“Need to Know” in engineering programs; STEMing the uncertainty around graduate education

Abstract

A country's leadership in global technological and scientific development depends on its ability to recruit and retain students into engineering master's and doctoral programs. This qualitative study aims to develop a fuller understanding of the factors driving U.S. students' decision-making processes with respect to pursuing a graduate degree in engineering. During the fall of 2010, more than 1400 undergraduate engineering students and 800 graduate students at four universities across the United States completed surveys containing open-ended questions that allowed students to express their thoughts about and experiences in engineering graduate education. Thematic analysis of 256 undergraduate student responses focused on the barriers and supports underlying their decisions to pursue graduate education (including uncertainty in the application process, availability of funding, and concern about the grade point average requirement). The responses of 220 graduate students focused on the steps important for successful preparation for and navigation of graduate school (including strong theoretical and research preparation, clear goals for pursuing the degree, choice of advisor/research group, and selection of an engaging research topic). These results clarify the factors influencing undergraduate students' decision-making regarding graduate engineering education, and the qualitative training experiences of students in graduate school. These findings provide undergraduate students a starting point on questions to ask when considering graduate school while alleviating their potential misconceptions. The results also help engineering faculty and administrators improve recruitment of potential graduate students and improve their training experiences.