Master's Degree Program Research Articles

NEW MASTER'S PROGRAMIN MANAGEMENT AT MSU: FROM DEVELOPMENT TO IMPLEMENTATION

The paper reflects the process of creation and presents the results of two-year work of a new master’s program “Business Development Management”. The authors were actively involved in the program’s design and its curriculum development to meet the requirements of contemporary management education. The paper presents the approaches to designing master’s programs and substantiates company’s life cycle concept as a basis for “Business Development Management” program, which involves a combination of disciplines forming students’ professional, soft, and digital skills. Drawing on the results of a first- and secondyear undergraduates’ survey, conducted in January 2023, this paper determines the factors influencing students’ interest in the program and assesses the quality of compulsory and elective disciplines. Finally, it identifies crucial problem areas in master’s education developing modern managers, shapes clearer description of a graduate of “Business Development Management” program, and outlines new areas for management education development. The authors propose to replace disciplines with poor scores and expand a list of elective courses (also taught in foreign language); strengthen the practical focus of the learning process; introduce e-learning modules and the best practices of business gamification, which will allow using the knowledge gained and the developed soft and digital skills without time gaps between education and employment. Our findings have implications both for examining management education transformation and for creating and upgrading master's degree programs in management.

English-Medium Master's Degree Programs at a Saudi University: Attitudes, Experiences, and Obstacles

English-medium instruction has become a prevalent strategy for increasing the internationalization opportunities of Saudi universities and the international employability of their graduates. The findings of an interview (12 professors and 30 students) and an observation of three established Science, Social Science, and Engineering master's degree programs at a major Saudi university in Riyadh are presented in this article. In order to facilitate the implementation of English-taught master's degree programs, the purpose of this study was to identify the perspectives, experiences, and obstacles of higher education stakeholders regarding English-medium instruction. Findings showed that English-medium instruction is generally preferred by both professors and students. Although the need for support measures was not as high as expected, certain challenges remain, which can be addressed through focused initiatives. Notable issues include stakeholder unhappiness, a high workload for students, varying degrees of prior knowledge among students. The research highlights how crucial it is to include English for Specific Purposes (ESP) instruction in the curriculum and recommends adding more tools and resources to support teacher development. These measures could involve voluntary participation and incentive programs.

Development of scientific speech of master's students in architecture

Introduction. The pertinence of the considered problem is stipulated by the fact that nowadays the research aspect is becoming an important part of the master's degree programs in the world's leading architectural schools, and mastering research skills requires the ability to properly present the results of the conducted research in a master's thesis. In the scientific literature there is a growing number of publications dedicated to the formation of professional research competence and skills of writing research texts in native and foreign languages among master's degree architect students. Unresolved problems include the preparation of programs, selection of content and conditions of implementation of such courses. The integrated objective of the paper is to propose a tested structural and content model of the course on the development of scientific speech of future architects. Research methods. The content of the lecture and practical course is based on the author's manuals and the author's monograph, on the material of modern Russian and foreign research on scientific functional style, the study of the language (vocabulary and terminology) of architecture. Texts from literary sources of interest to architects were used as examples. Research results. Successful accomplishment of course objectives is the result of the development and implementation of the structural and content model of teaching in the educational process, including the author's course program and the basic author's methodology, inextricably linked with modern philological studies of architectural and construction discourse, including the sublanguage of architecture and architectural terminology. With the discipline's focus on the formation of general language, universal and professional culture of future masters of architecture it is advisable to use a cross-genre methodological model of teaching with the reliance on the leading principles of construction and implementation of the course such as educational content selection, scientific approach, rationality, historicism, taking into account the motivation and needs of students, accessibility of didactic material, individual approach in teaching, educational teaching and interactivity described information could be interesting for teachers of the Russian language of architectural and construction universities. Conclusion. The described course helps architecture graduate students to broaden their general cultural and professional outlook, to get an idea of another kind of language – scientific language and its genres, scientific communication in Russian, and to master the skills of Russian scientific writing. The course gives students a new perspective on the texts they produce, helps them to understand their own identity as a linguistic person who is as much responsible for the creation of written texts as for the results of architectural and urban planning projects.

