A PhD in Human Resource Management is a three-to five-year doctoral program in the field of human resource management. A number of colleges across India offer the course. This program focuses on developing organizational skills, training and developmental skills, decision-making skills, and communication skills in students.
Many business professionals pursue a PhD in Human Resource Management in order to advance their careers, contribute to research, increase their pay, or advance their field. The course covers HR information systems, staffing strategies, professional development, cultural diversity, labor relations, and legal issues to ensure that graduates are prepared for any situation.
Different teaching methods are accounted for in the course curriculum. Students participate in practical sessions in the classroom. Students who are interested in learning about human relations, developing work policies, receiving training, and creating a professional environment in the future. The following are some general teaching methods and strategies:
- Group Assignment and Discussion
- Training
- Guest Lectures, Seminars, and Workshops
- Practical and live sessions
- Dissertation
Students who complete a PhD in Human Resource Management program have numerous job opportunities both in India and abroad. Human resource managers, HR executives, HR directors, personnel managers, HRD managers, administration managers, IR managers, industrial relations managers, recruitment managers, chief human resource officers, and other positions in IT sectors, marketing, businesses, and academia will be available to students as job options.
Table of Contents
PhD HR Management: An Overview
The following table lists the highlights of the PhD Human Resource Management program:
| Level of Course | Doctoral |
| Also referred as | Doctor of Philosophy in Human Resource management |
| Duration of Course | 3 – 5 years |
| Type of Examination | Semester |
| Eligibility Criteria | Postgraduate in the relevant discipline with at least 55% marks from a UGC recognized Indian or foreign university |
| Process of Admission | Entrance Exam followed by personal interview and group discussion |
| Average Fees (Annually) | INR 11,200 to 1,02,000 |
| Average Salary Per Annum | INR 6,00,000 to 11,00,000 |
| Top Hiring Firms | WIPRO, HCL, Infosys, TCS, Reliance, Bharti Airtel, Deloitte,IBM, Cognizant, HDFC Bank etc. |
| Positions of Job | HR Executive, HR Consultant, Training Coordinator, Training Manager, Recruitment Consultant, Personnel Manager, HR Director, Human Resource Manager. etc. |
PhD HR Management Eligibility
A student must be eligible to enroll in a specific course. The following are the requirements for the PhD in Human Resource Management program:
- The student must earn a Master’s or M.Phil. in Human Resources Management.
- He or she must receive at least 55 percent of the total marks from any recognized university.
- The primary requirement for admission to this program is that you must pass the entrance examination with the required cut-off scores.
- In addition, the students must perform well in the personal interview round.
PhD in HR Management: Focus Areas
The following is information and details about the PhD Human Resource Management program:
- While doing this course, a doctoral student will have to independently research an original topic under the supervision of a guide or supervisor with relevant experience and expertise from among the academic staff of the college or university.
- The PhD program consists of a coursework which has to be completed by the student mostly by the first year of his/her studies.
- The coursework mostly deals with the subject knowledge and the research methodologies to be used while undertaking research later in the course.
- Those with an MPhil qualification get relaxation in coursework, if they have covered those topics during their MPhil itself.
- On successful completion of the coursework, the students need to present a synopsis of the research work that they are going to undertake. At this stage a research guide or supervisor is assigned to support the students with their research work.
- The award of PhD depends a lot upon the quality of the thesis that the students submit. Often the thesis has to be corrected and resubmitted a number of times to internal faculty before being finally submitted to external examiners for scrutiny.
- Based on their thesis, the students are subjected to an oral examination by the external examiners. The students have to defend their thesis and the results that they have inferenced from their research work.
- Apart from the thesis, the students are also expected to publish some research papers.
PhD in HR Management Admission Procedure
- For admission to PhD in Human Resource Management programs, the majority of colleges and universities use an entrance-based system.
- After passing the entrance exam, the candidate’s research topic, proposal, methodology, and other materials are reviewed, and an interview is scheduled.
- Most colleges and universities admit students to PhD Human Resource Management programs based on entrance exams such as the UGC NET, CSIR NET, and others.
The following is a step-by-step procedure for entrance-based admission:
Step 1: The first step is for students to register on the official website.
Step 2: Complete the application form with accurate information.
