Dear Aspirant,

Masters in Social Work is a two-year postgraduate degree. As you must know, this discipline is both academic and professional in the sense that it is focused on making the life of individuals and communities better. This course can also be done through correspondence, distance learning or part time. For instance, IGNOU offers a period of 5 years for completing it through correspondence. Similarly, there are also colleges and universities which offer M.A. in Social Work as well and also integrated B.A. and M.A.. Distinctly, there are four specialisations in M.S.W. Masters, i.e., Family and Child Welfare, Medical and Psychiatric Social Work, Industrial Relations and Personnel Management and Community Development. Here is a list of options that you can consider of Masters in Social Work:

1. Human Resource Management
2. Criminology and Correctional Administration
3. Medical and Psychiatric Social Work
4. Family and Child Welfare
5. Rural and Urban Community Development and Schools Social Work
6. Personnel Management
7. Industrial Relations and Labour Welfare
8. Leadership and Development in Social Services (LDSS)

Here are some sub-specialisations-

1. Gero-ED
2. Substance Abuse
3. Migration Studies
4. Military Social Work

Additionally, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai provides Masters of Social Work in the following:

• Children and Families
• Community Organisation & Development Practice
• Criminology & Justice
• Dalit & Tribal Studies and Action
• Disability Studies & Action
• Livelihoods and Social Entrepreneurship
• Mental Health
• Public Health
• Women-Centred Practice

Other colleges where you can check for the course are, Delhi University, Jamia Millia Islamia and Bharati Vidyapeeth, Pune.

If you are looking for courses abroad, the top institutions are-

• Alice Salomon University, Berlin
• University of Kent
• University of Stavanger
• National University of Singapore
• Kingston University, London
• University of Chicago
• Columbia University
• Washington University (known for International Social and Economic Development (SED))

Hope this helps. All the best!