A moderated chain mediation model examining the relation between smartphone addiction and intolerance of uncertainty among master's and PhD students

The theories of relational regulation and compensatory Internet use suggest that intolerance of uncertainty influences smartphone addiction (SPA), which in turn is influenced by other aspects. This study used previous results to examine how intolerance of uncertainty affects SPA in PhD and master's degree programs. A convenience sample comprising 1727 master's and PhD students (99.9 %; 50.7 % female; Mage = 27.71; SD = 3.80; range = 21–43) was recruited. Using established questionnaires, we measured SPA, anxiety, positive coping style, perceived social support, and intolerance of uncertainty. The results demonstrated that intolerance of uncertainty positively affects SPA in terms of predictive power. Furthermore, anxiety and positive coping style mediate that link in a cascade fashion. A greater SPA indicates that the individual is less likely to use a positive coping style, has a higher anxiety level, and has a lower tolerance for uncertainty. While thinking about how intolerance of uncertainty affects anxiety and positive coping style, perceived social support mediates the relationship. Intolerance of uncertainty has less impact on anxiety and positive coping style when perceived social support is high. These results indicate the possibility of examining SPA prevention and intervention from several angles. Therefore, emotional regulation, which modifies anxiety and the tendency to use a positive coping style, may reduce the impact of intolerance of uncertainty on SPA. Another successful strategy for reducing smartphone addiction is to provide social support from loved ones and the community at large.

Harmonizing musculoskeletal health: transformative effects of 8-week intervention program on posture in music students

Background and Study Aim. Musculoskeletal complaints are common among music students, irrespective of gender. They develop due to intense practice over an instrument; spending long hours of practice may cause muscular imbalance, tension, and awkward posture. The repetitive nature of practice in music students may cause overuse and fatigue. This increases the risk of acute pain and can affect both quality of life and performance. Therefore, the present study aimed at evaluating the transformative effects of an 8-week intervention program on posture in music students. Material and Methods. The 8-week intervention program with transformative effects was conducted over 8 weeks (from September 18 to November 12) on Mondays and Thursdays, for 45 minutes each session. The program aimed to benefit 25 music students, of whom (i) 15 were in the experimental group (with an average age of 24.20 years, average weight of 82.40 kg, and average height of 178.60 cm), and (ii) 10 were in the control group (with an average age of 24.60 years, average weight of 78.40 kg, and average height of 182.20 cm). All participants were enrolled in the second year of a master's degree program in Performing Arts. Standardized measures for evaluating posture (utilizing Klein and Thomas's method, as refined by Mayer) were conducted both before (Week 1, September 18) and after (Week 8, November 12) the intervention. The impact of the 8-week intervention program was assessed using the Wilcoxon Rank-Sum Test, Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test, and Pearson's r. Results. Significant differences (p ˂ 0.05, ˂ 0.01) between 25 music students (M); in particular experimental group (n = 15) and control group (n = 10), were in 4 (80%) segments of body in post-test: (i) Head and neck; (ii) Abdomen and pelvis; (iii) Curvature of spine; (iiii) Shoulders and scapulas. Insignificant differences (p ˃ 0.05) between 25 music students (M) were in pre-test. Conclusions. Significant differences (p ˂ 0.05, ˂ 0.01) indicated the transformative effects in the experimental group's (n = 15) posture. This emphasizes the potential of the 8-week intervention program in promoting musculoskeletal health of music students. Therefore, additional research is necessary to investigate the lasting resilience (sustainability) of advantages and enhance the intervention plan in music education.

