What is Older Students

This chapter aims to gain in-depth knowledge of the doctoral experience of older graduate students. For this purpose, a phenomenological study was conducted. Ten students aged 40 and older who are studying in graduate education were interviewed. Collected data were analyzed using descriptive and content analysis techniques. Findings revealed that being a doctoral student aged 40 and over has both advantages and disadvantages. Almost all of the participants try to complete their education simultaneously with their profession. In addition, they have heavier family responsibilities than the younger doctorants. This factor leads to a distraction and division in their motivation. However, it is clear that being in the university environment, acquiring new perspectives, and producing something new gives satisfaction to the participants despite the existing difficulties. On the other hand, young doctorants' insufficient professional experience makes older PhDs advantageous in terms of integrating their professional experience with doctoral education.