Benefit assessment of the doctoral degree in education for female versus male graduates of Virginia Tech

The purpose of this study was to assess benefits of completing a doctoral degree in education for females versus males relative to expected benefits upon entry to Virginia Tech. Relationships between expected benefits, accrued benefits, and selected demographic data by gender were studied. The basic design of the study involved a survey completed by 265 (90%) of the doctorate recipients between 1980-1984. Specific computational procedures utilized in data analyses included frequency distributions, percentages, and chi-square procedures. Results of the study indicated more similarities than differences for the female (87%) and male (93%) respondents. Median age at doctorate was 38.5 years. Most respondents (75.4%) were married. Approximately 62% respondents reported their career decision assumed equal or greater importance than spouses’ career decisions. Most spouses (79.6%) were employed full-time. Most respondents (94.4%) were employed full-time. Respondents (74.9%) earned $12,000-$35,988 annually prior to entry into the doctoral program. Following the completion of the degree respondents (45.5%) earned $24,000-$35,988 in 1984. Research indicated some significant differences in expected versus accrued benefits by gender. Females expected significantly more opportunity to use training or schooling and more autonomy and independence on the job following completion of the degree. Males perceived that they had accrued significantly more benefits relative to improved autonomy and independence at work, congeniality of work relationships, visibility for jobs at other institutions or organizations, and mechanical ability. The females and males expected the same 18 out of 20 most important benefits and perceived that they had accrued the same 18 out of 20 most important benefits relative to improved aspects of employment and intellectual qualities and skills. Relationships between the age at obtaining the doctorate and accrued benefits were found for the youngest age group (27-34) for four of 36 benefits: working conditions, congenial work relationships, public speaking ability, and academic ability. Among respondents, 91.4% reported the doctoral degrees had a positive effect on career development. Respondents perceived personal benefits were primary. Professional and financial benefits were second and third, respectively. Ninety-one percent of the respondents reported it was worth the time, effort, and expense‘ involved to complete the doctoral degree.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ed. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Counseling and Student Personnel

Department dc:contributor.department

Counseling and Student Personnel

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1986

Author dc:creator

• Bell, Donna Ann Ledbetter

Chairs dc:contributor.committeechair

• Hutchins, David E.
• Talbutt, Lou C.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Fortune, Jimmie C.
• Tillar, Thomas C. Jr.
• Vogler, Daniel E.

• Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University -- Degrees

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/54454

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/54454