Ina- Manggagawa- Mag-aaral: The Lived Experiences, Challenges, Coping and Aspirations of Working- Student- Mothers

Many individuals are pursuing graduate degrees while working and raising children. The aim of this study is to explore the lived experiences, challenges, coping, and aspirations of working-student- mothers who fulfill employment, academic, and family obligations. The mother's educational and work efforts provide the necessary information, needed skills, and a desirable attitude for a family's general well-being. The study intends explicitly to 1. explore the experiences and challenges faced by working student mothers. 2. Investigate their coping strategies and aspirations for managing different roles. 3. understand their current living situation. The participants consisted of twelve (12) mothers who had a minimum of two dependents, were enrolled in a master's degree program, and were employed in an organization. Participants were administered a brief demographic questionnaire and engaged in a semi-structured interview. This study utilized interpretative phenomenology analysis. The latest findings emphasize that participants shared their experience of navigating the complexities of managing coursework, jobs, and caregiving responsibilities, which led to feeling overwhelmed. The stress factor was primarily attributed to low income and inadequate childcare expenses. However, they employed effective coping strategies using work-life balance, such as social support and time management. Pursuing a master's degree encompassed the opportunity to enhance their abilities and expand their knowledge and earning potential. The study revealed that they exhibited strong motivation and perseverance, with solid career aspirations driving their academic and professional pursuits, benefiting themselves and their families.

The Value of Master's Degree Programmes in Health Professions Education: A Scoping Review.

There are increasing numbers of Master's Degree Programmes in Health Professions Education (MHPE), and the value to their students and graduates is not well understood. We conducted a scoping review to explore what is known about the value of MHPE programmes to their students and graduates. A scoping review was conducted using Arksey and O'Malley's five-stage framework. PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane, BEI, ERIC and EThOs databases were searched in addition to cited reference searching. Original research with an evaluation and published in the English language were included. Nineteen studies were included. Studies were based in a variety of locations on five continents, and included in-person, distance and blended learning. Students and graduates of MHPE programmes self-reported development of their pedagogical knowledge, confidence and credibility in their role as an educator, and educational scholarship. Enhanced career opportunities and opportunities for collegial interactions and networks were also reported. Important barriers included struggling with the time and financial commitments required for studying on a MHPE programme. There are a variety of dimensions of value of MHPE programmes to their students and graduates. Important practical recommendations for MHPE programme providers and employers include providing opportunities for the development of networks and supporting the time and financial commitments required for studying.

Sociology and Sociological Education in Italy Between Universities and Upper Secondary Schools

AbstractSociology was first introduced to Italy in 1961, when Franco Ferrarotti became the first tenure track professor in 1960 at Rome’s Sapienza University. The Institute of Sociology was founded in the 1963/1964 academic year, and in 1962, the first Faculty of Sociology was established at the University of Trento. The process of formation is rather late when considering both the development of sociology as an autonomous science and the historical evolution of the various European universities. Sociology is now widely recognised as a discipline in Italy and is taught at universities as part of both bachelor’s and master's degree programmes, as well as in high schools (known as secondary schools of first level) for students aged 14 to 18/19. This work presents the development of sociology in Italy and its formation. Beginning with the development of sociology, it provides a historical analysis of its scientific recognition, role within the social system, and evolution as a science and association. It then explores the disciplin’s place in the Italian university educational system, analyzing its changes over the years. Finally, it discusses the formation of sociology within schools.

The competency index for clinical research professionals: a potential tool for competency-based clinical research academic program evaluation.

