About the Department

The post-graduation curriculum (M.A. level) for Psychology was introduced in University of Delhi in the year 1957 under the Department of Philosophy and Psychology. The Department of Psychology as an independent department was then later established in 1964 under the headship of Late Prof. H.C. Ganguli. 

The University of Delhi, to cope with the ever-expanding student population, evolved a concept of multi-campus system during the early seventies, resulting in the establishment of South Campus in 1973. One of the objectives for its establishment has been to avoid replication of the existing course and provide necessary diversity in the programmes offered by the University at both the campuses. Further, the Ph.D. and MPhil courses were also initiated in the mid 1980s. 

The Department currently has two units, one at the North Campus and the other at the South Campus  established in 1981. At the North Campus, the courses offered are M.A. Psychology and Ph.D, while at South Campus the course offered is M.A. in Applied Psychology.

Keeping this in view, several new interdisciplinary and applied science courses were started at the South Campus and the Psychology Department started the M.A. Applied Psychology Course at the South Campus. In its endeavor to widen the horizons of the Social Sciences, Applied Psychology Course was designed to train the professional psychologists to serve in hospitals, organizations, and counseling centers as well as the advertising and marketing research agencies.

In recognition of its achievements in teaching and research, the University Grants Commission (UGC) identified this Department as the Department of Special Assistance (DSA) in 1989. The two thrust areas identified are Cognitive Psychology and Applied Social Psychology. Two phases of the DSA Programme (10 Years) have been completed. Recently in 2015 UGC has recommended the Department for SAP (Special Assistance Programme). The Department of Psychology was awarded “Second” position in the event “Awards for good practice” during the Antardhwani-2013 organized by the University of Delhi, Delhi. 

The Department has a total strength of 9 teaching faculty out of which currently there are 4 Professors, 1 Associate Professor and 4 Assistant Professors. This includes 2 Professors in the Applied Psychology Unit at the South Delhi Campus. The teaching and research programme is supported by the technical staff at various levels. Apart from the Student Laboratory, meant for the practicum work for the students at the master’s level, we have a few research labs, equipped with necessary amenities. The Seminar Room is equipped with the State-of-the-Art facilities. Presently the best and latest technology gadgets have been procured and set up to enhance the teaching and research activities. One of the strengths of the teaching programme is to establish interface with Industries and Organizations working in varied domains as hospitals, NGOs, Corporate Sectors etc. The M.A. Psychology and Applied Psychology Courses include the latest trends in Psychology, with emphasis on practical training and field work.  The courses lay special emphasis on the acquisition of knowledge and skills through theoretical understanding and its practical implications. The Department has already initiated the process of revising all the courses at the undergraduate and postgraduate level. In addition to lecturing as the primary mode of instruction, teaching is also interactive with due emphasis on seminar, presentations and discussions and experiential exercises and peer mentoring.

The Departmental teaching, research and field training are centered around contemporary issues such as stress and health, aging, drug abuse, community mental health, disability, neuropsychological assessment, and rehabilitation, etc. Many of our master’s and Ph.D. students after completing their degrees are employed by different organizations/hospitals dealing with these issues.

From time to time, the Department organizes Conferences, Seminars, Refresher Course, Workshops, etc. for the benefit of faculty and students. It has hosted the Indian Science Congress Sessions thrice as well as an International Conference and various National Level Conferences. The Department has organized conferences on Cognitive Psychology, Quality of Life, Human Resource Development. Culture and Psychology, Health Psychology, Affect, Identity and Discourse, Puzzles of Perception and on Indian Psychology. In addition, many research projects have also been undertaken.