What is MSW: Full Form, Duration, Admission 2025, Colleges, Syllabus, Salary & Scope

MSW is a social Science course that teaches you how to use available assets to resolve societal issues and try to lessen people's suffering through social interventions like counselling and funding. MSW is a postgraduate-level degree in social work. If you pursue an MSW degree you would be trained to work in various fields, such as healthcare, mental health, education and social services. If you have completed your graduation and fulfill the desired criteria then you can pursue MSW course. If you want to contribute in a significant manner to society then this is a suitable course for you. The main issues addressed under the social issues include poverty, child marriage, inequality and domestic violence. It can give  you a sense of job satisfaction to those who want to earn peace and gratification. There are around 540 MSW colleges in India. The course gives specialist expertise on a range of social work-related topics, including community engagement, human resource development and management, rural rebuilding and labour safety. The training primarily emphasizes research and gives candidates the necessary tools to assist those who need it. 

MSW is an abbreviation of Master of Social Work. It is a 2-year postgraduate degree in the field of Social Work. Students who have completed their undergraduate degree in any specialisation can pursue this degree, if they secured at least 45% marks. Students who wish to serve the community can go for the MSW degree.

Of course, you can pursue an MSW course in Hindi. Many colleges are providing MSW programs in Hindi medium. It does not really affect the job prospects or portfolio. Hindi is a widely chosen medium among students who go for higher studies in India.

Hi, there's no need to get confused about something you really want to do or what makes you happy. You must have chosen this course based on your interests and goals. But to clear your confusion, I have gathered some important details about the MSW course, so that you can analyze if it's a good fit for you:

• Master of Social Work (full form).
• 2-year postgraduate degree program.
• A bachelor's degree in either BSW or any relevant discipline is required to be eligible.
• Entrance exams accepted are CUET-PG, CPGET, Andhra Pradesh PGCET, etc.
• You can specialize in areas of study like Clinical Social Work, Community Organization, Human Resource Management, Social Work, Administration & Management, Mental Health, and Family and Child Welfare.
• Can choose career options like Clinical Social Workers, Counselors, Case Managers, Community Outreach Workers, Child Welfare Social Workers, Probation Officers, etc.
• Employment areas are healthcare, mental health, schools, child welfare, criminal justice, and community services.

There are more than 800 MSW colleges in India, including government and private ones. So, the course fee structure of every college differs depending on its rating, placement record, infrastructure, etc. Though the average fee starts from INR 2,000  and goes up to INR 4.8 Lakh, you can check out the accurate fee structure of any college from their brochures.

See, the salary package for a Social Worker in India completely depends on the employer. For freshers, it can be in a range of INR 2.9 LPA to 5 LPA. If you have some prior experience, you can earn around INR 6 to 8 LPA. It also depends on how much the organisation is willing to provide. Additionally, an MSW degree also makes you more employable and increases the chances of getting a higher package.

IGNOU is among the top-most distance universities in India, approved by the UGC and DEB. Of course, an MSW degree from IGNOU is worth it. If you're thinking that every employer prefers a regular degree only, it's not right. They seek your skills and expertise; they look for a strong portfolio, and prior work experience is a plus. 
If you pursue an MSW from IGNOU, you'll get so much time to work on your addition skills or maybe join an organisation to get experience. This will only benefit you.

Yes you can pursue MSW course or Master of Social Work course without pursuing a BSW or Bachelor of Social Work course. You should be a graduate to pursue MSW. Make sure that you have secured at least 50% aggregate marks to be eligible to apply for the course. Also ensure that you have studied from a recognised institute. It is not compulsory that you should have completed BSW course to pursue MSW though BSW graduates would be able to better understand cencepts covered MSW course.

No there is no age limit to pursue MSW course so you can pursue this course at any age. Make sure that you satisfy other eligibility parameters such as academic qualifications, marks criteria and appearing and passed criteria.
Most colleges and entrance exam conducting bodies do not prescribe any age limit. However, some colleges, especially private colleges may have their own eligibility criteria that you may have to satisfy. A valid reason for year gap may also be required in some colleges.

Yes you can pursue MSW course after BTech. This is because the minimum eligibility criteria to pursue MSW is that you should be a graduate. You should also have secured at least 50% marks or 5.5 CGPA in BTech to be eligible to apply for the course. You could have graduated in any branch of BTech.
You can apply for the course through entrance exams to get MSW admission in good colleges.
Since MSW is an arts course you may have to change your learning approach to pursue this course.

