Pursuit of the Ph.D.: "Survival of the Fittest," or Is It Time for a New Approach?

Creator

Scott P. Kerlin

Files

Publisher

Arizona State University, University of South Florida

Publication Date

November 1995

Abstract

The thesis is put forward that changes in public policy which originally promoted broad access to higher education are leading to the diminished likelihood that minorities, those from low-income backgrounds and females in underrepresented disciplines will pursue, or be able to complete, the doctorate. By reviewing a wide range of research literature and statistical reports on the status of doctoral education in the U.S. & Canada, a detailed sociological portrait of those who pursue the Ph.D. is presented. Recommendations are given for further research on doctoral education, particularly in areas of attrition,retention, student indebtedness, social stratification, and post-doctoral career plans.

Extent

28

Volume

3

Issue

16

Language

English

Media Type

Journals (Periodicals)

Format

Digital Only

Identifier

E11-00045

Creative Commons

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Kerlin, Scott P., "Pursuit of the Ph.D.: "Survival of the Fittest," or Is It Time for a New Approach?" (1995). Education Policy Analysis Archives (EPAA). 294.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/usf_EPAA/294