Programme Outcome
MSW course or Master of Social Work is a post-graduation course majoring in the field of social work. MSW course is imparted with a two-year duration, which is typically divided into four semesters. Aspirants can pursue MSW courses after completing a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with minimum 45% aggregate.
A career in social work is all about giving and helping others in need. From various NGOs (Non-Government Organizations) across the nation to social development, Master of Social Work (MSW) course provides comprehensive knowledge about the work put into the development of humanity and social welfare.
After completing MSW degree, candidates can work as Healthcare Social Workers, Clinical Social Workers, Therapists or Social Workers in the field of Medical Health and the Educational sector, among other career opportunities.
MSW Government Jobs
There are many government departments and ministries like the Ministry of Social Justice, Ministry of Women & Child Affairs, Ministry of Labour & Employment, etc. which hire both fresher and experienced candidates across various job roles and designations are tabulated below.
- Research Assistants
- Project Fellow
- General Manager
- Trainee
- Assistants
- Counselor
- Field Investigators
MSW Job Opportunities
After completing the MSW course Students can get apply for jobs in the development sectors that are managed by the Welfare department of the Government or NGOs. The candidates are often hired as Social workers, Project Coordinators, Program Managers, and Community Health workers, etc.
Top MSW Job Profiles are tabulated below
- Project Coordinator
- Professor / Lecturer
- Program Director
- Junior Research Fellow
- District Consultant
- Documentation and Communication Officer
- Humanitarian Values and PMER Officer
- HR Manager
- Sub-Regional Training Coordinator
MSW (Masters in Social Work) is a professional course, just like MBA. Its demand is growing with ample scope and opportunities.
- Corporate Social Responsibility: Entry level positions are few but after working for 2 years in some non profit, one can get into CSR department of companies. Example: Reliance Foundation, Tata Trust, HCL Foundation etc.
- Education: Primary Education, Pre-primary, Secondary Education, Higher Education etc. It’s highly diverse. Example: Azim Premji Foundation, Sarthak Education Trust, Pratham Education Foundation etc.
- Skill Development: Can work mainly in the soft skills development arena like employability skills. Else, can work as Program Coordinator in hard skills domain. Example: Quest Alliance, Empower Pragti etc.
- Child Welfare: Regular child care like done by NGOs like YMCA,YWCA; Institutional Child Welfare like described in JJ Act etc. Example: SOS Children’s Village, Udhyan Care etc.
- Women Empowerment: Can work in domestic abuse, advocacy, bride trafficking etc. Example: Breakthrough Trust.
- Livelihood: Working with unprivileged communities (both urban & rural areas) to generate local employment opportunities, one of the booming sectors, given the govt’s focus on Self Reliant India. Example: PRADAN, Sasakawa India Leprosy Foundation.
- Working in Social Enterprise: An organization that works for both profit & non profits mission. Example: Under the Mango Tree, Jaipur Rugs etc.
- Public Health: In areas like TB, HIV- AIDS, Cancer, Vaccination, etc. You would spearhead the project; door to door vaccination is the job of ASHA workers. Example: CARE India, Oxfam India etc.
- Counseling: It can be mental health counseling, Divorce counseling, career counseling etc. One should do their MSW in welfare related subjects. After working for few years, one can start his or her own practice.
- Human Rights: Protecting the human Rights of underprivileged communities & Transgenders. Child & bride trafficking, child labour, RTI activism etc falls under it, but I find these dangerous areas to work. Example: Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch etc.
- Rural Development: Capacity building of villagers, making them aware & independent. It spans from infrastructure to awareness to livelihood. Example: Samaj Pragati Sahyog etc.
- Disability: Working for differently abled people. Example: Anchal Charitable Trust.
- Medical Social Work: Working mainly in hospitals as a sidekick to doctors and handling social engagement activities with patients. Example: AIIMS.
- Environment & Climate Change: One can work in environment related organizations, or in waste management too. Example: Waste Warriors.
- Apply for Fellowships: Wish to explore ? Apply for paid fellowships like DDF, CMGGF, TFI, YIF etc. It is usually for 1.5–2 years.
- Labour Officer in Factories: Companies are looking for competent MSW graduates who have knowledge of labour laws, statutory compliances, and can connect with labours to maximize their productivity. Example: Factories of conglomerates like Reliance, Birla Group, FMCG companies, Textile companies etc.
- Social Consulting: Consulting is at nascent stage in India but opportunities are huge given you have the right skill sets. Example: Arthan, Sattva Consulting, Dalberg, FSG, Bridgespan etc.
After gaining 5–7 years of experience, one can try their luck in multilateral & international organizations like UNO, UNICEF, UNESCO, UNDP, WHO, etc.
Few areas like counseling, women empowerment & child development etc are underpaid due to paucity of funds; few ones like livelihood, rural development, skill development, medical social work are decently remunerated. And CSR, working in social enterprise, factories, provides high compensation. But Social Consulting is highest paid, period!
In the long run, MSW graduates in any of these above areas can grow leaps & bounds both professionally & financially; given your interest aligns with the chosen area.