The Department of Social Work offering Master of Social Work (MSW) program was started in two campuses in the academic year 2007-2008. The Department of Social Work is actively involved in providing evidence-based, quality oriented social work education through most advanced and emerging domains of practice, research and field interventions. It has also engaged itself in strengthening social work practice, research and field projects. Amrita’s MSW program is holistic and unique. It is both academic and experiential.
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’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program comprises of classroom and fieldwork components spread across four semesters. It encourages students to increase 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. Students participate in the service activities initiated by the Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham’s parent organization – Mata Amritanandamayi Math.
Activities
The department frequently displays wall posters on current social issues, problems and needs to inform and educate students and the public.The students have conducted seminars and workshops on Drugs and Alcohol Abuse, Suicide Prevention and Crisis Management. MSW students are active in institution wide cultural and spiritual activities.
Field education
Consistent with the mission of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, the students are bestowed with an opportunity to transcend theoretical knowledge by engaging in educational endeavors that helps nurture their skills and appreciate the realities of coping with complex problems in the quest to improve the quality of life and subjective well-being of the society.
Alumni speaks
The corporate world has widely appreciated the fact that the alumni of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, have the sense of responsibility which made the employers confident in delegating new changes to them. In order to stay connected, Amritians (Alumni of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham) have started Chapters in major cities in India and abroad.
Research
The Department engages in research on the interplay between vulnerabilities, development and human rights that feed into knowledge enhancement, direct action and policy building. Research initiatives address diverse levels of human problems, guided by need, capacity, and rights-based approaches.
Placements
The Department of Social Work at Amrita has established relationships with over sixty collaborating social service organizations across south and central India where students can do their internships, projects and other experiential learning. These organizations are also potential places of employment for MSW graduates.
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham,
Amritanagar Campus
Coimbatore- 641 112,
Tamilnadu, India
