Self-Determination and Thriving in Graduate Programs: A Supports and Obstacles Analysis

• In Event: Hilton Roundtable Session 20
  In Roundtable Session: Roundtable Session 2: Graduate and Postdoctoral Education Across the Disciplines SIG

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the extent to which graduate students within two similar sized programs in education and health studies report self-determination and thriving in their graduate program. This study utilized a two-phase sequential explanatory mixed-methods methodology combining fall and spring questionnaire collection (n= 89, 68) followed by interviews (n= 24, 16). Graduate students reported differences in their self-determination and thriving by gender, year of program, as well as their department indicating that graduate students have divergent experiences as opposed to one common experience of graduate school. The results highlight specific obstacles such as funding, inter-student competition, and feeling disconnected from their faculty as well as methods to maximize supports like community and strong personal relationships.

Authors

• Eleftherios Kyprianos Soleas, Queen's University

• Anoushka Moucessian, Queen's University - Kingston

• Heather Nesbitt

• Nadia S. Arghash, Queen's University

• Anna Geladi

• John G. Freeman, Queen's University