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Chapter 4
Earned Degrees Conferred
Earned Degrees Conferred
The historical growth in enrollment of women in institutions of higher education has led to a substantial increase in the number of earned degrees conferred. Between 1984-85 and 1997-98, the number of degrees awarded to women rose at all levels. In 1997-98, women earned the majority of associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees, and more than two-fifths of doctor's and first-professional degrees. Over the projection period, the number of degrees awarded to women will rise at all levels. While degrees awarded to men are projected to increase or remain steady at the associate's, bachelor's, and doctor's levels, they will decrease at the master's and first-professional levels.
Projections of earned degrees by level and sex were based primarily on college-age populations and higher education enrollment by level enrolled and attendance status. Factors that affect future levels of earned degrees such as choice of degree, demand for occupations, etc. were not included in the projection models. NCES projections of earned degrees by level that have been produced over the last 14 years are less accurate than projections of public elementary and secondary enrollment, higher education enrollment, and public high school graduates. For more information, see appendix A3.
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Associate's Degrees
Between 1984-85 and 1987-88, the number of associate's degrees decreased from 454,712 to 435,085. Then, it increased to an estimated 563,000 in 1997-98 (table 36 and figure 40). It is projected to increase to 611,000 by 2009-10, an increase of 9 percent from 1997-98. The number of associate's degrees awarded to men decreased from 202,932 in 1984-85 to 186,316 in 1988-89, before rising to an estimated 220,000 in 1997-98. This number is projected to increase to 224,000 by 2009-10. The number of associate's degrees awarded to women fell from 251,780 in 1984-85 to 245,038 in 1987-88. Then, it increased to an estimated 342,000 in 1997-98, an increase of 36 percent from 1984-85. This number is projected to increase to 387,000 by 2009-10, an increase of 13 percent from 1997-98.
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Bachelor's Degrees
The number of bachelor's degrees increased from 979,477 in 1984-85 to an estimated 1,175,000 in 1997-98, an increase of 20 percent (table 37 and figure 41). This number is expected to increase to 1,324,000 by 2009-10, an increase of 13 percent from 1997-98. The number of bachelor's degrees awarded to men increased from 482,528 in 1984-85 to 485,923 in 1985-86 and then declined for two years, before rising to 532,881 in 1992-93. Then, this number decreased to an estimated 519,000 in 1997-98. This number is expected to decrease to 515,000 by 2000-01 and then increase to 547,000 by 2009-10, an increase of 5 percent from 1997-98. The number of bachelor's degrees awarded to women increased from 496,949 in 1984-85 to an estimated 656,000 in 1997-98, an increase of 32 percent. This number is expected to increase to 776,000 by 2009-10, an increase of 18 percent from 1997-98.
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Master's Degrees
The number of master's degrees increased from 286,251 in 1984-85 to an estimated 427,000 in 1997-98, an increase of 49 percent from 1984-85 (table 38 and figure 42). This number is expected to decrease to 399,000 in 2002-03. Then, it is projected to increase to 439,000 by 2009-10. The number of master's degrees awarded to men increased from 143,390 in 1984-85 to an estimated 181,000 in 1997-98. This number is projected to decrease 165,000 in 2001-02 and then rise to 175,000 by 2009-10. The number of master's degrees awarded to women increased from 142,861 in 1984-85 to 246,000 in 1997-98. This number is expected to be around 264,000 in 2009-10.
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Doctor's Degrees
The number of doctor's degrees increased from 32,943 in 1984-85 to about 46,600 in 1997-98, an increase of 41 percent (table 39 and figure 43). This number is expected to decrease to 44,900 in 2001-02. After 2001-02, the number of doctor's degrees is expected to rise again, reaching 47,100 in 2009-10. The number of doctor's degrees awarded to men increased from 21,700 in 1984-85 to an estimated 27,300 in 1997-98. This number is expected to decrease to 26,400 by 2001-02 and then increase to 27,100 by 2009-10. The number of doctor's degrees awarded to women rose from 11,243 in 1984-85 to an estimated 19,400 in 1997-98, an increase of 73 percent. The number of doctor's degrees awarded to women is projected to be 20,000 by 2009-10. The share of doctor's degrees awarded to women, which was 34 percent in 1984-85 and 42 percent in 1997-98, is projected to remain at 42 percent by 2009-10.
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First-Professional Degrees
A first-professional degree is one that signifies both completion of the academic requirements for beginning practice in a given profession and a level of professional skill beyond that normally required for a bachelor's degree. This degree usually is based on a program requiring at least 2 academic years of work before entrance and a total of at least 6 years of work to complete the degree program, including both prior required college work and the professional program itself. These degrees include fields such as dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, law, and theological professions. The number of first-professional degrees awarded decreased from 75,063 in 1984-85 to 70,735 in 1987-88. Then, it increased to about 79,700 in 1997-98 (table 40 and figure 44). This number is expected to decrease to 75,200 in 2002-03 and then increase to 81,600 by 2009-10. The number of first-professional degrees awarded to men decreased from 50,455 in 1984-85 to 43,846 in 1990-91. Then, it increased to an estimated 45,800 in 1997-98. This number is projected to decrease to 41,500 in 2003-04 and then increase to 43,200 by 2009-10. The number of first-professional degrees awarded to women increased from 24,608 in 1984-85 to an estimated 33,900 in 1997-98, an increase of 38 percent. This number is expected to increase to 38,400 by 2009-10, an increase of 13 percent from 1997-98. The women's proportion of first-professional degrees rose from 33 percent in 1984-85 to 43 percent in 1997-98. By 2009-10, this proportion is expected to rise to 47 percent.
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