A Mixed-Methods Study of the Reasons Why Nontraditional Students Have Chosen to Attend College at a Later Point in Their Lives
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Authors
Vance, Jeffrey S.
Issue Date
2018-12-12
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Nontraditional learners , Educational leadership
Alternative Title
Abstract
The overall enrollment of nontraditional students at institutions of higher education has illustrated a significant increase over the past twenty years. This created a need to study such a phenomenon. Love of learning, financial considerations and internal provisions were a few of the factors provided by nontraditional learners as the reasons they enrolled in college at a later point in their lives. Conversely, factors such as financial concerns, self-esteem, and technological unfamiliarity were studied as factors that connected to reasons why they did not apply to college at an earlier point in their lives. This study utilized a mixed-methods case study design that analyzed the aforementioned factors as they related to ten nontraditional students in Southern New England. The researcher utilized interviews and surveys to gather relevant pieces of data. The research questions were the following: 1) What factors draw nontraditional students towards applying to college? 2) What factors draw nontraditional students away from applying to college? The data revealed that financial considerations were the primary reason nontraditional learners attend college. Nontraditional students wanted to learn new skills and cognitive methods in order to attain financial success. The factors in opposition exemplified managing work and familial responsibilities as some of the reasons why nontraditional students did not apply to college at an earlier point in their lives. Recommendations for educational leaders included revisiting or drafting plans that might help to make the overall college experience more effective for nontraditional learners. This would include social and financial considerations.
Description
Citation
J.S. Vance, "A Mixed-Methods Study of the Reasons Why Nontraditional Students Have Chosen to Attend College at a Later Point in Their Lives", Ph.D. dissertation, School of Education, Univ. of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT, 2018.