Comparison of Returning and Direct Pathway Graduate Engineering Students

Abstract Some graduate engineering students, returners, have spent many years in industry before returning to school. Others, direct pathway students, complete a master’s degree along with the undergraduate degree or go back to school fairly quickly after their undergraduate degree has been obtained. The focus of this study was to investigate the differences and similarities in direct pathway and returners. Differences include the rationale for obtaining a degree, the assumption that teamwork is essential to success, and specific self-efficacy statements. Those who have spent time in industry change disciplines more often. Similarities include no difference in graduate grade point averages (GPAs), while undergraduate GPAs are different for the two groups, and there is no difference in the calculus concept inventory.