Currently there is an emerging body of literature indicating a relationship between Emotional Intelligence (EI) and academic success in college (i.e., GPA). There is speculation as to how EI impacts college success, and there is a need to comprehend how EI impacts academic achievement from the students' perspective. The specific study problem addressed was that current efforts that address student retention in colleges and universities are not effective; therefore new ones need to be explored. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to examine the role EI plays in undergraduate students' academic experiences and success in college, by describing the subjectively experienced phenomenon of emotional intelligence from the student's perspective. This dissertation is a qualitative study based on the perceptions and lived experiences of ten, non-traditional, undergraduate, college students at a Bible college in the Midwestern United States. The knowledge that was added from this research contributes to the existing literature as to how EI impacts students' perceived success in an undergraduate degree program. The ten students who participated in this study stressed that EI was an important factor in their academic success. The results of this research showed that there was a link between EI and academic success, and that the student's growth of EI was influenced by distinguishable factors. The most prevalent themes identified by research participants were self-management, social awareness self-awareness, and relationship management. This research reinforced that EI plays a crucial role for academic success. Strategies to develop student's EI would benefit universities to improve student success, thereby increasing overall student retention. [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.]