MA Social Work: Admission, Syllabus, Eligibility, Colleges, Careers

Master of Arts in Social Work is a 2-year postgraduate degree focused on equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to support individuals, families, and communities facing challenges such as poverty, mental illness, abuse, or social exclusion.

Those who have a Bachelor's degree with a minimum aggregate of 50% marks are eligible to apply for the course. The admissions are usually based on the entrance exams, followed by group discussions and a personal interview. The national-level exam that is usually considered for admission is CUET-PG, and some institutes conduct their own entrance exam. The course fee ranges between INR 8K - 2.62 Lakhs.

The social work graduates can work in schools, hospitals, NGOs, and public and private organizations. Some of the job roles that they can apply for are Child Protection Officer, Policy Analyst, Social Worker, School Counselor, Medical Social Worker, etc. The average salary they can expect as a fresher is around INR 1.96 - 5.5 LPA.

MA Social Work Highlights Table

The table below includes the key details of the Master of Arts in Social Work course:

What is MA Social Work?

Master of Arts in Social Work is a postgraduate degree focused on preparing individuals for professional practice in social work. It combines academic learning with practical training to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to support individuals, families, and communities facing challenges such as poverty, mental illness, abuse, or social exclusion. The program typically covers topics like human behavior, social policy, ethics, counseling techniques, and case management, and often includes fieldwork or internships to provide hands-on experience. Graduates can work in various settings, including schools, hospitals, government agencies, and non-profits.

Why Study MA Social Work?

Studying for an MA in Social Work offers the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people's lives by addressing social issues and supporting vulnerable populations. It equips students with the skills to understand complex human needs, advocate for social justice, and provide practical help through counseling, case management, and policy work. The degree also opens up diverse career opportunities in areas like healthcare, education, mental health, child protection, and community development. For those passionate about helping others and creating positive societal change, an MA in Social Work provides both the professional training and personal fulfillment needed to pursue that goal.

Who Should Study MA Social Work?

An MA in Social Work is ideal for individuals who are compassionate, empathetic, and committed to making a positive impact in society. It suits those who enjoy helping others, especially people facing challenges such as poverty, abuse, addiction, disability, or social exclusion. This program is well-suited for:

• Graduates from social sciences, psychology, sociology, or related fields.
• Professionals looking to transition into a helping profession or advance their current social work practice.
• Individuals with strong communication, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.
• Those passionate about social justice, equality, and community development.

MA Social Work Eligibility

The institutes may have different requirements for admission into the MA in Social Work. Here are the basic eligibility criteria for admission to the MA Social Work program:

• The candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university
• They should have a minimum aggregate of 55% marks.
• The candidate who has a BA Hons in Social Work should have a minimum aggregate of 50% marks.
• The candidates who are in the final year of their graduation are also eligible to apply.
• Some institutions may ask candidates to have attained the age of 20 years.

MA Social Work Entrance Exam

The admission into the MA in Social Work is usually based on national or institutional-level entrance examinations. Some of the entrance exams that are considered for admission to the Master of Arts in Social Work are mentioned below:

MA Social Work Colleges in India

Many institutes in India offer an MA in Social Work. Here are some of the top institutions, as per the India Today MSW Ranking 2024, that offer an MA in Social Work:

MA Social Work Admission Process

The admission into the MA in Social Work course is usually based on a national or university-level entrance exam. Here we have the admission process for the MA in Social Work offered by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences:

• Entrance Exam - The candidates will have to register for CUET-PG and appear for the exam at the assigned centre. It is important for the candidates to check the TISS Mumbai CUET website and check the subjects they have appeared for in the CUET-PG exam for admission in the MA in Social Work.
• Registration - The application process for TISS Mumbai will start after the CUET-PG results have been declared. The candidates will have to fill out the TISS Mumbai application form with all the information, upload the documents, and pay the application fees of INR 900 for 1 program.
• Merit List - TISS Mumbai will release the open merit list (OML) based on the marks obtained in CUET-PG. After that, the candidates will release the category-wise merit list (CML) based on the seats reserved for each category as per the Government of India. The waitlist will also be released.
• Pre-Admission Online Counseling - The online counseling session will be conducted for the candidates whose names are on the merit list and on the waitlist. The candidates will have to confirm their admission in any one of the chosen courses, and the seats that are not accepted will be offered to the waitlist candidates.
• Admission/ Document Verification - All candidates selected for admission should physically report to the institute for document verification and complete the admission formalities. The candidates will have to produce their original mark sheets/grade sheets/ certificates of the qualifying examinations at the time of reporting for the admission.

Documents Required:

• 10th Marksheets & Passing Certificate
• 12th Marksheets & Passing Certificate
• Graduation Marksheets & Degree Certificate
• Migration Certificates from the Institution / University last attended
• Aadhar Card
• Caste Certificate (for reserved category candidates)

MA Social Work Syllabus

The MA Social Work is a 2-year course divided into 4 semesters. The course includes core subjects, electives, practicals, and fieldwork. Here we have the syllabus for the MA in Social Work offered by Delhi University:

MA Social Work Job Opportunities

MA in Social Work graduates can work in public and private organizations, NGOs, schools, hospitals, etc. Some of the job roles available for MA Social Work graduates are mentioned below, along with their average salary as per PayScale and Amitionbox:

MA Social Work FAQs