What is Bachelor of Social Work?
A bachelor’s of social work degree offers students with the knowledge and effective skills needed to prepare for a professional career as a social worker. Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and Bachelor of Art in Social Work (BASW) programs generally provides students a wide foundation for general social work practice. Students who have got their admission in a 4-year undergraduate (UG) level course program are trained to provide services to individuals, teams, families, and communities, with a main aim on working with lot of populations. A bachelor’s degree in social work enhance students for an entry-level position upon graduation and provides them their first opportunity to become professional.
Bachelor of Social Work or also known as BSW it is a professional degree course that is provided at the undergraduate (UG) level. The duration of a BSW course degree is three years and students need to successfully complete the course within a maximum duration of six years with all positive energy.
Students can pursue BSW as a full time course or even study it as a Correspondence or Distance Education course. BSW course mostly divided of three major parts that are foundation course, elective course and field work.
BSW course is provided in both English and Hindi language. Few of the common topics that students are made to study in a BSW course include Introduction to Social Work, Social Problems in India, Social Work Research, Statistics, and Social Work Administration and so on.
Social Work is the activity of helping communities, groups, members, families, and individuals to enhance their capacity for living in favorable social conditions. Important subjects of study includes within the course such as Sociology, Society, Social Work, Human Growth Through Life, and Law for Social Work.
Skills Required for Bachelor of Social Work candidates
Students who want to pursue BSW course need to be well aware of the social problems of the area wherein they work and should also have a better and good communication skills. Few of the other key skills that and student should possess when planning of studying a BSW course are as follows
- Empathy
- Good listener
- Good communication skills
- Emotional intelligence
- Social perceptiveness
- Tolerance
- Critical thinking
- Ability to coordinate
- Self-awareness
- Ability to set boundaries
- Integrity
- Persuasion
Bachelor of Social Work: Top Colleges in India
Govt. Funded Colleges for Bachelor of Social Work
- Madras Christian College, [MCC] Chennai.
- Stella Maris College, Chennai.
- Don Bosco College, Panjim.
- Nehru Gram Bharati University, [NGBU] Allahabad.
- Gautam Buddha University, [GBU] Noida.
- Pragyan International University, [PIU] Ranchi.
- Mar Dionysius College, [MDC] Thrissur.
- Himalayan University, [HU] Itanagar.
Private Colleges for Bachelor of Social Work
- Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
- Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai
- Dept of Social Work, Delhi University, Delhi
- College of Social Work, Nirmala Niketan, Mumbai
- Madras School of Social Work, Chennai
- Loyola College of Social Sciences
- Karve Institute of Social Sciences
Bachelor of Social Work: Course Highlights
Given below are few of the major highlights of the course:
| Course Level | Graduation |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Examination Type | Semester System |
| Eligibility | 10+2 in any branch |
| Admission Process | based on entrance exam |
| Course Fee | INR 2,000 to 5.5 Lacs |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 6 to 12 lacs per annum |
| Top Recruiting Companies | International Children, Reliance, Save Life, TATA, PRATHAM, ESSAR, GAIL, HCL Foundation, Moser Trust, HERO, Samsung, LG, Rajivika, Modicare, Maruti Suz, Gandhi Fellowship, KMPG, etc. |
| Top Recruiting Areas | Counselling Centres, Disaster Areas, Clinics, LABS, Institutes, Gender Associations, Health Industry, HR Areas, Human Rights , MNCs, Natural Resource, Hospitals, NGOs, Old Age homes, Prisons, and lot more. |
| Job Positions | Consultant, Teacher ,Service Associate, Personnel Manager, Professor, & Lecturer, District Consultant, Professor & Junior Researcher, Welfare Officer, Senior Manager, Project Coordinates, Assistant Director, Labor Welfare Officer, Practice Head, Social Worker in medical field, and so on. |
Subjects for Bachelor of Social Work
The subjects which has been taken of BSW course may be different from one college to the other. But few common topics that students are taught as part of Bachelor of Social Work course are as follows:
Course Curriculum for Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
English-1
Introduction to Social Work
Social Science Foundation for Social Work: Sociology
Communication in Modern Indian Languages
Human Growth and Behaviour
English-2
Work with Individuals and Families
Work with Groups
Social Science Foundation : Contemporary Development Study
Field Work (practical component related to core subjects)
Gender Studies
Community Organisation
Social Policy
Computer Applications
Research Methods
Social Work Administration
Social Work Theories and Practice
Life Skills
Development and Communication
Health and Nutrition / Child and Youth Study
Social Exclusion and Inclusion / Global and Indian Movements
Work with old adults / Social Entrepreneurship (General)
Academic Writing
Human Rights / Education and Development (Elective)
Rural and Urban Study / Informal Labour and Informal Sector
Disability / Basic Counselling Skills (General Elective)
Bachelor of Social Work: Duration
BSW course is of 3-year duration course program which has the period of 6 semesters, whereas, 2 semesters per year. There are some universities which provides BSW course for 4 years that means it has 8 long semesters.
