The oldest institute in Asia to provide education in social work is India’s pride, the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS). It was founded in 1936 as the ‘Sir Dorabji Tata Graduate School of Social Work with a humble 20 students. In 1944, the institute received its present name and in 1964 was recognized by the Government of India as a deemed university under the UGC.
Coming a long way since then, TISS today has 4 campuses including Mumbai, Tuljapur, Guwahati, and Hyderabad, where it offers more than 50 master’s degree programmes along with a host of diploma, M.Phil, and doctoral courses. Considered to be amongst the best institutes in the nation for social sciences, its admission process is equally selective and competitive.
Here is a glance at the top Master’s courses offered by TISS that students from different courses and streams can consider:
1. Master of Arts (Human Resource Management & Labour Relations)
One of the most popular courses offered by TISS, the Master of Arts (Human Resource Management & Labour Relations) or MA (HRM & LR) course is considered to be equivalent to an MBA Human Resources degree and witnesses widely successful placements each year.
The MA (HRM & LR) course involves the study of the critical areas related to contemporary human resources management, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of the core functions of management and business. The course has plenty of practical training, case studies, and simulation games with an emphasis on conceptual clarity. Topics studied include Management of Human Resources, Organisational Behaviour, Financial Management, and Labour Welfare. It emphasizes on the interdisciplinary model of study and takes into account the social, political, ecological, and economic state of the society and encourages students to become effective change makers in organizations.
Go for this course if: you are interested in learning a more holistic style of human resource management, supplementing your knowledge of management with that of society.
Career Options after M.A. (HRM & LR): These include roles in IT, banking and finance, management consultancy, manufacturing, telecom, public sector, retail, and pharmaceuticals.
Recommended Read: 6 Upcoming MBA Specialisations and Where They Can Take You
2. Master of Arts (Development Studies)
According to the UN, by 2030 around 85 percent of the world population will be living in developing countries, and as such, the MA Development Studies programme is of great importance. The course covers a host of topics, examining the historical changes in the configuration of states, social institutions, and civil society in developing nations, especially the effects on the vulnerable sections and environment.
Taught by a qualified faculty from multiple disciplines of economics, psychology, political science, policy studies, and geography, the topics studied include Methods of Social Research, Development Economics, Development, and the Social Sector, and Political Economy of Space, Development, and Uneven Development.
Go for this course if: you are interested in helping to improve society, and wish to understand the issues and challenges that hinder growth in developing communities, as well as the consequences of policies.
Career Options after M.A. Development Studies: The course prepares you to work in research with academic institutions, in civil services and similar administrative fields of the government, in organizations facilitating development, in research firms in the corporate sector, and in development journalism.
Recommended Read: Shaping Society: What is a Master’s Degree in Public Policy All About?
3. Master of Arts (Media and Cultural Studies)
The field of media is enticing and has many institutes across the nation, however, the Master of Arts (Media and Cultural Studies) by TISS is a unique course designed to help you develop a critical perspective of media, understand the impact of media on society, and also learn practical media production skills.
The MA (Media and Cultural Studies) degree has a strong research focus and provides practical training in video production, scripting, direction, camera, editing, and sound, enabling you to produce your own documentaries and short films. Topics studied include Journalism Practice, Video Production, Web Design, and the interaction of Gender, Media, and Culture.
Go for this course if: you are interested in media, whether journalism, video, radio, or web, but also want to understand the broader level implications of different media practices on society.
Career Options after M.A. Media and Cultural Studies: You can look to enter fields like film and television production, journalism, independent media practice, NGOs, governmental agencies, and advocacy and research.
Recommended Read: 8 Reasons Why You Should Not Pursue Master’s Right After Graduation
4. Master of Arts in Social Work (Public Health)
The flagship course of TISS, social work, has evolved into the Master of Arts in Social Work course, with an impressive 14 specializations ranging from Mental Health, Public Health, and Disability studies, to Criminology & Justice, out of which the MA Social Work (Public Health) holds special appeal, as anyone from any stream (having completed any BA course) can make a difference in public health without a medical degree.
