MSW is a postgraduate Social Work programme. It is both a professional and academic discipline whose area of study is intended for improving the quality of life of an individual, group and or community belonging to a weaker section. MSW stands for Master of Social Work. The duration of the program is 2 years, usually comprising 4 semesters. The maximum duration for completing the course is 5 Years. Master of Social Work programs develop both basic and advanced practice skills, in fact, they include a year’s worth of courses in each. The course mainly focused on the field work or internship, where the students have to work with the different old-age homes, children homes or undertakes socially relevant projects.

Eligibility Criteria for MSW Admission In Indian Universities and Colleges

• Candidates should have a Bachelor of Social Work degree from a recognized Institute with at least 50% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade.
• Candidates who have a Bachelor's degree in Humanities/Social Science/Science/Commerce or Management subjects are also eligible to take admission in MSW program.
• Candidates appearing for final year degree exam are also eligible to appear for the First year. 

MSW (Master of Social Work) Course Duration

The duration of the MSW program is 2 years, usually comprising 4 semesters.

MSW - Master of Social Work Specializations

• Human Resource Management
• Criminology and Correctional Administration
• Medical and Psychiatric Social Work
• Family and Child Welfare
• Rural and Urban Community Development and Schools Social Work
• Medical and Psychiatric Social Work
• Urban and Rural Community Development
• Personnel Management
• Industrial Relations & Labour Welfare

MSW Admission Process

The selection is based on one's performance in Entrance Test, Group Discussion, and Interview. In some institutes and universities, admissions are done on the basis of marks obtained in the qualifying examination and Interview. The aim of the interview is to establish a candidate’s genuine interest in Social Work.

MSW - Master of Social Work Entrance Exam Pattern

The entrance test paper will contain questions of the objective category. The paper will carry a minimum of 100 marks. The negative marking system will be followed by many of the institutions. 

MSW Entrance exams in India

• Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) MSW Admission Test
• Amia Millia Islamia MA Admission Entrance Test
• Calicut University MSW Entrance Examination
• IGNOU Entrance Examination
• KUCET Social Work Entrance Exam
• Manipal University Entrance Exam
• Sree Sankaracharya University MSW Entrance Examination
• Tata Institute Of Science And Technology Social Work Entrance Exam
• University Of Delhi Combined Entrance Examination

MSW - Master of Social Work Ist Semester Syllabus

• History, philosophy and Contemporary Ideologies 
• Social Science Perspective for Social work practice Social Case Work
• Working with groups
• Fieldwork Practicum-I (concurrent field work)

MSW - Master of Social Work 2nd Semester Syllabus

• Social Work Practice with Individuals And Groups-II Community Organization and Social Action
• Social Work Research
• Computer Application And Statistics
• Social Legislation
• Concurrent Field Work -2
• Social Work Camp.Practicum-3

MSW - Master of Social Work 3rd Semester Syllabus

• Counseling: theory and practice
• Communication for Social work Practice
• Specialization Paper(A / B / D)
• Specialization Paper(A / B / D)
• Field Practicum IV (concurrent field work)

MSW - Master of Social Work 4th Semester Syllabus

• Management of Service Organization
• Social Policy And Planning
• Dissertation / Case Study
• Specialization papers (A / B / C)
• Fieldwork Practicum V (concurrent field work)
• Field practicum VI (Block placement/viva voce)

Job and Career options for MSW

There are two options for MSW holder, either to go with further studies in the field or going for a job. They can work both in the Government sector and with the privet sector. Aspirants can have an opportunity with international NGOs like UNICEF, WHO etc. So we can say that the career opportunities for graduates of MSW are quite high. 

Job Name

• Social Worker
• Program Manager, Non-Profit Organization
• Sr. Human Resources (HR) Manager
• Human Resources (HR) Associate
• Human Resource (HR) Generalist
• Assistant Human Resource Manager