Identifier

etd-04052016-180241

Degree

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Education

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

This study explores the relationship between major changes and time-to-degree at a large, public university in the Southeastern United States. In addition, it analyzes the effects of participation in True Colors workshops (a major decision-making intervention) on major changes and time-to-degree while controlling for competing explanations (i.e., demographic factors, GPA, major). While researchers have often suggested a link between major changes and enrollment beyond four years, they have not often studied this relationship. Moreover, researchers have not studied the effectiveness of True Colors major decision-making workshops on major changes and/or time-to-degree. Existing research establishes the negative effects of extended enrollment (e.g., shortage of institutional resources and workforce) and examines the interrelationship between student demographics, institutional selectivity, and time-to-degree. Additionally, researchers have found personality to be highly related to choice of major, and interventions by higher education professionals may be beneficial to students’ major decision-making process. Using a quasi-experimental research design, the researcher conducted bivariate and multivariate regression analyses to determine the relationship between major changes and time-to-degree, and the effect of participation in True Colors workshops on major changes and time-to-degree. The researcher found a significant positive relationship between major changes and time-to-degree after controlling for competing explanations (n=349; β=0.16; p≤ 0.01). The researcher also determined participation in True Colors workshops had no effect on major changes (n=684) or time-to-degree (n=351), even after controlling for competing explanations.

Date

2016

Document Availability at the Time of Submission

Student has submitted appropriate documentation to restrict access to LSU for 365 days after which the document will be released for worldwide access.

Committee Chair

Alsandor, Danielle J.

DOI

10.31390/gradschool_theses.4109

Download

Included in

Education Commons

Share

COinS