The School of Social Work (SOSW) at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) was established in 2007. It aims to provide quality education in the areas of social work, HIV/AIDS, counselling, correctional social work, tribal studies and family studies by offering programmes leading to the award of Certificate, Diploma, Graduate, Postgraduate and Doctoral degrees. The SOSW at IGNOU is the first School of Social work offering social work programmes in ODL, Online mode and SWAYAM platform. It is the first school of Social Work in India to take social work education to all the States, Union Territories in the country and abroad. It has indigenously developed high-quality Self- Instructional Materials (SIM) and uses multi-media approach for imparting social work teaching and training both in English and Hindi. It offers social work programmes to in-service learners and engages a large number of practitioners for field supervision.

• To promote human resources aiming at improving the quality of life of poorest of the poor.
• To meet the growing demand for professionally trained social workers across the country.
• To provide social work education and training based on indigenous knowledge and uniform curriculum across the country.
• To help the learner acquire professional skills and knowledge to help the clients to deal with their emotional and psychological problems.
• To help the learner acquire professional skills and develop capacity in helping people to solve various social and economic problems.
• To help the learner to develop required attitudes in understanding people’s problem-solving interventions.

The School of Social Work (SOSW) at IGNOU was established with the approval of the President of India Smt. Pratibha Singh Patil on August 16, 2007. The proposal to establish the First School of Social Work through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) was drafted by a team of eminent social work faculty comprising Prof. Gracious Thomas, Director, School of Continuing Education, IGNOU, Prof. Surendra Singh, Former Vice Chancellor, Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth, Varanasi, Prof. G. C. Khan, Head, Department of Social Work, Visva - Bharati, Sriniketan, Prof. Anjali Gandhi, Head, Department of Social Work, Jamia Millia Islamia, Prof. Sanjai Bhatt, Head, Department of Social Work, Delhi University and Prof. Thomas Kalam, Director, St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences, Bengaluru, on February 15, 2007. The proposal was subsequently approved by various statutory bodies of IGNOU including the Planning Board, Academic Council and the Board of Management. It was then forwarded to the Ministry of Human Resources and Development (MHRD). After due process at MHRD, the proposal was placed and approved in both the Houses of Parliament. After the approval from Parliament, the proposal was submitted to the President of India for her approval. The, then, MHRD conveyed the approval of the President of India (Visitor of the University) regarding approval of the new Schools, which includes School of Social Work on August 16, 2007.

Apart from academic programmes, the school housed two prestigious Chairs namely, The CBCI Chair (2000-2024) and the Mother Teresa Chair. Besides these, the School has the Centre for Tibetan Studies.

With great pleasure, I welcome you to the School of Social Work at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU). We are the first School to offer social work programme through Open and Distance Learning (ODL) and Online Learning (OL) in India. Our school is dedicated to providing high-quality education, research, and field practicum training in social work, with a focus on promoting social justice, community empowerment, and sustainable development.

The discipline of social work plays an indispensable role in addressing the complex issues that affect individuals, families, and communities, both locally and globally. In today’s rapidly changing world, where social inequalities and problems of the marginalised and vulnerable communities are more pronounced than ever, the need for compassionate, skilled, and ethical social workers has never been greater. At IGNOU, we are committed to preparing our students to meet these challenges with empathy, professionalism, and a deep commitment to the values of social justice, human rights, and dignity.

The School offers ten diverse programmes, ranging from certificate to PhD, designed to offer flexible and accessible learning opportunities for students from varied backgrounds and professions. We leverage the power of distance education and technology to reach out to learners across the country, ensuring that the benefits of affordable quality education are accessible to everyone, regardless of their geographical location.

At the heart of our academic and research initiatives is the goal to develop practitioners and scholars who not only excel in the technical aspects of social work but are also deeply engaged with the communities they serve. We ensure capacity building and continuing education for thousands of Non-Government Organization (NGO) functionaries working in remote areas. Fulfilling the mandate of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the social work programmes focus on enhancement of employable skills, competencies, skill development, is multi-disciplinary in nature and offers hands-on experience through fieldwork, internships, and projects that allow our students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, making a tangible difference in society.

As Director of the School of Social Work, I am proud of our eminent faculty and dedicated staff, and all our learners in India and abroad, all of whom contribute to the growth and success of our University. We continuously strive to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of the field, ensuring that our students are well-equipped to face the challenges of tomorrow’s social landscape.

I encourage all of you, whether prospective students, current learners, or alumni, to actively engage with us to work together to create a more inclusive, just, and equitable world. Your passion, commitment, and contribution are crucial to the advancement of the field of social work, and we are here to support you every step of the way.

Thank you for choosing the School of Social Work at IGNOU. We look forward to working with you and helping you achieve your academic and professional goals.

Warm regards,
Dr. Saumya
Director, School of Social Work
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), Delhi

School of Social Work, Block 15,
Vivekananda Bhawan,
IGNOU,
Maidangarhi-110068