The Master of Social Work (MSW) degree aims at training and preparing a professional social worker to be conceptually and methodologically competent with knowledge, suitable attitude and practice skills and fully capable of delivering a nationally appropriate, yet internationally recognized generic or specific social work practice. The programme is essentially contextualized within Sri Lankan society and culture. Some significant socio-cultural aspects and broad concerns that are commonly seen across South Asian societies are also emphasized. This enables a rational relevance of the programme to the region, and as a result, the programme may be attractive to students from South Asian countries too.
Social work education and practice all over the world is guided by a set of universally recognized values, principles and codes of conduct. This sets a benchmark for the International Association of the Schools of Social Work Education (IASSW) and the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) to monitor and maintain standards in social work education across the world. The programme was designed strictly adhering to international standards.
Target Group and Career Prospects
A specific target group of the MSW programme is for those aspiring to obtain more advanced and specialized practical training. The others eligible to enroll in this programme are current practitioners in human service fields from different academic and professional backgrounds and those who desire to move into professional social work practice.
The Master of Social Work qualification will enable students to acquire employability skills to work either as generic professional social workers or specialized advanced practitioners. They may work as:
- professional social or community workers and / or similar but differently designated positions in a wide range of public, private and community, including NGOs and other organizations,
- private social work practitioners, similar to other health sector professionals, especially in the growing urban areas in the country.
Experienced social workers are well placed to secure international careers, especially in areas such as social development, international development, international migration and refugee movements, human trafficking, peace missions, humanitarian and disaster relief programs and all areas of campaigns on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the global level. Experienced social workers are also highly valued in many Western developed countries as well as international organizations such as United Nations, Red Cross, Oxfam, World Vision, ILO, IMO, Amnesty International, etc.
Eligibility Criteria
A candidate who possesses one of the following qualifications is eligible to apply for MSW:
- Successful completion of the Bachelor of Social Work (BSw) degree, OR
- A Bachelor’s degree in any discipline obtained from a recognized University or any other equivalent qualification and successful completion of Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work or one year work experience in a related field, OR
- Other professional qualifications and five years of work experience in a field as acceptable to the relevant Board of Study.
Courses offered:
Course Code | Course Name | Credits | Status |
SWK 501 | Social Work & Social Welfare | 3 | C |
SWK 502 | Concepts in Sociology | 3 | C |
SWK 503 | Social Work Research and Social Work Practice | 3 | C |
SWK 504 | Social Work and Cultural Diversity | 3 | C |
SWK 505 | Social Psychology | 3 | C |
SWK 506 | Social Work Skills and Practice Methods | 3 | C |
SWK 507 | Working in Human Service Organisations | 3 | O |
SWK 508 | Social and Welfare Policy | 3 | C |
SWK 509 | Communication and Generic Counseling Skills | 1 | O |
SWK 510 | Social Work with Children and Young People | 2 | O |
SWK 511 | Working with Vulnerable Population Groups 1 – Elderly | 2 | O |
SWK 512 | Working with Vulnerable Population Groups 2 – PWDs | 2 | O |
SWK 513 | Community Based Correction | 2 | O |
SWK 514 | Social Work Practice and Spirituality | 1 | O |
SWK 515 | Supervised Field Practice 1 | 3 | C |
SWK 601 | Modern Social Work Theory | 3 | C |
SWK 602 | Social Work in Legal, Rights and Ethics Contexts | 3 | C |
SWK 603 | Advocacy and Mediation | 2 | O |
SWK 604 | Working with Families | 2 | O |
SWK 605 | Group Work Practice | 2 | O |
SWK 606 | Social Work and Poverty Alleviation | 3 | O |
SWK 607 | Social Work Practice During Crisis and Disasters | 3 | O |
SWK 608 | Community-Based care Systems in Sri Lanka | 3 | O |
SWK 615 | Supervised Field Practice 2 | 3 | C |
SWK 609 | Community and Social Development Practice | 3 | C |
SWK 610 | Holistic Practice with Clients of Complex Needs | 3 | C |
SWK 697 | Dissertation | 9 | C |
Total credits required for MSW | 60 | ||
Programme Completion Requirements
A student will be awarded the Master of Social Work degree upon successful completion of 60 credits from courses and an independent project (Dissertation).
Exit Point:
A student who is admitted to follow the Master of Social Work and wishes to leave the programme may obtain the Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work upon successful completion of 25 credits.
