The lack of black people obtaining doctoral degrees is a serious problem among and within the our community. Why are so few of us getting doctoral degrees? Are we scared? Do we lack the intellect...(I don't think so)....so what's up?! :? :?
It depends...
A doctorate is most useful career-wise in two applications:
1. Teaching or research, usually at the collegiate or post-graduate level
2. Medicine
In many other applications, doctoral study is not a prerequisite for a successful career. Many of those who pursue advanced degrees do so for personal enrichment (as I plan to do) or for serious academic research and writing.
I don't believe that fewer people are pursuing doctoral study because they lack the ability, but rather that it is not necessary in order to achieve their personal goals.
Post-graduate study is relatively expensive and time-consuming, and does not carry the same drastic difference in terms of salary and marketability between a M.S. and a PH.D. as would the difference between a B.S. and a M.S or MBA.
Just my $0.02. Holla!
In addition, to a doctoral degree not being a prerequisite for many successful jobs, its also does not guarantee a job. Especially in the education field. With medicine, you can set your practice up and get right to work and your success depends on how well you perform, in a simple case. With education, there are other factors that drive a desicion. The main one being that directors have their own plan that they wish to put into place, and if it doesn't involve you, then it doesn't matter what your qualifications are. My mother and her sister both have doctorate degrees in education, and that doesn't always secure them a job. Even with outstanding performance, they could still be fired at any time. But they are both very successful and you would actually be suprised at how many blacks there are with degrees (just in education). I've met a whole lot of connections through just entering my mum's offices. I've noticed that all of the folks that I've met through her are not afraid to help young people who are on their way to any degree, not just a doctorate.
I can be fully certified with my masters as a Speech Pathologist...if I want my doctorate it would be best for me if I decided to become a college professor or do research in Speech Science...neither of which I'm interested in. I'll probably get my Masters and chill for a little while...establish a family and see if I really need the doctorate.
One reason is money. Many people who do desire to obtain a doctoral degree do not have the money to pay. So, they have to take out loans on top of the undergraduate and previous post-graduate loans.
Also, most Blacks are looking for instant gratification. We don't want to wait 8-10 years to make money. And there is no guarantee that you wil make enough money to pay off those loans. So, you'll be living in debt your entire life. So why not be a teacher and have less debt *shrug*
Hotep,
To the only wise God I greet you in divine Love.
Although I am a Poly Sci Major at the moment I plan on becoming a Pastor. However, my degree is more because of my Love for the government and how it's ran and all that good stuff. Nevertheless, I more into community org. and faith base inten.
But I going to get a Doctorate because I want to teach at the college level. However, I have been trying to really study which is more important a D.Min or a Ph.D
Now, understand that a D.Min is a Doctorate of Ministry it limit what and where you can teach. also, it's a focus study of just ministry.
Therefore, I am leaning toward a Ph.D because I want to teach at both Seminarys but also regualar Univ.
Plus college want people who are in a continual cycle of learning what the D.Min says is that what I know and that it.
People with D.Mins' are not those who search for new Theology ideas and stuff like that.
The Prince... Once again I have bored the life out of someone.
Who needs a doctorate when you want to be a rapper or athlete? :cry:...oh i forgot a drug dealer :cry: :cry:
Basically what you said is true though. I think few black people have the desire to obtain a doctorate. It's basically a way "the man" keeps us down. By putting us in front of a TV so that we can watch a music video or a game or something, thereby defeating the purpose of trying to obtain an education, because we want to have some serious money. Forget trying to learn how to read, let's try to rap, or let's go shoot a basketball and we can be instant millionaires. Not all black people have this mentality though. Some of us are trying to become more educated (like the nice people on this website). If we get that doctorate though, we will be able to alter this trend that we are currently in.
