Investigating Student Experiences of Engineering Technology to Engineering Transfer in Ontario

Abstract

The Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT) Engineering Pathways Project aims to develop a large-scale network for transfer between engineering technology and engineering programs, enabling a streamlined transfer experience across multiple Ontario institutions. When developing a program of this nature, the lived experiences of students who have completed such a transition must be investigated. Eight interviews were completed with students and graduates of Ontario engineering technology to engineering transfer programs, with the intent to understand a) rationale for student transfer, b) experiences while studying, and c) experiences or plans post-graduation. A phenomenological methodology was used for analysis by inductive coding. Major results include the necessity of program accreditation for student enrollment, the benefits of short and rigorous bridging programs, and the marked lack of social and academic support students experienced during their transfer pathways. This research has been used to inform the development of the pilot phase of an Ontario-wide engineering transfer program.

Canadian Transfer Research: Past Achievements, Current Challenges, and Future Directions

“…Throughout this article, we focus on studies specifically analyzing the predictors and outcomes associated with travelling transfer pathways. Such parameters render the proposed review feasible within the confines of an article length piece but force us to neglect important qualitative and quantitative research focusing on other pertinent topics, such as the transfer student experience (e.g., Cameron, 2005;Gerhardt & Ackerman, 2014;Smith & Frank, 2020;Vaala, 1989), as well as more conventional historical or policy analysis (e.g., Carter et al, 2011;Kennepohl, 2016;Missaghian, 2020;Skolnik, 2010). As with any national overview, the goal is not to provide a high-definition image of trends within any province, but to paint the current situation with broad strokes.…”