Motivating factors influencing choice of major in undergraduates in communication sciences and disorders

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to determine: (1) whether background factors influence the choice of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) as an academic major; (2) what motivates students to major in CSD; (3) the relationship between motivation to pursue CSD as a major and the attractiveness of the major; and (4) whether motivation influences the perceived value of a career in CSD. A survey of 143 undergraduates was created and administered to assess motivational factors that influence the choice of major. The participants had diverse ethnic/racial and cultural backgrounds and were enrolled in CSD courses in the Liberal Arts College of St John's University, a US American Institution in Queens, New York. Preliminary analyses indicated that ethnic/racial background and family income had no statistically significant relationship to motivations, attractiveness of CSD as a major, or career value of CSD as a major. Students scored highest on Intrinsic motivation factor (e.g., enjoy interacting with people) and the lowest on Science motivation (e.g., interested in science). Student confidence (e.g., in reaching career goals) was an important predictor in the perception of the career value of a CSD. Results of this study provide further insight into curriculum development and recruiting strategies.

Keywords::

• Motivating factors
• speech-language pathology
• survey
• undergraduate students

Acknowledgement

We thank our graduate students, Anna Duzhanskaya and Elizabeth Foglia, for their assistance in this project.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Note

The typical study pattern for SLPs in the USA is as follows: beginning in 2006, the “2005 Standards and Implementation Procedures for the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology”, established by the ASHA, determined the qualification requirements to become a professional certified speech-language pathologist. These requirements are: (1) the individual must obtain a bachelor's/undergraduate degree; (2) the individual must obtain a graduate degree in SLP, preferably from an accredited program; (3) the individual is granted the Certificate of Clinical Competence upon the completion of the clinical fellowship year (under the supervision of a practicing SLP); (4) after attaining the Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology, the individual is required to demonstrate continued professional development once every 3 years; (5) post-graduate study for SLPs, although not required, may have a clinical or research focus (see also ASHA, 2009).