Notopedia is a nonprofit organization with a mission to provide free learning support to all. Click here to donate or volunteer.

Notopedia has a mission to provide free learning support. Click here to donate or volunteer.

NTPC
DID YOU KNOW?

This section was developed with support from NTPC CSR

NTPC

Course Details

Master of Social Work

Degree Course Type 

Masters

Entry Level Qualification 

Graduate

Degree Course Duration 

2 Year

Course Fields 

Social work

Degree Course Entrance Exam 

No Entrance Exam

Average Course Fee 

200000 - 400000 Per Year

Average Salary Offered 

400000 - 800000 Per Year

Course Highlights 

Given below are some of the important MSW highlights:

Degree name

Master of Social Work (MSW)

MSW Duration

2 years

MSW Eligibility

A Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university with a minimum of 50 per cent marks

Degree level

Postgraduate

MSW Course type

Social Work

MSW Admission process

University-based entrance tests

MSW fees

10,000 to 60,000 per annum

MSW entrance exams

DSSW, AMU entrance test, Jamia Millia Islamia admission test, TISS entrance test

Jobs after MSW

Child welfare social worker, Substance abuse counsellor, Medical social worker and more

MSW Expected starting salary

2.42 lakh to 2.64 lakh

About Course 

The MSW programme is a technical postgraduate programme that covers both the broad and specific elements of professional social work practises in settings such as communities, hospitals, schools, and other social service sectors. In India, the MSW programme lasts two years, broken up into four semesters. After earning a bachelor's degree in a relevant field with at least 50% of the required marks from an accredited university, candidates may enroll in an MSW programme. Either a merit list or an entrance exam is used to determine admission to MSW programmes. 

Why Choose Course And Required Skills 

Given below are some of the facts as why someone should pursue a career in MSW:

1. Opportunity to Serve Others after MSW: As a social worker, candidates have an opportunity to work with people who need help. Through their work, social workers can manage to bring a change in the life of distressed people who need help 

2. MSW a Growing Field: Social work field has been considered as one of the fastest growing fields. Social work profession is an everlasting profession because there are always people in society who need help from one or the other situation

3. Advanced Education and Training in MSW: More than theoretical knowledge, candidates are offered practical knowledge in the field. Candidates have an opportunity to structure their skills and knowledge even before they graduate


People looking for jobs in social welfare fields should take the MSW course to advance their careers. For aspiring human rights advocates, social workers, and many other professions, it opens up a wide range of career options. The following are some of the abilities required of MSW graduates:

1. Social Sensitivity

2. Exceptional Communication Skills

3. Tolerance

4. Intelligence in Emotions

5. Critical Analysis

Eligibility  

MSW course eligibility criteria for some of India's top colleges are as follows:

1. Candidates must have a minimum aggregate of 45-50% in a Bachelor of Social Work or an equivalent degree from any reputable University or Institution. If not a percentage, an equal CGPA must exist

2. Students with a minimum of 50% in Humanities/Social Science/Science/Management or other fields are also eligible for the MSW programme if they have graduated from a recognised college or institute

3. Candidates from the reserved category are given a 5% reduction in the minimum percentage of aggregate marks obtained

4. This course is open to students of all ages

Entrance Exams Details 

Given below are some of the important exams which a candidate must appear for in order to get admission in different reputed colleges in India offering MSW:

1. Tata Institute of Science and Technology Social Work Entrance Exam.

2. Aligarh Muslim University MSW Admission Test

3. Jamia Millia Islamia MA Entrance Exam

4. Delhi School of Social Work, Delhi University

Degree Course Syllabus 

Master of Social Work Syllabus for 1st Year

Semester 1

Semester 2

History and Philosophy of Social Work

Psychology for Social Work

Social Science Concepts for Social Work

Social Case Work

Community Work

Social Work Research

Field Work (Concurrent)

Social Action and Social Movements

-

Rural Camp

Master of Social Work Syllabus for 2nd Year

Semester 3

Semester 4

Social Welfare Management

Development Theory and Practice

Marginalised Communities: Issues and Challenges

Urban and Rural Community Development

Social Policy & Social Legislation

Poverty and Livelihood

Field Work

Environment and Disaster Management

-

Dissertation

Top Colleges 

Given below is the list of top MSW course colleges in India. MSW eligibility criteria for these colleges is almost the same. Candidates can apply for admission in these top renowned MSW course colleges after completing their undergraduate course. Candidates can pursue undergraduate course in any subject and still can apply for MSW course. List of top MSW course colleges India is as follows:

