Who am I in relation to the larger doctoral community?
Every year, the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) analyzes and publishes findings based on information reported in the Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED). The SED is a report administered by the NORC and conducted for the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the U.S. Department of Education (USED), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Information summaries and trends are published and released on the census of research doctorate participants who earned their degrees.
Most recently, the 2006 SED Summary Report has been released.
While Capella does not currently participate in the SED, it is interesting to review broader trending in doctoral education in relation to one’s own program of choice.
In reviewing the trending analysis of the SED, what observations or conclusions do you reach about your own doctoral experience?
On the “Highlights” page (and throughout the SED report), you will note interesting statistical trends. For example, 2006 represented a 5.1 % increase in conferred doctorates. 13% of conferred recipients reported a debt of >$50,000. 66% reported firm employment commitment. 54% of recipients in 2006 reported planned employment in academia. What does the statistical profile data tell us about the doctoral experience?
Are there variables/trends about doctoral education you considered (or perhaps didn’t) before matriculating in your own program?
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August 19th, 2008 at 8:04 am
Very interesting metrics.
For me, I was uncertain as to how academically rigorous an online PhD program could be. I was very impressed with the academic quality and rigor of the Capella Education PhD.
September 2nd, 2008 at 1:26 pm
My doctoral journey fits the statistical profile data. I wonder what the average age is of the 2006 Ph.D. graduate. The profile doesn’t surprise me at all. Online learning is becoming an attractive and effective option for working adults to continue their education. I’d like to see data on personality characteristics, e.g., degree of tenacity.