PhD Program in Education
The PhD in Education Program at Chitkara University provides students with the skills and research opportunities to become theory-driven, transformative scholar advocates. The multidisciplinary program focuses on advancing educational sciences and contributing to improved educational opportunities and outcomes for individuals across the entire lifespan. By collaborating with world-class faculty and working in a diverse, burgeoning county with endless research opportunities, students are given the chance to address complex issues, problems, and inequities confronting society.
Additionally, Chitkara University’s PhD in Education program supports an inclusive learning space for students to develop into scholars who advocate for equity, diversity, and social justice. Students engage in innovative research that challenges traditional education models, equipping them to drive meaningful change and contribute to the evolution of educational practices globally. This program empowers students to create lasting impact through evidence-based practices and advocacy, fostering a transformative educational environment. The program also emphasises the development of critical thinking and ethical leadership, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to influence policy and practice within educational systems worldwide.
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Program Overview
The program’s required coursework will develop your knowledge of the interdisciplinary nature of education and expertise in a range of quantitative and qualitative methods needed to conduct high-quality research. Guided by the goal of having a transformative impact on education research, policy, and practice, you will focus on independent research in various domains, including human development, learning and teaching, policy analysis and evaluation, institutions and society, and instructional practice. You will assume roles as university faculty, researchers, senior-level education leaders, and policymakers.
Furthermore, the PhD in Education degree program is led by a small group of world-class faculty with a strong commitment to equity in education and expertise in cultural and social aspects of education across contexts.
Program faculty draw from diverse theoretical perspectives and have a history of community engagement and policy work at the community, state, and national levels.
- Strong research programs and teaching opportunities prepare students to navigate, and contribute to a field of research while putting theory into practice.
- The program is designed to be flexible and personalised in order for students to pursue their unique interests and benefit from collaborations with other units at Chitkara University.
What to Expect
The PhD program at Chitkara University will prepare you for an outstanding career in research and teaching. Right from your first semester, you’ll get to work with faculty mentors across your field as you investigate the challenges that interest you. Our doctoral program students have the ability—and diligence—to study complex issues that the world right now faces.
Transferrable Career Skills
Our PhD program equips scholars with skills beyond academia, preparing them for leadership, entrepreneurship, and industry roles. Through innovative pedagogy, mentoring, and hands-on learning, researchers gain critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication expertise, ensuring they excel in diverse professional landscapes beyond traditional academic settings.
Global Research Exposure
PhD students present their work at leading conferences, engaging with experts and showcasing their research on international platforms. These opportunities expand academic visibility, foster collaborations, and provide insights into emerging trends, ensuring scholars stay ahead in their fields while strengthening their professional and scholarly impact.
Student Support
Faculty mentors guide scholars through every stage of research, from idea generation to publication. Encouraged to collaborate with multiple faculty members, students gain diverse perspectives, fostering intellectual growth, refining research skills, and ensuring they navigate their academic journey with confidence and clarity.
Collaborative Research Culture
Our PhD program thrives on interdisciplinary collaboration. Working with peers, faculty, and researchers, students engage in meaningful exchanges that enhance research quality. This team-driven approach fosters innovation, accelerates discoveries, and creates an environment where collective intelligence drives impactful and pioneering research.
Admission Eligibility
The candidates who have completed any of the following qualification(s) are eligible to seek admission to the PhD program as per Chitkara University regulations and UGC Minimum Standards and Procedure for Award of PhD Degree Regulations, 2022 issued dated 07.11.2022 [(New Delhi, 7th November, 2022; No. F. 1-3/2021(QIP)].
- A 1-year/2-semester Master’s degree program in relevant discipline after a 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s degree program or
- A 2-year/4-semester Master’s degree program in relevant discipline after a 3-year Bachelor’s degree program or
- Qualifications declared equivalent to the Master’s degree in relevant discipline by the corresponding statutory regulatory body, with at least 55% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade in a point scale wherever grading system is followed or
- An equivalent qualification from a foreign educational institution accredited by an assessment and accreditation agency which is approved, recognised or authorised by an authority, established or incorporated under a law in its home country or any other statutory authority in that country to assess, accredit or assure quality and standards of the educational institution or
- A 4-year/8-semester Bachelor’s degree program in relevant discipline with a minimum of 75% marks in aggregate or its equivalent grade on a point scale wherever the grading system is followed, subject to the following conditions:
- The candidate should have a full-time teaching or research/industry experience of atleast 4 years.
