PhD in Social Work Admission: Application Form, Notification, Exam Dates, Eligibility, Top Colleges
PhD Social Work is a long term doctorate course in Social Work. This course is exceptionally intended for experts for headway in their calling and in their professions. This is a research-based course where the candidates for the most part work in a particular region. They direct their own research on the issues living in our general public.
The course typically covers points like Quantitative Logical Strategies, Study of Research Techniques in Social and Conduct Science, Coordinating Public Approach Issues, Results into Social Work Research, Doctoral Showing Practicum, and Paper heading. Candidates settling on the course ought to have an energy for research and seek to introduce at gatherings or distribute their discoveries in regarded diaries
The span of the program shifts relying on the foundation. The base term is 2-3 years from the date of enlistment and the greatest is 5-6 years. The base qualification is a master’s certification in Social Work from a perceived school or college or its identical test.
PhD Social Work: Key Highlights
• Full-Structure: Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work
• Length: 3-6 years.
• Least Qualification: Post Graduation/M.Phil in the applicable field.
• Confirmation Interaction: Selection test/Legitimacy based
• Top Placement tests: Joint CSIR UGC NET, CSIR JRF through Door, SLETs, University Research Fitness Tests.
• Top Organizations: TISS, Delhi University, Madra School of Social Work, Loyola School, Christ University, and so on.
• Normal Course Charges: INR 1,000 – INR 2 Lacs.
• Distance Education: Accessible
• Distance Education Foundations: IGNOU, Christ University, Venkateshwara Open University, and so forth.
• Work Jobs: Speaker and Teacher, Social and Local area Administration Director, School and Profession Advisor, Social and Human Help Colleague, Wellbeing Instructor and Local area Wellbeing Workers, Educators and Researchers, and so on.
• Normal Yearly Compensation: INR 4.5 LPA
• Top Spotters: Educational Establishments, Human Administrations Industry, Distributing Houses, Papers, Magazines, Philosophical Diaries, Research Organizations, Consultancy Administrations, Law offices, and so forth.
PhD Social Work confirmations are finished based on the candidate’s presentation in an important entry test, trailed by a series of guiding. Foundations likewise offer direct admission to candidates who have work insight of 5 least years in the field of social work. The typical educational expense charged for PhD Social Work programs in India ranges between INR 1,000 to INR 2,00,000.
A portion of the top universities and foundations which give admission to PhD Social Work are as per the following:
| Name of the College | Admission Criteria | Average Annual Fee | Average Salary |
| Tata Institute of Social Sciences – TISS, Mumbai | Research Aptitude Test (RAT) | INR 44,667 | INR 6,00,000 |
| Delhi University, Delhi | Entrance Test | INR 20,600 | INR 4,50,000 |
| Madras School of Social Work, Chennai | Merit-Based | INR 16,680 | INR 5,00,000 |
| Loyola College, Chennai | PhD Entrance Test | INR 18,000 | INR 3,50,000 |
| Christ University, Bangalore | PhD Entrance Exam | INR 30,000 | INR 4,00,000 |
One can likewise seek after a PhD through distance learning programs. Establishments like Madras School of Social Work, IGNOU, and so forth offer distance learning in PhD Social Work. IGNOU is particularly known for distance learning education just and furthermore stands best in this field.
Distance Learning PhD addresses the issues of students who can’t go to nearby classes. In any case, they have less worth when contrasted with Full-time PhD. The course expenses for distance education goes from INR 16,000 to INR 60,000.
Such postgraduates can work as a Teacher/Teacher, Social and Local area Administration Supervisor, School, and Profession Instructor, Social and Human Help Right hand, and so forth. The typical compensation of the candidates in this field is around INR 4,50,000 for every annum.
PhD Social Work Course Highlights
Some of the major highlights of PhD Social Work along with the duration, eligibility, admission process, course fee are given below:
Course Level | Doctorate Degree |
Duration of the Course | 3-6 years |
Examination Type | Semester |
Eligibility | Master Degree / M.Phil in a related subject |
Admission Process | Entrance exam and personal interview |
Average Course Fee | INR 1000 to 2 lacs |
Average Starting Salary | INR 2 lacs to 8 lacs |
Top Job Areas | Educational Institutes, Human Services Industry, Publishing Houses, Newspapers, Magazines, Philosophical Journals, Research Institutes, Consultancy Services, Law Firms, etc. |
Top Job Positions | Lecturer & Professor, Social and Community Service Manager, Schoo,l and Career Counsellor, Social and Human Service Assistant, Health Educator and Community Health Workers, Teachers and Researchers, Human Services Worker, Novelist, Writer or Editor, Journalist, Philosophical Journalist, Researcher, Scientist, etc. |
PhD Social Work: What is it About?
