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Sacred Heart College (Autonomous), Tiruppattur, Tamil Nadu, offers a Ph.D. in Social Work, a full-time doctoral programme of 3 years duration, affiliated to Thiruvalluvar University. The programme is offered by the PG and Research Department of Social Work, one of the oldest and most distinguished social work departments in India, established in 1979 and holding NAAC A++ accreditation (CGPA 3.53/4). The Ph.D. programme, launched in 2000, covers research areas including community development, human resource management, youth development, mental health, tribal communities, social policy, CSR, and disaster management. Fees for the programme are modest, making it accessible to research scholars, and the course is offered in both full-time and part-time modes. The department is a UGC-recognized Resource Centre for Social Work, with a strong faculty team of UGC-NET qualified doctoral supervisors and 150+ research publications.

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Social Work) programme at SHCTPT for the 2026-27 academic year are expected to open tentatively around June-July 2026, based on the previous year's admission cycle. Candidates are selected through a written entrance examination and personal interview conducted by the college. The 2025-26 admission cycle has been completed; prospective students should monitor the official college website (shctpt.edu) for the 2026-27 notification.

Key Points

The PG and Research Department of Social Work at Sacred Heart College is the first PG department of the college, established in 1979, and introduced Youth Development as a postgraduate specialization in 1988 - a national first.
The Ph.D. programme has been running since 2000 and is recognized by Thiruvalluvar University.
The department is a UGC-recognized Resource Centre for Social Work, with faculty having 67+ Scopus/WoS publications.
Research is available in four specialization areas: Human Resource Management, Community Development, Youth Development, and Medical and Psychiatric Social Work.
The department has a strong industry and NGO network with 46+ corporate recruiters and 19+ development agencies for fieldwork and placements.
Both full-time and part-time modes are available, making it suitable for working professionals.

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Fees
Admission
Scholarships
Placements
FAQs

SHC Ph.D. Social Work Fees

The Ph.D. (Social Work) programme at Sacred Heart College is known for its affordable fee structure, consistent with the college's mission of accessible higher education. The fees are charged on an annual basis and are among the lowest for doctoral programmes in Tamil Nadu. Specific fee breakup details for the Ph.D. Social Work programme are not publicly disclosed on the official website; however, based on available data and the college's general fee pattern for research programmes, the fees are estimated to be in the range of Rs. 10,000-15,000 per year for tuition and other charges.

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (INR)
Tuition Fee (per year)	10,000 (approx.)
Other Charges (Registration, Exam, etc.)	2,000-3,000 (approx.)
Hostel Fee (optional, per year)	30,000-40,000 (approx.)
Total Fees (3 years, excluding hostel)	36,000-39,000 (approx.)

Hostel accommodation is optional and not mandatory for Ph.D. scholars.
Fees are subject to revision each academic year as per Thiruvalluvar University and college norms.
Exact fee details should be confirmed from the college office or official website at the time of admission.
No capitation or donation fee is charged.

SHC Ph.D. Social Work Admission 2026

Admissions to the Ph.D. (Social Work) programme at Sacred Heart College are conducted annually, typically in the June-August period. Selection is based on academic merit, a written entrance examination, and a personal interview. Candidates with UGC-NET/JRF qualification may be given preference or exemption from the entrance test as per UGC regulations. The 2025-26 admission cycle has concluded; the 2026-27 cycle is expected to open around June 2026.

College Admission Dates

Event	Tentative Date
Admission Notification	June 2026
Application Form Availability	June 2026
Last Date to Apply	July 2026
Entrance Examination	July 2026
Personal Interview	July-August 2026
Commencement of Classes	August 2026

UGC-NET Exam Dates

Exam	Event	Date
UGC-NET	Registration Start	October 7, 2025
UGC-NET	Registration End	November 7, 2025
UGC-NET	Exam Date	December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026
UGC-NET	Result Date	February 4, 2026
UGC-NET (Phase 2)	Registration Start (Tentative)	April 1, 2026
UGC-NET (Phase 2)	Exam Date (Tentative)	June 2026

UGC-NET qualification (Social Work / Labour Welfare / Personnel Management / Industrial Relations) is the primary national-level exam relevant for Ph.D. admission in Social Work. Candidates with UGC-NET/JRF are eligible for fellowship support during the Ph.D. programme.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have a Master's degree (MSW or equivalent) from a recognized university with a minimum of 55% marks (50% for SC/ST/OBC/PwD candidates).
Candidates with M.Phil. in Social Work or related disciplines are also eligible.
UGC-NET/JRF qualification is preferred but not mandatory; the college conducts its own entrance examination.

