St Joseph's University, 36, Lalbagh Road, Bengaluru-560027, Karnataka, India.
A Public-Private-Partnership University under RUSA 2.0 of MHRD (Government of India), established by the Karnataka Govt. Act No. 24 of 2021
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Department of Social Work

The School of Social Work at St Joseph’s University, Bengaluru, established in 2005, is committed to nurturing social change agents who seek to improve the quality of life for marginalized and vulnerable communities. The School offers rigorous Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Master of Social Work (MSW) and PhD programs designed to equip students and scholars with the knowledge, skills, and ethical grounding essential for effective social work practice.

The BSW program lays a strong foundation by preparing graduates to address the complex social problems of today through critical self-reflection, applied theories, and field work. It fosters an understanding of social justice, human rights, and the need for intervention at individual, family, group, and community levels. The curriculum is built to develop socially sensitive professionals capable of advocating for systemic change. Freshly graduated adolescents are enrolled in this program and are trained on life skills to know oneself better.

Building on this foundation, the MSW program offers an integrated curriculum that intertwines classroom learning with extensive fieldwork. This blend ensures that students gain hands-on experience while deepening their theoretical knowledge. A well-trained faculty supports students through research and practical guidance to develop competencies that empower them to lead innovative social work interventions. The program emphasizes an intellectual, scientific, and action-based approach to social transformation.

Each semester includes placements such as concurrent and block fieldwork, rural camp, community visits, and specialized projects, providing students with real-world exposure that prepares them to be catalysts of change. Through this experiential learning, students develop empathy, professional ethics, and leadership qualities essential for social workers.

Vision

Upholding the universal human dignity and the spirit of equality, liberty, fraternity, and justice, and ensuring a resilient, empowered, and sustainable society with a greater focus on the marginalised.

Mission

  • To Prepare Social Work Practitioners skilled in critical self-reflection, in working with Individuals, Families, Groups, and Communities, to promote social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of all people.
  • To share and create collective knowledge and competence through engaging in a holistic enquiry by supporting research and innovative curriculum at the undergraduate and postgraduate and Doctoral levels.
  • To act on Social Justice Issues through social action initiatives by challenging the oppressive societal structure, and to reaffirm the respect for diversity, human rights, and collective responsibility as core elements of Social Work Practice.

Message from DEAN

Dr Alan Godfrey

Message from DEAN

It gives me immense pride and joy to share a note on behalf of the School of Social Work. Established in 2005, our school stands at a historic milestone as we prepare to celebrate the Porcelain Jubilee, a testimony to two decades of unwavering commitment to social transformation through education.

We are deeply honoured to have received the prestigious Nehru Yuva Chetana Award and have always been highlighted in the national rankings among the schools of Social Work, which recognizes not only our academic excellence but our steadfast dedication to empowering the youth and working alongside vulnerable communities.

One of the defining strengths of our school is the diversity of our faculty and student body. The multicultural environment enriches learning by fostering mutual respect, inclusion, and a global outlook—ensuring that both students and teachers grow through shared perspectives and lived experiences.

As part of a Jesuit University, the School of Social Work is anchored in the Ignatian pedagogical paradigm—where context, experience, reflection, action, and evaluation form the bedrock of learning. Beyond academics, this paradigm instills in students the values of empathy, discernment, and service. We proudly uphold the Universal Apostolic Preferences, making them integral to our curricular framework and teaching pedagogy.

Aligned with the professional benchmarks of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), we design and deliver our BSW and MSW programmes to ensure global standards in practice-based social work education. These programmes not only enhance the wellbeing of individuals, groups, and communities but also empower students to see themselves as catalysts of societal transformation. We firmly believe that transformation begins with self-realisation, and it is this conviction that inspires our holistic approach.

Our programmes are recognised across the country for their rigour and fieldwork-based exposure, building a reputation for standing alongside the excluded and marginalized. From rural camps, study tours, and tribal visits to innovative fieldwork partnerships, students gain invaluable experiences that connect theory with practice. International and national collaborations through workshops, conferences, and seminars further broaden their horizons, nurturing socially committed professionals ready to engage with global challenges.

At its heart, the School of Social Work seeks to walk as an ally to the marginalized, inspiring our students to actively shape a more just and inclusive world. Our alumni frequently affirm that the grounding they received here has equipped them not just with skills but with conviction—the conviction that social work is a calling to stand with others, build hope, and create change.

As we step into our third decade, we look ahead with gratitude, confidence, and renewed commitment to live up to our mission: to educate, to empower, and to transform. We warmly invite each of our readers to be a part of our school and aid the process of holistic social development.

 

Dr Alan Godfrey. A

Dean (In-charge)

School of Social Work

PHD SUPERVISORS

SL. No. Name of the Supervisor Designation Area of Specialisation PhD Scholars
1 Dr S Rama Gokula Krishnan Assistant Professor

Area of Specialisation

  • Community Development
  • Mental Health
  • Data Analysis using SPSS/PSPP
  • Quality of Life
  • Subjective Wellbeing

2023

  •  Nirmal Joseph Das 
  •  Alan Potter S 
2 Dr Shari Tess Mathew Assistant Professor

Area of Specialisation

  • Mental Health: Mental health of the vulnerable populations- Mental Illness- Psychosocial therapies-  Psychiatric Rehabilitation- Community Mental Health
  • Clinical Social Work: Psychiatric Social Work-Medical Social Work- Psychosocial problems   -Psychosocial Intervention models
  • Social Work in various settings:   Child and Adolescent Mental Health- School Mental Health- Family Therapy and counselling-Geriatric Social Work-Palliative Care
  • Life Skills Education-Substance Abuse / Addiction – Behavioural addiction- Suicide Prevention and Management

2024

  • Lakshmi Naveen
  • Beulah Praisy V
3 Dr G Augustine Lourdu Assistant Professor

Area of Specialisation

  • Mental Disorders and Psychotherapy 
  • Psychiatric Social Work 
  • Counselling and mental health 
  • Social work intervention 
  • Discrimination and social inclusion. 

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PHD Scholars

Name of Research Scholar Date of Enrollment for Coursework at SJU Area of Research Title of the Thesis (Provisional) Link to the Profile of the Supervisor Status of the Thesis
GIRIJA A 22-07-2025 Corporate Social Responsibility CSR as a catalyst for socio economic mobility: A study on CSR interventions for underprivileged youth in Bangalore https://www.sju.edu.in/faculty-details/st-joseph-university/social-work/Nzc2 In Coursework
WORREIYO ALUNGNAO 21-07-2025 Indigenous Knowledge System in Climate Resilience Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Tangkhul Community: Adaptation Strategies for Climate Change Resilience https://www.sju.edu.in/faculty-details/st-joseph-university/social-work/Nzc2 In Coursework
BEULAH PRAISY V 29-07-2024 - - https://www.sju.edu.in/faculty-details/st-joseph-university/social-work/NzYy In Coursework
LAKSHMI NAVEEN 29-07-2024 - - https://www.sju.edu.in/faculty-details/st-joseph-university/social-work/NzYy In Coursework
ALAN POTTER S 10-07-2023 Youth and Sexual Health Education Youth and Sexual Health Education https://www.sju.edu.in/faculty-details/st-joseph-university/social-work/NzYz In Coursework
NIRMAL JOSEPH DAS 10-07-2023 Bonded Labour and Migration Bonded Labour and Migration https://www.sju.edu.in/faculty-details/st-joseph-university/social-work/NzYz Registered (On going)

Visiting Researchers

Update soon.

Adjunct Faculty

Update soon.

Post-Doctoral Researcher

Update soon.

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