IGNOU to Launch New Programme in Masters of Social Work

School of Social Work (SOSW) of Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has launched an innovative programme, master of social work (counselling). The programme will provide both academic learning and professional education and training in counselling, extending beyond theoretical knowledge.

This programme is tailored to suit the needs of counsellors working in a wide range of organisational and community contexts as well as individuals in a family. Unlike in the western world, counselling services are very inadequate in India. There is a growing demand for counsellors in schools, corporate sector, healthcare setting, social and welfare sectors, correctional settings etc.

The objective of this programme is to provide potential for employment in government as well as NGO sectors.

There is an urgent need for specially-trained counsellors to handle the stress of employees working with call centres, corporate sectors, families, family courts, correctional settings, schools, universities and educational institutions, rehabilitation centres, refugee camps, institutions for the differently-abled, aged, child care and adoption centres, family planning, voluntary counselling and testing centres, rural sectors especially where farmers are driven to commit suicide, de-addiction centres, etc.

The duration of the course is minimum two years and maximum five years. The eligibility for this programme is a bachelor’s degree from a recognised university, and medium of instruction should be English.

Student handbook and prospectus is available in all the regional centres/ study centres of the university. This can be obtained in person for ` 200. The last date for application to the programme is June 20, 2014 and with late fee of ` 300 until July 31, 2014.

Source: Hindustantimes.com