Yes, you can pursue MSW degree after graduating with Life Sciences or with a BSc degree in general. However, you can also look into the prerequisites defined by the university you want to get admission into. Entrance criteria for MSW courses also vary from college to college. Most of the universities accept MSW admission against any UG degree. 

For instance, one university may only require a basic UG degree to pursue the MSW course; whereas, some other university may require the candidates to clear entrance exams and appear for interviews along with a basic UG degree to get admission into an MSW course. 

Hello!

Document Verification is an important part of the admission process. Students are required to submit identity proof documents like Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Drivers Licence, Voter ID, etc. 

Students are also required to submit Class X certificate and marksheet, class XII certificate and marksheet, undergraduation certificate and marksheet to record their academic qualifications and background.

Apart from these, most colleges require Passport size photographs and Transfer/ Character Certificates.

Of course, more than 800 colleges are offering MSW courses in India. Among them, most colleges offer admission on the a merit-based system. Check the eligibility criteria for your desired college and see if they conduct or accept any exam scores.

You can check out Amity University, Madras Christian College, Loyola College, St. Joseph's University, PSG College of Arts and Science, Kristu Jayanti College, etc., colleges for merit-based admission.

Though MSW syllabus primarily focuses on social structure, social problems and their solutions 'Law' is also a significant component of the course. Labour Laws and the fundamentals of the Indian Constitution are a part of MSW curriculum because when you become a Social Worker after pursuing MSW you would be required to know basic laws. This is because as a Social Worker you would have to take major decisions that will positively affect the lives of people and serve as a voice for the voiceless. It would provide you a better understanding about the rights duties of Indian citizens.
Hope now you have a better understanding about the inclusion of law and political Science topics in MSW course.

Here are some books that you can refer to for Professional Social Work:

Here are some elective subjects covered in MSW syllabus:

If you are looking for MSW colleges then the fee structure is one of the important criteria that you will consider. Many government and private colleges in India can offer you scholarships. These scholarships are usually awarded to students from weaker socio-economic backgrounds. You can also claim scholarships and fee concessions based on merit or exceptional caliber in sports or other fields.

I have mentioned the names of some colleges which provide MSW with an affordable fee structure:

Placement Sessions are conducted in many colleges for MSW students, in their final year. Though the placement scenario for MSW courses is not at par with that of technical courses, many companies can give you lucrative packages based on the skills, experience, academic record, and knowledge of a student.

The salaries offered during placement sessions along with the name of the college have been mentioned below:

Hope this helps!

There are many colleges for MSW course in India that offer quality class curriculum in affordable fees. MSW course is of 2-year duration which can be taken after completing graduation from a recognised university of India.

The following table shows the list of best affordable MSW colleges in India along with their course fees.

Disclaimer: The data provided in the above table is taken from official sources and may vary.

There are a number of 180+ government colleges in India for MSW courses which includes both merit based and entrance exam based admissions, depending upon the college.

The average fee range in overall government colleges in India range between INR 700 to INR 1.6 Lakh, which may vary accordingly.

Some of the best affordable government colleges for MSW course are Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati University, Swami Ramanand Teerth Marathwada University, Visva Bharati University, Bankura University, and many others.

The salary of MSW graduate differs as per the field they are working in or the organisation that they are working at. However, the average salary falls between INR 3 to 6 LPA. You can increase their salary with experience. Here are the salaries of MSW graduates at different levels:

After pursuing a Master degree in social work, one can apply for jobs in various fields. The job opportunities are always high in the medical field. MSW pass outs with specialisation in the medical field can work in hospitals, nursing homes and rehabilitation centres.

Substance abuse is another area where social workers are high in demand. MSW graduates can work in substance abuse areas like rehabilitation centres, prisons, private practices and for non-profit organizations. Social work graduates help in the treatment and rehabilitation of people addicted to drugs and suffering from problems related to other negative emotions like anger and mood swings

A Masters degree is not required in all areas of social work but mental health is a field which requires a Master degree with specialisation in mental health.

One can work in community health centers, mental hospitals, schools and charitable trusts for mental health.