Admission Process

Visit the official college website (shctpt.edu) and download/fill the Ph.D. application form.
Submit the completed application form along with required documents (mark sheets, certificates, research proposal, etc.) to the college.
Appear for the written entrance examination conducted by the college.
Shortlisted candidates are called for a personal interview before the Research Advisory Committee.
Final selection is based on combined performance in the entrance exam and interview.
Selected candidates are allotted a research supervisor from the department faculty.
Complete admission formalities and fee payment within the stipulated time.

SHC Ph.D. Social Work Scholarships 2026

Sacred Heart College and the Government of Tamil Nadu offer several scholarships for Ph.D. scholars, making the programme financially accessible. Scholars with UGC-JRF qualification are eligible for a monthly fellowship from UGC, which is the most significant financial support available for doctoral students.

Scholarship Details

Scholarship	Eligibility	Amount
UGC-JRF Fellowship	UGC-NET/JRF qualified Ph.D. scholars	Rs. 37,000/month (JRF); Rs. 42,000/month (SRF)
Tamil Nadu Government Scholarship (e-Kalvi / Tamil Pudhalvan)	Tamil Nadu domicile students, merit-based	Rs. 10,000-13,000 per year
SC/ST Scholarship (Government of Tamil Nadu)	SC/ST category students	As per government norms
NSP (National Scholarship Portal) - Post-Matric Scholarship	SC/ST/OBC/Minority students, income criteria	As per government norms
IVDP Scholarship	Economically weaker students	Variable
College Internal Scholarship	Merit and need-based	Variable

UGC-JRF fellowship is the most lucrative option; candidates are strongly advised to qualify UGC-NET with JRF.
Government scholarships require timely application through the respective portals (scholarships.gov.in, Tamil Nadu e-Kalvi portal).
Scholarship amounts and eligibility criteria are subject to revision by the respective authorities.
Application deadlines for government scholarships are typically in October-November each year.

SHC Ph.D. Social Work Placement 2026

Placement Opportunities

Career Opportunities	Description
Assistant Professors	in colleges and universities (UGC-NET/Ph.D. is mandatory for teaching positions)
Researchers	in NGOs and government bodies
Consultants	for international development organizations
Policy Analysts
Senior HR Professionals

The department's alumni network of 2,000+ professionals across India and globally provides strong career support.

SHC Ph.D. Social Work FAQs

Ques. Is the Ph.D. in Social Work at Sacred Heart College available in part-time mode for working professionals?

Ans. Yes, the Ph.D. programme is offered in both full-time and part-time modes. Working professionals in NGOs, HR departments, hospitals, or government organizations can pursue the part-time Ph.D. while continuing their jobs. The part-time mode typically requires a minimum of 5 years for completion.

Ques. What is the research supervisor allocation process at SHCTPT for Ph.D. Social Work?

Ans. After selection, candidates are allotted a research supervisor from the department's faculty based on the candidate's research interest and the supervisor's area of expertise. The department has four active Ph.D. guides: Dr. C. R. Christi Anandan (HRM), Dr. K. Arockiaraj (Youth Development), Dr. Clayton Michael Fonceca (HRM), and Dr. T. Selvam (Community Development).

Ques. Does Sacred Heart College accept UGC-NET/JRF as a qualifying criterion for Ph.D. admission, or is a separate entrance exam mandatory?

Ans. As per UGC regulations, candidates who have qualified UGC-NET/JRF may be exempted from the college's entrance examination. However, the personal interview before the Research Advisory Committee is typically mandatory for all candidates. It is advisable to confirm the current policy directly with the college at the time of application.

Ques. What are the research areas available for Ph.D. in Social Work at SHCTPT?

Ans. The department offers research in four broad specialization areas: Human Resource Management (organizational behaviour, employee wellbeing, CSR, labour relations), Community Development (rural/urban development, governance, SDGs), Youth Development (youth policy, youth work, career guidance), and Medical and Psychiatric Social Work (mental health, psychosocial interventions, healthcare social work). Interdisciplinary topics are also encouraged.

Ques. What is the affiliation of the Ph.D. programme and is the degree recognized?

Ans. The Ph.D. in Social Work at Sacred Heart College is affiliated to Thiruvalluvar University, Vellore, Tamil Nadu. The degree is recognized by UGC and is valid for academic and government positions. The college holds NAAC A++ accreditation (5th Cycle, CGPA 3.53/4), which reflects the quality of its academic programmes.

Ques. Are there placement or career opportunities after completing Ph.D. in Social Work from SHCTPT?

Ans. Ph.D. holders in Social Work can pursue careers as Assistant Professors in colleges and universities (UGC-NET/Ph.D. is mandatory for teaching positions), researchers in NGOs and government bodies, consultants for international development organizations, policy analysts, and senior HR professionals. The department's alumni network of 2,000+ professionals across India and globally provides strong career support.

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SHCTPT Ph.D Social Work: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

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