Departmental climate and student experiences in graduate geography programs

Michael Solem, Jenny Lee, Beth Schlemper

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

47 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study explores how graduate students enrolled in M.A./M.S. and Ph.D. geography programs perceive the social and academic climate of their departments. A second objective is to understand how these students self-assess their own professional abilities, values, and goals, and whether these self-assessments differ across demographic and institutional contexts. The survey instrument for this research is based on data collected from graduate student focus groups and on validated constructs of academic culture and climate from previous research. T-tests, ANOVA, and regression analyses identified significant differences among graduate students and their perceptions of departmental climate when compared on the basis of gender, citizenship, race/ethnicity, disciplinary subfield, and institutional type. Interview data provide additional context for analysis of the survey data. The primary areas in which we detected differences in graduate students' experiences were 1) diversity issues, 2) disciplinary and institutional cultures, 3) career planning and development, 4) financial matters, and 5) quality of the learning environment. These differences result from the varying social and academic dynamics of graduate programs, illustrating the importance of the local environment in shaping student experiences.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)268-292
Number of pages25
JournalResearch in Higher Education
Volume50
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2009

Keywords

  • Departmental climate
  • Disciplinary culture
  • Geography
  • Graduate education
  • Professional development

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Education

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