MSW: Full Form, Admission 2026, Colleges, Syllabus
The goal of a Master of Social Work (MSW) program is to prepare students for professional practice in the social work area at the graduate level. The MSW program, which normally lasts one to two years, covers a wide range of subjects, such as community organizing, advocacy, diversity and social justice, human behavior and development, social welfare policy and social work research methodologies. In addition, students participate in internships or supervised field assignments that offer real-world experience in a variety of social work contexts, including government offices, hospitals, schools and community organizations.
MSW Overview
MSW full form is Master of Social Work. It is a PG degree course where you learn about social welfare, social justice, diversity, human behavior, social policy, social ethics, and other social practicalities and challenges. The MSW course is offered in specializations like Clinical Social Work, Community Organization, Human Resource Management, Social Work Administration and Management, etc.
You’ll get to study subjects like Social Work Principles, Community Development, Social Policy, Study of the Indian Constitution, etc., in this course. MSW postgraduates usually become Social Workers, Mental Health Counsellors, Assistant Professors, Project Officers, Child Welfare Specialists, Medical Social Workers, etc., in the future.
You’ll find more than 800 Humanities colleges in India offering the MSW degree. You can continue reading the article to get more MSW course details.
MSW Course Highlights
Candidates, after completing their bachelor’s degree, can pursue higher education by earning a Master of Social Work degree. Some popular MSW course specializations include Social Work Administration, Child and Family Social Work, Medical and psychiatric Social Work, Clinical Social Work, Community Social Work, and many more.Â
Interested candidates can see the following table containing some key highlights of the MSW course in India:
Particulars | MSW Course Details |
|---|---|
MSW Full Form | Masters of Social Work |
MSW Course Level | Postgraduate |
MSW Course Duration | 2 Years |
MSW Course Eligibility Criteria | A bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 50% marks from a recognized university. |
MSW Course Admission Criteria | Merit/Entrance Based |
MSW Course Entrance Exams | CUET-PG, CPGET, AP PGCET, BVP CET, etc. |
MSW Course Colleges in India | Amity University, Madras Christian College, Loyola College, St. Joseph’s University, PSGCAS, Kristu Jayanti College, Stella Maris College, etc. |
MSW Course Fees | INR 2,000 – INR 4.8 Lakh. |
MSW Course Job Profiles | Social Worker, Mental Health Counsellor, Assistant Professor, Project Officer, Child Welfare Specialist, Medical Social Worker, etc. |
MSW Course Salary in India | INR 4.2 LPA |
MSW Course Top Recruiters | Goonj, CRY, Accenture, Flipkart, Amazon, Just Dial, and so on. |
MSW Course Eligibility Criteria and Admission Process 2026
For admission to the MSW course in India, the initial step for any college is to fulfill the eligibility requirements. Now, every college can have different conditions, but the basic ones remain the same. So, for your reference, here are some common conditions you need to fulfill to get admission to the Master of Social Work course.
Particulars | MSW Eligibility |
|---|---|
Academic Qualifications for MSW Courses | Must be a graduate in the same or a relevant field from a recognized university in India. Some colleges allow only BSW (Bachelor of Social Work) graduates. |
Marks Criteria for MSW Course | Secure a minimum of 50% marks in graduation. Some colleges may also consider Class 12 marks. |
Age Limit for MSW Course | No age limit is prescribed as such. |
MSW Admission Process 2025-26
Admission to the MSW course is majorly based on the entrance exam, since it’s a PG degree course in India. Here are some basic steps that’ll help you complete the MSW admission process seamlessly.
| Steps | Details |
|---|---|
| ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA | Check the eligibility criteria of the desired college and ensure that you fulfill them. |
| REGISTRATION/APPLICATION | Register on the official website of the college/exam body. Then, fill out the application form, attach the required documents, and pay the application fee to complete the application process. |
| ENTRANCE EXAMS | Appear for the entrance exam (if applicable) at the given time and center. |
| VERIFICATION | If involved in the merit-based admission process, you may have to wait for the college to verify your application and send a confirmation email if shortlisted. |
| RESULTS | Stay updated regarding the result dates of the entrance exam, and visit the official site to see the results. |
| COUNSELLING SESSION | Based on the score or rank, students become eligible for counselling or admission rounds. Fill out the choice forms indicating the preferred colleges and courses, and attend the counselling session. |
Top MSW Entrance Exams 2026
In India, admission to most MSW courses is done through entrance exams. These exams can be either National level, State level, or University level. The application process, exam pattern, and application fee are different for each exam. Candidates are advised to fill in the application forms for these exams once their notifications are released, without much delay. Entrance exams are not mandatory for admission to all MSW colleges in India and may vary.Â
The following table presents some of the top Humanities and Social Science entrance exams that are conducted for admission into the MSW course in India.
