ACADEMICS

The Amrita MSW is a two-year full-time residential program which requires high levels of concentration, long hours of work and sustained commitment from students. Its credit-based system (85 credits for graduation) allows tremendous flexibility in matters of course design, curricula, timeframe, teaching and learning methodologies, and evaluation procedures. The curriculum is on par with that of the best international institutions in the field of Social Work, while taking into account the specific requirements of the Social Work profession in the Indian context.

The MSW program maintains a healthy balance between classroom sessions and field practice. In the first semester, students are introduced to basic concepts in Social Work and the values and ethics integral to the Social Work profession. Students undertake observational visits to selected social service agencies and health care centers offering community services. In the second semester, the curriculum teaches various perspectives and diverse methods of Social Work, giving students the requisite theoretical foundation and professional skills to do Social Work.

MSW Students During third and fourth semesters, students concentrate on the specialization of their choice: Community Development, Disaster Management, Child Rights or Health/Mental Health. Students are involved in field work with selected agencies, both concurrent with academic courses and separately in blocks. In the fourth semester, students are required to do a ten-week research project with a social service organization in their area of specialization. This gives them exposure to the functioning of social service organizations, familiarizes them with their future roles in the profession and teaches them to do field-based research projects and create research reports and presentations.

MSW students also provide counseling services for local people with psycho/social/emotional problems and have developed several grant proposals.

The MSW Student Association works to raise awareness of human needs in this era of technology. It frequently displays wall posters on current social issues, problems and needs, to inform and educate students and the public. Students also conduct seminars and workshops on Drugs and Alcohol Abuse, Suicide Prevention and Crisis Management. MSW students are also active in Amrita's diverse cultural and spiritual activities.

Amrita University has been in a long standing cooperation with foreign universities, organizations and related institutions. International partnerships involve programs in education and research suited to national as well as international development. These innovative programs prepare students to become advocates for social equality and social justice.

Curriculum

MSW students must successfully complete seventy-five (75) credits for graduation. Learning is done both in the classroom and through supervised internships at social service agencies. The MSW program incorporates the curriculum guidelines developed by the American accrediting organization, the Council on Social Work Education.

Semester Course Type Course Code
Title
 Credits
First Foundation
1SWK 501
 An Introductory Course on Society and Development
3
Core
1SWK 503
 History of Social Change in India
3
1SWK 505
Understanding Human Behaviour
3
1SWK 507
Guiding Principles in Social Work Practice
3
1SWK 509
Integrated Social Work Practice I: Social Case Work and Group Work
3
1SWK 511
Social Work Research – I: Survey Method
3
Fieldwork
1SWK 591
Concurrent Fieldwork – I
3

Total Credits
21
Second Core
2SWK 502

Integrated Social Work Practice 2:Community Organization and Social Action
3
2SWK 504

Social Policy, Programmes and Welfare Administration
3
2SWK 506

Social Work Research II: Case Study Design
3
2SWK 508

Introduction to Disasters and Vulnerability Reduction
3
2SWK 510

Introduction to Public Health
3
Fieldwork
2SWK 592

Concurrent Fieldwork – II
3

Total Credits
18
Third Core

3SWK 601

Social Legislation, Indian Constitution and Democracy

3

3SWK 603

Psycho-Social Care and Counselling

3

3SWK 605

Human Resource Management-I

2
Specialisation

3SWK 621
3SWK 623

Elective 1: Community Development
Rural Community Development
Urban Community Development

3
3

3SWK 631
3SWK 633

Elective 2: Physical and Mental Health
Physical and Mental Health Knowledge for Social Work Practice
Social Work Intervention in Mental Health

3

3

3SWK 641
3SWK 643

Elective 3: Disaster Management
Introduction to Hazards, Risk, and Disasters
Standards and Approaches in Disaster Relief and Recovery

3
3

3SWK 651
3SWK 653

Elective 4: Child Rights and Protection
Understanding Children as Vulnerable Groups
Child Care and Protection

3
3

Fieldwork

3SWK 691

Concurrent Fieldwork – III

3

Total Credits

17
Fourth Core

4SWK 602

Human Resource Management - II

3

4SWK 603

Project Management

3
Specialisation

4SWK 622
4SWK 624

Elective 1: Community Development
Participatory Governance and Empowerment
Social Mobilisation for Social Action

3
3

4SWK 632
4SWK 634

Elective 2: Physical and Mental Health
Social Work Practice in Physical Health Setting
Strategic Issues, Challenges, and Equity in Health Management

3
3

4SWK 642
4SWK 644

Elective 3: Disaster Management
Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction
Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction

3
3

4SWK 652
4SWK 654

Elective 4: Child Rights and Protection
Child Rights and Services
Children in Humanitarian Crises: Rights and Vulnerabilities

3
3
Dissertation

4SWK 698

Dissertation

3
Fieldwork

4SWK 692

Concurrent Fieldwork – IV

3
Total Credits
19
4SWK694 - Block Field Placement (after theory examinations)
3
Total Credits for the Whole Course
75
MSW Students

 

Placement - Collaborating Agencies

Amrita’s Social Work departments have established relationships with almost 60 collaborating social service organizations across south and central India where students can do their internships, projects and other experiential learning. These organizations are also potential places of employment for MSW graduates.