakhs.
Obtaining an MSW is difficult/difficult. Furthermore, it will be physically, emotionally, and cognitively demanding. Having said that, if you’re enthusiastic and motivated enough, earning an MSW is both achievable and worthwhile.
Yes, MSW is a professional course that lasts two years and consists of four semesters.