ERIC Number: EJ1137536
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 9
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2153-7615
EISSN: N/A
Motivating Adult Learners: Exploring the Emergence of Adult Business Students in an East Texas University
Luke, Douglas; Justice, Madeline
Administrative Issues Journal: Connecting Education, Practice, and Research, v6 n2 p74-82 Win 2016
Adult enrollment in higher education institutions has grown significantly during the last decade, with students aged 25 and older attending 4-year institutions at higher rates than before. In the 21st century, few can improve their socioeconomic status or advance professionally without higher education. Colleges and universities must consider this diverse student population by identifying new modes of motivation for students to pursue degrees at 4-year institutions. Research suggests that universities focus on the new learners of higher education: nontraditional students who are motivated by their desire to learn and advance professionally. This study examined motivational factors and patterns of students who pursued degrees in accounting, finance, management, marketing, or general business programs at a university in Texas. The survey results indicated that most participants worked 31 to 40 hours per week, and one-third had incomes of $60,000 and above. The researchers found a statistical multivariate effect of income on motivation to pursue a degree; however, no statistical difference existed among gender, age, occupation, or program of study.
Descriptors: Learning Motivation, Business Administration Education, Accounting, Finance Occupations, Management Development, Marketing, College Students, Student Surveys, Student Attitudes, Socioeconomic Status, Nontraditional Students, Income, Student Characteristics, Multivariate Analysis, Educational Attainment, Higher Education, Statistical Analysis
Southwestern Oklahoma State University. 100 Campus Drive PAX 208, Weatherford, OK 73096. Tel: 580-774-7175; Fax: 580-774-7020; e-mail: aij@swosu.edu; Web site: http://www.swosu.edu/academics/aij/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Texas
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A