PhD in Social Work is a research-oriented doctoral program, the minimum duration to complete a PhD Social Work program is 3 years; however, it can be extended up to 6 years depending on the research progress. A PhD in Social Work focuses on social work theories, social justice, and community interventions.
Candidates with a postgraduate degree in Social Work or a relevant field are eligible for PhD Social Work admission. Admission to the PhD Social Work program is based on the score of UGC NET, GATE or CSIR-UGC NET exams. However, institutes like TISS conduct TISS-RAT for admission to PhD Social Work.
PhD Social Work scholars have diverse job opportunities in government agencies, NGOs, research institutions, and international organizations. Candidates gain hands-on research experience during their PhD in Social Work that enables them to disclose facts regarding social policies and welfare programs. The average package after a PhD in Social Work can range between INR 3.06 LPA and INR 12.7 LPA.
- PhD in Social Work Course Highlights
- What is a PhD in Social Work?
- Why Study PhD in Social Work?
- PhD in Social Work Eligibility
- PhD in Social Work Entrance Exam
- PhD in Social Work Top Colleges in India
- PhD in Social Work Syllabus
- PhD in Social Work Admission Process
- PhD in Social Work Jobs and Salary
- PhD in Social Work Future Scope
- PhD in Social Work FAQs
PhD in Social Work Course Highlights
A few PhD Social Work course highlights are mentioned below:
Category | Details |
Course Name | PhD in Social Work |
Duration | 3-6 years |
Eligibility | Master’s degree in Social Work or related field from a recognized university. |
Admission Process | Entrance Exam/Merit-based followed by Personal Interview. |
Entrance Exams | UGC NET, CSIR-UGC NET, TISS-RAT, GATE, LPUNEST, etc. |
Average Course Fee | INR 15,000 - INR 30,000 |
Career Prospects | Policy Analyst, Research Fellow/Scientist, Community Organizer, Healthcare Consultant, Social Welfare Officer, etc. |
Average Package | INR 3.06 LPA - INR 12.7 LPA |
Top Institutions to Work At | UNICEF, WHO, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS), LPU, etc. |
What is a PhD in Social Work?
PhD Social Work is a research program that focuses on social justice, community well-being and human rights. The PhD program is designed in such a way that helps the candidates learn new perspectives regarding social issues, policies, and interventions. Candidates get to research regarding mental health, community development, child welfare, and public policies during the PhD Social Work program.
Candidates with a postgraduate degree in social work are eligible to apply for a PhD in Social Work. The PhD holders in Social Work have the opportunity to work in government advisory roles, international social welfare organizations, etc. A PhD Social Work holder can earn up to INR 22 LPA depending on the job role and experience.
Why Study PhD in Social Work?
PhD Social Work is a prestigious qualification for individuals having an interest in social issues, policy-making, and community welfare. Candidates with a PhD in Social Work can contribute more to society by writing books or research papers regarding social policies and welfare programs. During the doctoral program, students learn advanced research, analytical, and problem-solving skills that help them to address societal challenges effectively.
With the advancement of technology, research in social work is becoming more evidence-based and data-driven. The technological integration helps the PhD holders to analyze large-scale social issues, and implement data-driven solutions for society. This ensures long-term job stability for the PhD holder improving human well-being.
PhD in Social Work Eligibility
PhD Social Work eligibility is mostly the same for most of the institutions; however, candidates must meet the following PhD Social Work criteria to get admission at the Tata Institute of Social Sciences:
- Candidates must have a 2nd class Master’s or equivalent degree in Social Work from a recognised university in India or abroad.
- A minimum of 55% marks in aggregate or a GPA of 3.5 under the 7-point scale of the University Grants Commission.
- In the case of SC/ST/OBC (non-creamy layer)/ differently-abled candidates, a minimum of 45% marks in aggregate or a GPA of 2.5 under the 7-point scale of the University Grants Commission.
- Candidates with an M.Phil or equivalent degree are eligible for PhD Social Work.
- Candidates must submit a research proposal of approximately 1,000 words.
