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Master of Social Work is a two-years long postgraduate degree. This MSW course syllabus not only prepares students for a successful career, but it also benefits society by allowing them to work for the betterment of individuals and the community as a whole. A social worker is one of the most noble professions in history. 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 selflessness. It is a giving profession that entails putting smiles on the faces of those around you.
The MSW syllabus is divided into four semesters. MSW course syllabus covers topics like Healthcare, Childcare, Psychology, Sociology, and so on. Along with core semester MSW subjects, the course includes other specialisations for specific skill development. The course does not require an internship, but it does require extensive study and research throughout the duration of the course.
The MSW syllabus is divided into core and elective subjects. They may differ depending on the university/ college. The MSW course syllabus aims to provide students with access to all important aspects of the curriculum. MSW syllabus is divided into two parts: a mandatory set of courses covering all foundation areas in literature and an elective set of courses aimed at developing job-specific skills and knowledge. The general MSW subjects over the 4 semesters have been provided below:
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 Labor 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) | Fundamentals of Medical Social Work |
Social Work Practical-VI (Micro Level Study on Social Exclusion) | Block Field Work Placement |
Despite the various types of specialisation available in the MSW Program, the MSW course syllabus remains the same with the exception of one subject that candidates choose as a major MSW subject based on their specialisation.
In the Master of Social Work programme, students can choose from a number of specialisations, such as Family and Children's Welfare, Medical and Psychiatric Social Work, And Urban and Rural Community Development. Here is a quick overview of these specialisations:
Family and Child Welfare: This MSW course subject specialisation teaches about matters pertaining to family and child welfare. Aspirants receive training to assist others in resolving these problems and maintaining a happy family life. They are also taught about family ethics, problem-solving methods etc. in this specialisation.
Medical and Psychiatric Social Work: This MSW course subject is a type of medical social work that involves supporting and caring for people who are mentally ill or require psychiatric guidance. Their job is to teach their clients how to deal with mental illnesses and to assist them in curing them.
Urban and Rural Community Development: This MSW course subject; Urban and Rural Community Development is a specialisation that teaches how to improve the life approach and standard of living of the underprivileged population. It also includes meeting the community's economic and non-economic needs.
Criminology Administration: This specialisation entails teaching to support family members affected by the actions of offenders. They also help survivors navigate the legal system from the time they report to trial and beyond.
The MSW course syllabus is divided into four semesters over the course of two years. MSW subjects differ from one college to the next. However, the core MSW subjects of the MSW curriculum largely remain unchanged. Along with the core MSW subjects, the course emphasises field work-related activities.
The MSW course subjects are mostly the same across all colleges, but they differ depending on the institution's course module. However, the overall MSW course subjects are very similar but are presented in a different order depending on the teaching method. The course teaches students a unique approach to nursing, childcare, and health. The core MSW subjects and elective subjects are listed below.
Check out the core MSW Subjects here:
Provided here are the elective MSW Subjects
MSW Distance Education programmes last between a duration of 2 and 5 years. The time required to complete the MSW course entirely depends on the time provided by the candidates. MSW distance education courses are extremely beneficial for candidates who are unable to attend regular classes.
The requirements for MSW distance learning admission vary depending on the colleges. The majority of admissions are granted based on merit. During the admissions process, candidates must submit their caste certificate along with other necessary documents. Candidates from any stream are eligible to enroll in the MSW distance education programme. Here is semester-wise MSW syllabus:
MSW Syllabus First Year | |
Semester I | Semester II |
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 |
MSW Syllabus Second Year | |
Semester III | Semester IV |
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 |
Colleges offering MSW admission screen applicants based on their performance on written tests or skill assessments, followed by a personal interview. Top Master of Social Work Entrance Exams (MSW) are DUET, BHU PET, TISS NET, AMU and DSSW.
Topics covered under the MSW Syllabus for Entrance Exam are Meaning, Nature, and Scope of Social Work, the Relationship between Social Work and other Social science Fields, Social Work and Associated Ideas: Social Development, Social Welfare, Social Services, and Social Reform. At the National level, there are programmes and services for Family Welfare, Children Welfare, Woman Welfare, Youth Welfare, and Aged Welfare, Social Issues and Laws Governing Society.
The MSW programme is designed for those who want to specialise in social work. The topics covered in the MSW course syllabus/module are more than sufficient. However, some books are also written by authors who have shared their thought processes which help students in exploring more theories and ideas related to the subjects.
The best books for the MSW course provided below make up a significant portion of the MSW Subjects and help readers become more skilled and knowledgeable.
Name of the Book | Name of the Author |
International Social Work | Cox, David & Manohar Pawar |
Social Work Education in India | K.K. Jacob |
Social Work Practice - A Generalist Approach. | Yagna J. Stephen & Johnson C. Louise |
Sociology: A Systematic Introduction | Harry. M. Johns |
A Dialectic Journey of Theory and Practice | J.M. Papa |
Social Work and Human Development | Crawford, Karen and Janet Walker |
Personality Development | Elizabeth Hurlock |
Applied Psychology for Social Work | Ingleby Ewan |
The MSW course syllabus is primarily made up of materials from the social work, healthcare, and elective subject areas, providing the knowledge needed to work in the various job sectors. A student's mind is sharpened in this field to overcome the daily challenges they face in their job, their studies, and other similar aspects. The MSW course structure include the following:
MSW is a course that focuses on various aspects of healthcare, social work, and other related fields. The course is designed to meet the requirements and provide the most exposure, and the MSW course subjects address the same. MSW courses are affected differently by learning strategies. The prime methodology and techniques adopted for MSW Teaching are as follows:
The MSW Project, also known as a mini-thesis, is required to be completed at
the end of the semester. As a result, students should view their projects as an excellent opportunity to integrate what they have learned during the MSW programme and apply what they have learned to their future working profession. The following are some of the project topics:
When the course is completed, the student will be a professional with experience gained throughout the course.
MSW Colleges in Tamil Nadu | |
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