There is provided a shift control device which is provided in a shift operation unit including: a plurality of shift positions corresponding to states of a transmission; a shift lever which selects one of the plurality of shift positions; a home position to which the shift lever automatically returns; and a shift position detecting unit which outputs a shift position signal when the shift lever is positioned in one of the plurality of shift positions, the shift control device detecting, when the shift position signal is input to the shift control device for more than a recognition time period set for the shift position where the shift lever is positioned, that the shift position is selected or that the shift operation unit has a failure, and including a deterioration state detecting unit which detects a deterioration degree of the shift operation unit, wherein the recognition time period is changed in accordance with the deterioration degree.