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Arkansas Department of Higher Education LITTLE ROCK -- Arkansas, as well as the nation, is experiencing an upturn in science doctorates amid dire warnings of a decline of American science. A report by the National Science Foundation shows the number of doctorates awarded in scientific and technical fields by universities in the United States rose in 2004, representing the second straight annual increase after several years of decline. The increases were spread across different disciplines including mathematics, computer sciences and engineering fields. Arkansas has been steadily increasing the overall number of doctorates in these particular scientific and technical fields since at least 1993, according to Dr. Linda Beene, director of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education. According to the NSF report, the number of doctorates awarded by American universities increased to 42,155 in 2004, up by 3.4 percent from the 40,770 awarded in 2003. Of the 2004 doctorates, 26,275 were in science and engineering fields, up 3.9 percent from the previous year and the largest number of science doctorates awarded since 1998. The 15,880 non-science doctorates awarded in 2004 were the largest number in a decade. Doctorates Awarded by American Universities, 1995 to 2004
The Arkansas Department of Higher Education compiled a similar report to compare the state’s share of those statistics. These results from 1993-2005 show that 61 math and science doctorate degrees were among the total 120 awarded in the state in 1993.
“We are pleased to report that this year 162 Ph.D.s in math and science were earned from the total 249 high-level degrees awarded,” Beene said. “It is most encouraging to see that Arkansas has more than doubled the number of doctorate degrees in just over a decade. Arkansas public higher education institutions also continue to make progress in the areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics education at all levels in order to support the development of a diverse and well-prepared workforce of scientists, technicians, engineers, mathematicians and educators.” Doctorates Awarded by Public Institutions in Arkansas 1993-2005
The pool of those receiving doctorates in 2004 across the country differed from those who received doctorates a decade earlier, according to the NSF. In 1995, 61 percent of doctoral recipients were men, 32 percent were citizens of countries other than the United States and 87 percent were white. In 2004, 55 percent were men, 33 percent were non-U.S. citizens, and 80 percent were white. Members of underrepresented minority groups made up 14 percent of the 2004 cohort, compared to 9 percent in 1995.
In Arkansas, the most significant difference is that more females are now receiving doctorate degrees than ever before. Only 46 females were awarded a Ph.D. in 1993. Twelve years later, females make up 48 percent of the 249 awarded, according to Beene. In 1993, 74 percent of the doctoral recipients were white; today it is 62 percent. Additionally, students from outside the U.S. receiving doctorates at state institutions has increased by 50 percent in the same time period. 
For more information about the Arkansas Department of Higher Education including more than 15 state financial aid programs and links to all colleges and universities in the state, visit www.arkansashighered.com or call (800) 54-STUDY. Have a comment? Please e-mail us. ©The Voice 2006 Revised 01/21/2006 02:06:25 AM — http://www.uamont.edu/Organizations/TheVoice/3_13/phd.htm |
