ABSTRACT
The production of scientists by US universities has become a major industry during the second half of the twentieth century. The assistantships also provide graduate students with an opportunity to learn valuable research skills while working under the direction of a professor. The doctoral degree is the highest recognized level of educational training. The skills associated with doctorates in the sciences are different from other areas. The production of Ph.D. degrees in fields associated with agriculture and home economics is concentrated geographically in the midwestern states. The total number of women receiving Ph.D. degrees in nineteen fields associated with agriculture and home economics for which data are available has been increasing since 1960. The data on post-Ph.D plans of non-US citizens start in 1970, so less information is available on their activities. Initial employment in an educational institution was considerably lower and employment in the government sector was considerably higher for non-US citizens than it was for US
