Nepal School of Social Work

BSW FAQs

Bachelor of Social Work(BSW) Program
  1. Why Social Work?

    If we look at the history of the late 19th century and early 20th century, pioneer social workers had as their aspiration to improve the 'lives of the abandoned that are destitute, stigmatized as criminals etc'. However, this aspiration also demands skills and knowledge to provide efficient and better service to the clients and service users. Hence, 21st century social work has evolved as a Professional discipline across the globe from a charity model of the past era.

    The reasons are many for choosing social work for your future. It is a challenging and rewarding profession that offers national and global career opportunities. With strong desire to make a difference in the lives of others, social workers also have regular opportunities to experience magnificent self growth, and with it a chance to become a better human.

    Professional Social Workers help people with disabilities, life-threatening illness, inadequate housing, poverty, unemployment, substance abuse, mental illness, palliative care, domestic violence, child abuse and sexual abuse. They are able to be very functional in both micro and macro levels of social interventions.

  2. In Nepal, there are many opportunities to study social work. Why should I apply to BSW program at Kadambari Memorial College (Nepal School of Social Work)?
    There are many reasons. We write a few of them here:
    • The history of academic social work program in Nepal is still very young. Today, there are only three colleges in Nepal, which are running the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program, equivalent to International BSW programs in universities abroad.
    • Kadambari College has been affiliated with Purbanchal University since 2005. It is the first and only affiliated college of PU that offers a BSW program. With its 10 years of experience in social work education and practice scholarship, it is the only college that has developed extensive national and international linkages with other schools of social work.
    • As a student of social work at Kadamabri College, you will be in the best position to be exposed to global issues and standards of social work. You will benefit from the large college alumni who are now working with various national NGOs as you will have the opportunity to meet the alumni at different times.
    • You will also have the chance and opportunity to meet international social work professors who visit and associate with the Nepal School of Social Work. These meetings and exchanges can be very useful and can be life-changing events for you.

    In addition:

    Kadambari College is one of the founding members of Nepal School of Social work and is the only one college in Nepal that specializes in social work education, practice, and research. With the only social work program, the college is dedicated to nurturing young people to help them become professional social workers. For that, KMCSM is working alongside International Universities. Professors from various global schools of social work come as visiting lecturers and Professors and provide classes. As a student of NSSW you will have the chance to learn from a wide variety of lecturers.

    In the recent past: Prof Lina Domelli (Durham University, UK), Prof Marleny Bonnycastle (University of Manitoba, Canada) , Prof Jacqualine Joseph (Tata Institute of Social Sciences, India), Prof. Akimoto from Japan, Profs. Dheeshana Jayasundara and Prof. Randy of University of North Dakota (US) and Dr. Sara Parker from the UK have all given lectures and guided our students.

    Our faculty is all professionally trained both in Nepal and abroad. They all have good exposure to international social work practices.

    Currently two Australian scholars are serving as volunteer faculties in KMCSM to strengthen the social work program. The college organizes international conferences in which students are encouraged to participate to enhance their learning portfolio. Various value added program called Active Sundays which involve a rotation of events including; students day, human library, documentary day and outreach exposure are a rich part of college life.

    KMCSM believes in providing a fertile ground in which to allow social workers to grow into their potential, becoming more humane and better social workers. Agencies regularly contact KMCSM for students' job placement. This year, 9 graduates were hired from college to work in various humanitarian organizations such as MAGNA, SEED, MERCY MALAYSIA and TISS. KMCSM is the local partner in earthquake response to the Tata Institute of Social Science (TISS) in India.

  3. What is the difference between the bachelor program with one major social work (BA in Social Work) and the core BSW?

    Internationally, BSW is the standard academic program through which individuals become social workers. It represents the core social work academic program consisting of knowledge, skills, practice of social work in multiple settings and six practical methods of social work intervention. The BSW program of KMCSM contains 32 subjects ranging from sociology for social work to human behavior and growth, psychiatric social work, community organization, social action, child right, rural and urban community development, family and social work, development communication, law and social work, management of voluntary organization, social development, gender studies, juvenile justice, social work in industry and case work and group work. The curriculum is designed to equip students with theories and hands on practices. Running parallel to the classes are three social camps, research work, 350 hours agencies placement (field placement) and a month long block placement. The curriculum is growing from micro social work to macro over the three years of bachelor program.

    Talking about the BASW (they say BSW in market) has different course. In the BA course,there are Two major subjects. Social Work is one of the subjects. But, they also need to choose another subject like rural development, psychology , English etc. In this course, students have to study 100 marks in the first year, 200 marks in the second year and 200 marks in the third year. So, in total, they study only 500 marks out of 1400. That means out of 1400, students have to study 500 marks of social work, 500 marks something other subject and 400 marks as compulsory subjects. In this sense, this course is not intensive and not recognized as Bachelor of Social Work at an international level. This is recognized as Bachelor of Arts program and certified by University as Bachelor of Arts.

