Career Decisions of Doctoral Graduates in Special Education

Abstract

The number of special education faculty vacancies in institutions of higher education (IHEs) has risen across the last decade (Dil, Geiger, Hoover, & Sindelar, 1993; Sindelar & Taylor, 1988; Smith & Lovett, 1987; Smith, Pierce & Keyes, 1988). In contrast, the number of doctoral graduates in special education decreased during the same period of time (Sindelar, Buck, Carpenter & Watanabe, 1993; Sindelar & Taylor, 1988). This supply/demand imbalance has plagued the field for years and warrants continued investigation. The present study surveyed 146 recent graduates from special education doctoral programs on issues including motivating factors for obtaining a doctoral degree, considerations when selecting initial careers, and the effects of marriage and family on those decisions. Factors which encouraged and discouraged employment in higher education were investigated, and recommendations for future research and practice are provided.