Jun 09 2014 : The Times of India (Delhi)
Social empowerment
Aaditi Isaac
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TNN
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The School of Social Work (SOSW) at the Indira Gandhi National Open University (Ignou) has launched a new programme -Master of social work (counselling).“There is a dearth of professional counsellors in all sectors. The programme will provide both academic learning and professional education and training in counseling, extending beyond theoretical knowledge. It is tailored to suit counsellors working in a wide range of organisational and community contexts as well as individuals in families in a fast-changing social scenario. There are numerous problems being faced by people across the board. Unlike in the West, counselling services are inadequate in our country,“ says Gracious Thomas, director, School of Social Work, Ignou.
The two-year programme is organised in such a way that students can put into practice what they learn in the classroom. “Students will be able to assist trained counsellors in hospitals, jails, for childcare, in rural settings, etc. The university will provide students with a block placement at the end of the first year where students will be able to consolidate their theoretical knowledge and practical work experience under a social welfare agency. At the end of the second year, students have to intern for a month with an agency, depending on their interest and once they complete the internship they would be given a degree,“ he explains.
Once students complete the programme, they can work as counsellors in schools, corporate sector, health-care setting, social and welfare sectors, correctional settings, etc. There is an urgent need for specially trained counsellors to handle the stress of employees working with call centres, corporate sectors, families, family courts, correctional settings, school, universities and educational institutions, rehabilitation centres, refugee camps, institutions for the differently-abled, aged, child care and adoption centres, family planning, voluntary counseling and testing centres, rural sectors especially where farmers are driven to commit suicide, de-addiction centres etc. > AT A GLANCE z Eligibility: Bachelor's degree from a recognised university z Medium of Instruction: English z Duration: Minimum two years and maximum five years z Deadline: June 20 http://www.ignou.ac.in
The two-year programme is organised in such a way that students can put into practice what they learn in the classroom. “Students will be able to assist trained counsellors in hospitals, jails, for childcare, in rural settings, etc. The university will provide students with a block placement at the end of the first year where students will be able to consolidate their theoretical knowledge and practical work experience under a social welfare agency. At the end of the second year, students have to intern for a month with an agency, depending on their interest and once they complete the internship they would be given a degree,“ he explains.
Once students complete the programme, they can work as counsellors in schools, corporate sector, health-care setting, social and welfare sectors, correctional settings, etc. There is an urgent need for specially trained counsellors to handle the stress of employees working with call centres, corporate sectors, families, family courts, correctional settings, school, universities and educational institutions, rehabilitation centres, refugee camps, institutions for the differently-abled, aged, child care and adoption centres, family planning, voluntary counseling and testing centres, rural sectors especially where farmers are driven to commit suicide, de-addiction centres etc. > AT A GLANCE z Eligibility: Bachelor's degree from a recognised university z Medium of Instruction: English z Duration: Minimum two years and maximum five years z Deadline: June 20 http://www.ignou.ac.in
