Determinants of Undergraduates’ Decision to Study Mass Communication at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria
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Date
2020-04
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Department of Mass Communication, Taraba State University, Jalingo
Abstract
Every student that applies for a course at any tertiary institution has a rationale for the choice.
Therefore, this study investigated the factors that influence undergraduates’ decision to study
Mass Communication at the University of Ilorin, Nigeria. The population of the study was all
the 214 registered students during the 2015/2016 academic session that cut across the four
levels in the Department of Mass Communication. Since the study population was not large,
all the students constituted sample for the study. The instrument of data collection was
questionnaire. Complementing this instrument was in-depth interview which 20 students
purposively selected were involved. Findings showed that, majority (61%) who voluntarily
applied to study Mass Communication at the University of Ilorin was due to array of staff,
facilities at the department (52%), and reputation of the University as a whole (41%), just as
more than half of respondents (66%) indicated that they feel fulfilled studying Mass
Communication at the University of Ilorin. The study concluded that although other factors
with varying degrees of response rate including peer influence, parental role, job prospects,
and proximity are responsible for students’ decision to study Mass Communication, these
factors are secondary. It therefore recommended, among other things, that the University and
the Department, in particular, should sustain its standard so as to satisfy students’ expectation
and remain attractive to potential Mass Communication students.
Description
Keywords
Undergraduate Students, Mass Communication, Motivation, Proximity, Reputation, University