2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

The Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology degree is a four-year degree offered at a southeastern public university that allows students to transfer credits from an Associate of Applied Science degree, which is typically not transferable to four-year institutions. This degree is also offered online, which has made it popular with working and adult students who may not have the availability to pursue an on-campus degree. In 2020, students enrolled in the BSIT program were surveyed about a variety of issues, including why they chose to pursue the degree. The survey indicates that even during the pandemic, career goals were the primary driver behind enrollment in the program. Students cited job advancement, potential salary increase, job security and the ability to more easily change careers as primary factors for pursuing the degree. This paper will examine the survey, respondents’ answers and offer insight on the factors influencing student decisions.