Abstract
As more online graduate programs are created and traditional programs shift to an online format, the need to identify and understand skill sets necessary for students’ success becomes more apparent. Typically, graduate programs rely on entrance requirements such as the GRE, undergraduate GPA, and a writing sample to evaluate an applicant’s potential success. Is it reasonable to expect that other entrance requirements might be needed for student success in online graduate degree programs?
Research comparing learning and personality styles of online learners exists; however, application of this information as part of the admissions process for online graduate programs is sporadic. How important is the identification and understanding of the skill sets necessary for success of the online learners? Should the entrance requirements be different for online graduate programs; and if so, what should be included?
Students currently enrolled in an online masters program were measured for personality and learning styles. The survey results were compared with data from previously published research. A survey of the Engineering Technology Listserve also gathered data from online programs to identify entrance requirements and perceptions of faculty regarding learning styles.
Introduction
Predicting the skill sets necessary for student success becomes more complex as universities develop online graduate programs and add online components to their traditional programs. Traditionally, graduate programs rely on entrance requirements such as a Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score, anundergraduate grade point average (GPA), and a writing sample to evaluate an applicant’s potential success in the program. Much of the literature supports the use of traditional methods for predicting student success in graduate programs. Is it reasonable to speculate that these same entrance requirements can predict success in a graduate degree program that is delivered online? Should the entrance requirements be different for online programs, and if so, how? Where do personalities and learning style preferences fit into this puzzle?
After a review of literature related to entrance requirements and learning style inventories, this paper will explore the usefulness of such inventories as entrance criteria for online learning, particularly in technical management master’s programs. Two surveys were conducted to seek answers to the questions raised above. One survey measured students currently enrolled in online master’s courses for personality and learning styles. The second survey asked members of an Engineering Technology Listserve several questions related to entrance requirements for online master’s programs.
Overview Of Online Technical Management Master’s Degree Requirements
To assess the current entrance requirements for technical managerial master’s degree programs, 16 online degree programs were randomly selected using the Web portal Gradschools.com. Table 1 shows the institutions, degree programs, and their respective entrance requirements. Of the selected programs, most do not require completion of a standardized test.
College/University
Online Master’s
Programs
GRE or
GPA
Writing
Bachelor’s
Ref.
CV
GMAT
Statement/Essay
Degree
Letters
Resume
Kettering University
Mfg. Operations
3.00
Any
√
Kettering University
Mfg. Management
3.00
Any
Central Michigan
University
Masters in Admin.
à
2.70
√
Any
Bellevue University
Acquisition &
Contract Mgmt.
2.50
Any
University of
Central Missouri
Industrial Mgmt.
2.60
√
Any
√
√
Illinois Institute
of Technology
Industrial Tech.
& Ops.
√‡
3.00
√
Any
√
Southern Methodist University
Mfg. Systems Mgmt.
3.00
√
BS
√
Texas A&M
University
Industrial Distribution
√
3.00
√
Any
√
√
East Carolina
University
Mfg. Systems
√
2.50
Any
√
√
Wildau Institute
of Technology
Aviation Mgmt.
√
Any
√
√
Marist University
Technology Mgmt.
√♯
3.00
Prefer BS
√
New England College
Project Mgmt.
3.00
√
Any
√
√
University of
Bridgeport
Technology Mgmt.
2.80
BS
√
Bemidji State
University
Industrial Tech.
2.75
Prefer BS
√
Western Kentucky University
Technology Mgmt.
√
2200*
Any
Southern New
Hampshire University
Operations &
Project Mgmt.
3.00
Any
√
