2026 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Some students, called direct pathway students, spend less than five years outside of the classroom before going back to school for an advanced degree. Other students, called returners, spend five years or more in industry before returning to school for an advanced degree. This study is part of a larger project investigating the similarities and differences between these two demographics in engineering education; these studies have been carried out through qualitative interview data analysis. The focus of this particular study is to determine what differences exist in the motivations these students have for pursuing a master's degree, as well as what factors they consider in choosing a certain degree program. Motivations for attending specific programs, primary factors in choice of college, and identification of unique needs could provide valuable insights on how to advise these students better and design programs that ensure they are receiving the most out of their education.