Social Work and its scope: UG & PG courses, eligibility, institutes and prospects

If it’s your passion to educate children from disadvantaged backgrounds and help people living on the fringes of society, a degree in Social Work would be ideal for you. Studying this specific discipline will give you the knowledge and skills you need to support the most vulnerable section of the population.

Social Work and its scope

A mix of Social Sciences and Humanities, Social Work courses look into existing social structures and the modes of assisting the community's weak and impoverished members. Social workers serve individuals, families and different communities as they address challenges such as poverty, unemployment and education.

As a Social Work student, you will look into the theory behind the practice. You will also get to know the sociological, psychological and social policy perspectives of why and how social workers get involved in people’s lives. These courses will give you a vast array of transferable skills, including communication, negotiation, conflict resolution and advocacy, which will prepare you for social services, healthcare, teaching or NGO jobs.

Studying Social Work:

• You need to clear your Class XII board exams in any stream.

• Next, you can get a bachelor's degree in Social Work or in any other field with 50% aggregate.

• After completion of your undergraduate degree, you can pursue a master’s degree in Social Work.

Institutes that offer Social Work courses:

Visva Bharati University, West Bengal

Course: BA in Social Work.

• Eligibility: You need to pass your Class XI board exams or any equivalent exams with at least 55% aggregate.
• Admission: Merit-based.
• Click here to learn more.

Course: MA in Social Work.

• Eligibility: You need a bachelor’s degree in any discipline.
• Admission: Merit-based.
• Click here to know more.

Aligarh Muslim University, Uttar Pradesh

Course: BA in Social Work.

• Eligibility: You need to pass your Class XII board exams or any equivalent exams in any stream.
• Admission: You have to sit for a written test and take part in group discussions. If you clear the tests, you have to appear for a personal interview.

Course: Master’s in Social Work.

• Eligibility: You need a bachelor’s degree in any stream.
• Admission: You have to clear a written test and take part in group discussions. If you clear the tests, you have to appear for a personal interview.
• Click here to learn more.

Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi

Course: Master’s in Social Work.

• Eligibility: You need a bachelor’s degree in any discipline with at least 55% aggregate to appear for an entrance exam conducted by the university.
• Admission: Depends on your performance in the entrance exam and a personal interview.
• Click here to know more.

Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), Mumbai

Courses: MA in Social Work.

Specialisations:

1. Children & families
2. Community organisation & development practice
3. Criminology & justice
4. Dalit & tribal studies and action
5. Disability studies & action
6. Livelihoods and social entrepreneurship
7. Mental health
8. Public health
9. Women-centred practice

• Eligibility: You need a bachelor’s degree in any stream with at least 55% aggregate to appear for TISS NET, which is the entrance exam conducted by the institute.
• Admission: Depends on your performance in the entrance test and a personal interview.
• Click here to know more.

Christ University, Bangalore, Karnataka

Course: Master’s in Social Work.

Specialisation:

1. Clinical and community practice
2. Human resource development and management

• Eligibility: You need a bachelor’s degree in any discipline with at least 60% aggregate to appear for an entrance test conducted by the university.
• Admission: Depends on your performance in the entrance test and a personal interview.
• Click here to know more.

Loyola College of Social Sciences, Chennai

Course: MA in Social Work.

• Eligibility: You need at least 50% aggregate in your bachelor’s degree in any discipline to appear in an entrance exam.
• Admission: Depends on your performance in the entrance test group discussions, and a personal interview.
• Click here to know more.

Job roles:

• Social worker: They counsel people who come to them and also keep case histories and records to help vulnerable people. They liaise with other NGOs, hospitals and the legal assistance board as needed.

• Project manager: They manage large social projects aimed at the development of underprivileged communities. They usually lead a team of change-makers in different projects.

• Habilitation specialist: They provide support and assistance to disabled clients. They also devise and implement rehabilitation programmes, apart from developing individualised treatment plans and performing client assessments.

• Policy researcher: They help policymakers decide what measures to take through their in-depth research. They spend time with communities to find out their problems.

• Educator: They plan and organise social issues awareness events, guide and direct public affairs & social issues committee meetings, and connect with companies for work opportunities for clients.

• Facilitator: They help bring people together for a variety of reasons, such as community development, self-advocacy, political organisation and policy reform. They also work as group therapists and task group leaders.