Motivational orientations of non-traditional adult students to enroll in a degree-seeking program

The purpose of this research was to investigate the motivational orientations of non-traditional adult students to enroll in a degree-seeking program based on their academic goal. The Education Participation Scale (EPS) was used to measure the motivational orientations of participants. Professional advancement, cognitive interest, and educational preparation were found to be the dominant motivational orientations of non-traditional adult college students. There were significant differences in motivational orientations among associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree students. The findings from this study provide opportunities for instructors and administrators in higher education to use motivational orientations data in designing recruitment materials and activities for their program as well as in adopting curriculum and instruction strategies to increase students' motivation toward learning.