Career Transitions: Decision-Making Dynamics Regarding Physical Education Teacher Education Doctoral Program Applications and Entry

Abstract

Purpose: This study’s purpose was to explore professional career paths into physical education teacher education. Methods: Participants included 27 physical education teacher educators with an average of 20.2 years of experience selected from among attendees at international conferences, using a combination of convenience and purposive sampling. Data sources included semistructured interviews, living graphs, and participant vitae. Results: Findings describe intrinsic and extrinsic motivating factors to pursue a professional role change and the selection of a doctoral program including: (a) prompted by others, (b) self-initiated, and (c) forced choice. After deciding to pursue a doctoral degree, program choice was predicated by disciplinary and institutional, as well as idiosyncratic and personal considerations. Conclusions: Understanding how and why participants repositioned themselves from their current roles into doctoral education has important implications for further research and practice to enhance the quality of doctoral education.