Covid-19 had a lesser impact on individuals working toward their psychology research doctorate degrees in 2022 than their peers in most other disciplines.1 The most significant consequences were in research disruptions and timeline delays.
About 62% of degree recipients experienced research disruptions and 39% experienced timeline delays in completing their doctoral degrees. Also, about 8% of psychology research doctorate recipients reported reduced or suspended funding for their doctoral studies. Despite challenges, most psychology doctoral students persisted and eventually earned a PhD.
Overall, psychology fared better than other disciplines. Psychology research doctorate recipients experienced less severe impacts than doctoral graduates in most other fields in 2022. About 67% of new doctoral graduates in all fields experienced research disruptions. About 53% of new doctoral graduates in all fields experienced timeline delays, and 10% reported reduced or suspended funding for their doctoral studies.
