MSW (Community Development)

Community Development:

Community Development specialization in St Aloysius College still attracts the students across India to be the experts in working for social change at the community level. This Programme includes theory and practicum which will enable students to specialize in Community Development. In the III and IV semester students study the various issues related to rural, tribal and urban development, citizen participation in governance, and education for development. The focus has been also on the various target groups of society such as unorganized labourers, women, children, dalits, youth, farmers, poor, artisans etc. The specialization also aims at enabling organized effort for sustainable development and mobilizing the people to protect their human rights.    

Field experience is an important part of the program in MSW department of St Aloysius College Mangalore. Community Development Students are given field training through placements in open communities under the guidance of Non Governmental Organisations and Local self Governments like Panchayths and City Corporations.

Such training in the community setting helps students learn social work practice with an integrated approach. Students themselves are involved in identifying the needs of the people, planning intervention strategies and implementing them. Moreover social welfare services are rendered to the needy, which will provide unbinding opportunities to the students to work freely at the same time earn goodwill and recognition in the society.

Experienced faculty members supervise the students Community work, carefully plan the assignments, conduct supervisory conferences and help the student to acquire professional skills and values. Annual seminars of National and Regional level help the students to update their knowledge, learn planning and organizing skills and also to exchange their ideas.

CD specialists generally find employment in NGOs working for the development of women, children, and any marginalized sections of society.

Emerging concept of Corporate Social Responsibility has created job opportunities for CD specialists in National and Multi National Companies.

After gaining some experience CD specialists can be appointed as consultants with various organizations in various capacities

l Government Sector.

l Peoples’ Movement.

l Public sector and Private sector Banks

l Co-operative Sectors.

l Industrial Corporation/ CSR

l Advocacy and other form of Social Activism.

l Self/group initiated organization and programmes.

l PRO’S in Government Offices

l Development Officers at Grama, Taluk & Zilla Panchayats. 

l BDO’s

l City corporation- as Community Development Officers, community health Officers

l Project Officers -National and International funding Agencies

Central and State government projects for women, children, HIV /AIDS, rural poor, slum and tribal development, farmers, youth have been the greatest employers to community development experts.Ongoing research is the need of the hour for Community development. Hence it provides scope for CD experts to be the researchers of projects funded by Government and International funding agencies. 

Higher education (PhD, MPhil) and teaching is another option for Community Development workers.

Community development Specialisation holds good for international market as well. Premier international organizations like WHO, UNESCO and UNICEF employs experts of Community Development in awareness campaigns and projects meant for developing countries.

Project Coordinator, Project manager, Researcher, Trainer, Programme director, Fund raising Executive, Monitoring officer are some of the designations one can obtain in this field.

“KIRANA” Community Development Forum is a platform for the students to Develop skills and creativity. It offers opportunities for cooperation and collaboration among students and external agencies. Team research studies are conducted to inculcate critical thinking and reasoning skills, and to develop a positive attitude among students towards scientific research from the beginning of their professional life. KIRANA is a means to enhance social interaction, leadership, healthy recreation, self-discipline and self-confidence. A good part of education that is broadening of horizons inculcation of values, learning to relate and to deal with others, exercise of participative leadership etc takes place through forum activities.

On order to supplement student’s classroom lectures, seminars and workshops are conducted to give the students an opportunity to think of broader issues in their subject or field to help them integrate total learning. Students are also actively involved in planning and implementation of seminars and workshops under the guidance of faculty. Students participate in the social functions organised by local or outside social agencies. This forum moulds the students to be socially sensitive by exposing them to bitter realities of society. This concept of blended learning can give a better future to the students.