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School of Social and
Behavioural Sciences

School of Social and Behavioural Sciences

Welcome

Inspired by our Chancellor’s 5 education goals, the School of Social and Behavioural Sciences is a pioneering institution with campuses in Amritapuri, Coimbatore, and Faridabad and offering a rich array of programs alongside PhD opportunities.

The school hosts India’s sole UNESCO Chair for Gender Equality and is supported by significant research centers. We take pride in our commitment to implementation-driven cutting-edge research for the betterment of society. Our curriculum integrates rigorous academics with extensive fieldwork, high-impact internships, and global partnerships to provide practical experiences and foster professional growth.

Our diverse, expert faculty deliver top-tier education, drawing on international perspectives to enrich learning. The outcome is evident in our high placement rates and the profound societal contributions of our graduates. They leave equipped not only with expert knowledge but with the resilience and empathy to lead and inspire.

Unlock minds, transform society. Discover the cutting edge of social and behavioural sciences!

Campuses

Research Centers

Center for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality (CWEGE)
AMMACHI Labs (AL) 
University of Buffalo Amrita Research Institution (UBARI)

School of Social and Behavioural Sciences in a nutshell

3

Campuses

5

Programs

35

Faculty

253

UG & PG Students

34

Ph.D. Students

86*%

Placement Rate

The School of Social and Behavioural Sciences in a nutshell

253

Bachelor and Master students

34

PhD Students

86%

Placement rate for the existing programmes

35

22 Permanent Faculty 13 Adjunct, Visiting Faculty and Professors or Practice

Collaborations

Recruiters

Vision

The School of Social and Behavioral Sciences honors the ambitious vision shared by our Chancellor and aims to foster the emergence of qualities in students and faculty to become inspiring role models for society, by living a harmonious and complete life, characterized by:

  • The ability to satisfy their personal needs at the service of their ambitions.
  • A balanced blend of intellectual qualities and intelligence of the heart.
  • An inner strength to face their life with courage and determination
  • Constructive and respectful relationships in family and professional environments.
  • Control and utilize their actions, words and thoughts to selflessly serve others and themselves.
  • A respect and deep gratitude towards Nature without which any growth is impossible.

Mission

Drawing from the vision envisaged, the School of Social and Behavioural Sciences mandate to execute our mission in three main integrated areas:

  • Education for Living & Education for Life
  • Research for societal good
  • Implementation to serve the underservedOur mission has been broken down into a specific roadmap for achieving our vision.

Academic
Programs

Amritapuri

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW (Honors)

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, a leading institution in India renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and social responsibility, offers a unique Bachelor of Social Work (Honours Research) program. This four-year undergraduate program is designed to prepare students for a career in social work by combining rigorous academic study with hands-on research experience. Through a comprehensive curriculum and practical training opportunities, students gain the knowledge, skills, and ethical understanding necessary to address complex social issues and promote social change.

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M. Sc. Cognitive Technology and Education

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham aims to provide quality education with an emphasis on values. The university integrates scientific knowledge with spiritual understanding to benefit society and promote sustainability. Its mission is to impart ‘education for life,’ which includes instilling essential human values, in addition to ‘education for living,’ which prepares students for professional careers. The university’s primary objective is to conduct research that is driven by compassion and aimed at addressing real-world problems.

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

A new Five Year Integrated B/MSW Degree in social work is now offered at the Amritapuri Campus of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham. This Integrated BSW and MSW program provides a rich pathway in the field of social work. Students can opt to graduate after three years with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, or continue for five years and get a full fledged Master’s degree in Social Work from a top-ranked university

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Ph. D. in Social and Behavioral Sciences

The Social and Behavioural Sciences (SBS) PhD program will provide core education common to addressing social and behavioural issues. PhD students who enroll in coursework will develop expertise in:

  • Analysis of major social factors that affect the well-being of populations (for example, identifying the systemic determinants of inequality),
  • Application of systems theory to affect social change,
  • Design of intervention programs,
  • Research methodology and Impact evaluation.

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Ph. D. in Cognitive Sciences & Technology

This programme invites scholars to engage with forefront technologies, including robotics, machine learning, neurocognition, simulation-based learning, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and haptics.

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Ph. D. in Social Sciences and Technology

This program enables the scholars to work in interdisciplinary teams of students and expert researchers in projects that promote women’s empowerment and rural development by implementing technologies and social solutions. For example, life skills and vocational skills courses are provided using technology and are geared towards supporting personal growth and healthy community development.

