Difference Between BSW and MSW
The UG course in social work is known as a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) while the post-graduation course in social work is called a Masters in Social Work. Social work is the discipline of Social Science which deals with the improvement of the social structure of society. Read the article below to in detail about the difference between BSW and MSW courses.
Difference Between BSW and MSW
Social Work is one of the most personal career choices one can make, and the basis of the choice should solely depend on one's unstoppable ability to become a social worker in any scenario. Those who wish to pursue a career after BSW, to become a social worker, need to follow a path that demands finding out societal issues and making a relevant solution for those issues on a ground level.
There are various social work courses available for candidates who are interested in social work. Candidates can study bachelor's and master’s degrees in social work. The UG course in social work is known as a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW,) while the post-graduation course in social work is called a Masters in Social Work. Social work is the field of Social Science that focuses on the improvement of the social structure of society. A social worker aims to work with the people of the community and families to find a solution towards various societal issues such as poverty, unemployment and education. Read the article below in detail about the difference between BSW and MSW courses.
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- BSW Highlights
- BSW Course Eligibility Criteria
- Top Colleges for BSW Courses
- MSW Highlights
- MSW Eligibility Criteria
- Top 10 Colleges for MSW Course
- Difference between BSW and MSW
BSW Highlights
Candidates can check more details of the BSW course in the table given below. After the completion of BSW, candidates can pursue additional education by earning a Master of Social Work degree.
| Particulars |
Details |
|---|---|
| Course Name |
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) |
| Course Level |
Undergraduate |
| Duration |
3 Years |
| Eligibility |
10+2 from a recognised university with 50 per cent marks |
| Entrance Exams |
CUCET, PUBDET, TISS NET, Jamia Milia Islamia Entrance Exam, etc. |
| Fees |
INR 25,000 -5 lakh |
| Average Salary |
INR 3-5 LPA |
| Job Profiles |
Teacher, Researcher, Social Activist, Project Coordinator, etc. |
| Top Recruiters |
CRY, UNICEF, Goonj, Help Foundation, Gateway Solutions |
| Top Colleges |
Aligarh Muslim University, Amity University, St. Joseph's University, etc. |
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BSW Course Eligibility Criteria
Candidates interested in pursuing a BSW course are required to check the eligibility criteria for the BSW course below. In India the educational qualifications needed to pursue a BSW course are as follows:
- Aspirants need to pass Class 12 from a recognised institute.
- The minimum qualifying score needed by most of the institutes is 50 per cent. Meanwhile, there is no minimum score in some colleges.
- For UG: There is no preference for the stream studied in Class 12. However, candidates who have a background in the field of social work, sociology, psychology, or any related field are preferred if they want to pursue a BSW course.
Top Colleges for BSW Courses
Candidates can check the table below to learn about the top colleges for BSW courses.
| Name of BSW College |
BSW Course Fee (in INR) |
|---|---|
| ---- |
|
| ---- |
|
| 18,000 |
|
| ---- |
|
| 2 lakh |
|
| 67,000 |
|
| 3,000 |
|
| 14,000 |
|
| 24,000 |
|
| ---- |
MSW Highlights
Candidates who have completed a bachelor's degree in Social Work can pursue the MSW course. However, BSW is not mandatory for candidates to pursue the MSW course. The MSW course details are mentioned below in the table:
| Particulars |
Details |
|---|---|
| Course Full Name |
Master of Social Work |
| Degree |
Postgraduation |
| Duration |
2 Years |
| Eligibility |
Graduation with 50 per cent marks |
| Entrance Exams |
|
| Fees |
INR 20,000 to 2 lakh |
| Average Salary |
INR 3 to 5 LPA |
| Job Profiles |
Social Worker, Child Development Manager, HR Manager, Fundraiser, Professor, etc. |
| Top Recruiters |
Goonj, CRY, Accenture, Flipkart, Amazon, Just Dial and so on |
| Top Colleges |
Amity University, Noida, Loyola College, Chennai, Aligarh Muslim University, University of Lucknow, etc. |
MSW Eligibility Criteria
In order to pursue the MSW course, candidates need to meet the eligibility criteria. Candidates can check the space below to know about the academic qualification required for the MSW course. Candidates can pursue an MSW after completing graduation from a recognised board with a 50 per cent mark. Notably, the minimum qualifying score is defined by the MSW colleges offering the course.
Top 10 Colleges for MSW Course
The list of some popular government colleges offering the MSW course is:
| Name of College |
Fees (in INR) |
|---|---|
| ---- |
|
| 10000 |
|
| 13000 |
|
| 36000 |
|
| 63000 |
|
| 17000 |
|
| 10000 |
|
| 58000 |
|
| 28000 to 1 lakh |
|
| 68,000 |
Difference between BSW and MSW
Candidates can check the main difference between BSW and MSW course below:
| Particulars |
BSW |
MSW |
|---|---|---|
| Aim |
The course focuses on foundational studies in social work. It allows candidates to work with individuals, the community, etc. |
MSW course is a higher degree that helps candidates in clinical practice. A candidate with an MSW degree can become an LCSW |
| Job Opportunities |
After pursuing BSW, candidates can work as a manager, child welfare specialist, client advocate, probation officer, etc. |
Candidates with an MSW degree can work in clinical settings or can practice privately. They can also work in child welfare. |
| Course Duration |
The duration of the BSW course is four years. |
The duration MSW course is two years. |
Selecting one out of a BSW (Bachelor of Social Work) and an MSW (Master of Social Work) is entirely based on a person's academic and professional timeline. Those who want to make a strong foundation in social work to understand various important concepts and want to be involved in the fieldwork should go for a BSW. A BSW degree is good for beginners who are entering the social workforce without any further experience or less experience.
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