PhD Program in Psychology
The PhD program in Psychology at Chitkara University offers comprehensive training in advanced research methods, applying psychological principles across various human conditions. The program provides discipline-specific knowledge, broad professional competencies, and research skills, fostering an educational environment that emphasises cooperative and collaborative learning. Students are encouraged to engage in professional development and personal growth while gaining a deep understanding of psychology and its practical applications in real-world settings.
The primary aim of the program is to train researchers dedicated to expanding the scientific knowledge base within the field of psychology. Rigorous scientific training forms the foundation of the PhD program at Chitkara School of Psychology and Counseling. Upon completion, graduates can pursue diverse career opportunities in academia, education, healthcare, government, and community organisations, contributing to the advancement of psychology both within and beyond academic settings, and addressing complex issues related to mental health, behaviour, and societal wellbeing. The program integrates theory with practice, equipping students with the skills to conduct impactful research and address real-world challenges.
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Program Overview
This doctoral program prepares professionals to become leaders capable of discovering and disseminating new knowledge in the area of human brain and behaviour. The PhD in Psychology program equips you with the skills to conduct research that advances the science and practice of mental health care. The program covers a wide range of specialisation areas within psychology, including developmental, social, cognitive, health psychology, and more. Chitkara School of Psychology and Counseling is highly interdisciplinary, and from the start of their training, doctoral students work closely in research laboratories with faculty mentors. The program encourages students to explore the complexities of the human mind and behaviour while learning to integrate practice and science to address the challenges facing individuals, families, and communities.
What to Expect
The PhD in Psychology program at Chitkara University will prepare you for an outstanding career in research and teaching and industry. Right from your first semester, you’ll get to work with faculty mentors from different sub-specialties of psychology as you investigate diverse issues and challenges related to human brain and behavior. Our doctoral program students have the necessary research skills and intellectual acumen to delve into the complexities of mental health issues at an advanced level.
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 at least 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 Doctor of Philosophy curriculum includes compulsory coursework, research proposal and objectives, research work and progress, pre-thesis work, and thesis defense. It also includes fulfillment of all research objectives, acceptance/publication of research papers in peer-reviewed journals or conferences.
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 course work, 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
Our PhD program in psychology offers a very conducive research environment that combines rigor and relevance, and a curriculum that offers foundational courses with flexible, cross-disciplinary electives. Some of the concentrations are:
- Clinical psychology
- Health psychology
- Counseling psychology
- Organizational psychology
- Gender studies
- Media psychology
- Forensic psychology
- Social psychology
- Cognitive psychology
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