Step 3: Following the examination, the website will post a cutoff list. Candidates will then be assigned seats based on their entrance exam scores.
Step 4: For admission to this course, some colleges conduct personal interviews and group discussions.
Step 5: If a student meets all of the eligibility requirements, he or she will be offered admission to the course.
PhD HR Management: Important Entrance Exams
There are numerous national and state-level entrance exams to take in order to be admitted to a PhD program in Human Resource Management. Some of the most popular PhD entrance exams are listed below.
- UGC-NET:The National Testing Agency (NTA) administers the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC-NET) to determine candidates’ eligibility for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) or Assistant Professor in Indian colleges and universities. Simultaneously, the test is used for admission to a variety of PhD programs. The tests are held in June and December of each year.
- CSIR-UGC NET: The NTA administers the CSIR-UGC NET, which is entrusted by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to determine the eligibility of candidates for JRF and Lectureship/Assistant Professor positions in Indian colleges and universities. Those who pass the test are also eligible to apply for PhD programs at colleges throughout India without having to take an entrance exam. The exam takes place twice a year, and applications must be submitted online. The test is administered using a CBT (Computer-Based Test) format. The test will last 3 hours.
- JNUEE: Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, conducts the JNUEE for admission to various doctoral programs such as M.Phil and PhD. The NTA administers the test on behalf of JNU. This test is used to gain admission to PhD programs at JNU and a few other universities.
PhD HR Management: Important Documents Required
- Migration Certificate (No objection certificate from the university last attended)
- Mark-list of the last qualifying degree examination
- No objection certificate from the employer (if employed)
- passing/degree certificate of the last qualifying degree examination.
- Research Proposal
- A character certificate (from the head of the institute from which the student has obtained his qualifying degree)
- Documentary proof of the date of birth
- Gap certificate (if applicable)
Students should be aware that if the aforementioned certificates are not attached to their application, their application will not be taken into account for admission.
PhD HR Management Syllabus
Although the PhD in Human Resource Management program syllabus varies by college, it generally consists of a set of common foundation courses from which students can choose according to their interests.
The following table lists the most common subjects covered in a structured PhD in Human Resource Management curriculum:
| Human Resource Management |
| Organizational Theory |
| Sociology of Education |
| Theories of Leadership |
| Leadership and Communication |
| Personnel management |
| Industrial Relations |
| Personnel Practices and Relations |
| Labour Relations |
| Legal Systems |
| Managing and Organizing People |
| Cross-cultural Management |
| Employee Development and Training |
| Corporate Rules and Regulations |
PhD HR Management: Suitable Candidates
- This course is for candidates who want to lead, consult, or teach human resources in a complex global business environment.
- Students who can think outside of traditional business boundaries to develop positive and effective HR programs are also a good fit.
- They should learn how to manage employees and assist them in furthering their careers while also assisting organisations and businesses in achieving their goals.
- It is also appropriate for those who want to improve their educational qualifications.
PhD HR Management: Preparation Plan
The PhD Human Resource Management entrance exam syllabus will differ from one college to the next. Students are advised to use the tips listed below to succeed in entrance exams.
- The UGC-NET, a popular eligibility test for PhD admission, is a three-hour exam. It consists of two papers, one of which is common to all candidates and the other of which is subject-specific. Paper 1 contains 50 MCQs, while Paper 2 contains 100 MCQs. The test has a total score of 300. The test is available in both English and Hindi.
- As can be seen from the above, candidates will need to study extensively for the test because they will be tested on both the subject for which they are applying to the PhD program as well as general topics.
- Candidates will need to brush up on their knowledge of topics related to human resource management for the subject-specific paper.
- A review of important topics covered in post-graduate studies would be extremely beneficial.
- Candidates can use previous year’s papers to determine the level of difficulty of the questions.
- Practicing sample test papers and taking mock tests can help you learn the test’s pattern and get a feel for the computer-based test.
- A PhD program in human resource management is available at a number of colleges. To gain admission to a prestigious college or university, one must keep an eye out for notifications issued by such institutions. Visiting the college websites from time to time to look for notifications is an option.
- Students will need to study hard for the entrance exams. Only if you pass the entrance exams with a high score will you be considered for admission. In most cases, the entrance exam accounts for 70% of the selection process.
