MSW Syllabus & Subjects List 2026: Download Semester-wise Syllabus PDF
Akansha BishtSenior Executive
MSW syllabus or MSW subjects are released by the institute offering the course. University Grants Commission recognizes the MSW courses offered. The institute designs the MSW syllabus structure based on the curriculum guidelines from the commission. Under the New Education Policy, the Ministry of Education aims to accept the MSW curriculum designed under the Choice Based Credit System (CBCS) only. Thus, this article focuses on the MSW syllabus under the CBCS scheme. Under the CBCS course structure, students get to learn some core subjects that are common for all the students. Additionally, students can choose among the prescribed subjects, commonly known as electives, or minor courses.
Typical MSW syllabus includes social work, psychology, sociology, human rights, social development, among others. Read this article further for more information on the MSW syllabus including the semester wise syllabus for all core and elective subjects under the CBCS scheme.
List of MSW Subjects
While enrolment to an MSW course, students have to choose among the available elective courses. Under the MSW course curriculum, there are two elective subject schemes, which include electives and open electives. Electives are only offered to MSW students, while the open electives are offered to both MSW students as well as the students of other courses under the Social Science department.
Before proceeding to check the list of MSW syllabus, candidates must check the MSW course structure as followed by UGC recognised colleges under the CBCS scheme:
- Entire two years of MSW degree course have 19 core papers including fieldwork practicums
- First and second semesters will have six core subjects each
- Third semester comprises four core subjects
- Fourth semester comprises three core subjects
- Two years of MSW course has four elective subjects with two each in third and fourth semesters
- The course structure comprises four open elective subjects in third as well as fourth semesters
List of MSW Core Subjects
The list of the core syllabus as per the MSW syllabus are as follows:
|
MSW Subject |
MSW Subject Details |
|---|---|
|
Social Work Education and Profession |
This subject helps impart knowledge of nature, philosophy, historical growth, and development of social work education as well as profession. |
|
Social Work with Individuals |
This subject intends to impart knowledge about the social work method known as Casework. |
|
Community Practice in Social Work |
The subject imparts knowledge related to social work methods on community or group practice. |
|
Sociological Concepts and Contemporary Concerns |
This subject is a rational correlation between sociology for social work. MSW students learn about society, its structure, different institute and their role in the socialisation of individuals. |
|
Psychology for Social Workers- Theories and Applications |
This subject is the basic understanding of psychology and its relevance in social work practice. |
|
Social Work with Groups |
This subject aims towards acquainting students with the values, principles, knowledge and techniques to work with individuals in a group setting. |
|
Research in Social Work |
This subject intends to impart knowledge of social work research as a method of practice and process of inquiry. |
|
Social Justice & Human Rights in Social Work Practice |
This subject imparts knowledge related to the connection between social work and human rights with the principles of social justice. |
|
State, Political Economy and Governance |
This subject aims to impart conceptual knowledge of tool-kits to analyse methodological issues of political life. |
|
Social Development |
This subject paper helps students to understand the significance of developmental interventions in society to attain the goal of social justice. |
|
Administration of Welfare and Development Services |
This subject helps students to understand the nature, relevance, components and principles of social welfare administration. |
|
Social Policy and Social Planning |
This subject helps students to acquire knowledge of policy analysis and policy formulation process in regard to social welfare. |
|
Social Action and Social Movements |
This subject aims to appreciate the significance of social action as a method in social welfare to secure social justice for the disenfranchised and marginalised. |
|
Social Legislation and Social Work |
This subject helps students understand social legislation and social protection from Constitution, IPC, and CPC perspectives. |
List of MSW Elective Subjects
Under the CBCS scheme for MSW courses, elective subjects are broadly divided into two categories, that is electives and open electives. The MSW course structure is designed for the candidates to choose the following subjects during the course:
- Two elective subjects to be chosen in the third semester
- Two elective subjects to be chosen in the fourth semester
- One open elective subject to be chosen in the third semester
- One open elective subject to be chosen in the fourth semester