The MA Social Work (Public Health) student will develop skills to analyze health issues in societal contexts at micro and macro levels and work towards protecting health. Considering the massive gaps in the formal health system, which may take decades to rectify, public health social workers aid people at the grassroots level, making interventions for individuals and communities. Topics studied include Introduction to Health and Mental Health, Community Health Processes and Practice, and Social Action, Networking, and Advocacy.
Go for this course if: you have a passion for helping people and improving the overall health of communities through perseverance, care, and management, even without a medical degree.
Career Options after M.A. Social Work (Public Health): You can work as a health social worker with government institutions, non-governmental organizations, research-based organizations, hospitals, counselling centers, and disaster affected areas.
Recommended Read: Serving the People: Social Work as a Career in India
5. Master of Arts (Social Entrepreneurship)
The field of social entrepreneurship has grown rapidly in recent years, as professionals with business knowledge and entrepreneurship skills tackle societal and environmental problems to score a profit while improving society.
The M.A. Social Entrepreneurship degree provides an overview of a wide variety of subjects, including economics, business, management, leadership thinking, polity, sociology, problem-solving, and venture creation. Topics studied include Social Sector Perspectives and Interventions, Marketing Management for Social Ventures, and Strategic Management.
Go for this course if: you have an interest in becoming a successful entrepreneur while also helping society through your work and innovative ideas.
Career Options after M.A. Social Entrepreneurship: Opportunities include working with existing startups in management roles, campaign managing, ideation, and operations. Other job opportunities include working with government initiatives for social welfare, NGOs, and of course, to start your own entrepreneurial initiative.
Recommended Read: Young India Fellowship (YIF): 5 Placement Stories & Career Prospects Ahead
6. Master of Arts (Women’s Studies)
According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2018 by the World Economic Forum, India ranks at number 108 out of a total of 149 nations in terms of gender equality. The MA Women’s Studies course will prepare you to fight for equal women’s rights in an effective and knowledgeable manner, improving the living circumstances and opportunities for women across the nation.
The MA Women’s Studies course is taught by talented faculty from backgrounds such as economics, medicine, anthropology, sociology, science studies, political science, education, philosophy, legal studies, language, and literature. Topics studied include Feminist Science Studies, Identity, Women’s Citizenship and Governance, and Feminist Legal Studies.
Go for this course if: you want to bring about a change in the women’s rights movement, and work towards gender equality using knowledge, analytical skills, and field-based skills.
Career Options after M.A Women’s Studies: The course empowers you with an understanding of women’s rights and thus you can work in the development sector, women development, activism, journalism, in the government in civil and administrative functions, in national/international organizations working on gender issues and women’s rights, and in academia as researchers and teachers.
Recommended Read: World of Humanities: 6 Upcoming Careers You Need to Know About
7. Master of Arts / Master of Sciences (Climate Change and Sustainability Studies)
Climate change and sustainability are both factors that are impacting the world at an alarming rate, especially as the global population grows. The M.A./M.Sc. (Climate Change and Sustainability Studies) is a degree that studies the impact of human society on the climate and environment, and addresses ways to mitigate the dangers of climate change while boosting sustainability initiatives.
The M.A./M.Sc. Climate Change and Sustainability Studies course emphasizes the understanding of ecology and economy and their correlation. Socio-political sustainability, economic development, human development, and poverty are taught, with a focus on the issue of climate change, combining theory with substantial fieldwork. Topics studied include Sustainability Studies, Energy and Climate Change, Mitigation, and Basic Concepts in Economics & Environmental and Natural Resource Economics.
Go for this course if: you have a deep concern for the environment, climate, and sustainability and want to make a difference amidst the growing climate issues.
Career Options after M.A/M.Sc Climate Change and Sustainability Studies: Options include working with development organizations, government agencies, civil society organizations,community-based organizations, sustainability organizations in the public and private sector and academia.
Recommended Read: Love Your Planet? Here are 7 Careers to Help You Save It
Summing Up
TISS is one of the top destinations to pursue studies in the social sciences in India, offering numerous social sciences courses for students regardless of their stream. Social sciences offer a plethora of job opportunities that will help you change society.