M.A. in Social Entrepreneurship

The field of Social Entrepreneurship, which has grown very rapidly in recent years, leverages business management and entrepreneurial skills to pursue the multiple bottom line of the social enterprise by amplifying stakeholder value. The two-year, full-time, M.A. in Social Entrepreneurship programme aims at training and developing change leaders for wealth generation with social progress in social sectors/non-profit markets as well as leveraging market forces. These qualified professionals are expected to emerge as social entrepreneurs themselves in collaboration with the state, market and civil society institutions. The course curriculum blends for cutting edge theory with innovative field-based learning to develop appropriate, effective, efficient, economically sustainable and politically viable entrepreneurial activities. The contents of the programme will cover an overview of the business, finance, economics, society, ethics, innovation, entrepreneurship, profit making and non-profit making organisations and their structures, decision making and management, leadership development, linkages with stakeholders and development of business plans for the non-profit sectors. A distinctive feature of the programme curriculum is its inductive pedagogy blending classroom teaching and experiential learning through block fieldwork, assignments finding innovative solutions to social problems individually and through group exercises, in-depth examination of the strengths and weaknesses of social entrepreneurial activities across the world, interacting with successful social entrepreneurs. TISS Post-graduates in Social Entrepreneurship are expected to take up professional positions in international and national government or non-governmental organisations. The candidates successfully completing the two years programme are expected to get absorbed in the fast growing profit and non-profit sectors, and also to emerge as social entrepreneurs themselves.

Selection Procedure:

Eligible candidates will be called for a written test to TISS in Mumbai, and those who qualify will be required to appear for Group Discussion and Personal Interview on the next day of written test. Those satisfying the eligibility requirements will be assessed for selection (Total Marks: 200) through the following:

1. Written Test (40 Marks): All candidates are required to submit along with the application form, a short hypothetical business plan of not more then 500 words on any topic broadly within social sector. This would be part of written test carrying a weightage of 30 marks. The Written Test includes
a. proficiency in English language and comprehension,
b. Awareness of socio-economic issues related to society, economy, entrepreneurship, social sector. The time allotted is 45 minutes.
2. Group Discussion (30 Marks): The Group Discussion (GD) aims at assessment of knowledge about contemporary issues in the field and sensitivity to social issues expressed orally in English in a group situation. The time allotted is 25 minutes.
3. Personal Interview (70 Marks): To become eligible for the GD and Personal Interview (PI), a general candidate should secure a minimum combined score of 43 marks (35 marks for SCs and STs) in the short hypothetical business plan submitted and Written Test to be considered for the GD and PI.
4. Academic Background (25 Marks): Marks are awarded to each applicant on the basis of overall percentage of marks secured in the Bachelor's Degree Examination and the maximum marks are 25. However, high academic achievement is not the only criterion on which the candidate will be selected.