Candidates will have to choose between several subjects to opt for the above-mentioned papers. The table below mentions the elective as well as open elective subjects under the MSW degree course curriculum:
|
MSW Elective Subjects |
MSW Elective Subject Details |
|---|---|
|
Urban Community Development |
Via this subject, students get to understand urban communities, planning, and development. Additionally, students learn skills required for community development work in an urban setting. |
|
Social Work Practice in Health |
This subject helps students understand mental health as a positive concept and as an important attribute of life. Additionally, students analyse the effects of culture, class, and gender on mental health and well being. |
|
Social Work with Families and Children |
This subject helps students understand families as social systems and the factors that affect a family setting. |
|
Criminal Justice Social Work |
This subject under the MSW syllabus intends to familiarise students with the concepts of criminology, criminal justice, Criminal Justice System, etc. |
|
Conflict Mitigation and Peace Building |
This subject helps students develop a conceptual understanding of conflict and the peacebuilding process. |
|
Counselling- Theory and Practice |
Under this subject of the MSW curriculum, students get knowledge about the nature and goals of counselling as a helping process. |
|
Management of Human Resources |
This subject deals with the connection between social work and human resources. Additionally, students understand the management and development of human resources and organisational behaviour. |
|
Social Work Practice in Health Settings |
This subject under the MSW course curriculum helps students understand the concepts of public health and its system in India. |
|
Environment, Sustainable Development and Social Work |
This subject enables students to understand the scope and relevance of environmental social work. |
|
Social Work with Older Persons |
This subject helps students gain a theoretical and practical understanding of gerontological issues. |
|
Gender and Development |
Students get to understand the social construction of gender and develop perspectives in analysing social realities around genders. |
|
Social Work and Disaster Management |
Under this subject, students develop a basic understanding of disasters and disaster management and the role of social help in it. |
|
Occupational Social Work |
This subject helps students understand social work as an occupation. |
|
Social Work with Persons with Disabilities |
This subject helps students understand the issues and concerns of persons with disability in the Indian context. |
MSW Semester Wise Detailed Syllabus
The MSW course is divided into four semesters. The first two semesters have five core papers with fieldwork. The core subjects remain the same for all students, whereas the elective courses are subject to change based on a student’s interests and choices. Space below provides a semester wise MSW syllabus.
MSW Syllabus- 1st Semester
First semester of MSW course only comprises core subjects. The syllabus under these core subjects are as follows:
|
MSW 1st Semester Subjects |
MSW Syllabus |
|---|---|
|
Social Work Education and Profession |
Introduction to Social Work Profession |
|
Historical Development of Social Work |
|
|
Social Work as a Profession |
|
|
Theoretical Perspectives for Social Work Practice |
|
|
Social Work with Individuals |
Evolution and Development of Casework |
|
Principles and Components of Casework |
|
|
Approaches to Casework Practice |
|
|
Process and Techniques of Social Casework in different settings |
|
|
Community Practice in Social Work |
Understanding “Community” in Community Practice |
|
Community Practice- Concept and Context |
|
|
Theories, Principles and Approaches to Community Practice |
|
|
Community Practice Models and Skills |
|
|
Community Practice- Paradigm Shift |
|
|
Sociological Concepts and Contemporary Concerns |
Basic Concepts of Sociology |
|
Introducing Indian Society |
|
|
Sociological Perspectives and Methods to Understand Social Issues |
|
|
Socialisation and Construction of Social Identity |
|
|
Psychology for Social Workers- Theories and Applications |
Perspectives in Psychology |
|
Individual in a socio-cultural environment |
|
|
Social self and communication |
|
|
Human Growth and Personality Development |
MSW Syllabus- 2nd Semester
|
MSW 2nd Semester Subjects |
MSW Syllabus |
|---|---|
|
Social Work with Groups |
Understanding Social Groups |
|
Social Group Work Method |
|
|
Group Work Process and Techniques |
|
|
Group Work in Social Work Practice |
|
|
Theoretical Approaches to Group Work |
|
|
Research in Social Work |
Research Methods for Social Work |
|
Research Design |
|
|
Data Collection and Management |
|
|
Basic Statistics |
|
|
Descriptive and Inferential Statistical Methods |
|
|
Social Justice & Human Rights in Social Work Practice |
Dimensions of Social Justice and Human Rights |
|
Marginalisation and Human Rights Issues |
|
|
Instruments of Social Justice and Protection of Human Rights |
|
|
National Institutions for Protection of Social Justice and Human Rights |
|
|
Social Work Practice for Social Justice and Human Rights Perspective |
|
|
State, Political Economy and Governance |