PhD Social Work is an immense field of study. Hardly any fundamental focuses about the course have been referenced beneath for a superior comprehension:
• PhD Social Work is a research-based course of 2-3 years however it might reach out up to 4-6 years relying upon the work the candidates put on their exposition.
• The candidates chasing after the course should pick an area of specialization to direct legitimate research. The research will be founded on this present reality issues influencing our general public.
• The course will cover everything from individual case the board or administration conveyance practices to human help framework change.
• The point of the PhD course is to foster pioneers who will propel the act of social work through research or by teaching others.
• The establishments offer exceptionally restricted seats for PhD courses, and hence they are normally supported by the public authority or by the foundation through grants.
• The students figure out how to find and use both the quantitative and subjective information to comprehend and convey about human experience and to go with additional educated choices.
Why study PhD Social Work?
Prospective researchers, teachers, or researchers, in social work commonly go for social work PhD programs due to the accompanying reasons:
• PhD Social Work course shows various administrations expected to help destitute individuals and developed and to grow their government assistance.
• Social Work is both a specialist and insightful course whose locale of study is anticipated upgrading the individual fulfillment of an individual, gathering, or local area having a spot with a more fragile section.
• PhD Social Work trains people who are currently working or need to work in the Turn of events and Government assistance sections.
• PhD assists a candidate with turning into a Social Worker and act in various limits. Social workers perform intercessions by strategy, research, direct practice, local area sorting out, and educating.
• PhD is particularly for the people who need to place in several years more as a student. Individuals who need to look for a vocation as a school teacher or researcher in a field can sign up for any of the universities or establishments offering a doctor of reasoning degree.
PhD Social Work Admission Process
• Affirmation in a large portion of the schools/colleges depends on the Selection test led by the university. The test is additionally trailed by an individual meeting including profile evaluation, research work/proposition, and work insight.
• Scarcely any colleges/schools, rather than leading a selection test, additionally call the candidates straightforwardly for the meeting based on marks acquired in the passing assessment.
• The distance learning establishments like IGNOU concede students in view of the selection test known as IGNOU OPENMAT. The applications for the equivalent are accessible two times per year for each course. Candidates can decide to apply as indicated by their accommodation.
Merit-Based Admission
• Schools like the University of Madras, Madras School of Social Work, and so on direct affirmation in view of legitimacy i.e, the imprints scored in the master’s certification programs.
• Likewise according to the UGC Guidelines 2016, the individuals who have qualified UGC-NET/UGC-CSIR NET/SLET/Door/educator cooperation holder (KSET, SET, and so forth) or have passed M.Phil Program will be excluded from the Placement test. These candidates ought to take just a Research Expertise Evaluation Test alongside their Own Meeting.
Entrance Based Admission
A portion of the top organizations like TISS Mumbai, Delhi University, Loyola School, and Christ University offer confirmation based on Entry Tests. The tests are typically led at the university level or they select based on State/Public Level Placement tests. Here are the means of the affirmation cycle through passageways.
• Stage 1: The candidates should apply for the placement test by topping off the application structure, transferring the records, and paying the application expenses.
• Stage 2: The candidates can download the concede card and sit in the placement test.
• Stage 3: The outcomes will be announced and the organizations tolerating the specific test will deliver their cut-off list.
• Stage 4: Candidates who tidied the cut-up, can apply to the establishments.
• Stage 5: The foundation will call the candidate for an individual meeting.
• Stage 6: Candidates who had the option to clear the meeting, can select after archive confirmation.
PhD Social Work Eligibility
The candidates taking affirmation in PhD Social Work ought to satisfy the base qualification rules, that incorporates:
• A Master’s certificate in Social Work is expected to acquire admission to a doctoral program. In certain subjects, completing a Masters in Way of thinking (M.Phil.) is an essential to begin PhD
• M.Phil students will likewise be absolved from the placement tests.
• For a few esteemed Colleges, a candidate is expected to qualify the all India level assessment, for example, ‘Public Qualification Test for Lectureship (NET) led by University Awards Commission.
PhD Social Work Entrance Exams
Research placement tests are being led by different schools/colleges in India for PhD Social Work. Students are conceded affirmation in light of the score got in the placement tests or qualifying test, trailed by a meeting. Dates of certain colleges are as per the following:
• UGC NET: Public Testing Organization for the Chamber of Logical and Modern Research (CSIR) will lead UGC NET after June to decide the qualification for Junior Research Association (JRF) and for Lectureship (LS)/Partner Residency’ in Indian colleges and universities.
