Factors related to the decision for The Masters degree program of Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University

Abstract

          Studying in a post-graduate program is an important institutional capacity building of personnel. Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University offered many Master Degrees’ Programs. However, the factors of applicant’s decision making to study in the Programs have not been elucidated.  This research study therefore aimed to identify the factors that impact on the decision making to study in the Programs. One hundred and thirty eight students of the fourth year undergraduates, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University were grid sampled, composed of 76.8 percent females.  Eighty six students (or 57.8%) had been studying in B.Sc. (Public Health) and 52 (42.2%) in B.Sc. (Occupational Health and Safety).  Results showed that 25.4% of students intended to study in a high level, of who 71.4% wanted to study in regular program and 28.6% in special program. Of the 9 factors, the factor of course organization, particularly on student’ center basis and practice (scores, 4.56) was most impact, followed by the expertise of instructors (4.54 scores) and the institutional reliability (4.50 scores). However, gender, age, residence location, occupation of parents, family incomes, kinds of program and field, and GPA were not significantly correlated.

          Therefore, those important factors reflected to the needs of students to study in the Master Degrees’ Programs and for the Faculty to improve the teaching and learning management and the instructors’ quality for the confidence of future students