Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Courses, Eligibility and Job Update

Filed in Education by on May 4, 2021

Bachelor of Social Work: Are you passionate about helping people? Do you want to bring about a change in the lives of people? Are you interested in uplifting the living standards of the poor and the underprivileged? If yes, BSW course will be of help to you!

Bachelor of Social Work or BSW is a professional degree that is offered at the undergraduate (UG) level. Take note of the following points of this whole article.

What is Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)?

The duration of a BSW course is usually three years and candidates need to positively complete the course within a maximum duration of six years.

Candidates can undertake BSW as a full-time course or even pursue it as a Correspondence/ Distance Education course. BSW course mostly comprises of three major parts which are foundation course, elective course, and fieldwork.

BSW course is offered in both English and Hindi languages. Some common topics that candidates are made to study in a BSW course include Introduction to Social Work, Social Problems in India, Social Work Research & Statistics, Social Work Administration and the likes.

Required Skillset for BSW

Aspirants who want to undertake the BSW course need to be well aware of the social problems of the area wherein they work and also possess good communication skills. Some other key skills that an aspirant should possess when thinking of pursuing a BSW course are listed below:

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 WorkEligibility Criteria

Candidates meet the eligibility criteria to pursue a BSW course if they have completed their Class 12 from a recognized board with passing marks.

Candidates who have a background in the field of social work, sociology, psychology, or any related field are usually preferred if they want to pursue a BSW course.

BSW Course Curriculum

The subjects taught as part of the BSW course may vary from one college to the other. But some common topics that candidates are taught as part of the Bachelor of Social Work course are listed below:

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 for Social Work: Contemporary Development Studies 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 Studies (Elective)
Social Exclusion and Inclusion / Global and Indian Social Movements (Elective) Work with older adults / Social Entrepreneurship (General Elective)
Academic Writing Human Rights / Education and Development (Elective)
Rural and Urban Studies / Informal Labour and Informal Sector (Elective) Disability / Basic Counselling Skills (General Elective)

BSW Job Profiles

After completing the BSW course, aspirants can either pursue higher studies in the field of social work. Apart from higher studies, candidates can also opt to pursue a job in the field of social work after completing their BSW course. Some popular job profiles that candidates can join after completing their BSW course are listed below:

BSW Course Job Profiles
Job Profile Description
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 individuals cope with any problems they are facing to fulfill their monetary, emotional and social needs.
Social Educator In such a profile one needs to plan and organize events 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 Aspirants 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 is undertaken is being conducted within the framework established and all documentation work is complete. A project coordinator also gets in touch with volunteers and ensures that the project is being completed as per timelines fixed for it.

Popular Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Colleges in India

The following are the most popular BSW (Bachelor of Social Work) Colleges in India. Learn more about this BSW (Bachelor of Social Work) colleges (Courses, Reviews, Answers & more) by downloading the Brochure.

  1. IGNOU – Indira Gandhi National Open University

Saket, Delhi

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

  • Total Fees: ₹ 14,400
  • 3 years
  • Distance/Correspondence
  1. Indira Gandhi National Open University, Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad

Bachelor of Social Work

  • Total Fees: ₹ 14,400
  • 3 years
  • Distance/Correspondence
  1. SJC Bangalore – St. Joseph’s College

Lalbagh Rd., Bangalore

Bachelor of Social Work

  • 3 years
  • Full Time
  1. MSU – The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda

Vadodara

Bachelor of Social Work

  • Total Fees: ₹ 1.92 Lakh
  • 3 years
  • Full Time
  1. University of Mumbai

Fort, Mumbai

Bachelor of Social Work

  • 3 years
  • Full Time

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques.: What are the benefits of obtaining a four-year college degree in social work?

Ans.: Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in social work can help open the door for new opportunities. Practicum placements offered as part of four-year social work degree programs can help you to secure professional work experience in your chosen career field and can give you a jump start on pursuing a graduate degree.
By completing a bachelor’s degree, you can increase your earning potential, broaden your job opportunities, and enhance your skillset. In many states, a bachelor’s degree in social work also leads to entry-level licensure.

Ques.: Is it important to attend a CSWE-accredited college or university?

Ans.: Yes. Most states mandate attendance at a CSWE-accredited school as part of the educational requirement for licensing.
Schools that are CSWE accredited are required to provide you with a curriculum that meets certain core social work competencies, which will set you apart as you search for a social work position or work to pursue an advanced degree.

Ques.: What’s the quickest way to become a social worker?

Ans.: Completing your BSW is the easiest way to start your professional social work career. Even if you opt not to take the ASWB’s Bachelor’s Exam, you will typically be qualified for an entry-level role as a case manager or outreach worker, for example, and can begin gaining professional experience in the field immediately after graduating with your BSW. Once you have this valuable experience, you can determine whether you want to move from a BSW to an MSW.

Ques.: What are the benefits of getting my MSW right after I finish my BSW?

Ans.: If you have a BSW degree from a CSWE-accredited school you may be able to apply to earn your MSW through Advanced Standing. If you are eligible and accepted, Advanced Standing placement allows you to complete your master’s degree in social work in a shorter time period than those whose undergraduate major was not social work. Oftentimes, BSW graduates can complete their MSW in one year or less.

Ques.: What are the pros and cons of a BSW online versus a traditional BSW program?

Ans.: Whether you pursue your BSW degree online or on-campus is really up to you. Consider your personal preferences and time constraints when making the decision. Do you prefer the flexibility offered by an online degree program? Or are you more comfortable with a traditional classroom setting for learning?
Regardless of whether you decide to go online or traditional in choosing a degree program, pay close attention to a program’s accreditation. Making sure that the social work program of your choice is accredited by the CSWE will help ensure that you qualify for licensure after graduation.

Ques.: What is the job outlook for social workers and how much will I make?

Ans.: According to data published by the US Department of Labor, there are currently 682,100 social work positions in the US, with a projected growth of 16% through 2026, nearly double that of the national average for all other occupations.1 The median annual wage for social workers is $49,470.

I hope you found this useful, you can always count on Current School News when it comes to information of this kind and more. Invite your friends to read by sharing. Thanks!

CSN Team.

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