- Candidates must be thorough in their subject knowledge and well-prepared for the entrance exams in order to achieve a good score.
- Candidates must also perform well in the interview portion. It is a good idea to brush up on some key topics in your field of study. Questions about the candidate’s research proposal may also be asked. As a result, one should also prepare a research proposal. Attending mock interviews to familiarize oneself with the interview process is beneficial.
- A good academic record and previous academic achievements go a long way toward getting selected. Make a list of all such accomplishments and present them to the panel as and when requested.
PhD in HR Management: Top Institutes
The table below lists the best colleges and universities that offer a full-time PhD in Human Resource Management program.
| Name of the Institute | Process of Admission | Average Fees (Annually) |
|---|---|---|
| IIMC, Kolkata | Entrance-Based | INR 102,000 |
| IIT Bombay, Mumbai | Entrance-Based | INR 73.000 |
| DOMS, IIT Madras, Chennai | Entrance-Based | INR 11,200 |
| KIIT, Bhubaneshwar | Entrance-Based | INR 2,25,000 |
| Sharda University, School of Business Studies, Greater Noida | Entrance-Based | INR 50,000 |
| Nirma University, Ahmedabad | Entrance-Based | INR 40,000 |
| Amity University, Mumbai | Entrance-Based | INR 80,000 |
| VMU, Salem | Entrance-Based | INR 1,25,000 |
A PhD in HR Management: Distance Programs
When a student is unable to pursue a desired course through traditional learning methods for a variety of reasons, distance learning comes to their rescue. Distance learning is an option for students interested in pursuing a PhD in Human Resource Management. Students must check the validity of the course and the distance or correspondence college before applying for admission.
- Students must have a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline from a recognized university to be eligible for this correspondence course.
- The minimum time required to complete this course via distance mode is three years, with a maximum time of five years.
- Admission to the PhD HR Management course via correspondence is based on merit.
- The course costs between INR 60,000 and INR 80,000 on average.
PhD HR Management: A Comparison among Institutes
The table below shows the comparison between India’s three best PhD Human Resource Management colleges.
| Basis of Comparison | IIMC, Kolkata | IIT Bombay, Mumbai | DOMS IIT Madras, Chennai |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highlight | The Indian Institute of Management in Kolkata is the country’s first Indian Institute of Management. This deemed institute offers management programs at the postgraduate, executive, and doctoral levels. | One of the most well-known technical institutions for research and innovation. This institute offers a wide range of undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. | DOMS IIT Madras is a business school that is affiliated with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. This deemed institute provides students with a wide range of programs at various levels. |
| Place | Kolkata | Mumbai | Chennai |
| Ranking by NIRF | 3 | 4 | 15 |
| Criteria for Eligibility | A master’s degree in a relevant field from a recognized university is required. | A master’s degree in a relevant field from a reputable university is required. | A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline from a recognized university. |
| Process of Admission | Entrance-Based | Entrance-Based | Entrance-Based |
| Average Annual Fees | INR 1,02,000 | INR 73,000 | INR 11,200 |
| Average Annual Salary | INR 10,00,000 | INR 8,75,000 | INR 8,00,000 |
| Top Areas of Employment | IT Sectors, Marketing, Businesses, Academics etc. | IT Sectors, Marketing, Businesses, Academics etc. | IT Sectors, Marketing, Businesses, Academics etc. |
PhD HR Management: Important Books Required
The following are some important books and authors for a PhD in Human Resource Management program:
| Book Name | Author’s Name |
|---|---|
| Human Resource Management | Gary Dessler |
| Human Resource Management | VSP Rao |
| The Toyota Way | Jeffery Liker |
| Fundamentals of Human Resource Management | Chabbra |
| Industrial Relations and labour Laws | Piyali Ghosh and Shefali Nanadan |
| International Human Resource Management | K Aswathappa |
The Key Differences Between a PhD in HRM and a PhD in PM & IR
PhD in Human Resource Management and PhD in PM & IR are two doctoral-level courses offered by a variety of institutes across India.
