| Abstract: | Explores the question of whether there is now an oversupply of doctoral level psychologists. Recent surveys about the supply of PhD psychologists, job openings in major employment settings, and the current employment status of recent doctoral graduates in all professions are discussed. For the field of psychology, only 1.1% were unemployed in 1969 and those were almost entirely noncitizens or psychologists not seeking employment. New psychologists, however, indicated a choice of only 2-4 positions in contrast to 5-8 offers a few yr. ago. While some reduction has occurred in the job market, virtually all psychologists are still finding positions in the type of work setting they desire. A shortage exists in the health services, where there are between 750 and 1000 vacancies. In addition, the 1970 Manpower Report of the President indicates a 75-100% increase in employer requirements for psychologists by 1980, the highest projected need of all professional groups except computer technologists. It is concluded that rather than an oversupply, a shortage exists, particularly in clinical and counseling psychology. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved) |
