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Understanding the graduate college experience: perceptual differences by degree type, point-in-program and disciplinary subgroups

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Abstract

This study investigated graduate students’ perceptions of their graduate college experiences. Participants were 1704 masters and doctoral students across colleges and disciplines at a research university. They completed questionnaires reporting their perceptions of their teaching and advising faculty, academic programs, centralised services, social experiences, career preparation, self-efficacy and identity development. Results are reported for the whole group as well as for subgroups by degree type (masters, doctoral), by point-in-program towards degree (entrance, mid-point, exit) and by disciplinary clusters (hard sciences, social sciences, arts, interdisciplinary). An overall pattern in trajectory of perceptions was highest at entrance, a drop at mid-point, and some recovery at end-of-program. Three characteristics were significantly different by degree type, all higher for doctoral than masters students: satisfaction with program of study, satisfaction with academic advisor; and perceptions of professional competence and identity development. Additionally, three characteristics were significantly different by point-in-program, all lowest at midpoint: satisfaction with overall graduate experience; satisfaction with program of study; and perception of career preparation. Significant interactions were demonstrated between degree type and point-in-program for: satisfaction with academic advisor and interaction in the academic community. Significant disciplinary differences were demonstrated for all perceptual characteristics except satisfaction with program faculty and satisfaction with career preparation. All students reported lower levels of interaction and involvement in the academic community than for any other variable.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Educational Psychology, Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK, 73019-2041, USA

    Patricia L. Hardré & Shannon M. Hackett

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  1. Patricia L. Hardré
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  2. Shannon M. Hackett
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Correspondence to Patricia L. Hardré.

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Hardré, P.L., Hackett, S.M. Understanding the graduate college experience: perceptual differences by degree type, point-in-program and disciplinary subgroups. Learning Environ Res 18, 453–468 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10984-015-9194-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10984-015-9194-1

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