The number of doctorates awarded and minorities enrolled in graduate programs is on the rise nationwide, according a report released by the Council of Graduate Schools.
According to the report released Tuesday, 9 percent more doctorates were awarded in 2007 than in 2006. The number of blacks and Native Americans in graduate programs grew over the past 10 years by 8 percent and 6 percent, respectively. The number of whites in these programs increased by 1 percent.
“I can’t say whether this increase is because of increased outreach programs or growing interest in these academic fields,” said Stuart Heiser, the council’s manager for government relations and external affairs.
Texas fell below the national average for Ph.D.s awarded per capita, and the total number of doctoral degrees awarded in the state during the next 10 years is expected to remain constant, according to the Graduate Education Advisory Committee of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.
Minority groups account for more than half of Texas’ population, but the committee’s studies show that Hispanic and black populations have enrolled in college and graduate school at rates lower than non-Hispanic whites.
To change this, the higher education board implemented “Closing the Gaps by 2015,” an initiative designed to increase the number of students from diverse backgrounds receiving undergraduate and graduate degrees, said Sandra Terrell, chair of the advisory committee and a professor of speech pathology at the University of North Texas.
UT currently ranks first in the country in the number of doctoral degrees awarded to Hispanics and seventh in the highest number of doctoral degrees awarded to minorities, according to a statement from UT President William Powers that was included in the committee’s report.
Darlene Grant, director of UT’s Office of Graduate Recruitment and Outreach, said the University actively works to provide minority students with support, such as career centers across campus and diversity graduate mentoring programs.
“Mentoring helps break down stereotypes,” she said.
Grant said the University is committed to the success of its advanced-degree candidates, from the beginning of the application process through their job searches.
“We have focused recruitment and outreach and strong partnership with graduate coordinators and minority liaison officers,” she said.
Fellowship recipients are awarded $16,000 for the academic year as well as tuition assistance and help with insurance expenses. Grant said the doctoral program focuses on one-on-one training. Those in the program are not required to perform any classroom duties, such as acting as teaching assistants.
Be the first to comment on this article!