A multilevel analysis of factors influencing quality of cultivating innovative practice ability in Chinese professional degree programs

Against the backdrop of China’s growing demand for high-level applied talents, this study adopts Bandura’s Social Learning Theory to explore multilevel factors influencing the quality of cultivating innovative and practical ability among professional degree postgraduates. It constructs an analytical framework encompassing three core dimensions: students’ internal motivation and practical competence, the guidance capacity of dual-supervisors, and the supportive role of practical teaching environments. Using structural equation modeling (SEM) with data from 196 valid survey responses, the research empirically examines both direct and indirect impacts of these factors on the depth and breadth of capability development. Key findings reveal that students’ intrinsic motivation and practical literacy, dual-supervisors’ ethical standards and instructional expertise, and well-equipped, policy-supported, innovation-oriented practice bases significantly enhance cultivation outcomes. These results not only provide theoretical insights into the mechanisms of capability formation but also offer practical guidance for universities and policymakers to optimize talent cultivation strategies. By bridging the gap between academic theory and industrial practice, the study contributes to advancing China’s high-quality, practice-oriented postgraduate education system and addressing industry demands for skilled professionals.