1. NCPEA 2008 Summer Conference The Minority Doctoral Symposium: Paving the Road to the Terminal Degree Sherwood Thompson Eastern Kentucky University The Minority Doctoral Symposium: Paving the Road to the Terminal Degree Sherwood Thompson Eastern Kentucky University

2. Doctoral Degrees Earned There was growth in doctoral degrees conferred from 1993-94 to 2003-04 A decline in doctoral degrees conferred in humanities and engineering Minorities increases were in health professions, physical sciences, education, and biological/life sciences (Minorities in Higher Education, 2007) There was growth in doctoral degrees conferred from 1993-94 to 2003-04 A decline in doctoral degrees conferred in humanities and engineering Minorities increases were in health professions, physical sciences, education, and biological/life sciences (Minorities in Higher Education, 2007)

3. Doctoral Degrees Earned Doctoral degrees earned by males were down by 5.7% Minority women earned an additional 4,300 degrees The number of doctoral degrees for African Americans increased by 105.9% to more than 2,700 degrees Doctoral degrees earned by males were down by 5.7% Minority women earned an additional 4,300 degrees The number of doctoral degrees for African Americans increased by 105.9% to more than 2,700 degrees

4. Doctoral Degrees Earned African American men and women contributed to the surge in doctoral degrees earned during this period by a significant margin, 145.9% compared to 57.7% ten years ago Doctorates earn from HBCUs also increased to a total of 257 degrees African American men and women contributed to the surge in doctoral degrees earned during this period by a significant margin, 145.9% compared to 57.7% ten years ago Doctorates earn from HBCUs also increased to a total of 257 degrees

5. Doctoral Degrees Earned African Americans largest rate of growth in doctoral degrees earned was in health professions, and education The average age of an African American Ph.D. recipient in 2003 was 37.4 compared to 33.9 for all Americans About 8.5 percent of African American doctoral students who earned doctorates in 2003 served as college teaching assistants ( The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education ) African Americans largest rate of growth in doctoral degrees earned was in health professions, and education The average age of an African American Ph.D. recipient in 2003 was 37.4 compared to 33.9 for all Americans About 8.5 percent of African American doctoral students who earned doctorates in 2003 served as college teaching assistants ( The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education )

6. Doctoral Degrees Earned African Americans on average took 12.7 years to earn a doctorate after receiving their bachelor's degree. The average time for all Americans was 10.1 years 19.7 percent of African Americans plan on postdoc study after earning their doctorate degree Nearly one half of all blacks awarded doctorates in 2003 plan careers in academia 7.3 percent of blacks who earned doctorates plan to secure a job in business or industry African Americans on average took 12.7 years to earn a doctorate after receiving their bachelor's degree. The average time for all Americans was 10.1 years 19.7 percent of African Americans plan on postdoc study after earning their doctorate degree Nearly one half of all blacks awarded doctorates in 2003 plan careers in academia 7.3 percent of blacks who earned doctorates plan to secure a job in business or industry

10. Doctoral Degrees Earned African American with doctoral degrees earned $82,615 compared to $94,426 earned by non-Hispanic Whites according to U.S. Census Bureau African American with doctoral degrees earned $82,615 compared to $94,426 earned by non-Hispanic Whites according to U.S. Census Bureau

11. Doctoral Symposium Doctoral students of color engage in a weekend of inspiring speeches and workshops The Doctoral Symposium and Dissertation Workshop is design to meet the needs of students who are finding it difficult to complete their doctorate degree because of conflicting life styles challenges Doctoral students of color engage in a weekend of inspiring speeches and workshops The Doctoral Symposium and Dissertation Workshop is design to meet the needs of students who are finding it difficult to complete their doctorate degree because of conflicting life styles challenges

12. Doctoral Symposium Doctoral Symposium and Dissertation Workshop attracts doctoral students who are enrolled in educational doctoral programs across the U.S The Doctoral Symposium provides participants with valuable opportunities in which professional skills in the areas of research, teaching and writing Doctoral Symposium and Dissertation Workshop attracts doctoral students who are enrolled in educational doctoral programs across the U.S The Doctoral Symposium provides participants with valuable opportunities in which professional skills in the areas of research, teaching and writing

13. Doctoral Symposium The Doctoral Symposium and Dissertation Workshop for Students of Color encourages students to build relationships, contacts and networks with a cohort of scholars that are interested in assisting doctoral candidates in completing their doctoral studies

14. Doctoral Symposium Purpose The Symposium exists to direct efforts to coordinate, initiate and design programs to increase retention, participation and involvement of ethnic, gender and underrepresented populations in successfully completing the doctorate degree in Education

15. Doctoral Symposium Purpose Network with contacts throughout the U.S. through professional associations and universities to implement a referral system where existing faculty are encouraged to inform their students to participant in the activities of the symposium

16. Doctoral Symposium Purpose Encourage ABDs of color to apply for faculty positions at EKU and mentor them to degree completion Examine concerns relating to the retention, persistence, and quality of life of doctoral students of color Encourage ABDs of color to apply for faculty positions at EKU and mentor them to degree completion Examine concerns relating to the retention, persistence, and quality of life of doctoral students of color

17. Doctoral Symposium Purpose Sponsor, support, and promote programs which build individual awareness and understanding of issues related to successfully completing the doctoral degree Sponsor, support, and promote programs which build individual awareness and understanding of issues related to successfully completing the doctoral degree

18. Doctoral Symposium Summary Teach surviving skills for succeeding in a doctoral program Encourages persistence and faith Promotes networking with other doctoral candidates Instructs candidates on how to select a committee Teach surviving skills for succeeding in a doctoral program Encourages persistence and faith Promotes networking with other doctoral candidates Instructs candidates on how to select a committee

19. Doctoral Symposium Summary Provide a guide for writing the dissertation Meet faculty and learn insider tips on developing departmental relations Have fun and release stress Provide a guide for writing the dissertation Meet faculty and learn insider tips on developing departmental relations Have fun and release stress