Accreditation of graduate academic programs in clinical research requires demonstration of program achievement of Joint Task Force for Clinical Trial Competence-based standards. Evaluation of graduate programs include enrollment, student grades, skills-based outcomes, and completion rates, in addition to other measures. Standardized measures of competence would be useful. We used the Competency Index for Clinical Research Professionals (CICRP), in a separate-sample pretest-posttest study to measure self-confidence or self-efficacy in clinical research competency comparing cohorts of students entering and completing a master's degree program in clinical research across three semesters (summer 2021 - spring 2022). CICRP is a 20-item Likert scale questionnaire (0 = Not at all confident; 10 = extremely confident). The study sample of 110 students (54 in the entry course, 56 in the exit course) showed overall 80.9% entered the program with only a baccalaureate degree and 55.5% had no prior experience in managing clinical trial research. Cronbach alpha for the instrument showed a high level of content validity (range 0.93-0.98). Median CICRP item rating range at entry was [1, 6] and at exit [7, 10]. Mean CICRP total score (sum of 20 items) at entry was 72.7 (SD 41.9) vs. 167.0 (SD 21.1) at exit (p < 0.001). Mean total score at program entry increased with increasing years of clinical trial management experience but attenuated at program exit. This is the first use of the CICRP for academic program evaluation. The CICRP may be a useful tool for competency-based academic program evaluation, in addition to other measures of program excellence.

Being effective and supervising for thesis success in nursing coursework master degrees: A qualitative descriptive study.

Master's degrees for nurses have various foci including clinical practice, leadership and education, with some programs consisting of coursework, while others offer hybrid study that combines coursework and research. Multiple formats are associated with offering the research component. The research component is often termed the minor thesis. Limited knowledge exists regarding the supervision of the research component. To capture the practices and perspectives of experienced nurse academics regarding effective supervision of the masters-level minor thesis in nursing coursework master degrees. Design Qualitative descriptive. Methods Semi-structured interviews with 28 experienced nurse academics recruited from 15 Australian and three New Zealand universities linked to the Council of Deans in Australia and New Zealand. Inclusion criteria were having experience of supervising masters-level minor theses and higher degrees. Interviews were face-to-face using the internet platform Zoom©. Thematic analysis was undertaken. Findings The analysis revealed three themes and associated sub-themes: (i) establishing the framework (setting up the student's research; building the student-supervisor relationship; setting clear expectations), (ii) supervisors' knowledge and actions: driving for success (supervisors' knowledge for a satisfactory and timely outcome; supervisors' actions to develop students' capabilities; supervisors' actions of drawing in other expertise) and (iii) supervisor savviness: Attending to the finer points of supervision for student success (using your attributes as a supervisor; being savvy to teach and engage students; creatively seeking a smooth process for student success). The findings highlight three themes crucial to effective supervision of masters-level minor theses in nursing: Establishing a strong research framework, emphasizing supervisors' knowledge and proactive engagement and attending to nuanced aspects of supervision for student success. These insights contribute to deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of supervising minor theses, providing a valuable foundation for refining supervisory practices and enhancing the educational experience within coursework nursing master degree programs. The findings highlight the supervisors' pivotal practices in guiding students through the minor thesis. These insights will be useful for inexperienced and experienced supervisors and for degree program directors. The findings should inform supervision training and supervision practices in the future. The study addressed a gap in knowledge about what experienced supervisors do to be effective and achieve success in the research component in a hybrid master degree for registered nurses. Effective supervision for student success in the minor thesis requires supervisors to establish and maintain a project and supervisory framework with appropriate boundaries and that is attuned to both the supervisor and student capabilities and preferences. Supervisors have an active role in directing the focus, scale and scope of a minor theses in keeping with university requirements and the short timeframe. Supervisors pay attention to the development of multiple student literacies (research, academic, professional, feedback and cultural) as core aspects of the masters research journey. Supervisors use their savviness and customize supervision to student contexts and capabilities as they guide development to achieve student success. The research findings have implications for targeted supervisor training and enhancing educational strategies for research supervision of minor thesis students. COREQ reporting was adhered to as the relevant EQUATOR guideline. No patient or public contribution.

