Career Choices of Recent Special Education Graduates Holding Doctoral Degrees

Abstract

The supply of and demand for special education professionals in institutions of higher education (IHEs) has been studied since 1986, and the results of these studies indicate a great imbalance in the supply and demand for special education faculty. Because the field faces a substantial shortage, this research facused on the career choices of new special education doctoral graduates. Doctoral graduates from 3 year period were surveyed to determine their demographic make-up, where they took positions, and their relocation patterns to attend doctaral pragrams and to take their first positions We found that 42% of new graduates did not take positions in IHEs after completing their doctoral studies. Although 58% took jobs in IHEs, only 37% accepted positions as tenure-track faculty members. Also, new graduates did not change their career goals from their admission into their doctoral pragram, and those taking positions in IHEs were more likely to move to accept a position.