  4. If I decide that BSW Social Work is for me, how do I apply?
    • High school seniors with 12 years of academic study with a minimum of 40% marks from any discipline can apply as a fresh student to the Social Work program by filling in the online application form or by visiting to the college located at Budha Nagar. Visit our website and our facebook page for more information and events.
    • Transfer students can apply to the program by completing the Purbanchal University BSW program.
  5. What can I do with a BSW degree?

    A good BSW degree prepares you for generalist social work practice and also graduate social work education. It can prepare you for career opportunities and further graduate education (Masters and PhD) in Social Work. Beside this, they can also chose other areas such as communications, corrections, education, governance, disaster response, human resources, law, non-profit organizations, religious studies, and public service.

    BSW social workers are generalists who may work as case managers, work in residential programs, provide counseling, link clients to resources, and advocate for better services and policies that reduce discrimination for vulnerable populations. Social workers work with individuals, families, groups, and communities and provide services to all age groups (children, adolescents and adults).

    Professional Social workers are employed by: advocacy programs, children and youth services, community action agencies, criminal justice organizations, developmental disability services, elderly programs, disability support agencies, domestic violence and sexual assault programs, hospitals and hospices, income assistance programs, international relief, schools, community mental health agencies and substance abuse programs. Social work is a growing profession in Nepal, especially in the post earthquake scenario.

  6. Will I have to complete an internship?

    Yes. The internship experience is an important part of Social Work education. The BSW program requires you to complete an internship in an agency where you will gain hands-on experience working with clients. The internship allows you to put into practice all of the skills that you have learned in the BSW coursework in a supportive, internship placement. You will complete a minimum of 250 hours in an internship in a semester. You will have a chance to work in 6 different settings/ agencies during the 3 years in the course. The final year has also one month block placement where students with a whole degree of skills and knowledge, take leadership of a program or are involved fully in an organizational program.

    As a result of these hands on learning experiences, you will be well prepared to work as a professional social worker upon graduation. KMCSM encourages and also tailors classes for those who want to join the paid internship program that can happen during the college for a period longer than a month to enrich the experiential learning.

  7. How many hours of coursework will it take me to complete a BSW degree? How many of these hours are in the area of Social Work?

    At NSSW out students are required to complete 960 hours of coursework and between 1800 and 2100 hours of field work/agency placement, 270 hours of social work camps (neighbourhood camp, rural and urban camp) to successfully graduate from the undergraduate degree in BSW. These requirements are in line with the global standards of social work education.

  8. Is there any opportunities for me to study Social Work abroad after initial years at NSSW ?

    Yes, Social Work students who choose to study abroad, in any other country than India, need to take a one year post graduate degree. However, graduates of BSW can study Masters in India in a discipline like a masters program in social work, disaster management, family studies, human resource studies, business administration. Beginning this year, the current 3 year BSW will be increased to 4 years to match the international academic years in higher studies.

  9. What is the structure of a BSW internship?

    In BSW internship, you will:

    • be immersed full-time in an agency two days a week for one semester as per agencies rules and regulations.
    • have a full-time faculty member as a field work supervisor, who is specifically devoted to field education, prepare and place you in an internship, meet with you on-site to review your progress, discuss any concerns, and provide continued support.
    • have a supervisor from the agencies, who also help/facilitate and also evaluate the performance during the semester.
    • participate in a individual counseling and group counseling with the college supervisor to bridge the learning from the classroom to the agencies and vice versa and also help to focus on integrating your internship with social work values, ethics, and practice resolving various problems.
    • graduate with professional work experience.
  10. Where will I complete my internship?

    KMCSM field work department will allocate your agency placement according to your interest and your experience. You are given the opportunity to choose an internship from a variety of social service organizations based on your interests. We currently have more than 60 agencies with whom we work. They serve a multitude of diverse populations, cultural backgrounds, and socioeconomic classes in areas including healthcare, child welfare, extended care facilities, and community advocacy agencies, geriatrics, disability, women, children, disaster, community police etc.

  11. What can you expect to do during an internship?

    As you pass each semester and enter your last semester of undergraduate studies, you will gain a rich learning experience as you become fully immersed within a local social services agency. Through the internship experience, you can gain great hands-on experience, which includes:

    • Assessing client and community needs
    • Obtaining social histories
    • Empowering clients, communities, and systems of all sizes
    • Contacting and using community resources
    • Offering individual, group, and family counseling under the supervision of a clinician
    • Conducting interviews with individuals, families, and stakeholders
    • Implementing intervention plans
    • Evaluating the effectiveness of interventions
    • Keeping concise and accurate records
    • Collaborating with colleagues
    • Managing client caseloads
    • Conducting crisis interventions
  12. How does a BSW degree at NSSW make you more marketable/ chances of employed than other undergraduate degrees?

    When you graduate from our BSW program, you will graduate with generalist social work practice skills, a professional work experience, and the potential to obtain a Social Work license in the future when you go aboard. You will be a competent, professional well equipped and ready to enter the world of work. You will be one among around 80 graduates in social work in a year in Nepal. This provides you with ample opportunity to be successful in the job market and also the chance to create your own organization.