Philippine E-Journals

Determinants of Graduate Course Choices among Students of the University of Mindanao

Froilan Mina

Discipline: Education

 

Abstract:

The purpose of this undertaking was to explore a social or human phenomenon involving 11 students randomly selected from 55 FGD tentative participants as "criterion" sample to determine the factors influencing the students' decisions related to graduate course choices and the choice of university. A phenomenological study, like this one, is a qualitative method of inquiry that study things in their natural settings, attempting to make sense of or interpret phenomena in terms of the meanings people bring to them. Through the FGD aided with an interview guide, the findings revealed that all participants believed that the graduate course choice is very strongly influenced by personality, decision-making skills, values and motivation as intrinsic factors.  From the perspectives of the participants, personal and professional profile is intrinsic to the person. However, they do not consider these to have a very strong influence in their choice of graduate program. On the choice of the university, many felt they chose UM because it has become very dear to them or their relatives because it is their alma mater. They believed that UM is the best institution of learning because it offers quality education, competent professors, affordable fees, flexibility of curriculum due to the term system, and student-friendly particularly to working students, The findings may be useful in developing strategies for the welfare of the external and internal stakeholders of the University.