Qualitative research regarding transportation studies programs at the University of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota's Center for Transportation Studies through the Continuing Education and Extension Division contracted to conduct three focus group discussions. The first group was made up of engineering and construction people; the second, persons involved in logistics and distribution, and the third, those in planning and policy making. Participants represented both the public and private sectors, and were involved in hiring and/or training decisions for their organizations.

The primary objective of the research was to provide information regarding the educational needs of transportation professionals as seen from a management perspective.

The purpose of the research was to determine: skills, knowledge, and experience sought when hiring transportation professionals; definition of the term "continuing education"; attitudes toward hiring someone with experience vs. education; what transportation studies should include; appropriateness of transportatio studies programs and undergraduate vs. graduate level; program format preference; value of transportation studies being interdisciplinary; value of studies to organizations and businesses who hire transportation professionals; tuition expectations; and identification of transportation challenges.