Introduction
The Bachelor of Social Work (Hons) degree programme conducted by the NISD aims to produce professional social workers with a good grasp of social work values, capable of managing social welfare services, competent to engage in good quality teaching and research and promote peace and harmony in a multi-ethnic Sri Lanka. The Bachelor’s degree course in Social Work is a full-time four-year programme. The BSW programme is conducted in eight semesters, through class room lessons, on-site-teaching-learning methods and guided field practice exercises.
Admission Requirements
Admission of candidates to the Bachelor of Social Work Degree is considered on the basis of the minimum requirements for University admission prescribed by the University Grants Commission (UGC) and a good working knowledge of English. Short listed candidates should appear for an Admission Test. Those who qualify at this
Admission Test will be called for an interview for selection on the basis of merit.
* Note: A minimum of a credit pass in the English Language at the G.C.E (O/L) examination is compulsory to follow the course in English medium.
Course Structure
In the course structure of the BSW programme the first two years are devoted to the study of foundation courses including traditional liberal arts disciplines. In the 3rd and the 4th years, besides the block field placement, specialised course units in social work are taught.
Bachelor of Social Work course units
First Year - First Semester
| Subject code | Subject | No. of hours | No. of Credits |
| BSW 111 | Orientation to Social Welfare organizations (Orientation Field placement) |
90 | 2 |
| BSW 112 | Introduction to Social Work | 45 | 3 |
| BSW 113 | Sociology for Social Work | 45 | 3 |
| BSW 114 | Psychology for Social Work | 45 | 3 |
| BSW 115 | Practice Lab | 45 | 3 |
| BSW 116 | English(compulsory) | 45 | None |
| BSW 117 | ICT Workshop(compulsory) | 06 | None |
First Year - Second Semester
| Subject code | Subject | No. of hours | No. of Credits |
| BSW 121 | Basic Methods & Techniques in Social Work Practice | 45 | 3 |
| BSW 122 | Social Work Values and Ethics | 45 | 3 |
| BSW 123 | Basic Research Methods | 45 | 3 |
| BSW 124 | Field Placement I (Concurrent) | 315 | 7 |
| BSW 116 | English(compulsory) | 45 | None |
| BSW 117 | ICT Workshop(compulsory) | 06 | None |
Second Year - First Semester
| Subject code | Subject | No. of hours | No. of Credits |
| BSW 211 | Field Placement II (concurrent) | 135 | 3 |
| BSW 212 | Social Case Work | 45 | 3 |
| BSW 213 | Social Work with Social Groups | 45 | 3 |
| BSW 214 | Social Issues & Problems in Sri Lanka | 45 | 3 |
| BSW 215 | Intervention Skills Development | 45 | 3 |
| BSW 216 | Volunteerism for Social Work I | 45 | 3 |
| BSW 116 | English(compulsory) | 45 | None |
| BSW 117 | ICT Workshop(compulsory) | 06 | None |
Second Year - Second Semester
| Subject code | Subject | No. of hours | No. of Credits |
| BSW 211 | Field Placement II (concurrent) | 270 | 6 |
| BSW 221 | Case Management | 45 | 3 |
| BSW 222 | Human Rights & Social Work | 45 | 3 |
| BSW 223 | Applied Research Methods | 45 | 3 |
| BSW 224 | Volunteerism for Social Work II | 45 | 3 |
| BSW 116 | English(compulsory) | 45 | None |
| BSW 117 | ICT Workshop(compulsory) | 06 | None |
Third Year - First Semester
| Subject code | Subject | No. of hours | No. of Credits |
| BSW 311 | Community Health | 45 | 3 |
| BSW 312 | Working in Organizations (Social Work Management) | 45 | 3 |
| BSW 313 | Economics for Social Workers | 45 | 3 |
| BSW 314 | Social Work Practice and Law | 45 | 3 |
BSW 315 (a) BSW 315 (b) BSW 315 (c) BSW 315 (d) BSW 315 (e) BSW 315 (f) |
Electives 1 Counseling Skill in Social Work I Medical and Mental Health Social Work I School Social Work I Human Resource Management I Social Work with Elderly I Persons with Disability I |
45 | 3 |
| BSW 316 | English(compulsory) | 45 | None |
| BSW 317 | ICT Workshop(compulsory) | 06 | None |
Third Year - Second Semester
| Subject code | Subject | No. of hours | No. of Credits |
| BSW 321 | Community Work | 45 | 3 |
| BSW 322 | Social Policy | 45 | 3 |
| BSW 323 | Research project | 360 | 4 |
| BSW 324 | Service delivery in Human Settlements | 105 | 3 |
BSW 325 (a) BSW 325 (b) BSW 325 (c) BSW 325 (d) BSW 325 (e) BSW 325 (f) |
Electives 2 Counseling II Medical and Mental Health Social Work II School Social Work II Human Resource Management II Social Work with Elderly II Persons with disability II |
45 | 3 |
| BSW 316 | English(compulsory) | 45 | None |
| BSW 317 | ICT Workshop(compulsory) | 06 | None |
Fourth Year - First Semester
| Subject code | Subject | No. of hours | No. of Credits |
| BSW 411 | Disaster Management | 45 | 3 |
| BSW 412 | Social Development – Global and National context | 45 | 3 |
| BSW 413 | Multi-Cultural Social Work Practice | 45 | 3 |
| BSW 323 | Research Project Continuing from 3rd year | 360 | 4 |
Fourth Year - Second Semester
| Subject code | Subject | No. of hours | No. of Credits |
| BSW 421 | Block Field Placement (Community work) | 765 | 17 |
How to Apply
The advertisements calling for applications are published in the news papers in the Government Gazette and in this website. The eligible applicants have to prepare an application on the prescribed form and submit it to the NISD.
Calling Applications: Usually the applications are called in the month of February each year.
For more information contact the course coordinator/s:
Mr. V. JeyarubanSenior Lecturer(School of Social Work)
+94 777 683 675
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Mrs. Manjula WijesekaraSenior Lecturer(School of Social Work)
+94 714 452 783
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