ENGINEERING COMPLETION PROGRAM STUDENTS’ REASONS FOR UNIVERSITY AND PROGRAM PREFERENCES, PROBLEMS THEY EXPERIENCE AND THEIR SUGGESTIONS

Due to the low rate of employment, technical teachers wanted to be active in areas other than teaching. They faced a variety of problems since they did not have engineering degrees. To address such problems, programs were opened to help technical teac hers earn their engineering degrees. This study used the qualitative research method to evaluate the engineering degree completion exam and programs with participants in different programs in the 2013 - 2014 academic year. The data in the study were gathered using a semi - structured interview form. The results revealed that the students took the exam to earn their engineering degrees and chose to attend universities located close to their place of residence. They identified problems such as transportation and accommodation due to the exam being held in only one location in Turkey. Most participants asserted that they were not able to attend classes because of their intensive work program, and were not able to study enough because of the exam schedule being anno unced late. Key Words: Engineering Degree Completion Program, Engineering Degree, Technical Education Faculty