MSW holders can also work for child welfare organizations where they can serve the children who are neglected by parents or children from low-income families.

Another area where social workers can find jobs is social school work. This is one of the most common areas of social work. A MSW graduate can work as a counselor and offer guidance to students and address their issues such as behavioral programs, sexual education, health education, truancy prevention programs, crisis intervention and communication between teachers, parents and students.

MSW courses have a wide scope. A student who has completed their MSW degree can work in an NGO, or start their own NGO. If hey wish to work in the private sector, their knowledge and skills from the MSW course can help them in work as an HR. They may choose to become a social rights activist or go one step further in their education and pursue an M.Phil or Ph.D in Social Work. A PhD in Social Work allows them to conduct their own research independently or become a professor. They can also apply for government posts and vacancies that are related to social work. There are plently of organizations abroad that hire MSW course graduates.

There are many colleges that offer high placement packages and ROI through MSW course. MSW is a master's degree course of 2-year which includes the study of Social Policy, Human Behavior, Social Welfare and other social work related topics.

The following table shows the MSW colleges in India that offer high placement packages after completing the MSW course.

Disclaimer: The data provided in the above table is taken from official sources and may vary.

MSW is the abbreviation of Master of Social Work course whereas MSSW is the abbreviation of Madras School of Social Work. The MSW course is offered in many colleges in India including MSSW. 

Yes, however, the level of recognition and job possibilities depends on various other factors such as:

·        Accreditation: Your MSW degree should be granted from a UGC (University Grants Commission) approved university as international employers generally give more importance to degrees from accredited institutions.

·        Practical Exposure: Complete internships or appear for fieldwork to gain practical experience while getting your MSW degree, as international employers tend to prioritize candidates with practical exposure.

Social Work courses are academic degrees in the field of Humanities & Social Sciences. These courses are intended to equip you for pursuing social work as a career option.These courses usually deal with psychology, criminal justice, gender based development, health, corporate social responsibility etc. You can pursue Social Work courses at different course levels such as BSW and MSW. Social Work is also available as a specialisation in arts courses such as BA in Social Work and MA in Social Work.

Some of the important reasons to study MSW are: 

• An MSW degree will allow students to network with other like-minded individuals who value kindness toward others. It may increase their pay package and open doors to new job prospects.
• An MSW degree deeply explores individual and social psychology and gives the students a theoretical knowledge of the general demographic and their diverse problems. It also educates them on overcoming these hurdles.
• Social Work is a noble profession. A social worker helps people grow and move beyond their struggles. Masters in Social Work graduates can help people lead a better life. They create a direct impact in the lives of people and help society move in a more positive direction.

Relevant Links Related to the MSW Course:

MA Scholarships in India

IGNOU Admission 2025: January Session Registration Ends Tomorrow

No, if the candidate has done a Bachelor of Social Work, its not difficult. However, a candidate applying for Master of Social Work needs to understand the theoretical and practical part of the course. The course involves plenty of fieldwork as well so candidates have to be dedicated in order to gain experience in the field. The difficulty of an MSW programme is determined by a variety of factors, including your prior academic background, your personal strengths and weaknesses, and the exact programme you pick. However, MSW programmes are generally regarded as difficult.

If your aim is to be a social worker, pursuing an MSW course will enhance your skills and widen your horizons in the field. This field requires licensed people so a master degree can provide you with many opportunities. You may have the opportunity to widen your social work after earning a master's degree in social work and work with people on a variety of mental, physical, and emotional challenges. Your prospects for a social work job can expand if you pursue a master's degree. You can pursue new opportunities, work in a variety of fields, or refine your current profession.

Students can pursue various career opportunities after completing master's in Social work such as Mental Health Counsellor, Professor, Health Educator, Life Coach, Child Welfare Specialist, Project Officer, and many others.

MSW is a post-graduation course in social work which continues for 2-year duration. MSW course can be taken after completing graduation from any recognised university of India.

Although salary range vary for different career options, the median salary package after completing MSW course range from INR 2 LPA to INR 25.2 LPA, depending upon the job profile and experience.

MSW course is a 2-year post graduation program which can be pursued after completing bachelor's degree from a recognised university of India.

The MSW course of two-year duration is generally divided into 4 semesters. The main chapters in MSW course syllabus include:

• Social Case Work
• Indian Society Analysis
• Social Work Research and Statistics
• Disaster Management
• Women & Child Development
• Labor Welfare, etc.

