The need to reform doctoral education and ways that universities can increase the number of students who successfully complete their academic programs has been a recent topic of public discussion. 

Susan Feinberg

Ph.D. Completion and Attrition, a book released by the Council of Graduate Schools in 2007, reported that a quarter of 1996-97 doctoral students had dropped out by their fifth year of study. By contrast, only 19 percent of students who began doctoral studies in 2000 had left by year five. American universities may be getting better at retaining their students. Still, the dropouts are a major concern to graduate study proponents. 

To staunch the loss of talent, some institutions are creating supportive intellectual communities to provide opportunities for students to forge social and academic connections with faculty and peers.  

An intellectual community does not simply foster a feel-good atmosphere. It is intended also to improve teaching and learning while reducing isolation and attrition. 

Doctoral students who are not engaged in the everyday affairs of their department often experience a sense of desperation. “They don’t know what’s expected of them and may feel as though they are being set up to fail,” says George Walker, co-author of The Formation of Scholars: Rethinking Doctoral Education for the Twenty-First Century and dean of the University Graduate School at Florida International University.  

“Instead of providing students with a purposeful, transparent, collegial program, there’s a ‘gotcha’ mentality,” Walker adds. 

Many faculty members do not understand the importance of intellectual community. “They can’t put their finger on why attrition rates are so high, because they themselves didn’t study in vibrant learning communities when they were getting their degrees,” says Walker. 

Until there is there is widespread recognition that a respectful, collaborative learning environment is at the core of success, a high attrition rate is likely to continue. 

“Doctoral students need to feel that people are rooting for them to be successful, as opposed to experiencing an attitude of ‘let the competition begin,’” Walker says.