Since the writing of the original Ten by Twenty, there have been three developments in the university-wide effort to catalyze innovation in PhD education.

The report included a wide range of recommendations in areas as diverse as educational methods, mentoring, outcomes and assessment, time to degree, student support, career paths, and diversity.

First, a cross-university faculty and student committee, with representatives from each of the university’s PhD-granting divisions, submitted a final report on the future of PhD education. The report included a wide range of recommendations in areas as diverse as educational methods, mentoring, outcomes and assessment, time to degree, student support, career paths, and diversity. Next, the university launched a comprehensive doctoral exit survey for the Whiting and Krieger schools, a move that will allow the university to refine its assessment of strengths and weaknesses in doctoral education, and compare the results to those of peer institutions.

Finally, the eight projects selected by the Doctor of Philosophy Board as PhD innovation initiative grant recipients commenced activity. The work already underway includes: A Professional Development Program offered modules to 95 participants on topics such as writing business plans, managing people, writing winning proposals, and improving presentations. More than 100 PhD and MD/PhD students began using a new educational technology that aims to improve the ways that graduate students learn and retain information. And a new Preparing Future Faculty Teaching Academy launched a certificate program for doctoral students who are considering academic careers and an online course completed by 1,265 students in 110 countries. These and other pilots will continue their work, with assessments to come in the next year.