A research model was developed to determine whether additional general post secondary middle management distributive education (DE) programs should be implemented in Nebraska and what, if any, specialized DE programs should be developed. A literature review reflected advocacy of both general or specialized programs and a middle of the road approach. Using data collected by questionnaire and interview among randomly sampled Nebraska DE businesspersons and graduating high school seniors, as well as all State DE teachers, State labor and DE representatives, and secondary sources, researchers arranged data into hierarchies of need by ranking program titles and weighting them to produce an integrated hierarchy of 21 DE occupational areas. Conclusions were drawn as to where employment demands will lie in the next 15 years, what occupational areas will grow, and how student choices compared to expanding areas. It was recommended that: existing general programs be maintained but not expanded; programs developing in the near future be specialized; new programs take into consideration the priorities indicated by the hierarchy; and articulation studies be made for some occupational areas. Appendixes include instruments, descriptions of data sources, a fold-out PERT chart of the project, letters, and bibliography. (MDW)