The Department of Social Work had its humble beginning in 1955 with a Diploma Programme in social services (DSS). Later in 1961 the school started a Master of Social Work (MSW) Programme with specialisations in Personnel Management / Labour Welfare and Industrial Relations. In the year 1969 more specialisations such as Social Welfare Administration, Family and Child Welfare, Community Development and Medical and Psychiatric Social Work were introduced in the MSW programme. The MSW Programme of the school earned a wide acclaim in a short span of time. The School also expanded by taking up social work projects by establishing different Live Labs, and Research and Training in Social Work and related fields. Internationalisation of the Social Work Education (student and faculty exchange programmes) were started in the year 1998 with the signing of the official MOU with the Western Michigan University, USA and Rajagiri College of Social Sciences. The Department is the first in India to offer varied levels of Social Work education starting from one-year diploma to Doctoral levels (DSS, BSW, MSW, MPhil -Social Work, and Ph.D.). In 2013, the department started second batch of aided MSW programme and in the year 2019, Social Work in CSR has been introduced as a new specialisation to the MSW programme. From 2024, MSW Clinical Social Work programme is being offered
The Department is rated as the second best in social work education in the country.
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.
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.”
“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.”
“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.”
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.
"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.
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.