Assessment of the Higher Education System as a Structural Component of the Region's Staffing

The relevance of the study lies in the fact that at present, in the conditions of the economic crisis, a shortage of highly qualified and professional personnel is becoming noticeable, which is caused by the unstable situation in the regions, trends in rapidly changing working conditions. It becomes clear that for a stable socio-economic system, regions and organizations within it need to be prepared for structural changes. The purpose of the study is to assess the higher education system as a structural component of the staffing of the region. Objectives: to analyze the dynamics of registered and liquidated organizations; to identify the ratio of indicators of the total population and the economically active population; to consider the per capita indicators of monetary incomes of the population of the Kursk region; to investigate the number of students enrolled in bachelor's, specialty and master's degree programs; to systematize the list of educational institutions of higher education located in the Kursk region; to present the disproportions of demand and supply of human resources by types of economic activity and in the professional and qualification context. Methodology. This article uses empirical research methods in the study and analysis of statistical data. Results. In the course of the study, the analysis of the current state of the higher education system as a structure-forming component of the staffing of the region was carried out, the disproportions of demand and supply of human resources by types of economic activity and in the professional and qualification context were revealed. Conclusions. Based on the conducted research, it can be concluded that the problem of supply and demand in the labor market is currently acute, since the development of the region's economy depends on the solution of personnel issues. One of the possible solutions to the personnel "hunger" within organizations can be step-by-step cooperation with universities and students of the desired field of training: internships, internships, round tables, business games and other methods of interaction between educational organizations and partner organizations.

Intelligent Banking Chatbot: Intention to Continue Through Millennial Customer Satisfaction in Indonesia Using the TAM Method

This study examines the impact of perceived usefulness and ease of use on the intention to continue utilizing banking chatbots in Indonesia. The sample comprises Generation Millennials enrolled in Master's degree programs in Tangerang Raya, Banten Province. These individuals have utilized the banking chatbots MITA, VIRA, AISYAH, CINTA, and SABRINA. The sample comprised 230 individuals, and the sampling method employed was simple random sampling. Data collection employs a survey methodology with a questionnaire instrument. The data underwent processing utilizing path analysis techniques facilitated by SPSS Version 26 software. The study yielded findings indicating that both partial and simultaneous judgment of usefulness and ease of use had a favorable and substantial impact on customer satisfaction and intention to continue. Customer satisfaction was discovered to impact the level of ongoing interest. Similarly, the ongoing attraction of millennials towards utilizing banking chatbots in Indonesia is driven by their perception of the chatbots' usefulness and ease of use, with customer satisfaction as a mediating factor. The coefficient of determination for customer satisfaction is 74.4%, while the coefficient of determination for intention to continue using chatbots is 83.2%.

A course on cognitive and behavioural interventions for sleep disorders within a master's degree programme in clinical and health psychology: an update based on a half-decade experience

A course on cognitive and behavioural interventions for sleep disorders within a master's degree programme in clinical and health psychology: an update based on a half-decade experience

Evaluation of master’s degree programmes in project and construction management: an agglomerative hierarchical clustering study

This study examines master's degree programmes in project and construction management in Turkey and the TRNC until 2022. It covers 16 master's degree programmes and represents their current status. The study groups courses to evaluate and develop the contents of the master's degree programmes. It creates course knowledge areas through course grouping and provides the numerical data necessary for the clustering process. The study clusters similar and related master's degree programmes using the AHC method and proposes new programme names for the classes obtained with AHC. This paper intends to serve as a guide for research on active master's degree programmes in project and construction management, to update and/or develop such programmes, and to evaluate the past and present situation for future studies.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Leading Change for Sustainability in Schools Simulation: A Research and Development Project

