

MSW in Rural And Community Development 13 at St. Joseph's College (Autonomous), Devagiri


Kozhikode, Kerala
.png&w=1920&q=75)
About the Specialization
What is Rural and Community Development [13] at St. Joseph's College (Autonomous), Devagiri Kozhikode?
This Community Development specialization program at St. Joseph''''s College, Kozhikode, focuses on empowering communities for sustainable growth. Addressing critical Indian issues like rural poverty, urban migration, and tribal development, it equips students with tools for grassroots change and policy advocacy. The program integrates local contexts with global best practices, meeting high demand for skilled community practitioners.
Who Should Apply?
This program is ideal for fresh graduates seeking entry into India''''s development sector, offering a robust foundation in community-led interventions. It suits working professionals aiming to upskill in social work, public policy, or NGO management. Career changers transitioning into social justice and sustainable development roles will find it highly relevant. Applicants typically possess a bachelor''''s degree, demonstrating a passion for social change.
Why Choose This Course?
Graduates of this program can expect diverse India-specific career paths, including Community Development Officers, Project Coordinators, and CSR Managers in NGOs, government agencies, and corporate social responsibility departments. Entry-level salaries typically range from INR 3-5 LPA, growing with experience. Opportunities in rural development, tribal welfare, and urban planning are abundant. The program aligns with national development goals and professional social development certifications.

