University of Virginia Library

Static Demand

Most observers believe that the
primary causes of the over supply
of doctoral graduates are the failure
of the universities to develop
coordinated Ph.D. plans, and the
felt necessity to offer programs in
every field. The necessity of
continued entry in this race is
precisely the argument offered to
justify growth today. But,
indications are that the demand for
individuals with advanced degrees
will not increase at anything near
the rate that it has in the past.

More importantly, perhaps, is
the effect that a continual
development of new programs has
one the financial stability of
universities. With limited financial
resources available, universities
must consider whether there will be
sufficient funds to meet the
demands of existing programs and
facilities before new ones are
developed. There seems to be little
need for twenty schools to have
departments in a field where the
present and anticipated availability
of funds and faculty as well as the
demand presented by students is
limited.

Indeed what happens when
every school endeavors to develop a
program in every new field is that
the already limited financial
resources are spread even thinner,
diluting the program to the point
where it is no longer top level.