Background Although a growing number of simulations have been developed for the purpose of educating for sustainability, published reports consist primarily of prescriptive essays, case descriptions, and commentaries rather than empirical studies. Moreover, only a small number of the empirical studies have used experimental designs to assess their effects on learning. This article addressed the need for validated active learning tools that can be used by educators in educating for sustainability. Aim This article presents the design and initial evaluation of the Leading Change for Sustainability in Schools (LCSS) computer simulation. The study examined the effects of the simulation on student engagement, skills in formulating and executing change management strategies, and the application of knowledge to the simulation challenge. Method This project employed the research and development method for product design and evaluation. A three-week simulation-based learning intervention was conducted with 32 experienced K-12 school teachers and administrators studying in a Master degree program in Vietnam. The research employed a quasi-experimental, time series design to assessed change in learners’ knowledge and skills following participation in the Leading Change for Sustainability in Schools intervention. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to evaluate week-by-week changes in learning outcomes. Results The study found that the simulation-based learning module organized around the Leading Change for Sustainability in Schools (Vietnamese version) simulation was highly engaging for students. Students played the simulation an average of 24 times outside of class during the three-week module (18 hours per student). Students’ skills in formulating and executing change strategies for sustainability improved significantly over the three-week module; 28 students reached the highest level of success on the final assessment. Students also demonstrated significant improvement in their ability to incorporate change management principles into their strategies, indicating improvement in higher-order thinking skills.

The circular economy skills: regional dimension

Relevance. In the pursuit of sustainable development, the circular economy takes precedence as a fundamental imperative for industrial transformation. The current trend in the development of the circular economy concept is to place the main focus on the technological support of circularization and the corresponding innovations in business models, while the decisive role people play in this model of economy is often overlooked. Individuals with specialized knowledge, skills, and values are essential for developing and implementing circular models, making effective management decisions, and promoting rational consumption patterns. The demand for circular skills and the availability of relevant competencies can significantly differ across regions, necessitating further in-depth study. Research objective. The paper is aimed at developing a new methodological approach to the study of circular economy skills at the regional level. This approach considers these skills in terms of both employer demand and their incorporation into master's degree programs, accounting for regional specifics. Data and methods. The study employed a comprehensive approach, integrating theoretical methods with empirical analysis. Scientometric and content analysis identified taxonomies of circular economy skills, and employers' personnel needs were examined through the analysis of the HeadHunter job site using Python software. Additionally, the study encompassed an analysis of educational programs from official websites of universities in southern Russian regions. Results. A new approach to the study of supply and demand of circular economy skills at the regional level has been proposed and tested. As a result, it was determined that there is a demand for sustainable development specialists in various industries in the Russian labor market, which varies across different regions of the country. The relevant skills are included in the master’s degree programs offered by universities. There is a need for greater involvement of regional authorities in shaping educational demands presented to universities, as this is essential for generating demand in the job market for the corresponding competencies. Conclusions. To better achieve targets in sustainable development and facilitate the transition to a circular economy, it is essential to promote a balanced development of all the relevant skills and behavioral patterns. To ensure this, it is important to involve regional authorities in shaping the demand for these skills.

PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION OF EDUCATIONAL LEADERS: THE EXPERIENCE OF UTRECHT UNIVERSITY (THE NETHERLANDS)

The problem of developing managerial leadership potential for higher education, which acts as a direct catalyst for the organization of quality educational services in Ukraine and increasing the competitiveness of national higher education institutions, remains a priority at the stage of Ukraine's integration into the European Union. The article first examines the issue of professional training of educational leaders and managers in the field of higher education on the example of Utrecht University (the Kingdom of the Netherlands). Taking into account the review of previous studies carried out in the national space, as well as the study of relevant continental European sources, the data on the Dutch higher education system are updated. Based on the analysis of specialized legislation in the field of higher education and relevant institutional acts, the approaches to master's training in the Netherlands are characterized, the key among which is interdisciplinary. It is found that master's programmes are offered at research universities and universities of applied sciences; their duration varies from 1 to 4 years and ranges from 60 to 240 ECTS credits. It has been found that the undisputed trend in master's training is the uniqueness of educational programmes that correspond to the mission and vision of universities. It is established that among the offers on the market of educational services that further offer professional activities in the field of higher education management, there are master's degree programmes in pedagogy, management, art, administration and management, sociology, psychology, etc. The profiles of educational programmes of the University of Utrecht, in particular, specialties with a diverse academic load, which offer graduates after successful graduation positions in the Government of the Netherlands, sectors dealing with education, the Dutch Education Inspectorate, non-governmental educational organizations, as developers and reformers of educational policies, are considered.

