Exploring the Demand for PhDs in Public Affairs and Administration

This study provides a preliminary analysis of the market for PhDs in public affairs and administration projected over the next several years. Drawing on data gathered from three surveys, we explore the demand for academic PhDs (survey 1) and the supply of PhDs (surveys 2 and 3). The analysis of demand is further refined to estimate nonacademic employment (surveys 2 and 3 and examination of job postings). We also explore the diversity of PhD graduates. This kind of analysis is largely missing from the literature and is therefore an important, albeit initial contribution. We found that a gap exists between production of PhDs and the demand for them by universities, and that demand exceeds production. The gap is made much larger, though, because almost half of the PhDs graduating with degrees in public affairs and administration do not take positions in U.S. academia but rather assume positions in federal state and local governments, in the nonprofit sector, in think tanks, and in foreign universities and governments.