Gender differences are still a factor in education; although women have advanced, men are 2.3 times likely to complete a doctoral program than women.
“Traditionally speaking, males have been more educated than females, but that’s changing for multicultural females as they move up in education,” Cyndia Morales, Assistant Director of Multicultural Academics said.
Morales is the Assistant Director of Multicultural Academic and Support Services at the University of Central Florida. She also teaches sociology at Valencia Community College, and she recently completed her doctoral degree in Education.
She said that a doctoral degree opens a lot of doors for people.
“It’s been only a month since I completed it mine, and I’m already seeing all of these opportunities opening up for me,” Morales said.
According to the 2000 Census Bureau report, there are differences between the people from different ethnic groups to pursue a doctoral degree. The Asian students were the dominant minority group to surpass the other minority groups.
Four point four percent male Asian students and 1.4 percent female Asian students completed a doctoral degree, according to the 2000 Census Bureau report.
“The numbers start shrinking as people keep going to higher educational levels. The numbers are more noticeable for certain ethnic groups,” Morales said.
According to the 2000 Census Bureau, the overall percentage of people doing a doctoral program is higher for male than female students. One point four percent male students completed a doctoral program and .6 percent female students completed a doctoral program. Men are 2.3 times likely to complete a doctoral program than women.
“We need to continue looking at the reasons for why the differences occur and try to figure out ways to stimulate equality in all disciplines,” said C. Ross Hinkle, interim vice provost and dean for the college of graduate studies.
In the Public Affairs Doctoral program the difference between male and female students is different. With a total of 96 students 54 of them are women.
Margaret Mlachak, who is the Administrative Assistant Doctoral Program in Public Affairs program, gave out this information when asked about the differences between make and female students.
“I don’t think this is true in our case,” Mlachak said. Women outnumber men in the Public Affairs program.
Morales said that there tends to be more female students in the Humanity, Social Sciences, and Educational programs than male students.
“We have programs such as the Women Research Center that recognizes the accomplishments of women. We all recognize the accomplishments of women and the roll that they play in all disciplines, and we have programs that encourage women in all disciplines,” C. Ross Hinkle said.
Marissa Kartian, a 24-year-old Educational Major is graduating this summer with a master’s degree. She wants to start working on her doctoral degree as soon as possible.
“I would like to pursue my Educational degree, because I want more experience in the field of education. It’s a good opportunity for me to do it young. I think it’s worth it because it’s a competitive market place,” Kartian said.
The University of Central Florida encourages students, regarding their gender, to pursue the educational level they aspire to have.
“I don’t think we do anything to discourage women in any discipline. I think what we really need to be sure it’s that the institution and the organization offer opportunities for everyone,” C. Ross Hinkle said.
According to the 2012-2013 UCFacts, there are 2,960 students that completed a doctoral degree the past summer. From all of the students enrolled in the UCF the degree with the most students was Psychology.
Joanna Bak, a Computer Science major, thinks about the possibility of eventually doing a Master’s degree.
“I don’t know what I love yet. I think about doing a master’s degree at some point, but I never really thought about doing a doctoral degree. None of my career goals are involve in doing a doctoral program; I don’t think I’ll need it,” Bak said.
