A study investigated adults' motivation for participating in Marshall University's off-campus credit education program in adult education. The 38 respondents (56 percent of those contacted) received their master's degrees during 1982-1992. Ninety-five percent of the respondents were white, and 5 percent were African-American. Seventy-four percent were female. More than 90 percent were employed full time as they took courses. A mailed questionnaire asked subjects to report how much each of six factors (from the Education Participation Scale) motivated them to complete their programs. The factors were social contact, social stimulation, professional advancement, community service, external expectations, and cognitive interest. Each factor could be rated either 1 for "no influence," 2 for "little influence," 3 for "moderate influence," or 4 for "much influence." The two factors rated highest as motivators were professional advancement and cognitive interest. Community service was rated next highest as a motivator. The other factors, in descending order of influence, were external expectations, social contact, and social stimulation. (11 references) (CML)