For more comparison information, see the table below:
| Basis of Comparison | PhD HRM | PhD PM&IR |
|---|---|---|
| Level of Course | PhD Human Resource Management | PhD Personnel Management and Industrial Relations |
| Duration of Course | 3 – 5 years | 3 – 5 years |
| Eligibility Criteria | Postgraduate with at least 55% marks in the relevant stream | Postgraduate with at least 55% marks in personnel management |
| Course Highlight | A doctorate degree program PhD HRM provides students with a deeper understanding of human resource management. Students are given the opportunity to conduct research and complete challenging tasks that will aid them in better understanding how an organization operates and how to better manage people for increased productivity and efficiency. | This is a doctoral programme focused on human resource management and labor relations. The course focuses on labor-management relations and topics such as dispute resolution, collective bargaining, social policies, and best practices for maintaining healthy labor-management relations. |
| Process of Admission | Entrance exam followed by personal interview and some instances a group discussion as well. | Entrance exam followed by personal interview |
| Average Fee (Annually) | INR 11,200 – 1,02,000 | INR 20,000 – 75,000 |
| Average Salary Per Annum | INR 6,00,000 – 11,00,000 | INR 5,00,000 – 8,00,000 |
| Recruitment Areas | IBM, WIPRO, HCL, Infosys, TCS, Reliance, Bharti Airtel, Deloitte, Cognizant, HDFC Bank | IBM, WIPRO, HCL, Infosys, TCS, Reliance, Bharti Airtel, Deloitte, Cognizant, HDFC Bank |
| Top Profiles for Job | HR Director, HR Executive, HR Consultant, HR Auditor, Training Head, Training Coordinator, Recruitment Head, Lecturer, Professor etc. | Industrial Relations Manager, Labour Relations Manager, Personnel Manager etc. |
PhD HR Management: Top Foreign Institutes
The following table lists the best full-time PhD in Human Resource Management schools and universities outside of India:
| Name of the Institute | Place | Average Fees (Annually) |
| Purdue University | West Lafayette, Indiana | INR 20,00,000 |
| University of Wisconsin | Madison, Wisconsin | INR 17,00,000 |
| The Ohio State University | Columbus, Ohio | INR 25,00,000 |
| Indiana University | Bloomington, Indiana | INR 22,00,000 |
| The University of Illinois | Chicago, Illinois | INR 17,00,000 |
| Rutgers University | New Brunswick, New Jersey | INR 22,00,000 |
| University of Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | INR 28,00,000 |
| University of Minnesota | Minneapolis, Minnesota | INR 20,00,000 |
| Michigan State University | East Lansing, Michigan | INR 27,00,000 |
PhD HR Management: Top Job Profiles
- This course has a lot of job opportunities. Students can work as human resource generalists, human resource managers, training coordinators, deputy managers, and many other positions in government and private organizations such as IT, marketing, businesses, and academia.
- After completing this course, students will be able to work in both the public and private sectors. They can work as professors in the relevant subjects at various universities around the world, in addition to working in an organization.
The following table lists some of the most common PhD Human Resource Management job profiles and career prospects following completion of the course:
| Profile of Job | Description of Job | Average Salary Per Annum |
|---|---|---|
| HR Executive | Examines issues such as personnel, salaries, staffing, policy monitoring,compensation, and so on. | INR 8,00,000 |
| Training Coordinator | Mostly concerned with the training of new recruits and employees. Employee training on new systems and processes is being planned. | INR 6,00,000 |
| Recruitment Consultant | Assists in the recruitment of people for various positions within an organisation. | INR 5,00,000 |
| IR Manager | An IR Manager’s job is to work on aspects of labor-management relations.. | INR 8,70,000 |
| Welfare Officer | They look after the well-being of employees by looking into things like leave, welfare policies, insurance, safety, and medical facilities, among other things. | INR 7,00,000 |
Some other important areas of employment are
- Human Resources Supervisor
- Lecture and Professor
- Training Coordinator
- Assistant/Deputy Manager
- Assistant Manager
- Human Resources Recruiter
- IT companies
- Management Trainee
- Sales Representative
- Marketing Firms
- Academic Institutions
- Human Resources Generalist
- Human Resources Manager
PhD in HR Management: Benefits and Scope
The aspirations and goals of each individual will determine whether or not they pursue a PhD in Human Resource Management. The following are some of the advantages and benefits of pursuing a PhD in Human Resource Management:
- This course provides an opportunity for experienced professionals in the field of human resource management to expand their knowledge and skills in the field.
