Pharmacy students' motivational beliefs regarding pursuance of graduate school after completion of the PharmD program

ObjectivesThe primary objective of the study was to develop and validate an instrument, within an expectancy-value framework, to assess student motivational beliefs regarding pursuance of graduate school after obtaining a PharmD degree. A secondary objective of the study was to examine additional student perceptions regarding graduate school.MethodsUsing a web-based survey instrument, information was obtained from samples of 2nd and 3rd professional year pharmacy students regarding motivational beliefs, graduate school, and other post-PharmD options.ResultsThe developed instrument demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity. Differences in motivational beliefs were discovered across student demographic variables. Furthermore, intrinsic value and attainment/utility value motivational beliefs were significant predictors of likelihood of students pursuing graduate school in a pharmacy-related area. Faculty encouragement was positively associated with increased likelihood of pursuing graduate school and increases in intrinsic value and attainment/utility value motivational beliefs.ConclusionsStudent value beliefs of graduate school influence the likelihood of pursuing graduate school. Student motivational beliefs should be considered when determining effective methods of recruiting students to post-PharmD graduate education.