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ERIC Number: EJ1140960
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2017-May
Pages: 17
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1477-9714
EISSN: N/A
Benefits of Higher Education in Mid-Life: A Life Course Agency Perspective
Isopahkala-Bouret, Ulpukka
Journal of Adult and Continuing Education, v23 n1 p15-31 May 2017
The purpose of this study is to investigate the benefits of higher education in mid-life from the perspective of life course agency. Studies concerning the benefits of degree-oriented higher education have been mainly conducted using survey questionnaires and quantitative methods. In order to gain a more comprehensive picture, this qualitative analysis provides an insider perspective. It analyses which benefits are significant to older graduates and in what ways. The inquiry is based on the life history interviews of mid-life professionals who pursued Master's degrees from well-established Finnish universities in their fifties. A thematic narrative approach is used to analyse the data. The findings indicate that older graduates enjoy obvious benefits from attaining higher education and pursuing a new Master's degree. However, there is much variation between graduates. The significance of experienced benefits depends on the overall life plan and expectations of the person concerned. The conclusion considers higher education attainment in mid-life in a wider societal context and suggests directions for future research.
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2814
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Finland
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A