Student Success Practices
Foundation Stage
Build Foundational Social Work Ethics & Theory- (Semester 1-2)
Actively engage with core social work theories and ethical principles through case studies, discussions, and reflective journals. Understand the historical context of social work in India to inform practice.
Tools & Resources
NASW Code of Ethics, TISS (Tata Institute of Social Sciences) resources, Academic texts on ''''Social Work in India''''
Career Connection
Develops a strong ethical compass and theoretical understanding, essential for credible and effective professional practice in any social work domain.
Master Fieldwork Documentation & Supervision- (Semester 1-2)
Diligently maintain fieldwork records (process recordings, log sheets) and actively participate in supervision sessions. Seek constructive feedback from supervisors to continuously improve practical skills in individual and group work.
Tools & Resources
Agency specific reporting formats, Supervision feedback templates, Peer review sessions
Career Connection
Cultivates critical reporting, analytical, and self-reflection skills, which are vital for professional accountability and effective intervention planning and execution.
Initiate Community Engagement & Observation- (Semester 1-2)
Participate in departmental outreach programs, volunteer for local NGOs, and conduct structured observations of diverse community settings. Focus on understanding local socio-economic dynamics and existing social issues.
Tools & Resources
Local NGO networks, College''''s community extension cells, Structured observation guides
Career Connection
Provides early exposure to real-world community challenges and fosters empathy, building a foundational understanding crucial for future community development roles.
Intermediate Stage
Advanced Stage
Program Structure and Curriculum
Eligibility:
- A candidate who has passed any Bachelor Degree examination of the University of Calicut or any other University or Institution recognized by the UGC/AICTE/Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India /University of Calicut as equivalent thereto. The Minimum marks required for admission to MSW programme shall be 45% marks in aggregate in the qualifying examination. For SC/ST candidates 40% marks in aggregate is sufficient. Rounding of mark to the nearest whole number is not permitted.
Duration: 4 semesters / 2 years
Credits: 80 Credits
Assessment: Internal: 20%, External: 80%
Semester-wise Curriculum Table
Semester 1
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 SWK C01 | Introduction to Social Work | Core | 4 | Social Work definition and scope, Values and principles of social work, Historical development of social work (India and International), Social reform movements in India, Professional Social Work |
| S1 SWK C02 | Social Science Perspectives for Social Work | Core | 4 | Sociological concepts (family, community, social change), Psychological theories (personality, learning, motivation), Economic perspectives (poverty, development, inequality), Political systems and governance, Social Anthropology and cultural diversity |
| S1 SWK C03 | Working with Individuals | Core | 4 | Casework principles and process, Psycho-social study and assessment, Intervention strategies and techniques, Counseling in social work, Ethics and values in casework practice |
| S1 SWK C04 | Concurrent Field Work | Core | 4 | Orientation to social work agencies, Observation visits and institutional study, Basic practice with individuals, Process recording and critical analysis, Supervision and conference participation |
| S1 SWK C05 | Social Work Research & Statistics | Core | 4 | Introduction to social work research, Types of research designs, Data collection methods and tools, Sampling techniques, Basic statistical concepts and analysis |
Semester 2
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S2 SWK C06 | Working with Groups | Core | 4 | Group work definition and principles, Types of groups and their characteristics, Group dynamics and stages of group development, Role of social worker in group process, Program planning and evaluation in group work |
| S2 SWK C07 | Community Organization | Core | 4 | Concept of community and types, Principles and models of community organization, Stages of community organization process, Role of community organizer, Tools and techniques in community organization |
| S2 SWK C08 | Social Policy, Planning & Administration | Core | 4 | Social policy concepts and formulation, Social planning approaches and levels, Social welfare administration principles and functions, Financial management in social welfare, Human Resource Management in social organizations |
| S2 SWK C09 | Concurrent Field Work | Core | 4 | Practice with groups and community level interventions, Exposure to agency administration, Skill development in program implementation, Detailed recording and process analysis, Intensive supervision and peer learning |
| S2 SWK C10 | Social Legislations & Human Rights | Core | 4 | Indian Constitution and social justice, Social legislations (child, women, disabled, labor), Concept of human rights and international instruments, Role of social worker in advocating rights, Legal aid and social action |
Semester 3
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S3 SWK C11 | Rural, Urban & Tribal Community Development | Core | 4 | Characteristics of rural, urban and tribal communities, Theories and models of community development, Development indicators and challenges in India, Government policies and programs for community development, Approaches to sustainable community development |
| S3 SWK CD01 | Community Based Disaster Management | Elective (Community Development) | 4 | Concepts of disaster, hazard, vulnerability, Phases of disaster management (mitigation, preparedness, response), Community role in disaster risk reduction, Vulnerability and capacity assessment, Indigenous knowledge in disaster management |
| S3 SWK CD02 | Gender & Development | Elective (Community Development) | 4 | Concepts of sex and gender, Patriarchy and gender roles, Women in Development (WID) vs. Gender and Development (GAD), Gender mainstreaming and budgeting, Women empowerment and social movements in India |
| S3 SWK C12 | Concurrent Field Work | Core | 4 | Specialization-focused field practice (Community Development), Project planning, implementation, and monitoring, Participatory approaches in community work, Documentation of community interventions, Advanced supervision and critical reflection |
| S3 SWK C13 | Project Formulation & Evaluation | Core | 4 | Project cycle management, Needs assessment and problem analysis, Logical Framework Approach (LFA), Feasibility study and resource mobilization, Monitoring and evaluation methods (impact, process, outcome) |
Semester 4
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Subject Type | Credits | Key Topics |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S4 SWK CD03 | Health & Development | Elective (Community Development) | 4 | Concepts of public health and health indicators, National health policy and programs in India, Primary healthcare and community health initiatives, Health education and promotion, Role of social worker in health sector |
| S4 SWK CD04 | Sustainable Development & Environmental Social Work | Elective (Community Development) | 4 | Concepts of sustainable development and SDGs, Environmental issues (climate change, pollution, resource depletion), Environmental ethics and justice, Eco-friendly practices and community action, Role of social work in environmental protection |
| S4 SWK C14 | Professional Social Work | Core | 4 | Professional identity and ethics in social work, Accountability and supervision, Professional associations (NASW, ICSW, TISS), Social work education and trends, Emerging areas of social work practice |
| S4 SWK C15 | Dissertation & Viva Voce | Core | 4 | Advanced research methodology, Data analysis and interpretation, Report writing and academic presentation, Defense of research findings, Ethical considerations in research |
| S4 SWK C16 | Concurrent Field Work | Core | 4 | Advanced specialization field practice (Community Development), Advocacy and networking skills, Policy analysis and influence, Resource mobilization and proposal writing, Agency management and final reporting |