State- Concept and Evolution, Structures and Institutions |
|
Basic Political Concepts and Theories |
|
|
Political Economy, Democracy, Citizenship |
|
|
Governance- Meaning, Models and Determinants |
|
|
Self-Study/ Discussion Forums/Presentations |
|
|
Social Development |
Social Development- Concept, Process and Strategies |
|
Theories of Development |
|
|
Social and Economic Inequality |
|
|
Contemporary Development Thrust and its Impact |
|
|
Self study and Assignments |
MSW Syllabus- 3rd Semester
Third semester of MSW course has six subjects, with two core subjects, two elective subjects and two open elective subjects. The table below mentions the third semester MSW syllabus:
|
MSW 3rd Semester Subjects |
MSW Syllabus (Topics) |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Core 1 |
Administration of Welfare and Development Services |
Welfare and Development Administration |
|
Components of Administration |
||
|
Communication in administration |
||
|
Strategies and mechanisms of administration |
||
|
Management of Human Service Organisations |
||
|
Core 2 |
Social Policy and Social Planning |
Understanding Social Policy |
|
Welfare state |
||
|
Social Planning |
||
|
Policy Analysis and Practice |
||
|
Elective 1 (one subject to be chosen among the following) |
Urban Community Development |
Urban Communities and Urbanisation |
|
Urban Poor |
||
|
Urban Development Policies and Programmes |
||
|
Emerging Concerns |
||
|
Participation, Action and Advocacy |
||
|
Social Work Practice in Mental Health |
Understanding Mental Health |
|
|
Classification, Epidemiology and Manifestations of Mental Disorders |
||
|
Mental Health Care Scenario |
||
|
Social Work Interventions in Mental Health |
||
|
Social Work with Families and Children |
Understanding dynamics of family system |
|
|
Child Development- Issues and Challenges |
||
|
Vulnerable children- policy and social work response |
||
|
Family problems & social work response |
||
|
Corporate Social Responsibility & Social Entrepreneurship |
Management of Social Enterprises |
|
|
Social Entrepreneurship- Concept and context |
||
|
Corporate Social Responsibility- Action and Environment |
||
|
Corporate Social Responsibility- Concept and Context |
||
|
Elective 2 (one subject to be chosen among the following) |
Criminal Justice Social Work |
Crime, Victimology and theories of Crime |
|
Social Defence and Correctional services |
||
|
Criminal Justice System and Legislation |
||
|
Juvenile Justice |
||
|
Conflict Mitigation and Peace Building |
Basic Concepts Related to Conflict |
|
|
Conflict Analysis and Strategies for Social Work Intervention |
||
|
Peace Building- concepts, analysis and models |
||
|
Peace building- Strategies and Interventions |
||
|
Counselling- Theory and Practice |
Introduction- Foundations and Approaches to Counselling |
|
|
Counselling- Techniques, skills, competencies and therapeutic relationship |
||
|
Counselling Practice in Different Settings |
||
|
Counselling practice - Application of psychosocial Perspective |
||
|
Management of Human Resources |
Human Resource Functions- Theory and Practice |
|
|
Developing Human Resources |
||
|
Organisational Behaviour |
||
|
Legal Base for Practice |
||
|
Open Elective 1 |
Information Communication & Technology for Social Work Practice |
Understanding the importance the of ICT in Social Work |
|
Technology for Change- Legislations, Policies and Programmers |
||
|
ICT for empowerment of vulnerable constituencies |
||
|
ICT and Social Work Practice- Skills and Case Studies |
||
|
Open Elective 2 |
Indigenous Communities and Development Discourse |
Introduction to Indigenous Communities |
|
Indigenous peoples Issues and Challenges |
||
|
Social Work Practice skills and Policy Responses |
||
MSW Syllabus- 4th Semester
Fourth semester of MSW course has six subjects, with two core subjects, two elective subjects and two open elective subjects. The table below mentions the fourth semester MSW syllabus:
|
MSW 4th Semester Subjects |
MSW Syllabus (Topics) |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Core 1 |
Social Action and Social movements |
Social Action- Concepts and Strategies |
|
Guiding Ideologies /Philosophies of Social Action |
||
|
Social Movements- Ideology, Theory and Participation |
||
|
Social Movements- Nature and Typology |
||
|
Social Action in Practice |
||
|
Core 2 |
Social Legislations & Social Work |
Social Legislation- Contextual Background |
|
Social Legislation for Marriage and Family |
||
|
Social Legislation for Women |
||
|
Social Legislation for Children |
||
|
Social Legislation for Weaker Sections and Special Groups in India |
||
|
Practice Assignments |
||
|
Elective 1 (one subject to be chosen among the following) |
Social Work Practice in Health setting |
Public Health in India |
|
Healthcare Social Work and Community Health |
||
|
Healthcare Services and Programmes |
||
|
Environment, Sustainable Development and Social Work |
Environment and Social Work- Inter-linkages |
|
|
Sustainable Development- Interface between Environment and Development |
||
|
State of the Environment and Environmental Conservation |
||
|
Environmentalism- Approaches, Movements and Action |
||
|
Social Work with Older Persons |
