Master of Social Work (MSW) is a 2-year postgraduate degree for people who want to learn more about social work, and make a career difference in the lives of others. It is a good option for students who really want to help people, work on social problems and do things like healthcare, schooling, therapy, and policymaking. With an MSW, students can work as a professional social worker or for the government, in non-governmental organisations (NGOs), or in mental health groups.
The requirements to get into the MSW course are that you must have a Bachelor's degree from a recognised university, ideally in social work or a related area like sociology, psychology, or the arts. Most universities want students to have at least 50% marks in graduation. Both grades and entrance tests are used to decide who gets into this study. Some of the best universities have their own entrance exams, while others will accept scores from national exams like the CUET PG or tests that are special to the school.
Depending on the school, the average MSW course costs between INR 40,000 and INR 1,20,000 per year. IISWBM, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Sambalpur University, VIT, and LPU University are some of the best schools that offer the MSW program.
Students can look into a number of job possibilities after getting an MSW. They can become Clinical Social Workers, Counsellors, Case Managers, or Program Coordinators, or they can work for the government or for foreign aid groups. NGOs, schools, hospitals, and mental health offices are common places where graduates find work. Others may go on to get an MPhil or PhD in social work to work in academia or research, or they may study for competitive tests to get jobs in the public sector.
Table of Contents
- MSW Course Key Highlights
- What is a Master of Social Work?
- Why Study Master of Social Work?
- Who should study for a Master of Social Work?
- Master of Social Work Eligibility Criteria
- Master of Social Work Entrance Exams 2025
- Master of Social Work Colleges in India
- Master of Social Work Admission Process 2025
- Master of Social Work Syllabus
- Master of Social Work Job Opportunities in India
- Master of Social Work FAQs
MSW Course Key Highlights
Below are the key highlights of the Master of Social Work course in India:
What is a Master of Social Work?
The Master of Social Work (MSW) is a good choice for people who want to learn more about social problems, make a bigger difference and lead the way in helping others. The postgraduate degree lasts for two years and is for people who already have some experience in social work or a similar area and want to learn more. Students in the MSW program learn how to make real changes with people, families, communities and processes.
Students in this course learn more about advanced issues like trauma, addiction, poverty, injustice and social justice. As they get better at counselling, communicating, researching and leading they also learn about human rights, social policy and running programs.
Internships with hospitals, mental health centres, NGOs and government bodies are part of the MSW program, and give students real-world experience. Students gain the skills and courage they need to work as professionals in this field and make a difference in people's lives on a larger scale through this hands-on experience.
Why Study Master of Social Work?
A Master of Social Work (MSW) could be the next step for someone who wants to help people more and take their passion to the next level. Going deeper into tough problems and learning how to make a real difference in people's lives, families lives and the lives of whole communities is more than just theory. This is why it might be a good choice:
- Students can work as a professional social worker, therapist, program head, policy advisor, or mental health counsellor. It can also lead to jobs as a leader in hospitals, NGOs, government offices or foreign groups.
- Fieldwork, study projects, internships and direct work with vulnerable groups are common parts of the school. It gives them practice in the real world, which makes them feel ready and sure of themselves to deal with tough conditions.
- Some of the more advanced areas that students can study are mental health, social justice, community development, counselling, public policy and even crisis management. Case analysis, group therapy, and social work studies are also taught at some colleges. These skills help students become better advocates and professionals in the field.
Who should study for a Master of Social Work?
A Master of Social Work (MSW) might be the right choice for someone who really wants to help people, and wants to take their interest to the next level. It fits well for the following:
- People who have graduated and want to specialise in helping people deal with tough problems like trauma, mental illness, social unfairness or family strife.
- People who want to lead in social services and already have a background in social work, psychology, sociology or a similar area.
- People who care about others, can communicate well, and are driven to make changes that last in groups or systems.
- Anyone wanting to work in a mental health office, a prison, a hospital, a recovery centre, or a place where policies are made.