Entrance Exams | Exam Dates | Exam Schedule |
|---|---|---|
CUET PG 2026 | March – April 2026 (Tentative) | |
CPGET 2026 | August 2026 (Tentative) |
MSW Course Syllabus
The MSW course curriculum is divided into 4 semesters and covers following the 2 years course. Each semester of the MSW degree has core subjects along with some elective subjects. The Master of Social Work syllabus also includes a Case Study and Field Work. Since the course is designed for Social Work in the Indian context, a candidate also gets the opportunity to learn about Indian Society, Economy, and Polity in brief.
You can refer to the table below to know some of the main topics in the MSW syllabus that are covered in each semester.
| MSW Subjects Semester I | |
|---|---|
Introduction to Professional Social Work | Social Case Work |
| Concurrent Field Work, including Social Work at Camp | Analysis of Indian Society |
| MSW Subjects Semester II | |
Study of Indian Economics | Study of the Indian Constitution |
| Social Work Research and Statistics | Personal & Professional Growth |
| MSW Subjects Semester III | |
Labour Welfare & Legislation | Social Work Approaches for Social Development |
| Poverty and Livelihood | Introduction to Disaster Management |
| MSW Subjects Semester IV | |
Women & Child Development | Community Organisation |
| Social Work Group | Dissertation |
MSQ FAQÂ
Ques. What is MSW degree all about?
Ans. MSW or Masters in Social Work is a postgraduate degree that majors in social work. It is a 2 year course duration which is evenly bifurcated across 4 semesters. Candidates aspiring to pursue MSW courses must first complete their graduation in social work or other relevant subjects. Admissions to the MSW courses are done through merit as well as entrance exams, whose average course fees ranges from INR 5,000 – 50,000.Â
Ques. Which is better MBA or MSW?
Ans. In terms of career prospects, MBA has a better ROI in comparison to MSW. However, the selection of the course solely depends on the candidate and their future plans. Candidates who wish to make a big corporate career with high salary staying at the heart of metro cities, MBA should be the go to subject for them. While candidates who wish to help the poor and opressed without having much of a salary expectations and are ready to reside across interior stretches can can pursue MSW courses.
Ques. Is MSW a good degree?
Ans. MSW is the most sought-after degree for a social worker. An MSW course allows individuals to hone the knowledge and skills they need to become a qualified social worker. The course helps candidates aspiring to become a social worker learn the intricacies of the job and how they can evetually help people who come out of their miseries and lead a good life.
Ques. What is the scope of MSW degree?
Ans. With social work booming in the country, the need for professionals in the field is growing day by day. Candidates who pursue a Master’s in Social Work can work in the field of medicine, psychiatric social work, Human Resource Management, criminology, correctional administration, NGOs, and many welfare communities.
Ques. Which specializations are the top most pursued in MSW?
Ans. MSW course comes with multiple specializations Community Development, Medical and Psychiatric, Social Work, Human Resource Management and Urban and Rural Development. Students have the choice to opt any specialization according to their preference.
Ques. What is the average salary received after pursuing an MSW degree?
Ans. Candidates pursuing an MSW degree usually start off on a humble note with an average salary ranging from INR 1.80 LPA – 2.10 LPA. However, with relevant experience and expertise candidates can expect a decent remuneration of INR 3.50 LPA that can go up to as much as INR 7.33 LPA – 9 LPA.
Ques. Can I earn money from Social Work?
Ans. An MSW graduate with relevant experience earns anywhere around INR 3 – 6 LPA in India. The pay is more lucrative in foreign countries owing to the presence of big global NGOs such as Save the Children, UNESCO, Oxfam International and BRAC
Ques. Can I become HR after MSW?
Ans. Yes, candidate who have opted for MSW with specialisation in Human Resources are fit to become an HR. However, it is recommended to pursue an MBA in HR to get placed across top NGOs with decent remuneration.
Ques. Is MSW Hard?
Ans. Pursuing any postgraduate degree is hard in its ways. The same is the case for MSW course, however, with plenty of fieldwork and research, an MSW course can be taxing and exhausting. But the fruit it bears is worth it. With dedication and perseverience one can get results.Â
Ques. Can I pursue a specific subject while pursuing a Master’s in Social Work?
Ans. Yes, you can. Candidates can pursue a Master’s in Social Work in a specialised field such as Childhood studies, medicine, and research. This can allow the aspirant to narrow down what specific field the candidate actually wants to work on. There are many options such as Social services, social policy, clinical social work, and more.
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