• TISS RAT: The Research Inclination Test, led by the Goodbye Establishment of Social Sciences – TISS, Mumbai, for entrance into all the 4 TISS grounds.
• DUET: The placement test led by Delhi University mid-year, for affirmation in PG and Research programs.
• Loyola School PhD Test: The Research Affirmation Test directed by Loyola School, Chennai in the long stretch of July.
• Christ University PhD Test: The Research Affirmation Test directed by Christ University, Bangalore in the long stretch of June.
Entrance Exams | Mode of Exam | Application Deadline | Exam Date |
Online | April 30, 2024 – May 30, 2024 | July 9-12, 2024 and August 12-14, 2024 | |
TISS RAT | Online | To be announced | To be announced |
DUET | Online | April 6, 2024 – June 30, 2024 | July, 2024 |
Loyola College PhD Entrance Test | Online | To be announced | To be announced |
Christ University PhD Entrance Exam | Online | To be announced | To be announced |
How to prepare for PhD Social Work entrance exams?
To begin the groundwork for PhD Social Work placement test, the candidates ought to know about the schedule and the test example and afterward plan as indicated by it.
• Exam Pattern: Different colleges have different test designs yet the most widely recognized one has been partitioned into two papers i,e. Paper 1 and 2. The schedule of paper 1 is normal for every one of the subjects while Paper 2 prospectus will be founded regarding the matter that the candidate picks.
• Significant Subjects: The prospectus might vary for different tests however knowing the normal point that is generally included for PhD Social Work tests might assist the candidates with planning for different tests. A portion of the normal subjects are:
Nature and Development of Social Work |
Society, Human Behavior and Communities |
Social Work with Individuals and Groups |
Social Work with Communities and Social Action |
Research in Social Work: Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches |
Administration, Welfare and Development Services |
Social Policy, Planning and Social Development |
Indian Constitution, Social Justice, Human Rights, and Social Work Practice |
Areas of Social Work Practice |
How to get admission in a top PhD Social Work College?
To get affirmation in top PhD Social Work schools, the accompanying focuses should be remembered:
• You can get a spot in a decent school/establishment in the event that your passing assessment scores are outstanding.
• Likewise, your exhibition in selection tests, led by various colleges or state/public bodies, ought to be sufficient to clear the shorts.
• General Inclination, General English, General Mindfulness, and topic information is fundamental.
• Solid scholarly foundation, research work, and expert work experience help in getting the seat in an eminent establishment.
• Monitor qualification, course cut-off, the application cycle, application cutoff time, application charge, and different updates in papers, official sites, educational magazines, and so forth with the goal that you miss no school offering PhD Social Work.
• Selection test planning ought to be begun as soon as conceivable so you have sufficient opportunity to clean your overall information and quantitative abilities.
• Practice as many papers and inquiries to increment time usage abilities during selection tests.
PhD Social Work Top Colleges
Listed below are some of the top institutes offering the course in the country with the corresponding locations and fees charged by them.
College Name | City | Average Annual Fee | Average Salary |
Tata Institute of Social Sciences – TISS | Mumbai | INR 44,667 | INR 5,00,000 – INR 600,000 |
Rajagiri College Of Social Sciences | Cochin | No fees charged (Sponsored by the government) | INR 2,50,000 |
Delhi University | Delhi | INR 20,600 | INR 4,00,000 – INR 4,50,000 |
Madras School of Social Work | Chennai | INR 16,680 | INR 4,00,000 – INR 5,00,000 |
Loyola College | Chennai | INR 18,000 | INR 3,00,000 – INR 3,50,000 |
Christ University | Bangalore | INR 30,000 | INR 3,00,000 – INR 4,00,000 |
Banaras Hindu University – BHU | Varanasi | INR 3,256 | – |
Manipal Academy Of Higher Education | Manipal | INR 59,000 | – |
Central University Of Rajasthan | Ajmer | INR 24,055 | – |
Janardan Rai Nagar Rajasthan Vidyapeeth University | Udaipur | INR 42,300 | – |
College Comparison
A comparison of the top colleges offering PhD Social Work has been mentioned in the table below. The comparison has been done on the basis of ranking, course fees, eligibility, admission process, and salary.