Интернационализация основных программ высшего образования в современных условиях

The subject of the study is the tools to increase the competitiveness of Russian higher education programs, taking into account the geopolitical situation and the development of competition from foreign countries. in the market of educational services. The objectives of the work are to determine, based on statistical indicators of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation for 2019-2022, the potential for international competitiveness of higher education programs at the bachelor's, specialist and master's levels and to assess its resistance to external shocks. It has been established that the topic of internationalization of education is of great research interest among Russian and foreign scientists. The internationalization of Russian education is based on strategies to increase competitiveness provided for by the 5-100 Project and the Priority 2030 program. Scaling up the export of Russian education is one of the priorities of Russia's scientific and technical development. The article pays special attention to the study of indicators of leading countries in terms of the number of students accepted for training and the share of those accepted under contracts for the provision of paid educational services in their number in the Russian Federation for the period 2019-2022 in the context of education levels (bachelor's degree, specialty, master's degree). The competitive advantages and disadvantages of Russian education for foreign applicants are highlighted. Conclusions are drawn about the prospects for exporting educational services to the largest states of Eurasia and the Middle East, as well as about the significant potential for promoting master's degree programs in India due to the competitive advantages of Russian education.

ФОРМИРОВАНИЕ И УПРАВЛЕНИЕ КАДРОВОГО ПОТЕНЦИАЛА ОРГАНИЗАЦИЙ ДОРОЖНОЙ ОТРАСЛИ В РОССИИ

In the long term, an increase in the average duration of adult education by just one year will increase economic growth by 3,7% and increase per capita income by 6%. Today, the participation of the population in continuing education is the most important indicator of the level of socio-economic development of the country and individual subjects (regions). The participation rate of the adult population of Russia aged 25–64 in additional and formal education in 2023 was only 25,2%, which is more than 2 times lower than in the OECD and EU countries. In the long term, increasing the average duration of adult education by just one year will increase economic growth by 3,7% and increase per capita income by 6%. The extent of participation in continuing education is positively correlated with the indicators of gross regional product (GRP). The two-year implementation period of the national Education project at the moment has not allowed the creation of a regulatory model for accounting for short-term additional education programs as part of the main professional programs. The launch of this mechanism provides for the «unpacking» of the main master's and bachelor's degree programs into additional professional programs with the assignment of «micro-degrees», as well as a thorough testing of the norms and recommended practices being put into effect.

Students’ Life Concerns and Graduate School Journey

Pursuing graduate studies is a fulfilling and rewarding experience, and sometimes challenging. Thus, this study examined the life concerns likely to contribute to the students’ graduate school journey. The study was conducted in the College of Graduate Studies, Palompon, Leyte, Philippines, utilizing a descriptive-correlational research design, with respondents recruited from the master's and doctoral degree programs. Relevant data were collected using survey questionnaires prepared in Google Forms. Data were analyzed using means, standard deviations, and the Spearman rank-order correlation. Results showed that the current study sample found their graduate school journey slightly good. Study findings revealed further that two demographic factors - age and work positions, were found negatively correlated with the graduate school journey, and this implies that younger graduate students tend to have better graduate school experience than older ones; and students holding supervisory positions have struggling graduate school experience. Correlation analysis indicated a significant negative relationship between work-related concerns and graduate school experience. Overall findings pinpoint the need for graduate school practitioners to consider initiatives that address students' life concerns and likewise formulate policies and guidelines that may provide them with a support system that helps students find their graduate school journey smooth, happier, and fulfilling.