BSW Degree: Your Guide to the Bachelor of Social Work

Pursuing a career in social work often requires a graduate education, but earning your Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree is an important first step. According to the International Federation of Social Workers [1], social work “promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. " This often means working with various groups to identify problems and develop strategies to manage or solve them.

A BSW is often a requirement for entering the field, and you might need a Master of Social Work (MSW) if you want to advance in your career. Discover more about the BSW degree, including how long it takes to complete, the courses you’ll likely take, and the paths you can follow after graduation. 

What is the BSW?

A BSW degree is an undergraduate degree that takes a generalist approach to social work so that you can gain a broad understanding of the profession and pursue various paths after graduation. You might need to pass an entrance exam to gain admission into a BSW programme. Common entrance exams for a BSW degree include the Common University Entrance Test (CUET), Delhi University Entrance Test (DUET), and Presidency University Bachelor Degree Entrance Test (PUBDET).

Once you’ve completed your BSW, you can pursue additional qualifications, such as a master’s degree or postgraduate diploma in social work, or work within NGOs or government-regulated social assistance programmes as Friendly Specialists.

Duration and cost of a BSW degree

As with other bachelor's degrees, a BSW takes around three to four years of full-time study. 

The cost of a BSW degree depends on the university you choose. For example, a BSW from Parul University is approximately ₹40,000 annually, depending on the region where you took your qualifying examination [2]. The IMTS Institute's BSW degree ranges between ₹18,000 to ₹50,000 annually [3].

Types of coursework

You will complete several required major courses to graduate with a BSW. Your coursework may include topics like the following:

• Human development

• Gender studies

• Community development

• Fieldwork

• Social policy and welfare

• Social work theory and practices 

Field internship

Your degree will often include fieldwork. Your internship will likely occur during your programme's final year or last semester and can take many forms, such as working with an agency or organisation. The purpose is to help you develop practical experience to augment what you’ve learned in your courses.

What can you do with a BSW?

With a BSW degree, you can enter the workforce or continue to graduate school. Explore a few popular options to begin planning your potential learning path.

Entry-level roles

After earning your BSW, you can pursue entry-level roles in the social work field, such as the following: 

• Workshop director 

• Habilitation specialist 

• Residential counsellor 

• Group home worker 

• Adult guidance worker 

• Activity director 

• Youth worker

Master of Social Work (MSW)

If you’re interested in more advanced roles, you may want to explore a Master of Social Work (MSW). With a BSW, you may qualify for accelerated dual degree programmes, which reduce the coursework you need to complete your bachelor's and master's.

With your professional degree or training, you can work as the following:

• Social worker 

• Special educator

• Project manager 

• Teacher

Do you need a BSW to earn an MSW?

You can pursue an MSW with nearly any type of bachelor’s degree. If you’re interested in achieving a graduate-level degree in social work, many related majors will help provide a helpful foundation, including the following:

• Bachelor of Arts in Sociology 

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology 

• Bachelor of Science in Health and Human Services

While an integrated course in social work, such as a BSW/MSW, requires more time than a single-degree course, it’s more efficient than pursuing each course separately. A BSW/MSW is usually a five-year course (BSW for three years and MSW for two years). However, some colleges may offer exit routes for you to graduate early with a certificate after one year of study or a diploma after two years.

What are the benefits of a BSW?

A BSW could lead to a higher salary, career advancement, and other advantages. It is an important credential for beginning a career in social work, and it has several benefits. 

Salary + job growth

According to AmbitionBox, social workers in India earn an average annual salary of ₹2,90,000 [4]. Moreover, social work as a profession is growing as the government creates new initiatives to better serve various populations.

Meaning and impact

At its core, social work is about helping others. Given India’s complex issues and challenges, such as poverty and inequality, social workers can make a lasting impact on people’s lives, including helping otherwise marginalised populations and solving some of today’s leading problems. Many people enter the profession because of the potential difference they can make and the meaning that may be created within their careers.

Which BSW programme is right for me?

The best BSW degree programme is the one that helps you achieve your goals, be they personal, professional, or educational. As you research potential programmes, consider the following four additional factors:

Your goals

Your long-term education or career goals can help determine which BSW degree programme is the best for you. If you’d like to pursue an MSW, it may help you find a BSW/MSW (or BA/MSW) programme. However, if you are more interested in working after graduation, a standard BSW degree programme may be the best choice.

Accreditation

Accreditation, or the verification that a social work programme meets certain quality standards, is important when selecting the best BSW degree programme for you. Only the UGC in India can provide accreditation for social work programmes [5]. As you research potential programmes, make sure to verify their accreditation status.

Field internship

The types of internships you’ll find may depend on location and even the connections a programme has established with external professional organisations. As you look at various BSW degree programmes, find out where many students intern—or reach out to an admissions counsellor for more information. Given the professional experience you’ll gain from an internship, it’s important to make sure it aligns with your larger goals.

Online vs in-person

How you want to study—and the flexibility you’ll need—is another important consideration when determining the best BSW degree programme for you. You can explore several online BSW degree options. If you’d like to work whilst attending school or prefer learning from home (or anywhere with an internet connection) rather than attending in-person classes, then an online BSW programme may be worth exploring.

Learn more about social work on Coursera

A BSW is the first step toward a career in social work. Discover more about the world of social work with courses and certificates on Coursera. With options like the University of Michigan’s Social Work Practice: Advocating Social Justice and Change, you can explore social work and learn more about the industry and potential careers.