PhD in Social Work Entrance Exam
The entrance exams for pursuing a PhD Social Science are given below:
Exams | Registration Date (tentative) | Exam Dates (tentative) |
UGC NET 2026 | March 2026 | June 2026 |
LPU NEST 2026 | May 2026 | May-June 2026 |
GATE 2025 | October 2025 | February, 2026 |
CSIR NET 2026 | June 2026 | July 2026 |
Christ University PhD Entrance Exam 2026 | March 2026 | April 2026 |
CUET PG 2026 | Jan-Feb 2026 | Mar-Apr 2026 |
PhD in Social Work Top Colleges in India
Candidates looking for admission to PhD in Social Work can check out the top colleges listed below:
College | Location | NIRF Ranking | Semester Fees |
Christ University | Tavarekere, Bangalore | 90 | INR 30,000 |
Tata Institute of Social Sciences | Govandi, Mumbai | 95 | INR 16,000 |
Pondicherry University | Pondicherry, Puducherry | - | INR 23,301 |
LPU | Jalandhar, Punjab | 45 | INR 50,000 |
SRM Institute of Science and Technology | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | 21 | INR 15,000 |
Gujarat Vidyapith Ahmedabad | Ahmedabad, Gujarat | - | INR 10,950 |
Mahatma Gandhi University | Byrnihat, Meghalaya | - | INR 50,000 |
PhD in Social Work Syllabus
PhD Social Work Syllabus remains the same for most of the institutions. PhD Social work focuses on Social policy, Child protection, Crime prevention, Mental health, Spiritual disability, etc. However, the syllabus of the PhD Social Work offered by Mahatma Gandhi University, Meghalaya is mentioned below:
Paper I- Research Methodology | |
Unit 1 | Definition, Concept, Types, Importance, of Research, Formulation of Research problem, Research process, Research design |
Unit II | Qualitative and Quantitative research, Measurements of Scales, Sampling vs. census, Types of samples; Probability and Non Probability methods. |
Unit III | Data collection tools; Primary Data; Observation, Questionnaire, Interview Schedule and Interview and Secondary Data |
Unit IV | Hypothesis, Types of Hypothesis, Testing of hypothesis, Test of significance for small and large samples, Parametric and Non-parametric tests. |
Unit V | Application of Statistical techniques in Research, Measures of Central Tendency, Dispersion, Simple correlation, Simple Regression, Normal Distribution, Skewness |
Unit VI | Diagrammatic and Graphical Presentation Report Writing, Research Proposal, Ethics in Research and Presentation Technique |
Paper III – Computer Applications | |
Unit 1 | Basics of Computer |
Unit II | MS-Word |
Unit III | MS-Excel |
Unit IV | MS PowerPoint |
Unit V | SPSS |
Paper IV- Advanced Paper of Advance Social Work Education & Practice | |
Unit 1 | Ideological Paradigms of Contemporary Social Work in India |
Unit II | Empirical Foundation in Development |
Unit III | Social Work Practice with Contemporary Fields |
Unit IV | Globalization of Social Work Professional |
Unit V | Management in Nonprofits Organizations |
PhD in Social Work Admission Process
PhD Social Work Admission is mostly online through the admission portal of the university/ institution. Candidates must have passed a master's degree in Social Work to be eligible for PhD Social Work. TheAdmission Process for PhD Social Work atTata Institute of Social Sciences is mentioned below:
Step 1: Visit the TISS official website.
Step 2: Check for the latest PhD admission notification.
Step 3: Fill out the Form.
Step 4: Appear for the Research Aptitude Test (if applicable).
Step 5: Shortlisted candidates must attend the Online Personal Interview.
Step 6: The merit list will be announced.
Step 7: Next, the selected candidates are required to upload the documents and pay the fees before the deadline.
Step 8: The last step includes the verification of documents at the respective college campus.
PhD in Social Work Jobs and Salary
PhD Social Work can avail several job roles in the government and private sectors. Individuals with PhD Social Work are highly valued in the job market as they have strong analytical and research skills. Some of the job roles one can opt for after a PhD in Social Work are mentioned below:
Job Roles | 1 - 3 Year | 4 - 7 Years | 8+ years |
Professor | INR 12.7 LPA | INR 17.9 LPA | INR 22.6 LPA |
Social Worker | INR 3.25 LPA | INR 3.25 LPA | INR 5.5 LPA |
Research Fellow | INR 3.06 LPA | INR 3.6 LPA | INR 4 LPA |
Policy Analyst | INR 3.36 LPA | INR 5.4 LPA | INR 15.3 LPA |
Researcher | INR 6.08 LPA | INR 5.65 LPA | INR 8.74 LPA |
PhD in Social Work Future Scope
After completing a PhD in Social Work, individuals can explore various career options such as professors at private and government institutes/universities. Apart from these, some other options are listed below:
- Candidates who pursued a PhD in social work, can work as consultants for international organisations like WHO, UNICEF, and UNDP.
- Individuals with a PhD in social work can develop and evaluate social policies at national and international levels.
- Candidates, after pursuing a PhD in social work, have the opportunity to lead a nonprofit organisation to drive social change.
PhD in Social Work FAQs
Can I do a PhD after MSW?
Yes. Candidates can pursue Phd after completing a Master of Social Work. A PhD in Social Work allows the candidates to take up research work related to social issues, policy-making, etc.
Is PhD social work from IGNOU valid?
Yes. Candidates interested in pursuing PhD in Social Work can take admission to IGNOU. However, IGNOU doesn't offer PhD Social Work through distance mode. Candidates must apply to the PhD course in full-time or part-time mode only.
Which country is best to work in after PhD social work?
The best countries to work in after a PhD in Social Work include the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and Switzerland. Countries like the UK and the USA have a high demand for PhD Social Work scholars in government agencies and universities, while Canada and Australia offer job opportunities for community development and public policy.
Can I pursue PhD Social Work from a foreign university?
Yes. Candidates can pursue a PhD in Social Work from foreign universities. Some of the top international universities offering PhD Social Work include The University of Manchester, Brunel University, University of Hertfordshire, and many more.
What is the PhD social work course fee at IGNOU?
Since 2008, IGNOU has offered PhD in Social Work and 21 scholars have been successfully awarded doctoral degrees. The course fee for National students is INR 16,800 for Full Programme.