- The candidate should be currently working in AICTE/UGC approved College/University/Government agency/industry.
Note: Relaxation for reserved categories as per UGC norms.
Program Fee Structure
| Fee Components | Amount |
|---|---|
| Enrolment Fee | Rs. 30,000/- |
| Career Advancement Services Fee | Rs. 20,000/- |
| Course Work Fee 1 | Rs. 25,000/- |
| Course Work Fee 2 | Rs. 25,000/- |
| Course Work Fee 3 | Rs. 25,000/- |
| Doctoral Seminar on Specialisation | Rs. 60,000/- |
| Research Proposal Seminar | Rs. 60,000/- |
| Progress Review Seminar 1 | Rs. 20,000/- |
| Progress Review Seminar 2 | Rs. 20,000/- |
| Progress Review Seminar 3 | Rs. 20,000/- |
| Pre-Thesis Submission | Rs. 40,000/- |
| Thesis Submission & Defence | Rs. 75,000/- |
| Total | Rs. 4,20,000/- |
How to Apply?
Candidates who fulfil the eligibility criteria, must fill the admission form with required documents of all particulars to be attached. All application forms will be screened by a separate screening committee whose representatives will be from Doctoral Research Committee and Experts from the University in the respective areas. Shortlisted candidates based on academic record and experience will appear for a written test conducted by the University.
Program Structure
The curriculum includes compulsory coursework, research proposal and objectives, research work and progress, pre-thesis work, and thesis defense.
The course work comprises of five components: research methodology, advanced research methodology, doctoral foundation seminar, doctoral concentration seminar, and research & publication ethics. After successfully completing coursework, the research scholar works in close coordination and under the strict supervision of his / her research guide, prepares the research proposal, and identifies the objectives of the research work.
Progress of the research work is reviewed every six months and finally, the scholars submit their thesis and defend it. The Doctoral Research Committee (DRC) closely mentors and monitors this process.
| Phase | Sub components | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Course Work | Research Methodology | Enabling scholars to purse research in a methodical manner |
| Advanced Research Methodology | Enabling scholars to know about tools and technologies to process their data | |
| Doctoral Foundation Seminar | Enabling and equipping scholars with required tools and technologies in their broad discipline area | |
| Doctoral Concentration Seminar | a) Motivation to Research, b) identification of base paper(s), c) State-of-art, d) Identification of research gaps, e) Identification of Tools/Technologies for conducting proposed research | |
| Research & Publication Ethics | Sensitisation towards research; Ethics and respect to science and research integrity; Intellectual honesty and research integrity; Scientific misconducts; Falsification, Fabrication and Plagiarism | |
| Submission of Research Proposal | Extensive literature review / patent data bases, research proposal submitted to Dean (DRC) in prescribed format | |
| Progress Seminar – I | Progress on identified research objectives | |
| Progress Seminar – II | Progress on identified research objectives | |
| Progress Seminar – III | Progress on identified research objectives | |
| Pre Thesis Seminar | Achievement of all objectives, Thesis ready in final shape, Research paper(s) communicated to Conferences / Journals | |
| Thesis Submission and Defence | Eligibility for award of PhD degree |
Concentrations Offered
Immerse yourself in applied high-tech research and complex topics alongside renowned faculty experts in our state-of-the-art research labs. Select from our future-focused concentrations:
- Educational Technology
- Environmental Education
- Educational Psychology
- Collaborative Learning
- Blended Learning
- Educational Research and Statistics
- E- Learning
- Pedagogy
- Hybrid Teaching
- Curriculum Development
- Assessment
- Career Counselling
- Research in School Education
- Educational Philosophy and Sociology
- Special Education
Framework for Phd Program
The steps you take today lay the foundation for your future success. At Chitkara University, we cultivate bright minds into changemakers, equipping them with strong fundamentals, a global perspective, and leadership skills to make a meaningful difference in the world.
Unit No. A 201-202
Elante Mall Office Complex
Industrial Area Phase 1
Chandigarh 160 002
Chandigarh-Patiala National Highway
Punjab 140 401