Parameters | TISS, Mumbai | Christ University, Bangalore | Madras School of Social Work, Chennai |
Overview | TISS was established in 1936 and approved by NAAC, UGC. It offers several undergraduate, postgraduate, and research courses. | Christ University was established in 1969 and approved by NAAC, UGC. It is the first indigenous Syrian Catholic religious congregation in India. | Madras School of Social Work is affiliated to the University of Madras. It was established in 1952 and approved by NAAC. It also offers various UG, PG, and research courses. |
Location | Mumbai | Bangalore | Chennai |
Eligibility | 55% marks (50% for SC/ST & PWD) in Master’s degree or GPA of 3.5 in the discipline of Social Science or Allied discipline. | 55% marks in PG degree with an M.Phil degree. Those students who have passed CSIR NET/ JRF/ GATE or SLET will be exempted from the requirement of M.Phil degree | Completed post-graduation in social work or other relevant domains. |
Admission Process | Research Aptitude Test (RAT) followed by Performance in Academics, Work Experience, Statement of Purpose & Interview | Entrance test conducted by the university followed by academic score and an interview | Merit in the qualifying degree examination |
Average Annual Fees | INR 44,667 | INR 30,000 | INR 16,680 |
Monthly Fellowship Stipend | INR 3,000 – 5,000 | INR 8,000 | – |
Top Recruiters | Hindustan Times, Midday, Piramal Healthcare,| Reliance | Teach For India, The Hindu, The Times Of India, The Indian Express, etc. | L&T Komatsu, Schneider Electric, GAAR, Bharat Electronics, Hope Foundation, CRY, Make A Wish, etc. | Cognizant, TVS Srinivasan Services Trust, Mphasis, Ashok Leyland, Ernst & Young, SYNTEL, etc. |
PhD Social Work Distance Learning
Countless students consistently proceed PhD through distance education. A portion of the top choices are IGNOU, Christ University, and so on.
• The base PhD course length from distance is 3 years and the greatest term is 6 years.
• To seek after a PhD from a good ways, the qualification and the confirmation measures are something very similar
• Confirmation is proposed to students based on merit.
• There is no age limit set for the wannabes anxious to seek after this course from distance.
• IGNOU is one of the prestigious organizations offering distance learning education in different courses including PhD Social Work. It has been assisting the working experts to go on with their education alongside having some work, starting around 1985. They generally direct web-based classes and continue to send the review material routinely.
Classified beneath are a portion of the colleges offering PhD Social Work Distance Education.
Name of the Institute | Location | Duration | Average Annual Fees |
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) | New Delhi | Min 2-3 years and Max. 5-6 years | INR 16,600 |
Christ University | Chennai | Min 2-3 years and Max. 5-6 years | INR 60,000 |
Venkateshwara Open University | Naharlagun | Min 2-3 years and Max. 5-6 years | INR 49,000 |
PhD Social Work Syllabus
The program contains both course and research work; how much coursework one ought to go through relies upon the candidates’ previous foundation and the research one is taken part in. Essentially, the program incorporates:
• Coursework
• Instructional method
• Qualifying Assessment
• Readiness of Research Proposition
• Proposition Work
The PhD Social Work course prospectus depends on the educational program followed by schools/colleges in India. The schedule may marginally vary in view of the colleges.
Semester I | Semester II |
Social Work – History and Ideologies | Management of Developmental and Welfare Services |
Work with Individuals and Families | Social Work Research and Statistics |
Work with Groups | Social Work Practicum – II |
Work with Communities | Social Work Practicum – III |
Human Growth and Development | Communication and Counselling / or Gandhian Approach to Welfare and Development |
Social Work Practicum – I | Personal and Professional Growth / or Population and Environment |
Semester III | Semester IV |
Human Resource Management | Employee Relations and Legislation |
Social Work Practicum – IV | Mental Health and Psychiatric Social Work |
Social Work with Tribal and Rural Communities/ or Organisational Behaviour and Organisational Development | Major Project |
Preventive and Social Medicine and Medical Social Work/ or Rehabilitation and Aftercare Services | Social Work Practicum – V |
Social Policy, Planning, and Development / or Legal System In India | Social Work Practicum – VI |
– | Human Resource Development and Employee Wellness / or Case studies |
PhD Social Work Books
Candidates can refer to the following renowned books for the preparation of PhD Social Work:
Book Name | Author |
UGC NET or SET JRF and LS Social Work | Fazle Kibria |
UGC NET JRF SET Social Work | Achaldendra Kumar |
Social Work for UGC NET | Nitesh Dhawan |
Course Comparison
PhD Social Work vs PhD Sociology
Both these courses are of 3-6 years, but PhD Sociology is different from PhD Social Work on the basis of its purpose, course structure, job prospects, salary, etc, as shown below in the following table.