There are many national and multinational companies that are looking for MSW course post-graduates for different job opportunities such as Professor, Social Worker, Project Coordinator, Life Coach and many others.

Here are some of the top recruiting companies for MSW course –

• Flipkart
• Amazon
• Just Dial
• Tata Motors
• Accenture
• CVS Health
• Dabur India Ltd.
• Deloitte, etc.

Yes, you can take admission to MSW course at most universities of India even if you have completed graduation in Physics subject.

Most of the MSW colleges in India accept graduates with at least 50% marks and do not consider the subject field requirements. Although students must keep in mind that admission criteria for MSW course in colleges of India might vary.

Students are advised to check the subject requirement in their selected college first for MSW course before applying for admission.

MSW course (full form Master of Social Work) is a postgraduate degree with a duration of 2 years, usually comprising 4 semesters.

To pursue MSW course in India, one should have a BSW degree or a Bachelor Degree in Humanities/Social Science/Science, commerce or management studies.

Specializations in Social Work:

• Medical And Psychiatric Social Work
• Human Resource Management
• Urban and Rural Community Development
• Family and Child Welfare
• Criminology and Correctional Administration
• Personnel Management

Students who wish to pursue the MSW course from IGNOU must fill out the online application form on the official website of IGNOU. Students have to submit their personal details and the required documents along with the application fee.

Students are eligible for MSW courses if they have completed their graduation. Students are admitted to Master of Social Work courses on the basis of merit i.e. their scores in undergraduation. Generally, no entrance exams are required for MSW courses.

Once selected, students simply have to pay the required fee amount to confirm their admission.

Hope this answer helps you!

Yes, lot of universities are offering MSW in Distance mode for example IGNOU, Acharya Nagarjuna University in Andhra Pradesh, etc

Many candidates like you are confused in choosing between distance MSW course and Online MSW course. Though, pursuing MSW in correspondence or distance mode is a popular option you may not know about online MSW courses. You can refer to MSW Online Courses. Here are some basic information about distance and online MSW courses:

Yes you can pursue MSW course in online mode. Here are some details about online MSW course:

Students who wish to pursue MSW courses can pick from various specializations and fields of social work. Some popular ones are:

• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Work: They work with people suffering from mental health disorders or addiction issues.
• Health and Medicine Social Work: They work in hospice and help in taking care of the disabled, the aged or the sick.
• Child Welfare and Education Social Work: They work to protect the rights and interests of infants and minors. They may also work in the education sector to promote child literacy.
• Women Empowerment Social Work: They help uplift women living in adverse circumstances and help them build stability and self-sufficiency.
• Justice and Advocacy: They use legal methods and procedures to bring justice to the oppressed.

No, it's not exclusively for Social Science or Arts students; students from any study background can opt for a Master's in Social Work program. However, a BSW will provide the foundational knowledge about the social work field. 
But don't worry, many students from different backgrounds opt for the MSW course based on their interests and future goals. For example, many medical students after MSW follow the career path of Medical Social Work. 

MSW is a postgraduate degree course; hence, its duration is 2 years, like any other PG degree program. And no, MSW is not available only in full-time mode, but you can also pursue this course at a distance or online mode. I'm suggesting some top MSW distance college options you can consider:

Note: The information is sourced from the official/counselling body of the institute/exam.

Students can take MSW courses as full-time course, part-time course, distance or correspondence course at their learning convenience. The MSW course duration may vary according to type of chosen study modes and college admission policy. The MSW course quality is similar in all study modes as prescribed in course syllabus and curriculum at preferred MSW university.

Given below are some types of MSW courses classified based on their mode of education, along with a brief description of the MSW Course details:

Disclaimer: The information provided in the above table is taken from external sources and may vary.

The MSW degree is pursued at the post-graduate level. Generally, the Master of Social Work (MSW) degree course duration is of two years, if it is being pursued from a regular, full-time college. A distance/correspondence MSW degree course duration can extend to 4 years, depending on the student. 

MSW is a perfect blend of both. You'll study many subjects like social work principles, ethics, and interventions initially in the curriculum to form a knowledge base, and then in the last semester, your fieldwork, projects, and internships will help you get a better overview of what you studied and apply those theories in real-life situations.