Bachelor of Social Work: Eligibility Criteria
Given below are the minimum criteria which students interested in studying the course are required to fulfil, in order to be eligible to apply for the course:
- Successful completion of the 10+2 level of education in any branch, completed from a recognized university.
- A minimum aggregate marks is of 50% at the 10+2 level.
Core Course Subjects in Bachelor of Social Work
- Foundation course in Humanities and Social sciences
- Foundation course in Science and Technology
- Foundation course in English or Hindi
- Foundation course in Regional language
- Social work (Individuals and groups)
- Social work (Communities and Institutions)
- Family Education
- Field work
Career Options after Bachelor of Social Work
Social Work is a broad range of discipline, providing lots of job opportunities. The job roles of social workers is very wide; they work with demographics ranging from newly born to elderly people. They serve groups of team, individual, families, and communities.
Social Worker work across many areas of employment such as hospitals, clinics, health industry, education, Companies, NGOs, human rights agencies, old age homes, disaster management departments, etc.
Social workers work at the 3 levels such as central, State and local levels. They work for a broad range of people. They may vary with an area of specialty, they work as public servants in government agencies, community areas, schools, hospitals, colleges, institutions, mental health clinics, and career consultancies, etc.
Jobs directly related to your degree include:
- Family support worker
- High intensity therapist
- Social worker
Jobs where your degree would be useful include:
- Adult guidance worker
- Advice worker
- Arbitrator
- Careers adviser
- Chaplain
- Community development worker
- Counsellor
- Detective
- Education consultant
- Equality, diversity and inclusion officer
- Life coach
- Mediator
- Play therapist
- Special educational needs coordinator (SENCO)
- Volunteer coordinator
- Youth worker
Bachelor of Social Work: Admission Process
Few of the institutes providing the course select students on the bases of performance in a relevant entrance examinations, always followed by a round of personal interview, wherein their general aptitude for the course is tested. Admission procedure usually different across colleges.
Some of the institutes also provide direct admission based on the students’ performance at the 10+2 level.
Entrance Examination for Bachelor of Social Work
Few of the Institutes conduct entrance exams for admission to the course as follows
- Dibrugarh University
- IGNOU.
Given below are few of the top entrance exams conducted in the country for admission to the course.
- Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) MSW Admission Test
- University of Delhi Combined Entrance Examination
- KUCET Social Work Entrance Exam
- Jamia Millia Islamia MA Admission Entrance Test
- Calicut University MSW Entrance Examination
- Aditi Mahavidyalaya Entrance Exam
- Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University Entrance Exam
- University of Lucknow Entrance Exam
- Nalanda Open University Entrance Exam
- Indore Christian College Entrance Exam
- Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth Entrance Exam
- City Academy Degree College Entrance Exam
- Amity University Entrance Exam
- Madhav University Entrance Exam
- Bundelkhand University Entrance Exam.
