The Role of Department Supports on Doctoral Completion and Time-to-Degree

Abstract

This study examined department supports that influence doctoral completion and time-to-degree among 5,001 doctoral programs at 212 universities in the United States. Multiple regression models were used to determine the relationships between financial support and academic support and doctoral retention and how these relationships vary across STEM and non-STEM fields. Analyzing the American National Research Council’s data, we found that a department’s financial support significantly predict doctoral completion and time-to-degree. However, no overarching relationship was found between department academic support and doctoral completion and time-to-degree. These findings provide a better understanding of how department supports are associated with doctoral student success. The article concludes with implications for theory, practice, and future research.