- People who want to work as policy advisors, mental health counsellors, program managers or professional social workers.
- There are students who want to study, speak out and change public policy to make more people's lives better.
Master of Social Work Eligibility Criteria
To enroll in a Master of Social Work, candidates have to meet some educational and admission requirements. Without fulfilling these criteria, it is not possible to enter the course. Mentioned below are the Master of Social Work eligibility criteria:
- Completed 10+2 in any stream from a recognized board.
- A minimum of 45-50% marks in the 10+2 exam and holds a BSW degree
- Candidates may be required to qualify in entrance exams like CUET UG.
Master of Social Work Entrance Exams 2025
For pursuing a Master of Social Work, various national/state/university-level entrance examinations are required to be taken. Colleges and Universities in India offer admission depending on the marks or rank obtained in these examinations.
Master of Social Work Colleges in India
Various institutions in India are offering the Master of Social Work course. Some of the best institutions are listed below:
Click to read more about Post Graduate Diploma in Social Work
Master of Social Work Admission Process 2025
Admission to MSW Course is based on the entrance exams scores. Some prestigious universities consider the entrance exams scores of CUET UG. However, some universities also give admission based on the merit of the candidate. Given below is a detailed admission process for the if you want to get into the Master of Social Work for 2025 at Sambalpur University:
Step 1: Visit the official website of Sambalpur University.
Step 2: Fill out the application form with your grades from the 10th, 12th, and other relevant data.
Step 3: The college will post a list of selected candidates. If you see your name there, they can invite you for counseling or ask you to check your documents.
Step 4: If you are accepted, you will get an email from the college. It will have tuition fees, initial date for classes, hostel information, and an orientation program.
Step 5: To confirm your seat, pay the entry fee or seat confirmation amount before the time limit mentioned in the letter. In this way, you will secure your place in the program.
Required Documents:
- 10th and 12th mark sheets
- Graduate scores
- ID proofs
- Transfer certificate
- Character certificate
- Medical certificate
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
Master of Social Work Syllabus
The syllabus for the Master of Social Work in India is more or less the same in the colleges offering the course. The syllabus may slightly differ depending on the curriculum followed by the institute. For reference, the syllabus for the Master of Social Work at the IISWBM, is given below:
Also read about MA Social Work
Master of Social Work Job Opportunities in India
Masters of Social Work graduates can have job roles in multiple art fields, including Social Worker, Case Manager, Clinical Social Worker, School Counselor, Mental Health Counselor and others. Some of the common job roles for Master of Social Work graduates in India are given below:
Master of Social Work FAQs
What kinds of projects do MSW students usually do?
A lot of the time, MSW students work on study papers, field reports, in-depth case studies and projects that help people in their communities. They might work on things like mental health, equal rights for women and men, drug abuse or changing laws. A lot of them also run projects to raise understanding and give talks to groups about current social issues.
Do MSW students do anything besides study?
Yes, Fieldwork, training classes, jobs and events to reach out to the community are common things that MSW students do. There are seminars and workshops they go to, and sometimes they help set up neighbourhood drives or lobbying efforts. The app lets you learn while doing things in the real world.
How do jobs work for people getting their MSW?
A big part of the MSW study is the internship. Students get paid to work in schools, hospitals, mental health centres, NGOs or welfare services. They can use what they have learnt in class, work with real people and learn how professional social work is done through these jobs.
After getting an MSW, what can someone do?
A student with an MSW can work as a professional social worker, counsellor, therapist, or program manager. A lot of them also work in policymaking, healthcare, education or human rights. Some become researchers or teachers, while others study for tests to work for the government.
What kinds of tools or skills do MSW students learn?
The students getting their MSW do use tools like study methods, counselling frameworks, and apps for analysing data (like SPSS). They also get better at talking to people, making reports, and keeping records. Some people use the internet to keep track of cases or bring attention to social problems.