1. Delhi University, New Delhi

2. Tata institute of social sciences, Mumbai

3. Madras school of social work, Chennai

4. Rajagiri College of social work, Kochi

5. Loyola College, Chennai

6. Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh

7. Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi

8. Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi

9. Christ University, Bangalore 

10. Central University of Rajasthan, Ajmer​​​​​​​


​​​​​​​Candidates can pursue MSW degree from abroad as well. There are various foreign institutes who offer MSW courses. Given below are some of the important MSW course colleges mentioned in which candidates can apply for admission. In order to check the MSW eligibility criteria, candidates must visit the official website of the respective institute.

1. Alice Salomon University

2. University of Kent

3. University of Stavanger

4. National University of Singapore

5. Kingston University London

Course Fees 

The MSW programme is a two-year programme. It is a postgraduate programme that candidates who want to pursue a career in social work enrol in. Private and public colleges charge different prices for MSW courses. In comparison to public institutions, private colleges are somewhat more expensive. The cost of the MSW course ranges from INR 10,000 to INR 60,000 for government colleges like DU, AMU, and JMI that offer admission. The course fee range for the MSW programme at private colleges is INR 1,00,000 to INR 2,50,000.

Top Recruiters And Salary 

Given below are some of the suitable employment areas for MSW graduates:

1. Counselling Centres

2. Correction Cells

3. NGOs

4. Human Right Agencies

5. Old Age Homes

6. Natural Resource Management Companies

7. Health Industry


Given below is the salary structure after the completion of MSW course:

Experience Level

MSW Annual Salary Range

Entry-level

INR 3.60 lakh to 3.89 lakh

Mid-level

INR 3.89 lakh to Rs. 5.00 lakh

Top-level

INR 5.00 lakh and onwards

Course Scope And Career Options 

Candidates have a variety of employment options after earning their Master of Social Work degree. After completing the course, students have two options: look for employment or continue their education. The scope programme for the Master of Social Work is expanding quickly and will continue to do so in the near future. Graduates of the Master of Social Work programme can work in a variety of public and private sector occupations.

The Master of Social Work programme is one that is always relevant. It is one of the fields that benefits society. Those who accept this responsibility succeed professionally and serve humanity in the best ways possible. Their success in their respective careers will be aided by this course, and they will also enjoy the satisfaction of making others happy.


​​​​​​​Listed below are the popular job roles for MSW degree holders:

1. Social Worker: The main duty of the Social Workers is to fight against different kinds of injustice prevailing in the society. Their main area of function is to provide help to those who have been neglected by the society or are dealing with some grave issues which in long run can implicit severe harmful effects. 

2. CSR Representative: The full form for CSR is Customer service representatives. The main role of CSR is to handle customer complaints and progressively work in order to solve those problems. Customer service representatives, customer service advisors, or customer service associates interact with customers to handle complaints, process orders, and provide information about an organization’s products and services. Customer service representatives answer questions or requests from customers or the public.

3. Counsellors: Counsellor is someone who provides counselling to different individuals or groups. In order to become a professional counsellor, it is necessary to have MSW degree. Professional counselling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals. Counsellors work with clients on strategies to overcome obstacles and personal challenges that they are facing.

4. NGO: Candidates after completing MSW course can work with different Non-governmental Organizations as well. Through this they will get to know about the ground reality and will also be provided with an opportunity to directly interact with the people in need. There are various big NGOs in the world who through their efforts have managed to help lakhs of people globally.​​​​​​​

Admission Process 

The following table summarises the MSW admissions procedure based on merit and the entrance exam:

Admissions Process Based on Merit

Admissions Process Based on Entrance

In the case of merit-based admission, candidates must visit the college website and complete an application form with all necessary information

The supporting documentation must be submitted in the appropriate format

Candidates must pay the application fee to successfully complete the application

To view the merit list, candidates must go to the college website

For the admissions process, most colleges create a cut-off list. The cut-off list shows the minimum percentage required for admissions

Candidates who make the merit list can complete the admission process by paying the admission fee

In the case of entrance-based admission, candidates must go to the website of the agency or university

Following the registration process, candidates must submit the required documents in the format specified, as well as the application fee

The entrance examination is used to assess a candidate's abilities and critical thinking skills

Following the announcement of the results, the GD/PI round is held to further screen the candidates

Selected candidates are notified by email, and a merit list is generated based on their ability, skills, and the number of seats available in that college