Changing the Game in the Workplace and in the Classroom: Doctoral Degrees Matter to Millennials
University of Phoenix® School of Advanced Studies survey finds
largest generation in America’s workforce places high value on doctoral
degrees compared with generational counterparts
PHOENIX–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Millennials represent the largest generation in the U.S. workforce today1
and are known for placing value on team collaboration and workplace
flexibility. They also place strong value on their education, and have
outpaced educational attainment of previous generations2. In
today’s increasingly competitive job market, it may not be much of a
surprise that millennials say advanced education is valuable to their
careers. When it comes to the perceived value of a doctoral education in
the workforce, 78 percent of millennials agree that professionals with
doctoral-level education are perceived as superior in the workplace,
compared with 67 percent of U.S. adults overall, including Gen Xers and
baby boomers, according to a recent survey by Harris Poll commissioned
by University
of Phoenix® School of Advanced Studies.
“Many millennials entered the workforce in a post-recession economy,
where the perception of a bachelor’s degree shifted from being a
‘nice-to-have’ to being a requirement to start their careers,” said
Hinrich Eylers, Ph.D., executive dean for University of Phoenix School
of Advanced Studies. “It is arguably more important than ever before to
provide advanced education that is calibrated with the needs of today’s
economy and employers. At University of Phoenix, our doctoral curriculum
is designed to teach research for real life so that doctorate-level
education delivers value to the workplace for this new generation of
workers and the future workforce.”
Doctoral degree the new master’s degree? Maybe so, according to
millennials
While most U.S. adults today still agree that employers place the
greatest value on master’s and bachelor’s degrees (32 and 24 percent
respectively), they see the potential of a doctoral degree. Seventy
percent agree that obtaining a doctoral-level education can open up a
wide variety of career options outside of academia. Again, millennials
overwhelmingly agree, with 74 percent saying doctoral-level education
can open a wide variety of career options and 78 percent agreeing that
doctorally educated employees are valuable to an organization’s success.
To learn more about the degree programs offered by the School of
Advanced Studies, visit phoenix.edu/schoolofadvancedstudies.
For general information about University of Phoenix programs, including
on-time completion rates, the median debt incurred by students who
completed the program and other important information, please visit phoenix.edu/programs/gainful-employment.
Methodology
A national sample of 2,015 U.S. adults aged 18 and older completed this
survey online, conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of University of
Phoenix School of Advanced Studies, from March 8?10, 2016. Individuals
who identified themselves as millennials (18?34 years old) totaled 483.
For complete survey methodology, please contact Becky.Frost@apollo.edu.
About the School of Advanced Studies
School of Advanced Studies is home to doctoral programs at University of
Phoenix and develops leaders who create new models that explain, predict
and improve organizational performance in their fields. The practitioner
degrees offered through the School of Advanced Studies at University of
Phoenix are designed around the Scholar, Practitioner, Leader™ Model,
incorporating lifelong learning (scholarship), social and workplace
contribution (practice), and the ability to exert positive influence
(leadership). More information can be found at www.phoenix.edu/schoolofadvancedstudies.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help working adults
move efficiently from education to careers in a rapidly changing world.
Flexible schedules, relevant and engaging courses, and interactive
learning can help students more effectively pursue career and personal
aspirations while balancing their busy lives. As a subsidiary of Apollo
Education Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: APOL),
University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering
associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs from
campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online
throughout the world. For more information, visit www.phoenix.edu.
1 Pew Research Center: Millennials
surpass Gen Xers as the largest generation in U.S. labor force
2 Pew Research Center: How
Millennials today compare with their grandparents 50 years ago
Contacts
University of Phoenix
Becky Frost, 602-557-8638
Becky.Frost@apollo.edu
