Several studies have highlighted the changing nature and forms of work in the academic profession, but few have examined the perspectives of aspiring academics who may contribute to shaping the future academic profession. What types of activities do aspiring academics consider academic work, and what are the implications for academic training and…

Using the conceptual framework of social capital, this study outlines the experiences of 20 first-generation students currently enrolled in doctoral degree programs. The framework highlights those structures and processes that offer tacit knowledge to students about how to pursue higher education. For students who are the first in their families…

With this thesis, I present a case study of the effort to graduate 500 "Maori" doctorates in five years in New Zealand in order to advance our understanding of a successful Indigenous higher education initiative. By paying careful attention to contextual factors, I describe the theoretical and practical significance of this effort and…

The number of doctoral degrees awarded in the United States are summarized by academic discipline, undergraduate institution, and time period. Data for this fifth in a series of reports are from the Office of Scientific and Engineering Personnel of the National Research Council (NRC). It includes private, four-year, non-doctoral degree granting…

Reviews the status of black doctorate production from U.S. universities during the 1980s, updating baseline information and examining the baccalaureate origins of African American doctorates. Black students continue to be underrepresented, especially in science and engineering, and gender differences persist. The role of historically black…

This study explored the motivations of six female doctoral students in education to examine why they were entering higher education. The students were all doctoral candidates in the Department of Educational Curriculum and Instruction at Texas A&M University. Participants related, in their own words, the experiences that led them to pursue…

An exploratory study of the career paths of 118 African Americans and Hispanics who had completed social work doctorates or all requirements except the dissertation (ABDs) revealed that career selection and development did not fit traditional career theory models. Three career patterns were identified: careerists, educational aspirants, and…

A questionnaire completed by 85 minority students in a master's degree special education program found few minority students aspire to a doctoral degree or understand the culture and mores of academe or the requirements for tenure and promotion. Strategies for recruitment of minority students into doctoral programs and for their retention are…

This report presents a summary of the 1991-92 results of the national Survey of Earned Doctorates conducted each year since 1958. The report presents an analysis of the numbers of doctorate recipients including data with regard to number of degrees by selected characteristics (gender, citizenship, minority groups), fields, time-to-degree,…

Degree objectives of prospective graduate students from eight ethnic groups were investigated using the Graduate Record Examinations(GRE) registrant population of 1976-1977. GRE scores, undergraduate grade point average (GPA), and being a male were important predictors of students' expectations of obtaining a doctor's rather than a master's…

This report presents a summary of the 1990-91 results of the national Survey of Earned Doctorates conducted each year since 1958. Organized into three sections, the report first presents an analysis of trends in the numbers of doctorate recipients including data with regard to doctoral fields, gender, citizenship status, race and ethnicity,…

Many research studies have used samples of women in introductory psychology courses, but few studies have focused on women interested in careers in psychology. To compare women who aspire to careers in psychology with those aspiring to other professions, 428 women in their senior year at seven colleges completed questionnaires assessing career…

This monograph is comprised of five papers originally presented at a symposium concerning degree completion or non-completion (ABDs--"all but dissertation") of doctoral students in colleges of education. The first paper is by Raymond Kluever and is titled "ABDs and Graduates from a College of Education: Responsibility, Barriers, and…

Studies indicate that, although enrollment and degree production by women doctoral students have increased, fewer women than men complete doctorates and women generally take longer than men to finish, in spite of the fact that women demonstrate equal if not superior performance levels on virtually every objective measure. Women who complete the…

This report addresses the underrepresentation of Mexican-Americans in the faculties of U.S. universities. During the 11-year period from 1980 to 1990, a total of 91,837 women received doctorates from U.S. universities, and of these, 751 (0.7 percent) were Mexican-Americans. Of the 148,352 men who received doctorates during this period, 1,189 (also…