COURSE DESCRIPTION
M.Phil. Social Work or Master of Philosophy in Social Work is a comprehensive system of ideas about human nature and the nature of the reality we live in. Master of Philosophy in Social Work is a Postgraduate Academic Research Degree Course whose subject study is Social Work. Social Work as an academic discipline educates about the promotion of social change, solution in human relationships, empowering and liberating people from various obstacles to enhance well-being. The course deals with nature of man and ideas in context of Social Work. The duration of Master of Philosophy in Social Work Course varies from 1-2 years involving many semesters. The duration of M.Phil. (Social Work) is 18 months in Karve Institute of Social Work where as the one provided by Delhi University is of 2 years duration. The maximum duration to complete the course also varies as per certain institutes; it can be double the minimum duration of the course or few months. There are certain minimum requirements as per the strength of the class for the course to be imparted. As per Karve Institute of Social Work - the M.Phil. programme in Social Work will be conducted only if minimum of 5 candidates register for the programme. Master of Philosophy in Social Works can also be pursued through distance learning programs which one can pursue at one's own flexibility. After completing Master of Philosophy through distance learning, one can continue further research through other doctoral programs. Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli provides M.Phil. - Social Work on Part-Time basis. The Distance Learning M.Phil. (social work) Degree Course offered by the Global Open University, Nagaland is of 1year duration.
M.Phil. Social Work Eligibility
- The candidate must have successfully completed the Master of Social Work (MSW) Course/M.A. (Social Work) from a recognized University. Generally, the institutes require 55% marks to be considered eligible for the course. The percentage Norm is mostly the same but there may be variations in context of certain Institutes. As per Tata Institute of Social Sciences - The minimum academic qualification for admission to the M.Phil. Programme is a Second-Class Master’s or equivalent degree in the relevant subject awarded by a recognised university in India or abroad, with at least an average of 55 per cent of aggregate marks, or a grade point average of 3.5 under the six-point grade system of the University Grants Commission (UGC), India.
- In the case of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates, the minimum eligibility is an average of 50 per cent of aggregate marks, or a grade point average of 3.05.
- A written test maybe conducted to assess the candidate’s knowledge. Those who qualify in the written test will be required to appear in an interview.
- Certain institute’s waiver entrance test if the candidate has qualified in NET, SET or equivalent national level examination. Manipur University waivers off written test if candidates have cleared UGC-JRF and have acquired M.Phil. degree from a recognized University. They are required to attend a personal interview with a tentative research proposal.
- The admission procedure and mode of selection for admission to Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) through distance learning however, may vary from one Institute to another.
- Some Institutes have specified added eligibility criteria for admitting candidates into their distance learning M.Phil. Program.
- Institutes also reserve certain seats for SC/ST, BC and physically challenged candidates.
M.Phil. Programme Regulations and Course Structure - Karve Institute of Social Work
- The first 12 months for theory and remaining 6 months for dissertation.
- If an M Phil student is unable to complete the expected work within the stipulated period he/she will be allowed to do so within an additional 6 months.
- The maximum period of registration for M. Phil students shall be of 2 years. If a candidate’s dissertation is ready after the completion of two years period, he/she may be allowed to submit his/her dissertation within six months by re-registration and by paying the required tuition fees for one year for re-registration.
Structure of the Course
| Three Written Theory Papers – 40 marks (40 x 3 =120 marks) each with Corresponding term papers of 60 marks in each subject. |
| Term paper 9 – 20 x 9 =180. The defence of every Term Paper shall be conducted at a Professional Seminar to be attended by all M.Phil. candidates and internal and external experts from the concerned fields, to be appointed at every seminar. |
| Research Dissertation – 150 marks to be submitted before appearing at the final M.Phil. Theory Examination. |
- Submission of the dissertation is a pre-condition to appearing at the final theory examination.
- The research dissertation must be based upon a definite research method preferably not the case study method.
- The sample design and report design must be accurately defined. The research dissertation must be based upon field data of not less than one hundred cases.
- The Charts & tables presented must be systematic with properly worked out class intervals. If the quality of research dissertation is not satisfactory the candidate may be advised to repeat the entire dissertation by offering a new topic altogether.
- The dissertation shall be evaluated both by the internal dissertation guide and external examiner independently. The dissertation shall be defended at the Viva Voce Examination for M.Phil. Degree to be conducted by the University.
- The candidate will be graded according to the 6-point grade prescribed by the U.G.C./University of Pune
M.Phil. Social Work Eligibility Criteria for Foreign Nationals
- The eligibility criteria for admission to the M.Phil. Programme for foreign nationals is the same as for Indian nationals. Students will be interviewed telephonically by a Panel of faculty members.
Upon admission, the student will be extended a provisional admission offer subject to confirmation upon due verification and ascertainment of grades. The scholar is expected to visit the Institute at least once a year. - A differential fee structure exists for students from the SAARC and other low-income countries and developed countries.
M.Phil. Social Work Course Suitability
- Master of Philosophy Degree is especially meant for academicians, interested in research or scholars willing to upgrade their knowledge after post-graduation in their field of interest.
- Those desirous of additional areas of employment in which practical and general scientific skills are useful one can pursue this degree.
- It is also meant for those who would like to acquire a certain level of analytical and applied skills but who are not keen on pursuing a Ph.D. degree.
COURSE ELIGIBILITY
The candidate must have successfully completed the Master of Social Work (MSW) Course/M.A. (Social Work) from a recognized University. Generally, the institutes require 55% marks to be considered eligible for the course. The percentage Norm is mostly the same but there may be variations in context of certain Institutes. As per Tata Institute of Social Sciences - The minimum academic qualification for admission to the M.Phil. Programme is a Second-Class Master’s or equivalent degree in the relevant subject awarded by a recognised university in India or abroad, with at least an average of 55 per cent of aggregate marks, or a grade point average of 3.5 under the six-point grade system of the University Grants Commission (UGC), India.
