Abstract:

This study aimed to examine the mediation role of career decision self-efficacy in the relationship between academic achievement and postgraduate (PG) study intentions among undergraduate students. The study was conducted with 315 students who enrolled in fourth-grade in different programs in the education faculty of a university in Turkey. Data were collected by using the “Career Decision Self-Efficacy Scale” and “Postgraduate Education Intention Scale”. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient was used in the analysis of the data and structural equation modeling was used to test the mediating effect of the hypothesized model. Results showed that academic achievement and career decision self-efficacy directly predicted PG study intentions of students. Academic achievement positively predicted career decision self-efficacy. Results of SEM indicate d that career decision self-efficacy has a partial mediation role in the relationship between academic achievement and PG study intentions. As a result, it was concluded that as the academic achievement of current undergraduate students increases, their career decision self-efficacy also increases; thus their intentions to pursue PG study increases. Universities should collect information about the career potential of undergraduate students, make plans and put these plans into action by the creation of mentoring centers for the provision of postgraduate education can be an important step for part in postgraduate studies.