- If you want to advance in your organization’s leadership ranks, this course is beneficial.
- This course will greatly improve one’s research skills, which will be useful when developing strategies to solve issues related to human resource management.
- It is a worthwhile course for those interested in pursuing a career as a college or university professor.
- Human resource management is a relatively new discipline. Human resource professionals are in demand in every field, be it private companies or government organizations, as organizations become more professional in outlook.
- This course’s curriculum is both interesting and informative. After completing this course, students can expect to have a lot of success.
- Students who complete this course can expect to earn between INR 6,00,000 and INR 11,00,000 in salary.
- The Doctorate degree program teaches students how to create a supportive environment in which to challenge and develop the person being coached’s critical thinking skills, ideas, and behaviors so that they can reach their full potential. The goal of a PhD program in human resources is to prepare students to lead, consult, or teach in a complex and global business environment.
- HR professionals in public sector banks have a lot of potential and opportunities (PSBs).
- They can also work in personal management and development, where they must understand an employee’s job skills and assist him in developing them.
- They will be able to teach in colleges and universities after completing this course and passing the UGC-NET exam, which is required to become a permanent lecturer.
- They have numerous job opportunities in IT, marketing, business, academia, and other fields.
- A DSc (Doctor of Science) degree in any related field is also an option for students.
- Holders of PhD in Human Resource Management degrees can work in research laboratories after gaining sufficient experience in the field.
- After completing your PhD, you may be eligible for a position as a lecturer in Human Resource Management, as well as teaching in colleges and universities with UGC scales.
FAQs
This course will take at least 3 years to complete if taken full-time. Because of the students’ delays in submitting their theses, it frequently takes longer.
A postgraduate degree in the relevant field with at least 55 percent marks or an equivalent CGPA is the minimum requirement. For SC/ST/OBCs, there is a 5% reduction in the tax rate.
Candidates for the PhD program are chosen based on their performance on an entrance exam and a personal interview. During the selection process, the candidates’ previous academic performance is also considered.
UGC-NET, CSIR-UGC NET, and JNUEE are some of the most popular tests for PhD programs. The National Testing Agency (NTA) administers these online tests.
The average course cost is between INR 50,000 and INR 1,50,000. The cost of attendance is largely determined by the college and whether it is privately owned or run by the government.
A human resource manager’s job entails a wide range of responsibilities. They must consider all aspects of human resource management, including hiring, inducting, arranging training and development programs, determining compensation, and assigning work based on skill and training. Other considerations include maintaining good relations between labor and management and devising employee welfare programs.
HR Executive, HR Manager, Training Coordinator, Recruitment Consultant, IR Manager, Welfare Officer, HR Director, and so on are some of the most popular HR job profiles.
Candidates with an M.Phil in Human Resource Management do not need to take the entrance exam. They can show up for the interview right away.
The average salary for a fresher in this field is usually between INR 6,00,000 and 11,00,000 per year.
They can work as a manager, PR, HR executive, HR director, personnel manager, HRD manager, recruitment manager, human resource manager, chief human resource officer, administration manager, IR industrial relations manager, and so on after earning a PhD in HRM.
The National Eligibility Test (NET), also known as the UGC NET or NTA-UGC-NET, is an examination used in Indian universities and colleges to determine eligibility for assistant professorships and junior research fellowships.
Candidates must have a Master’s or M.Phil. degree in HR Management with an aggregate score of at least 55 percent on the final examination and English as a core subject. The course is open to people of all ages. Entrance exams or merit-based admissions are both possible options.
Yes, a PhD can be completed in three years. A PhD degree will take an average student four to eight years to complete. This, however, will be dependent on a number of factors, including the type of doctorate degree you pursue, the program design, and the location of your PhD. Except in the United States, 3–4 years is considered normal in most countries for competing a PhD program.
“Doctor of Philosophy” is abbreviated as “PhD.” This is an academic or professional degree that qualifies the holder to teach their chosen subject at the university level or work in a specialized position in their chosen field in most countries.
Yes, after an MBA, one can pursue a PhD. Several business schools around the world offer PhD programs that can be pursued after completing an MBA. Many schools require some years of work experience for the MBA program itself.