Factors Influencing Graduation of a Master’s Program in Educational Administration in Southern Mexico

Abstract

This article presents the preliminary results of a study on the factors that influenced the graduation of students of a master’s program in educational administration. The study involved interviews with graduates of the program, as part of a larger research that also included interviews with their advisors and program coordinators. Findings indicate that the main factors influencing student graduation are related to individual, university, and contextual factors. Among the main individual factors were motivation, prerequisite learning, and research skills. Among the university-related factors were the academic support provided by the thesis director and the thesis committee, as well as student interest in the thesis topic. Regarding the factors related to the context, it was found that these included the influence of the employment status, the facilities provided by the employer for completing the program,and the economic situation of the student that allowed him/her to cover the costs of the program.