The Department of Social Work at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences began its journey in 1955 with a Diploma in Social Services (DSS). In 1961, it introduced the Master of Social Work (MSW) programme, initially specializing in Personnel Management, Labour Welfare, and Industrial Relations. By 1969, the MSW programme expanded to include Social Welfare Administration, Family and Child Welfare, Community Development, and Medical and Psychiatric Social Work, rapidly gaining nationwide recognition.
Over the past years, the Department has solidified its reputation as a center of excellence, consistently ranked as the second-best social work programme in India by India Today and Outlook magazines. It is the first institution in the country to offer comprehensive social work education, from diploma (DSS) (currently PGDCSW), BSW to Doctoral levels (Ph.D.). In 2013, a second batch of the MSW programme was introduced, and in 2019, a new specialization in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) was added. From 2024, the Department offers an MSW in Clinical Social Work.
The Department's focus on experiential learning is enhanced through various Live Labs and the establishment of a dedicated Research Centre for Social Work. It maintains a robust network of over 40 Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with leading international universities across the globe. Since 1998, it has engaged in international exchange programmes, starting with its partnership with Western Michigan University, USA. These exchange programmes facilitate both student and faculty mobility, enriching the academic environment.
Programmes offered:
Doctoral Centre in Social Work
Mater of Social Work (MSW) with specialisations in Community Development, Corporate Social Responsibility, Family and Child Welfare, Medical and Psychiatric Social Work
MSW Clinical Social Work
BSW- Integrated & Four-year honours degree
PGDCSW- Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Social Work and Counselling Practices
Vision:
To be a centre par excellence in Social Work education, unique in experience, value based in approach and pioneering in efforts, for enriching and fulfilling LIFE.
Mission:
To facilitate the sprouting of professionally competent and socially sensitive social workers with a global outlook to proactively respond to emerging societal concerns, capable of addressing life challenges.
“MSW course provided me a greater level of confidence to take-up the challenges. During the course I have been given opportunity to undertake field work with NGOs in other states like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. This has helped me to develop a clear perspective towards rural scenario. I believe that this experience has helped me to get my present job and obviously the MSW course content, training and teaching methodology and guidance of teachers of Rajagiri College moulded me as a competent social worker.”
Jinto K Mathew MSW 2014-16 Batch
“The experience from the Rajagiri College of Social Sciences helped me a lot to be more competitive in the field of social work. It also enabled me to develop skills not only personally but also professionally. The knowledge gained from the training sessions provided during the study can be applied in the working station and has been recognized the same in my institution. I am really grateful to my faculty members, in fact their guidance and motivation influenced significantly in my life.”
Mathew T. John (BSW 2013-2016)
“I entered Rajagiri College of Social Sciences for doing my BSW, 6 years back, I was not contented with ‘profit and loss’ overview of the world and my thirst for a deeper engagement and learning about the society, led me to choose this wonderful course in Rajagiri. This was one of the major turns in my life and looking back at it, I’m truly happy.
This course not only offered a textual understanding about my surrounding but I got to experience layers of explorative learning with field work in each semester. Rajagiri also offered various avenues for my personal growth too. I was the President of the students’ union named ‘SWARAJ’ which helped me work on my leadership skills under the guidance of a well experienced faculty team. All the experience I gathered those 3 years and forward, is truly helping me, as I currently work as a Social Work educator.”
Elizabeth Jacob (BSW 2016-2019)
As a human being, I believe that the core of man’s spirit comes from new experiences, and to have got the opportunity to do Bachelor of Social Work at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences has been truly fulfilling to my spirit. Even though Social Work wasn’t my interest initially, it became my passion after going through the social work training I received here. I was hesitant to join Rajagiri due to my bias that being in Kerala wouldn’t provide exposure to the larger world, but the exposure I received here with regard to organizational visits, concurrent fieldwork, summer placement, club activities, conferences and the world within library, was more than I could’ve ever hoped for. Rajagiri opened my eyes to the realities of human life I was ignorant of. Every aspect of this institute, be it academic or extra-curricular, has helped a lot in developing myself multifold. Now, as I am pursuing Post Graduate Diploma in Rural Management at Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) the fire of social work still burns bright. I will always be a social worker by spirit whichever profession I take up because what I’ve learnt during my BSW journey would always remain and reflect in my actions.
Tony James (BSW 2012-2015)
"Throughout my 3 years of Bachelor of Social work at Rajagiri College of Social Sciences I had countless opportunities to develop interpersonal skills, Intrapersonal skills, leadership skills and proactive thinking through various programs and events organized by the Department of Social Work. These attributes were the key reasons because of which I was successfully placed as the coordinator of Trivandrum Don Bosco Veedu Society. Big thanks to all my faculty members and friends for this amazing journey at RCSS. I believe the field work, Rotaract club activities and mentoring provided by the college helped me to develop a good career in Social Work.
Reshma Sisil Thomas MSW (2021-23)
Receiving the admission offer letter from Rajagiri is one of the proudest moments of my life. The two years of the MSW course have enabled and empowered me to practice in an international setting. Each field experience under the guidance of eminent faculty members served as an opportunity to enhance my skills and knowledge. The solid foundation offered at Rajagiri equipped me to obtain U.S. social work licensure within a few months of graduation, facilitating employment as a social worker at Richmond State Supported Living center, Texas Health and Human Services Commission, United States of America, with a salary package of 37 LPA. Course recognition by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) expedited the process. Overflowing with gratitude, I am committed to exceeding social work practice expectations and contributing to Rajagiri's legacy with dedication and professionalism.
