A Study of Prospective Doctoral Students’ Needs Analysis and Factors Influencing Their Decision to Pursue a Doctoral Degree in Dance Education Program at Chandrakasem Rajabhat University

Abstract

This study was conducted with aims to investigate the students’ needs for higher education, factors affecting the decision to pursue their doctoral studies, and recommendations to develop the Doctoral Program in Dance Education at Chandrakasem Rajabhat University. The sample group was comprised of 152 individuals including master's degree students and faculty members in dance education from higher education institutions in Thailand. The sample was derived through quota sampling and random selection. Data were collected through series of surveys and interviews. Statistics used in data analysis include: Frequency, Percentage, Mean, Standard Deviation and Multiple Regression Analysis.

Results on the first objective revealed that 73.03%of participants demonstrated interest in earning a doctoral degree, while 85.12% specifically expressed their interest in the Dance Education program at Chandrakasem Rajabhat University. It could also be observed that there were eight factors affecting the decision to pursue further education as follows: the cost of education (M = 4.74), the curriculum (M = 4.59), the approaches of learning and teaching (M = 4.46), and the faculty members (M = 4.32), the admissions and graduation process (M = 3.41), the institution's image and values (M = 3.37), marketing and public relations (M = 3.22), the physical environment (M = 3.05). According to the results on the second objective, suggestions for developing a doctoral program could be observed as follows. First, it could be essential to ensure the best fit between the curriculum criteria and actual demands of stakeholders and target groups. Furthermore, it could also be important to clearly clarify the program's strengths and the expected skills of graduates.