An Overview

Amrita's two-year Master of Social Work (MSW) program is holistic and unique. It is both academic and experiential. It encourages students to increase both self-awareness and their awareness and sensitivity towards others. It integrates advanced concepts and developments in the field of Social Work with a deeper understanding of the traditional Indian value system that has nourished Indian civilization for thousands of years. It provides an educational perspective that views human diversity as desirable and enriching to society.

Renowned humanitarian Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi, also known as Amma, is the inspiration and guide for all Amrita University's programs. The University's affiliation with the Mata Amritanandamayi Math is fortuitous for MSW students as the Math's social services are wide-ranging in India and abroad. Its efforts have been recognized around the world; it is one of the few non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to be given Special Consultative Status by United Nations (U.N.).

The Amrita MSW program prepares students to independently undertake challenging assignments with oppressed, at-risk, vulnerable and general populations and helps them evolve as human beings with the commitment and service-orientation necessary to reach out to the most under-privileged sections of society.

MSW Students

Vision

The Vision of the Department of Social Work is "LOVING to SERVE and SERVING to LOVE"

Mission

To prepare the students for specialised, evidence and rights-based practice among the oppressed, at risk, vulnerable and general populations. The programmes of the department will provide rigorous intellectual base, opportunities for skill development and a value-based educational experience.

The program's objectives are:

To develop a new genre of professional social workers, driven by timeless human values, equipped with the best knowledge and skills and committed to serve all types of people and nature with love, trust, tolerance and humility
To help students develop an integrative, holistic approach to social work practice that permits versatility in the choice and application of intervention methods
To give students an opportunity to develop self-awareness and the ability to listen to others with deep understanding and sensitivity
To provide students a good understanding of the economic, social, cultural, legal, ethical, political and spiritual framework within which individuals, businesses and communities operate
To train students to apply professional values, ethics and the conscious use of self to professional social work practice
To train students in research, to explore the frontiers of scientific Social Work thought and to extend it further in the service of humanity

The Amrita MSW program has an outstanding team of committed faculty who inculcate Social Work skills and values to students in a systematic manner. All of the faculty have advanced degrees and many of them have international experience.

The Master of Social Work (MSW) Program is offered at Amrita's Amritapuri and Coimbatore (Ettimadai) campuses.

Social Work as a Profession

The MSW degree gives professional skills to those interested in serving the community as a vocation. The program is most suitable for those who would like to build a career in Social Work and gives them an opportunity to derive great joy by extending a helping hand to those in need, including the under-privileged populations in the society.

Social work graduates are widely recruited by public and private human service agencies to work with individuals, families, groups and communities to resolve social and emotional problems. Opportunities abound for Social Work professionals in Non-Government Organizations (NGO) and in the health care sector. MSW graduates are employed in diverse fields, including Human Resource Management, Community Development, Child Welfare, Juvenile and Criminal Justice Administration, Correctional Institutions, Mental Health Centers, Addiction Treatment, Family and Guidance Counseling, Social Policy Advocacy, and Public Welfare.

Amrita Advantages

• Advanced Education
• Value Based Education
• Committed & Qualified Faculties
• Multi Campus E-Learning Facility
• Collaboration with International Universities
• Career Development Training
• Campus Placement Opportunities


The Amrita MSW program is unique in other ways also --

  • - There are experienced and committed faculty to facilitate higher learning. Amrita also receives visiting faculty from premier institutions.
  • - Great emphasis is placed on value-based education and there are classes on Yoga, Meditation and Indian Culture.
  • - Amrita provides excellent infrastructure facilities include classrooms equipped with audio visual capabilities, high-end computing labs with internet, sports and recreation, swimming pool, hostels, etc.
  • - Students can specialize in (i) Physical and Mental Health (ii) Community Development (iii) Child Protection and Child Rights (CPCR) (iv) Disaster Management.
  • - In South India, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham is the first to offer CPCR and Disaster Management as Social Work specializations.
  • - Emphasis is placed on scientific, research-based learning with thrust on vulnerability reduction, rights-based approach and social policy analysis. Students are exposed to relevant and advanced managerial and project management skills.
  • - The theoretical coursework is advanced and includes a field exposure component.
  • - Field placements are provided with INGOs, National level NGOs, Government Organizations, Industries and development projects undertaken by the Math.
  • - There is an automated Library Information System connected to the LAN in the Central Library for faster access to books. Several online journals are also available.
  • - A dedicated Training and Placement Cell offers training in soft skills and communicative English. The cell also helps place students in NGOs, Hospitals and Corporate Foundations.
  • - Our past recruiters include UAE Exchange-Abu Dhabi, Larsen & Toubro Limited, Friends of Tribals Society and Hand in Hand.

The two-year course comprising four semesters enables students to imbibe the fundamental principles of social work and practice them in real-life situations. Amrita's MSW program incorporates a methodology through which students can evolve to a new level and help transform the society in which they live.