The Peculiarities of Motivation for Applying for Master’s Level Studies Referring to Gender, Age, Graduated University and Academic Records

Ina Marija Šeščilienė,Ilona Tilindienė

doi:10.33607/bjshs.v3i57.640

Abstract

The reform of education system and therefore the reform of higher education system became necessary after Lithuaniahad become an independent country. Since 1991 we have had a three-level system of higher education (studies ofBachelor, Master and Doctoral degrees). Discussions about learning motivation of adults are not so frequent in highereducation didactics. We feel duration of theoretical and empirical research in this field, thus our article is devoted topresent a little segment of the long-lasting research about evaluation of changes in structure of students’ learningmotivation for Master’s level studies. The aim of this article is to discuss the motives for enrolment to the LithuanianAcademy of Physical Education (LAPE) Master’s studies in 2003, referring to such criteria as graduated university,age, gender and academic records of Bachelor’s studies. 253 persons who had officially applied for enrolment to theLAPE and agreed to fill in the questionnaire. In the study the following research methods were applied — questionnairesurvey, statistical analysis. Some differences of female and male, older and younger persons were determinedinvestigating peculiarities of motivation for applying for Master’s studies at the Lithuanian Academy of PhysicalEducation.Keywords: graduate studies, motivation for applying for studies.

Highlights

The right to learn and obtain the adequate education is the natural human right
The reform of education system and the reform of higher education system became necessary after Lithuania had become an independent country
The aim of this article is to discuss the motives for enrolment to the Lithuanian Academy of Physical Education (LAPE) Master’s studies in 2003, referring to such criteria as graduated university, age, gender and academic records of Bachelor’s studies. 253 persons who had officially applied for enrolment to the LAPE and agreed to fill in the questionnaire

Summary

Introduction

The right to learn and obtain the adequate education is the natural human right. The education system should be available and enable any person to study “from cradle to grave” (Šeščilienė, 1997). Master’s studies, the second stage of higher education, was introduced in Lithuania in 1991, based on the Lithuanian Law of Science and Studies. Efficiency and productivity of any activity, including learning process, depends on individual abilities, but on learning motivation and adequate learning and teaching methods as well. Learning motivation and motivation to study is a worldwide education issue (Pear, 2001; Bitinas, 1998). The lecturers during education process usually influence or reform the learning motivation of their students, so they are supposed to know the psychological features of motives and its dynamics. Indication of real motives for learning activities makes students adaptation

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Methods

Conclusion