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Coimbatore

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW (Honors)

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, a leading institution in India renowned for its commitment to academic excellence and social responsibility, offers a unique Bachelor of Social Work (Honours Research) program. This four-year undergraduate program is designed to prepare students for a career in social work by combining rigorous academic study with hands-on research experience. Through a comprehensive curriculum and practical training opportunities, students gain the knowledge, skills, and ethical understanding necessary to address complex social issues and promote social change.

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One year Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, a prestigious institution in India renowned for its academic excellence, offers a comprehensive Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling Psychology. Designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and ethical understanding required to embark on a career in counselling psychology, this program stands as a beacon for those passionate about helping individuals navigate life’s challenges.

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Master of Social Work (MSW)

A new Five Year Integrated B/MSW Degree in social work is now offered at the Amritapuri Campus of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham. This Integrated BSW and MSW program provides a rich pathway in the field of social work. Students can opt to graduate after three years with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, or continue for five years and get a full fledged Master’s degree in Social Work from a top-ranked university

Know More Apply Now

Ph. D. in Social and Behavioral Sciences

The Social and Behavioural Sciences (SBS) PhD program will provide core education common to addressing social and behavioural issues. PhD students who enroll in coursework will develop expertise in:

  • Analysis of major social factors that affect the well-being of populations (for example, identifying the systemic determinants of inequality),
  • Application of systems theory to affect social change,
  • Design of intervention programs,
  • Research methodology and Impact evaluation.

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Faridabad

M.Sc. in Social Data Science & Policy

The Social and Behavioural Sciences (SBS) PhD program will provide core education common to addressing social and behavioural issues.

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Inside the School

Jump-start a career in Social Sciences by getting involved in cutting edge projects guided by a three-fold approach which is Participatory, Community-Centric and Value-Based.

Message from our Chancellor

Amma

“There are two kinds of poverty. The poverty that comes with the lack of food, clothing and shelter. The second kind of poverty is the lack of love and compassion. If we address the second kind of poverty first, we automatically address the first kind of poverty.”

Faculty

The Amrita Center for International Programs (ACIP) serves as the hub for international academic relations at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham. Responsible for overseeing and managing all international educational and research endeavours of the institution, ACIP’s primary aim is to enhance the quality of education and research. By facilitating collaboration among students, educators, and scholars worldwide, ACIP cultivates a dynamic interchange of knowledge and ideas that enriches both learning and research experiences

Full time Faculty
Dr. Parvathy V

Dr. Parvathy V

Chairperson

Dr. Meltem Akoyak-Yildiz

Dr. Meltem Akoyak-Yildiz

Head of Department

Dr. Malini Frey

Dr. Malini Frey

Assistant Professor

Dr. Sophia von Lieres

Dr. Sophia von Lieres

Associate Professor

Mr. Kochu Krishna Kurup

Mr. Kochu Krishna Kurup

Assistant Professor

Ms. Veena Suresh

Ms. Veena Suresh

Assistant Professor

Nisanth M

Nisanth M

Faculty Associate

Dr. Rangasami P.

Dr. Rangasami P.

Chairperson Assistant Professor

Dr. S. Kanagaraj

Dr. S. Kanagaraj

Assistant Professor

Dr. V. Priya

Dr. V. Priya

Assistant Professor

Sathishkumar T.

Sathishkumar T.

Assistant Professor

V. S. Varunanvelu

V. S. Varunanvelu

Assistant Professor

Vivek S

Vivek S

Faculty Associate

Adjunct Faculty
Dr. Sidney Strauss (AJ)

Dr. Sidney Strauss (AJ)

Senior Advisor and Professor, Department of Social Work, Amritapuri. Research Head – AMMACHI Labs

Dr. Tarek Rashed (AJ)

Dr. Tarek Rashed (AJ)

Senior Advisor and Professor, Department of Social Work, Amritapuri Research Head – CWEGE

Dr. Ram Fishman (AJ)

Dr. Ram Fishman (AJ)

Senior Lecturer – Public Policy Tel Aviv University

Dr. Martha Miller (AJ)

Dr. Martha Miller (AJ)

MG Miller and Associates, CEO Faculty Director, UCLA Anderson Women’s Leadership Institute

Dr. Padma Rao Sahib (AJ)

Dr. Padma Rao Sahib (AJ)

Adjunct Faculty

Dr. Praveen Pankajakshan (VF)

Dr. Praveen Pankajakshan (VF)

VP – Data Science and AI, CropIn

Dr. Pravin Patkar (VF)

Dr. Pravin Patkar (VF)

Academician and Social Worker Founder Prerana

Dr. Miriam Silverman (VF)

Dr. Miriam Silverman (VF)

Visiting Faculty

Explore SSBS

Contact Us

  • Office of the Dean, School of Social and Behavioural Sciences Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri, Clappana P.O. Kerala, India – 690 525.
Admissions Apply Now