BSW or B.A. (SW) Bachelor of Social Work

Social Work, in simple terms refers to various services designed to aid the poor and aged and to increase their welfare. Bachelor of Social Work is an Under Graduate Academic Degree which is awarded for a course of program in the field of Social Work. It is commonly abbreviated as BSW or B.A. (SW) which stand for Bachelor of Social Work or Bachelor of Arts in Social Work. Social Work Courses imparts the education on the values of Social Work and consciously applying these in practice. This degree enables one to become a Social worker who can help people suffering from homelessness, poverty, violence, abuses and diseases like cancer, AIDS etc.

Duration - BSW is of 3 years duration. The minimum duration of completing this course is 3 years and maximum duration of completing this course is 6 years.

Eligibility

• 10+2 or its equivalent from a Government recognised Board.

• Students with a background in social work, psychology, social science, sociology or any other related fields will get preference over others.

• Some Institutes also conduct a Written Test followed by a Personal Interview for admission.

Social Work Degree programs are offered by various School of Social Work and Colleges in India.

Bachelor of Social Work Distance Education or Correspondence can also be pursued by those desiring to indulge in Social Work. IGNOU is one of the leading Institute which provide BSW through Distance Education Programs or Correspondence.

B.A. (Hons) Social Work, a three-year undergraduate programme, is a practice-based course of study, which is based upon understanding various theories of social work. Admissions to BA (Hons) Social Work course is made on the basis of marks scored in 10+2 or merit secured in entrance test.  2 of the Colleges offering course in BA (Hons) Social Work course, are - Bhim Rao Ambedkar College and Aditi Mahavidyalaya.

Bachelor of Social Work Subjects / Topics

• Introduction To Social Work.
• Social Problems in India.
• Social Case Work.
• Social Work Administration.
• Social Work Research & Statistics.

Note : There can be slight variations in Subjects / Topics of Bachelor of Social Work course provided by different Institutes.

Bachelor of Social Work Specialisations

Specialisations are offered at Masters Level.

Who can and Who should pursue Bachelor of Social Work Degree

• This is a field which is mostly suited to people who want to bring a change in the society through Social Work which may include helping the repressed and the underprivileged.

• BSW is not a Conventional Career and as such is especially meant for those who the have capability of working really hard under precarious working conditions.

Advantages or Benefits of Bachelor of Social Work Degree

• Social Work Degree provides qualification for employment with many Human Service Providing Agencies.

• Social Work Graduate programs enables one to pursue Masters Degree in Social Work.

Bachelor of Social Work Jobs

Social Work Careers are available for Social Workers in private as well as public sector companies. Social workers can easily get jobs as counsellors in healthcare, adoption, environmental protection, community policing etc.

Employment Areas

• Hospitals.
• Clinics.
• Counselling Centers.
• Mental Hospitals.
• Old Age Homes.
• Prisons.
• Correction Cells.
• M.N.C's.
• HR Department of Industries.
• NGO's.
• Human Rights Agencies.
• Disaster Management Department.
• Health Industry.
• Education Sector.
• Natural Resources Management Companies.
• Gender Issues Associations or Groups.

Job Types

• Criminology Specialists.
• Labour Welfare Specialists.
• Social Worker.
• Counsellors.
• Researcher.
• Teacher.
• Executive Officer.
• Trainee Officer.
• Social Security Officer.
• Probation Officer.