The Wide Gender Gap in Doctoral Degree Awards in Specific Disciplines

nsf1In 2012 women earned 46.2 percent of all doctoral degrees awarded by universities in the United States, according to the latest data from the National Science Foundation. But the gender disparity in doctoral degree awards is quite large in particular academic fields.

In broad academic disciplines, women earned 70.2 percent of all doctorates in the health sciences and 68.7 percent of all doctorates in education but only 28.5 percent of all doctorates in the physical sciences and 22.5 percent of all doctorates in engineering.

Here are lists of specific degree fields where women made up the largest percentage of doctoral award recipients and the small percentage of doctoral award recipients in 2012.

phd1

phd2

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Related Articles

Latest News

Jennifer Hunt Named the First Woman Dean of Dartmouth’s Medical School

Jennifer Hunt, who has been serving as interim dean of the University of Florida College of Medicine, has been appointed dean of the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. She will be the first woman to lead the Ivy League medical school in its 229-year history

Denise Jones Gregory Appointed President of Jackson State University in Mississippi

Dr. Gregory was appointed interim president of Jackson State University in May 2025. Prior to that appointment, she was the university's provost and vice president of academic affairs.

Kristen Jones to Lead the College of Lake County in Illinois

Dr. Jones currently serves as vice president of education and chief academic officer at the College of Lake County. She is slated to become the community college's interim president on May 1.

Susan Ballabina Is the Sole Finalist for the Presidency of Texas A&M University

Dr. Ballabina has over three decades of experience with Texas A&M University and the university system. She currently serves as the system's executive vice chancellor.

Lori Suddick Appointed President of Des Moines Area Community College in Iowa

“DMACC is a cornerstone of Iowa’s economic and social vitality,” said Dr. Suddick. “I am excited for the opportunity to lead an institution that is so vital to so many students, families, businesses, and industries throughout Iowa.”

Research Assistant Professor, Kenneth C. Griffin Department of Economics

The selected candidate should have expertise and experience in theoretical models in labor and public economics as well as in microeconometrics and programming.

Director, School of Music

The University of Arizona School of Music seeks a visionary and collaborative Director to lead its comprehensive music program through a time of opportunity and transformation.

Assistant Professor, Clinician Educator track, in the Division of Genomic Diagnostics at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)

Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania seek candidates for an Assistant Professor position in the non-tenure clinician educator track.

Communications Publications Editorial Manager (Website Content Manager)

The Website Content Manager serves as the primary website lead for the College, collaborating with team members across design, marketing, multimedia, public relations, and government affairs.

Assistant Senior Instructional Professor in the Social Sciences Core (Social Science Inquiry)

The Social Sciences Collegiate Division at the University of Chicago is now accepting applications for a full-time Assistant Senior Instructional Professor who will teach in and contribute to the management and administration of the Social Science Inquiry sequence in the Social Sciences Core.