Parameters | PhD Social Work | PhD Sociology |
Overview | Social Work is both an expert and scholarly course whose region of study is planned for enhancing the personal satisfaction of an individual, group, or community having a place with a weaker segment. | Sociology as a subject including many diverse topics relating to humans and human society, sociological topics such as crime, religion, family, State, division of race, social class, culture, social stability, radical change, etc. |
Examination Type | Semester | Semester |
Average Fees | INR 1,000 to 2 lacs | INR 4,000 to 5 Lacs |
Duration | 3-6 years | 3-6 years |
Eligibility | Master Degree / M.Phil in related subjects | Post-graduation / M.Phil in Arts |
Admission Process | An entrance exam, followed by personal interview | An entrance exam, followed by personal interview |
Top Colleges | Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai | Christ University, Bangalore |
Job Roles | Educational Institutes, Human Services Industry, Publishing Houses, Newspapers, Magazines, Philosophical Journals, Research Institutes, Consultancy Services, Law Firms, etc. | College Professor, Sociologist, Political Scientist, Policy Analysts, Management Consultants, Social Workers, Survey Researchers, Pollsters, Human Resources (HR) Representatives, Public Relations Specialists, Guidance Counselors, among others such. |
Average Salary | INR 2 to 8 Lacs | INR 4 to 15 Lacs |
PhD Social Work Job Profiles & Career Prospects
The field of social work has over various calling decisions. It totally depends upon the area the candidate needs to work. The positions are generally in the region where the need of progression and improvement is significantly required.
• They can work as government delegates and work to further develop society. Such positions could integrate perceiving issues at full scale and small levels and finding deals with any consequences regarding address them. The issues consolidate dejection, subjugation, physical and mental prosperity issues, and family issues.
• The graduated class can in like manner work for NGOs and work to settle a specific issue.
• They can work for exclusive organizations. The exclusive organizations regularly enlist such graduated class to manage their CSR programs.
• They can deal with liabilities as an Instructor/Educator, Social and Neighborhood, Researchers, Social Protester, Writer/Manager, Reporter, Philosophical Journalist,Scientist, etc.
A piece of the gig decisions open to PhD Social Work are referred to underneath close by the portrayal and pay.
Job Position | Job Description | Average Annual Salary |
Social and Community Service Managers | Social and community service managers are responsible to coordinate and organize social service programs and community organizations. They are in charge of managing staff that provides social services to the public. | INR 2 to 3 lakh |
School and Career Counsellors | School counselors are responsible to help candidates develop social and academic skills and succeed in school. Career counselors take responsibility to assist people with the method of making career decisions by helping them grow skills or choose a career or educational program. | INR 2 to 4 lakh |
Social and Human Service Assistants | Social and human service assistants are responsible for providing client services, including support for families, in a wide variety of fields, such as rehabilitation, psychology, and social work. They are in charge of assisting other workers, likewise social workers, and they empower clients to find benefits or community services. | INR 5 to 6 lakh |
Health Educators and Community Health Workers | Health educators are in charge of teaching people about behaviors that promote health. They are responsible to develop and implement strategies to enhance the health of peoples and communities. Community health workers are responsible to collect information and discuss health problems with members of specific populations or communities. | INR 3 to 4 lakh |
Researchers | Researchers are in charge of conducting research in government or private organizations or in institutes, university or college departments. | INR 4 to 6 lakh |
PhD Social Work Scope
• The working region for social workers is exceptionally tremendous. They work with populaces from recently brought into the world to older individuals. They serve their administrations to people, families, and networks.
• The social worker can work in various regions like Medical clinics, Facilities, Wellbeing Industry, Education Area, NGOs, Basic liberties Offices, Advanced Age Homes, Debacle The board Divisions, and so forth.
• These days the social consideration communities are opening consistently at different spots, hence the interest for social workers is likewise expanding. The PhD holders can get utilized where the requirement for a youngster and family social worker is required.
• Social Workers can likewise secure position open doors in global associations like UNICEF, UNESCO, WHO, and different associations with comparative working techniques. These associations search for social workers for their tasks and formative activities and they additionally compensate fairly for social workers.
• With respect to government occupations, experts in the field of social work can secure position valuable open doors in government local area improvement projects. Government associations in India extend open positions to social workers in ancestral government assistance, ladies government assistance, and kid government assistance programs and these experts can secure position valuable open doors in other government area associations also.
