ERIC Number: ED551063
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 288
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 978-1-2677-1633-0
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Online PhD Program Delivery Models and Their Relationship to Student Success
Jorissen, Shari L.
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Walden University
Attrition rates in Ph.D. programs are at approximately 50% in traditional Ph.D. programs and 10-20% higher in online Ph.D. programs. Understanding the relationship between student factors, measures of student success (retention, graduation, year to degree), and student satisfaction is important to support and improve retention, graduation rates, and lower years to degree. The purpose of this study was to provide information to an online university that offers Ph.D. programs in three delivery models (knowledge area modules (KAM, a type of faculty-led, self-directed doctoral study); course based; and mixed model (combination KAM/course based model)) about why students choose a delivery model, their satisfaction with the model and, if they switched, why they did so. Knowles' theory of andragogy provided the theoretical foundations for this study. This mixed methods included analyses of quantitative data (program delivery model, student demographics, retention, and satisfaction) as well as qualitative data gathered from open ended survey questions and interviews with students who switched programs. Regression was used to test quantitative hypotheses; qualitative analyses included coding open ended survey responses as well as a case study qualitative design to analyze interview data. Results indicate that students who are enrolled in a course based delivery model are more likely to be retained and are more satisfied than students in other delivery models. Implications for positive social change included improved student retention, graduation rates, fewer years to degree and increased satisfaction. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Graduate Students, Doctoral Programs, Doctoral Degrees, Academic Achievement, Electronic Learning, Virtual Universities, Delivery Systems, Andragogy, Mixed Methods Research, Demography, Academic Persistence, Satisfaction, Student Attitudes, Student Surveys, Interviews, Regression (Statistics), Case Studies, Correlation
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A