Tata Institute of Social Sciences shortly called as TISS is a social science institution located in the city of Mumbai at the Indian state of Maharashtra. The institute came into existence in the year 1936 with its name as Sir Dorabji Tata Graduate School of Social Work holding the pride of being the first school for social work education in the nation. Later in the year 1944, the school was offered with its current name and was also offered with the status of Deemed University in the year 1964. Right from this year, the university has been expanding continuously with respect to educational programmes and infrastructure. The institute has gone very advanced to the initial concern of education in social work, while responding to the changing requirements of the social and economic system of the nation.

Right from its inception in the year 1936, the TISS has never restricted itself to the consent of traditional university, on the other hand, the university has made efforts for the advancement of welfare of the society, justice of the society and equitable and maintainable development in the following ways:

• Value-based professional education for human service and social work professionals

• Dissemination and social research socially relevant knowledge

• Contribution to social and welfare policy and programme formulation at state, national and even at international levels

• Social intervention through field action and training projects

• Professional response to national calamities through disaster, rehabilitation and relief management

The list of courses offered by the Tata Institute of Social Sciences under different categories is given below:

Short-term courses:

• Executive Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resources Management (EPGDHRM)

• Diploma in Gerontology at the Centre for Lifelong Learning

• Diploma in Hospital Administration

• Diploma in Psychosocial Care & Support in Disaster Management at the Jamsetji Tata Center for Disaster Management

• Diploma in Counselling at the Center for Lifelong Learing

• PG Diploma in Disaster Preparedness and Response at the Jamsetji Tata Center for Disaster Management

• Certificate in Social Work

• Certificate Programme in Development, Vulnerability & Disaster Response at the Jamsetji Centre for Disaster Management

• Advanced Certificate in Social Welfare Administration

• Post Graduate Certificate in Social Welfare Administration

• Certificate in Rehabilitation Counselling

• Post Graduate Diploma in Child Rights (PGDCR)

• Executive Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resources Management (EPGDHRM)

UG Course:

• Bachelor of Arts (Hons.) in Social Work with Specialisation in Rural Development

PG Courses:

• Master of Health Administration

• Master of Public Health in Health Policy, Economics and Finance

• Master of Public Health in Social Epidemiology

• Master of Hospital Administration

• Master of Arts in

o Globalisation and Labour

o Human Resources Management & Labour Relations

o Social Entrepreneurship

o Development Studies

o Education (Elementary)

o Disability Studies and Action

o Social Work

o Media and Cultural Studies

o Women’s Studies

• Master of Arts/Science in

• Disaster Management

• Habitat Policy & Practice

• Master of Health Administration

M. Phil/Ph. D Programmes:

• Master of Philosophy in Social Work

• Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work

Schools functioning under TISS:

Tata Institute of Social Science is offering education through the following schools functioning under its control:

• School of Habitat Studies

• School of Health System Studies

• School of Social Work

• School of Social Sciences

• School of Rural development

• School of Management and Labour Studies

Over these years of its existence, TISS has grown among thrust areas and has made significant contribution to human resource development, action strategies, planning and policy in several areas like:

• Industrial relations

• Human rights

• Communal harmony

• Health

• Education

• Urban and rural development education

In all these areas, the focus of the university had been on the disadvantaged and marginalized group of society such as unorganized and organized tribals, dalits, children, women and labourers.

Now, this deemed university has earned recognition as a reputed university from different ministries of the Indian Government, different international agencies and state government.  This is due to the education freedom leading to a positive work ethos and creativity of the institution and its strong connection among education, research and field education and dissemination, responsiveness and social commitment to different social requirements.