Old age- concept, dynamics and vulnerabilities |
|
|
Needs and problems of older persons |
||
|
Policies and programmes for Active ageing |
||
|
Gerontological social work practice |
||
|
Gender and Development |
Conceptualising Gender |
|
|
Manifestations of Gender Disparity |
||
|
Gender Perspectives in Development |
||
|
Mechanisms Addressing Issues and Best Practices |
||
|
Elective 2 (one subject to be chosen among the following) |
Social Work and Disaster Management |
Conceptual Framework- Disaster, Vulnerability and Risk |
|
Disaster Governance |
||
|
Community based Interventions which are Preparedness and Response |
||
|
Psychosocial Care of Survivor |
||
|
Occupational Social Work |
Occupational social work- Concepts and Scope |
|
|
Workers in the organised sector- Issues and challenges |
||
|
Working Conditions and Conditions of Work |
||
|
Workers in Unorganised Sector |
||
|
Emerging Issues and Concerns for Occupational Social work |
||
|
Social Work with Persons with Disabilities |
Disability- Concept, Nature, Definitions and Model |
|
|
Disability Issues, Problems and Responses |
||
|
Policy, Legal Framework, Services and Programmes |
||
|
Rehabilitation of Persons with Disability |
||
|
Assistive Technology and Disability |
||
|
Rural Community Development |
Understanding Rural Communities |
|
|
Rural Livelihoods, Poverty and Contemporary Concerns |
||
|
Rural Community Development- Approaches and Interventions |
||
|
Rural Development Policies and Programmes |
||
|
Open Elective 1 |
Child Rights and Action |
Children and Their Needs |
|
Legal and Administrative Framework for Care and Protection of Children |
||
|
Child Rights Practice- Strategies, stakeholders and mechanisms |
||
|
Open Elective 2 |
Social Work Practice with PLHIV |
Social Dimension of HIV/AIDS |
|
Prevention Strategies, Care and Support for PLHA |
||
|
HIV/AIDS and Policy Issues |
||
|
HIV/AIDS and Social Work Interventions |
||
MSW Books
Candidates must study for the course from the recommended books only. The table below mentions the recommended books to complete the MSW syllabus:
|
MSW Subject |
MSW Books |
Author Name |
|---|---|---|
|
Urban Community Development |
Urbanisation in India- challenges, opportunities and the way forward |
Ahluwalia, I. J., K anbur, S. M. R., & M ohanty, P. K. |
|
Social Work Practice in Health |
Disability in the global south, critical handbook |
Grech, S., Soldatic, K. (Eds.) |
|
Social Work with Families and Children |
Social work with children and families |
Davies, M. |
|
Corporate Social Responsibility and Social Entrepreneurship |
Corporate responsibility |
Blowfield, M., & Murray, A. |
|
Criminal Justice Social Work |
Criminology |
Alder, F., Mueller., & Laufer, W |
|
Conflict Mitigation and Peace Building |
On six advance in cooperation theory |
Axelrod, R. |
|
Counselling :Theory and Practice |
Creative arts in counselling and mental health |
Neilson, P. et al. (ed) |
|
Management of Human Resources |
Human resource management- The Indian experience |
Silvera, D. M. |
|
Social Work Practice in Health Settings |
Education for All- a gender and disability perspective |
Rousso, H. |
|
Environment, Sustainable Development and Social Work |
Environmental social work |
Grey, M., Coates, J., & Hetherington, T. |
|
Social Work with Older Persons |
Handbook of ageing and social science |
Binstock, R. H., & George, L. K. |
|
Gender and Development |
Where women are leaders |
Rose, K. |
|
Social Work and Disaster Management |
Psychosocial capacity building in response to disasters |
Miller, M. |
|
Occupational Social Work |
The future development of occupational social work |
Bargal, D. |
|
Social Work with Persons with Disabilities |
Handbook of disability studies |
Albrecht, G.L., Seelman, K. D., & B ury, M. |
|
Rural Community Development |
Panchayati raj- A study of rural local Government in India |
Maddick, H |
|
Social Work Education and Profession |
The practice of social work |
Zastrow, C |
|
Social Work with Individuals |
Case management- An introduction to concepts and skills |
Frankel, A. J. |
|
Community Practice in Social Work |
The spirit of community- rights, responsibility and the communitarian agenda |
Etzioni, A. |
|
Sociological Concepts and Contemporary Concern |
Sociology- Themes and perspectives |
Haralambos |
|
Psychology for Social Workers- Theories and Applications |
Doing psychology critically- Making a difference in diverse settings |
Prilleltensky, I., & Nelson, G. |
|
Social Work with Groups |
Group work practise in social work |
Lindsay, T., & Orton, S. |
|
Research in Social Work |
The basics of social research |
Babbie, E. |
|
Social Justice & Human Rights in Social Work Practice |
Social exclusion and justice in India |
Krishna, P.S. |
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Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered a month ago
Not necessarily. Most of the time, the entrance exam score is enough to be eligible for admission to the MSW course in India. But you can check the official website to have clarity about your desired college.
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Do I need to prepare for the interview round as well along with MSW entrance?