Top Recruiters, Job Profiles & Salary of Bachelor of Social Work Graduates
Recruiters for Bachelor of Social Work
BSW graduates have wide range of job opportunities available in front of them. They have jobs in both Government and Private sector. Few of the prime recruiters are –
- State Government (Social Works Department)
- Central Government (Social Work Department)
- Government Hospitals
- Community Health Centres
- Rural Health Centres
- NGOs
- Old Age Homes
- Orphanages
- Counseling Centres
- Rehabilitation and Correction Centres
Job Profile for Bachelor of Social Work
Social Worker
In such a job profile, one provides appropriate resources, advice and support to individuals who are facing difficulties or problems in their personal/ professional life. A social worker helps individual ones if they are facing with any of the problems and to fulfill their sensitive, emotional and social needs.
Social Educator
As a Social Educator one needs to plan and organise events and programs related to social issues. A social educator also needs to conduct committee meetings with the Public Affairs as well as Social Issues department.
Project Coordinator
Students are hired at this job profile in an NGO. Project Coordinators need to help in the planning, budgeting and monitoring process of a project undertaken by an NGO. Apart from this, a Project Coordinator also needs to ensure that the project undertaken is being conducted within the framework established and all documentation work is complete. A project coordinator also gets close with volunteers and crosscheck that the project is being completed as per timelines and deadlines fixed for it.
Salary for Bachelor of Social Work
The average salary of a Social Worker can be expected around Rs. 2.5 to 3 lac per annum. If you have more experience and responsibilities you can expect a really good range of salary package.
In the USA, the average salary of a Social worker is above $45k per annum and it can also be increased depending upon the education, experience, working area, etc.
Top 50 Colleges offering Bachelor of Social Work in India
Top Colleges offering Bachelor of Social Work in Mumbai
- Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey Women’s University
- University of Mumbai, [UM] Mumbai. Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- Amity University, Mumbai. Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- BM Ruia Girls College, Mumbai. Mumbai, Maharashtra.
- Annamalai University,St Xaviers College.
Top Colleges offering Bachelor of Social Work in Delhi
- Delhi School of Social Work
- Indira Gandhi National Open University
- Jamia Millia Islamia
- Dr.Bhim Rao Ambedhkar College
- Aditi Mahavidhyalaya
Top Colleges offering Bachelor of Social Work in Bangalore
- CMR University Bengaluru
- AIMS Institutes
- Indira Gandhi National Open University
- Kristu Jayanti College.
- The Oxford College of Arts.
- St Josephs College Bangalore
Top Colleges offering Bachelor of Social Work in Chennai
- Madras Christian College.
- Stella Maris College, Chennai.
- Annamalai University Distance Education.
- Madras School of Social Work Chennai.
- Tamil Nadu Open University.
- Bharath Post Graduate College Chennai.
Top Colleges offering Bachelor of Social Work in Hyderabad
- Osmania University
- Wisdom School of Management
- Roda Mistry College of Social Work
- Jawaharlal Nehru Institute
- AV College of Arts and Science
Top Colleges offering Bachelor of Social Work in Mysore
- St Philomenas College Mysore.
- University of Mysore.
- Karnataka State Open University
- College of Fine Arts
- Maharajas College
Top Colleges offering Bachelor of Social Work in Jaipur
- NIIMS University
- Mahatma Jyoti Roa Phoole
- Career Point University
- Shri Khushal Das University
- International Institute of Education and Research
Top Colleges offering Bachelor of Social Work in Vishakhapatnam
- Andra Universitty
- GITAM
- Achariya Nagarjuna University
- SRR CVR Government College
Top Colleges offering Bachelor of Social Work in Coimbatore
- CSIBACAS-CSI Bishop Appasamy College of Arts and Science.
- Bharathiar University.
- G R D College of Arts, Science and Commerce
- PSG College of Arts and Science
- Kumaraguru College of Arts and Science
Top Colleges offering Bachelor of Social Work in Cochin
- RCSS-Rajagiri College of Social Sciences.
- Mahatma Gandhi University.
- KMM College of Arts and Science
- Wisdom School of Management
- Kerala University
