Professional practice doctorates up 4 percent
FRANKFORT, Ky. (May 16, 2013) – Officials at Kentucky’s public and independent colleges and universities estimate that they have conferred 61,472 degrees and credentials during the 2012‐13 academic year, with historic levels continuing at the associate, baccalaureate, master’s and professional practice doctoral levels.
The Preliminary 2012-13 Degrees Report, issued today by the Council on Postsecondary Education, shows declines for research doctorates and in undergraduate and graduate certificates. A slight overall decrease of less than one percent is estimated for total degrees and credentials conferred this year since last year’s historic total.
Final numbers will be available this fall.
Other highlights include:
♦ Undergraduate certificates at KCTCS declined 4.4 percent, echoing the enrollment decrease seen last fall as general economic conditions improve.
♦ Professional practice doctorates increased 4 percent in the past year. This category includes newer programs such as advanced‐practice nursing, as well as law and many health‐related degrees.
♦ Research doctorates dipped 14 percent this year, but this relatively small number of degree‐earners progresses unevenly. Even with this dip, research doctorates have increased 36 percent in the past 10 years.
Looking back over the past 10 years, the number of degrees conferred statewide has grown substantially at all levels.
♦ The largest growth was seen at the associate degree level, primarily because of the expansion of applied associate programs at KCTCS. Twenty‐four percent of young adults in Kentucky, ages 25‐44, have an associate or higher degree.
♦ The next largest growth at the state level was among master’s degrees and professional‐practice doctorates, reflecting the expansion of Kentucky’s highly‐educated, professional workforce.
The full report, including institutional breakouts by degree level, is available at http://cpe.ky.gov/info/degrees/2012-13prelimrpt.htm.
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